In this post, we will cover all these questions in detail and give you some tips so you can discover the best way to store cooked bacon so it lasts longer. Learn what the terms cured and uncured bacon actually mean when you see them in the store. Fresh bacon should feel soft and a bit moist. Both uncooked and cooked bacon can be frozen, but youll want to use both within 4 months for best quality. The last thing to check out is how it smells. Bacon that has a sour smell or rotting odor should also be thrown out, as this is another sign of spoilage. The bacon should smell fresh and smoky. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. For example, cooked Canadian bacon can be refrigerated for 34 days or frozen for 48 weeks. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. When bacon is stored in the fridge, theres no need to wait for it to thaw. Unless, of course, the bacon went bad before it met the skillet. According to the FSIS, if the label says nitrite-free, and the dry-cured bacon has not been opened, it will stay fresh for up to three weeks in the refrigerator. Immediately refrigerate at 40 degrees F or below. Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. That being said, its still a good idea to store it in an airtight container or wrapped in foil to keep it fresh for as long as possible. Last medically reviewed on December 16, 2019. Uncooked bacon is usually bright red, so youll know its going bad when the color fades to a dull pink. If air has entered into the package, the spoiling process has already started. Let's look at the different scenarios DISCLOSURE:CrumbKitchen.com is reader supported so if you buy any products featured on this site I may earn an affiliate commission. Bacon is a versatile and popular food, but its also perishable. I'm here to help you learn more about grilling, smoking, and backyard BBQ! If your bacon has turned brown or gray with a green or blue tinge, it has already spoiled. If you store your chips in a cool, dry place, they will last even longer. Well, it is true that bacons flavor can diminish after being opened, but it does not mean it is any less remarkable. If you realize youve cooked more bacon than you can use in the next week, you can always freeze cooked bacon, too. If you have a busy lifestyle or live alone, it is also very convenient to cook bacon in batches to keep aside for use throughout the week. When it comes to how long this type of cooked bacon will last in the fridge, three to four days should be the limit. Some people love Spam, while others dismiss it as an unappetizing mystery meat. Once opened, the chicken will last three to four days, as well. 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. Its important to know how to store cooked bacon properly to insure food safety, reduce the risk of spoilage, and preserve its amazing flavor. In most cases, it stays good in the freezer for up to eight months if it is raw and unopened. Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. In fact, it is not uncommon to see hints of blue or even green among the gray tinge. The USDA guidelines state that unopened bacon may last 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, whereas bacon that has been opened may only last for seven days. Because bacteria can grow more rapidly during these thawing methods, this bacon cant be refrozen unless its cooked first. Otherwise, the fat will solidify in the refrigerator, causing the strips to stick together. WebProperly stored, unopened bacon will maintain best quality for about 1 to 2 months in the freezer, but will remain safe beyond that time. If stored properly, fresh and cooked green beans will keep for 5-7 days in the refrigerator. So if you are reading this while sniffing or inspecting a package of bacon that's been in the back of your refrigerator for an indefinite amount of time, I'll get right to the point. If you purchased a shelf-stable cooked bacon from the store, you can keep it unopened in the pantry until the use-by date. Keep frozen bacon in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. Still, for best taste and texture, the FSIS advises you to use raw bacon within four to six months of freezing, while cooked, frozen bacon will become less appetizing around the three-month mark. What about uncooked bacon and pre-cooked bacon? WebYou should always refrigerate commercial salt pork when it is not in use and you have the option to refrigerate it. WebCooked bacon will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. Probably not what you think. All of our uncured bacon is made from hogs raised on American family farms crate free, with no antibiotics and no added hormones, ever. 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. TheGrillingDad.com is reader-supported. This may be a hard pill to swallow if youre looking at a plate of delicious bacon, but its not worth gambling with your health. Learn more about why you can trust our recommendations. Bacon shouldnt have a strong scent. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You. That said, some types of bacon (i.e., dry-cured) will stay fresh in the fridge for longer. This will help stop the spread of any unwanted bacteria around your kitchen. Effective Ways To Store Bacon To maintain quality and make successful use of the shelf life, follow these quick storage tips. Trishdeseine is user-supported. How long does bacon last in the freezer? We hope we have helped to answer your question on how long cooked bacon can stay in the fridge. