The shelf life of bacon depends on the type and thickness of bacon, how thoroughly it was cooked, and the storage conditions. Get our best recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox. Let us know in the comments below! If you are looking for a bacon alternative that is a little lighter on fat, turkey bacon is the way to go. If stored properly in the fridge, you can expect precooked bacon to last for four to five days or even up to seven. For starters, be sure to refrigerate or freeze it directly after use. There are also plenty of ways to use leftover cooked bacon. Unopened bacon can last up to 8 months in the freezer. USDA guidelines say that bacon has a safe refrigeration use-by date of one week. Check out How to Tell When Bacon Is Bad for additional information. How long does bacon last after being frozen and thawed? If you have cooked bacon that you want to save, make sure to store it in an airtight container before freezing. Can you save leftover cooked bacon for later? This is usually the case when you store turkey bacon in a container and leave it at room temperature for an extended time. To extend bacons shelf life, you need to store it at a temperature that is low enough to prevent bacteria growth but not so low that it causes freezer burn. Every year, 48 million people in the United States become ill from food contamination, with the majority of cases stemming from raw or rotten meat. There are a couple of ways that you can safely cook your bacon. If you go to grab some bacon and find it slimy, something has gone awry. Bacon, whether cooked or raw, is always best stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Similarly, mold spots, even when found on otherwise rosy strips of bacon, are bad news. Use a few layers of wax paper, heavy-duty freezer bags, or freezer wrap to insulate the slices. How long does bacon last in the freezer? Since bacon is such a fatty food, it can go bad quickly. USDA guidelines say that cooked bacon can be refrigerated up to 7 days, but in our experience the flavor and texture are best when the tasty strips are eaten within a day or two after cooking. Effective Ways To Store Bacon To maintain quality and make successful use of the shelf life, follow these quick storage tips. Prevent freezer burn by wrapping the unopened package in a layer of aluminum foil (and label it with the date). Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked may only last around 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer. Thank you for sharing that with me!! Nitrate-free may be a new term for some people when it comes to bacon. Whether you have opened the package or not, uncooked bacon will last for seven days in the fridge, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Youll know the bacon is bad if the smell is sour, fishy, rotting, or makes you feel sick. Due to this, ensure that any surfaces that your raw bacon has touched are properly sanitized afterward. If your cooked bacon isnt stored in a tightly sealed way, then it may reduce the number of days it is safe for consumption. Here are four signs your refrigerated bacon may have gone bad. The best way is to smell and look at the bacon: signs Cooked bacon has the shortest lifespan of them all. When you bring home Coleman Naturals Parent Tested Parent Approved bacon, you want to be able to enjoy every last savory bit. When it comes to bacon, it depends on whether the bacon is cooked or uncooked, and refrigerated or frozen. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You. If you store your chips in a cool, dry place, they will last even longer. Even though our bacon is cured with natural ingredients and smoked, it doesnt stay fresh forever. For more information, be sure to read How to Store Cooked Bacon.. Bacon, Cooked: 4 to 5 days Bacon, Uncooked: 7 days Beef Roast, Steaks or Ribs, Uncooked: 3 to 5 days Chicken, Cooked: 3 to 4 days Chicken, Uncooked: 1 to 2 days Fish, Uncooked: 1 to 2 days Ground Beef, Cooked: 3 to 4 days Ground Beef, Uncooked: 1 to 2 days Hot Dogs, Opened: 1 week Hot Dogs, We use our affiliate earnings to buy tasty snacks and new toys. Read my full disclosure here. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/bacon-and-food-safety, https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-is-the-2-Hour-Rule-with-leaving-food-out. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A Summary my simply hack to thaw bacon quickly and safely here, five minutes and will help to avoid any burning of the meat, How Long Can Cookie Dough Last in the Fridge? The Grilling Dad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If you purchased a shelf-stable cooked bacon from the store, you can keep it unopened in the pantry until the use-by date. Many people think that curing bacon would make it last longer but that is not always the case. Youre smart to research the answer, because the last thing any of us want to do is waste one morsel of tasty, delectable bacon. Therefore, you can expect open bacon to last for about a week in the refrigerator. Please see ourdisclosurestatement. To make this happen, be sure you store your bacon properly. Web1-2 months from date of purchase. For example, plain potato chips will last longer than chips that are flavored or have a dip. Hard or dry sausage (such as pepperoni and Genoa salami), whole and unopened, can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator or for up to six weeks in the pantry. Because of that, I am here to help guide you to the best of the best and help you save time and money by avoiding the junk. WebCooked bacon that has been stored properly also has a shorter shelf life and can generally last around 45 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the f That sweet, salty and smoky flavor has the ability to light up a dish, and the smell of