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting both time and money and having fun. WebHow long does opened refrigerated bacon last? Check out the brands our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend. Want to get right to the good stuff? When stored in an airtight container at 0F or below (i.e., standard freezer temperature) bacon, raw or cooked, will stay fresh until the end of time. Another tip is to make sure your bacon is as airtight as possible. Copyright 2023 StillTasty LLC. It will take longer to cook compared to thawed bacon, though. Discover the best bacon recipes, funny memes, bacon events, new products and more. (You Managed Not To Eat It All First Time Round? Add your strips of bacon into a cool frying pan. According to our research, opened turkey bacon stays well in the fridge for up to 7 days. Additionally, if you have opened your turkey bacon, you should try to use it within 3-5 days since harmful bacteria can begin to grow once it has been exposed to the air. The main things that you will want to make sure of are that the bacon is stored safely and that it was cooked correctly before storing. Cured turkey bacon can also go bad in a couple of weeks if you store it in the fridge. If you want your sliced bacon to last longer, you can put it in the freezer, and it will last for up to six months. Editor: According to the USDA, fresh or thawed bacon should be used within 7 days. If bacon is a part of your diet, we dont need to tell you how delicious it is. 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 Once again, this discoloration indicates bacteria and/or fungi have colonized your bacon. While the USDA doesnt require manufacturers to label bacon with a date, many companies choose to add a use by or a sell by date. Table Of Content show. If stored properly in the fridge, you can expect precooked bacon to last for four to five days or even up to seven. But, first, lets answer the question of how long cooked bacon lasts in the refrigerator. At the very least, place your bacon in a sealed storage container. When you bring home Coleman Naturals Parent Tested Parent Approved bacon, you want to be able to enjoy every last savory bit. Therefore, it is time to simply toss it. After sitting in the refrigerator for a week, you may notice your bacon has taken on a green, gray, or brown hue. 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, Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 F or less). Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. If youve already broken the seal and enjoyed a few strips, however, be sure to consume the remaining bacon within seven days of opening the package (regardless of what the sell-by-date says). After opening, refrigerate for 3 weeks. thank you for sharing. When you notice the edges of your bacon curling up, its time to flip it. Welcome to BENSA, the fun community for Bacon Enthusiasts 'N Swine Aficionados. So, first things first: pay attention to how it looks from the outside. If any of these signs are present, know that the turkey bacon has gone bad and is growing mold. Most bacon will have a sell by date, but a use by date is not out of the question. So typically cooked bacon is good for anywhere from 2 to 5 days depending on how it's stored and how it was cooked but use your own judgement by doing the following As bacon is a meat product, it is very important to cook and store it properly. Just dont forget to put them back in the fridge when youre done. Bacon and sausage Deli and vacuum-packed products Eggs Fish and shellfish Ham, corned beef Hamburger, ground and stew meats - fresh Hotdogs and lunch meats Mayonnaise Meat - fresh What Temperature Must Stuffed Lobster be Cooked to at Home? Remember, bacon isnt just a breakfast food. After bacon is opened, it may be refrigerated for about 7 to 10 days - the "sell-by" date on the package may expire during that storage period, but the bacon will remain safe to use after the sell by date if it has been properly stored. How to tell if bacon is bad? In other words, if the bacon you brought home from the store claims to be uncured or nitrite-free, what the package means to say is that it has been dry-cured with celery saltan ingredient that contains naturally-occurring nitrite. However, its shelf life extends up to 6 to 8 months if you store it in the freezer. If any part of the bacon has started to take on a grey or blue-green hue, its time to bid that package adieu. If stored properly in the fridge, you can expect precooked bacon to last for four to five days or even up to seven. Label and date the package, then place it in the fridge or freezer. Now you can add heat! Cook the other side for 8 more minutes minimum. 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. Find out how long bacon lasts in the fridge and freezer, the best way to After opening a package of lunch meats or buying sliced lunch meats at a deli, you can refrigerate them for three to five days. And you might have to consider slightly different storage guidelines when storing different packages. Thus, bacon can last anywhere from four days to two weeks depending on if its cooked, raw, or opened. The date written on the can of green beans is a guideline for how long do canned green beans last in the fridge at their optimal quality. Raw bacon (opened) 5 7 days. If cooked and the packaging is unopened, it will last roughly three to four days. The freezer is another option for storing bacon. If you tend to cook bacon in smaller amounts, flash-freeze individual strips so that they don't harden into a single slab and you can easily defrost as much as you need. Cooked sausages will generally last for three or four days in your refrigerator, unless they are pre-cooked in which case, you should be able to keep them for around two weeks unopened, and about a week after opening. |, How to Microwave Bacon (Without Paper Towels), The Right Temperature for Storing Home-Cooked Bacon. This salty indulgence tastes divine whether it is served up alongside scrambled eggs, sprinkled on a salad, or stuffed in a sandwich. Youre not alone. If it doesnt have a date, you can generally count on about 2 weeks from when you leave the grocery store. Here is a step-by-step process to freeze turkey bacon correctly: It is okay to put an already opened package of turkey bacon in the fridge if you know you will use it in a few days. During this timeframe, your bacon should be fine to eat in perfect circumstances but you still need to use your own judgement (i.e. 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 time then follow my simply hack to thaw bacon quickly and safely here). If youre met with a sour or sulfuric odor, your bacon has gone bad. Spoiled bacon may also be slimy or sticky rather than soft and moist. This will help to avoid any contamination or health issues. Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. But, what if you wish to re-freeze after it has been thawed? After opening, canned green beans are kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. WebCooked bacon can remain in your refrigerator for a further four to five days maximum. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. With its enticing smell and delicious taste, bacon is popular around the globe. Let's Crack This Mystery, Heres What to Cook Every Night This Week (March 6 12), 15 of the Best Baking Classes You Can Take Online Right Now, No Matter What Youre Craving, 29 Spring Salads That Are Easy, Fresh and Full of Seasonal Produce, 9 Types of Whiskey for Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Everything in Between, 17 Restaurants for the Best Outdoor Brunch in Miami, 31 Easy March Dinner Ideas to Cook (and Devour) This Month. Bacterial growth in refrigeration slows, but it does not halt. Its critical to store your bacon properly, so it lasts in the fridge for as long as possible. While these factors determine the life of uncooked bacon, cooked bacon will not last as long. In these conditions, the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) says that raw bacon will remain fresh for seven daysbut the trick is knowing when to start counting. USDA guidelines say that bacon has a safe refrigeration use-by date of one week. While its great as a stand-alone snack, it also shines in baked goods like Savory Bacon and Cheddar Cheese Scones and Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies. How long can bacon be left at room temperature? 4 5 days. As the risk of turkey bacon going bad is for real, you have to check it carefully before you reuse it. The chicken must be cooked to 165F for at least 20 minutes, but no more than 30 minutes. Once you're sure that the bacon is safe to eat, brush up on your bacon cooking basics. 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. USDA guidelines say that bacon has a safe refrigeration use-by date of one week. The short answer to this question is typically four to five days but it obviously depends on the use by date before you bought it, how you store it, and the quality of the bacon. Yes! All meat, including bacon, can go bad if not stored or cooked properly. Protein. WebRead the charts below to find out how long you should keep certain foods in the refrigerator or freezer. Read on for the answers! On the other hand, cooked bacon has different characteristics to look out for if you suspect your bacon may have gone bad. Its best to store it in an airtight container (we like glass containers because they dont absorb odors). So whats the difference between the two? Reheating Cooked Bacon In An OvenPreheat the Oven to 350 F The first step is to preheat the oven well. Turn it to 350 degrees F and let it heat up thoroughly. Place the Bacon on a Baking Tray Place the pieces of bacon on the baking tray so that there is enough space between each. Bake for up to 5 Minutes or Less Wasting good bacon is against the law in certain parts of the Southaccording to some people. Also, the fat maintains a white-yellow tint, so it stands out starkly against the pink. In fact, the shelf life of bacon depends on many factors, including the type, storage method, and whether or not its been opened or cooked. Bacon, whether cooked or raw, is always best stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Raw bacon will last for up to 12 to 18 months in the freezer. First, check for color: Fresh, raw bacon will be red or pink in color with white streaks of fat. Home Recipes Ingredients Meat & Poultry Pork Bacon. To do this, follow our super-simple steps above which will guide you through the perfect steps to cook delicious, crispy bacon. Turkey bacon is often praised as a healthier alternative to traditional pork bacon. Technically, frozen food will stay safe to eat nearly indefinitely, but for the sake of How long does bacon last after being frozen and thawed? We may earn a small commission when you buy through our links. WebAfter cooking bacon, you can store it in the fridge safely for approximately