bacon in the oven is enough to make anyone hungry. Find out how long bacon lasts in the fridge and freezer, the best way to Still Tasty says that Raw bacon is always pink with white fat running through it. Whichever you choose will work just as well. You can freeze bacon for up to two months for longer storage, or cook your bacon and then use it within another five to seven days. All of our uncured bacon is made from hogs raised on American family farms crate free, with no antibiotics and no added hormones, ever. How Long Does Cooked Nitrate-Free Uncured Bacon Last? (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "bd5526af-9c84-429a-baca-e1c4e1072ef9" }).render("7917806a0d7f4109a1cb2a4492c81a1a"); }); Youll find that some manufacturers include a sell-by or use-by date on the packaging, though its not required by the USDA. Once opened, the chicken will last three to four days, as well. Is it a good idea to store cooked bacon in the freezer? Youve got grilling questions. Remember, the smell of spoiled turkey bacon is similar to that of sour or rancid fat, so it is easy to pick it. Since it is fresh meat, the texture will be a little spongy, but it will not be gooey. However, this date doesnt necessarily indicate how long bacon can be used and safely eaten. Cooked bacon thats past its prime will have a rancid smell, and it will lose its crisp texture and become soft and sticky. Opened Package This article reviews the nutritional profile of turkey bacon. How? That said, some types of bacon (i.e., dry-cured) will stay fresh in the fridge for longer. This article discusses how long bacon lasts and how to preserve it to extend its shelf life and improve its quality. An airtight bag or container is key for freezing or refrigerating cooked bacon, as you want to eliminate as much surface area being exposed to oxygen as possible. Learn more. That is how you tell if bacon is bad and no longer edible. Certain varieties of bacon may also have a different shelf life. WebUnless you buy from a local butcher, you will likely buy bacon in packs of six or eight rashers from the supermarket (if you buy it frozen and forget to defrost before breakfast That is something you will notice when you look at a new package of turkey bacon. Food poisoning can be serious, especially for young children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems. Turkey bacon degrades because of the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Some important things to remember are that bacon is a meat product so you must ensure that it is cooked and stored properly. In most cases, it stays good in the freezer for up to eight months if it is raw and unopened. Is 10 Year Old Wine Safe To Drink? Raw bacon in a package that has been opened and re-sealed will last up to a week in the fridge, and cooked bacon will last four to five days if its properly stored. But despite bacons beloved status, its tough for most of us to eat an entire package in one sitting. If the bacon has been sitting out longer than that, its best to play it safe and discard it. 3-4 days. Read on to find out. Fresh bacon should feel soft and a bit moist. Before storing, be sure to wrap any opened turkey bacon using tin foil or store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. ), If you can eat bacon after it sits out overnight. |, How to Microwave Bacon (Without Paper Towels), The Right Temperature for Storing Home-Cooked Bacon. StillTasty notes you can keep chicken in the freezer for nine months. Fresh bacon should have tantalizing strips of white fat marbled with pinkish-red meat. While it is possible to make it last longer by freezing it, there are many ways to use leftover bacon, so we hope you arent planning to keep yours that long. The tastiest way is on the stovetop. With almost a decade of manning the grill and helping over 25,000 aspiring grill masters, you're in great hands! Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked may only last around 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer. Opened bacon may be kept in its original store packaging when refrigerating; to maximize the shelf life of opened bacon, place the opened package inside a resealable plastic bag or wrap tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Uncooked bacon can be stored for up to a week in the fridge, but cooked bacon will keep for no more than 4-5 days, even if stored properly. These include: Hard cheeses Butter or margarine Opened fruit juices or canned fruits Many spreads including peanut butter, jelly, relish, ketchup and mustard We prefer the Ziploc bag method because you are able to squeeze all the air out of the bag before placing it in the freezer. (Note: Bacon bits freeze well, and can last up to six months if you wrap them tightly and store them in the freezer.). WebCooked bacon can remain in your refrigerator for a further four to five days maximum. When the bacon is completely frozen, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe bag. Cooked bacon that has been stored properly also has a shorter shelf life and can generally last around 45 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the freezer. If you choose to save bacon grease after cooking, it can be refrigerated for 6 months or frozen for up to 9 months before going rancid. Many bacteria, yeasts, and fungi are invisible to the naked eyed, but some fungi can form on the surface of bacon. (And Signs Its Bad), 321 Ribs How To Smoke Ribs (The Easy Way), 10 Best Meat Slicers for Home Use (2023 Review), Hamburger Temperature Guide for Grilling (Free Temp Chart! Lets Find Out! However, improper storage can cause turkey bacon to spoil. By Food and Life Lover February 27, 2023. How Long Does Bacon last in the fridge. WebHow long can open bacon last in the fridge? 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