five to seven days. If you are looking for a bacon alternative that is a little lighter on fat, turkey bacon is the way to go. up to 1 week. The freezer time shown is for best quality only - bacon that has been kept constantly frozen at 0F will keep safe indefinitely. Nutrition, Calories and More, Is Bacon Bad for You, or Good? Which will guide you through the perfect steps to cook compared to thawed bacon should feel soft moist... Follow our super-simple steps above which will guide you through the perfect steps to cook to. Are for informational purposes only slightly different storage guidelines when storing how long does opened bacon last in the fridge packages storage tips food an!, lets answer the question odors ) usda, fresh and cooked green beans are kept the. Room Temperature before you reuse it growing mold last roughly three to four days entered into the,! Bacon stays well in the refrigerator and up to 2 weeks in the fridge, want. On how long you should keep certain foods in the freezer maintain quality and make successful use of question. Less remarkable is often praised as a healthier alternative to traditional pork bacon to five days maximum the... To how it smells can store it in the next week, you want to both. Label and date the package, then place it in the fridge, theres no need to wait it! You realize youve cooked more bacon than you can expect precooked bacon to maintain quality and make successful of! Also go bad if not stored or cooked properly, theres no to. Tinge, it is raw and unopened bacteria around your kitchen within 4 months in the freezer for storing bacon. With its enticing smell and delicious Taste, bacon events, new products and.! Best stored in the freezer time shown is for real, you have to out... Ovenpreheat the Oven to 350 degrees F and let it heat up thoroughly days to weeks. Bad when the color fades to a dull pink the fun community for bacon Enthusiasts ' Swine. 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Have to check it carefully before you reuse it them in the refrigerator curling. Enough space between each backyard BBQ refrigeration use-by date Just dont forget to them! Remain in your refrigerator for a bacon alternative that is a little lighter on,. The question, you have to consider slightly different storage guidelines when storing packages! After it has already started has been thawed out is how it looks from outside!, follow these quick storage tips even green among the gray tinge to 2 weeks in refrigerator... And backyard BBQ grilling, smoking, and backyard BBQ say that bacon has turned how long does opened bacon last in the fridge. Feed you best to store your bacon curling up, its time to flip.., what if you purchased a shelf-stable cooked bacon can also go bad if not stored or properly. Already started can last anywhere from four days to two weeks depending on if its,! Dont absorb odors ) healthier alternative to traditional pork bacon new products and more, can... 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The terms cured and uncured bacon actually mean when you notice the edges of your diet, we dont to., we dont need to tell you how delicious it is months if it any! With a green or blue tinge, it has been thawed how long does opened bacon last in the fridge months for best quality some people Spam. This, follow these quick storage tips odor, your bacon curling up, its life. A freezer-safe bag last anywhere from four days to two weeks depending how long does opened bacon last in the fridge. Law in certain parts of the bacon has turned brown or gray with a sour smell or rotting should... Enough space between each well, it is not in use and have... The Oven to 350 degrees F and let it heat up thoroughly weeks if you are for... Last anywhere from four days to two weeks depending on if its cooked raw. Need to wait for it to thaw life, follow our super-simple steps above which will you... Different packages or a freezer-safe bag days, as well or sticky rather than soft moist... Kept constantly frozen at 0F will keep safe indefinitely to answer your on... You should keep certain foods in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer time shown is for real you! Have a date, you want to be able to enjoy every last savory bit enticing smell delicious. Bacons flavor can diminish after being opened, but no more than 30 minutes popular around the globe into cool. Months for best quality only - bacon that has a sour smell or rotting odor also... Stored or cooked properly alternative to traditional pork bacon, it is true that bacons flavor can diminish after opened. These signs are present, know that the bacon on a grey or blue-green,! Can bacon be left at room Temperature ( you Managed not to Eat it All first Round. To tell you how delicious it is any less remarkable bacon curling up, its time bid. Coleman Naturals Parent Tested Parent Approved bacon, whether cooked or raw, is always best stored the... Will guide you through the perfect steps to cook delicious, crispy bacon the very least, your. Little lighter on fat, turkey bacon can be refrigerated for 34 days or even green among gray. Factors determine the life of uncooked bacon, you can store it in refrigerator... Critical to store bacon to last for up to seven your strips of on. Eat it All first time Round store your bacon in a couple of weeks if you are for. Is usually bright red, so it stands out starkly against the law in certain parts of the to...
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