Depending on whether the bacon is cooked, raw, or opened, it can last anywhere from If you realize youve cooked more bacon than you can use in the next week, you can always freeze cooked bacon, too. That is how you tell if bacon is bad and no longer edible. (FYI: Per the Washington Post, theres no evidence that dry-cured bacon is any healthier or has less nitrite than mass-produced bacon.). Otherwise, the fat will solidify in the refrigerator, causing the strips to stick together. To ensure the bacon stays fresh when stored, you need to pay attention to how well you wrap it in the first place. Another tip is to make sure your bacon is as airtight as possible. You can get toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, and tapeworms if you eat raw bacon or bacon that has gone bad. Whether it is cooked or not, the shelf life of bacon decreases once it is opened. All rights reserved. Once it turns brown, gray or has a greenish hue, its definitely time to toss it. All of our uncured bacon is made from hogs raised on American family farms crate free, with no antibiotics and no added hormones, ever. Several factors determine how long bacon is good for, including how its stored, whether or not its cooked, and what type of bacon it is. Related Questions Does unopened turkey bacon go bad? The last thing to check out is how it smells. If you have thick-cut bacon, youll need a more substantial wrapping than a single layer of plastic wrap. If stored properly in the fridge, you can expect precooked bacon to last for four to five days or even up to seven. Welcome to BENSA, the fun community for Bacon Enthusiasts 'N Swine Aficionados. If anything, it should smell a bit smoky. I've tried just about every type of grill, accessory, and gadget you can imagine. We emphasize that you smell it, never taste it first! If you have ever prepared it at home, you may notice that most types of bacon have a sell-by date listed directly on the package. Or for up to a year when placed in the freezer. However, some people have raised concerns over potentially harmful compounds. If bacon is a part of your diet, we dont need to tell you how delicious it is. The best way is to smell and look at the bacon: signs If it is not stored correctly you may be at risk of bacterial illnesses such as Salmonella. Bacon cured without nitrites (a common type of bacon) keeps a little longerup to 3 weeks. The first two numbers refer to the year. The sell by date of bacon, like many other proteins, is not the use by date or expiration date. The bacon should smell fresh and smoky. Once you have finished cooking your batch of bacon, you will need to leave it to completely cool down to room temperature before thinking about refrigeration. If you have time, thaw bacon in the refrigerator. If you notice any signs of spoilage with your bacon, discard it immediately to keep it from contaminating other meats and products in your kitchen. It tastes awesome and goes with almost any food. Cook the other side for 8 more minutes minimum. While you may be tempted to cut off the moldy spot and cook up the rest of the bacon, this isnt recommended. Find out how long bacon lasts in the fridge and freezer, the best way to Once youve found the date, take note of whether its a sell by or use by date. Turkey bacon degrades because of the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Just make sure to thaw and cook the bacon thoroughly before eating it. This salty indulgence tastes divine whether it is served up alongside scrambled eggs, sprinkled on a salad, or stuffed in a sandwich. Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. Any type of undercooked or raw meat increases the risk of getting sick by harboring viruses, bacteria, and parasites. For example, if the chips are stored in a humid environment, they will go bad more quickly. It means the meat has been contaminated with bacteria and should not be eaten. After opening a package of lunch meats or buying sliced lunch meats at a deli, you can refrigerate them for three to five days. This will help to avoid any contamination or health issues. Bacon is salt-cured and made from pork belly, so you should be able to keep it in your larder for a long time, using bits and bobs for various meals, right? 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 cooked bacon, safety is always the top priority. To store your bacon properly and extend its lifespan, it must be promptly refrigerated and kept at a consistent temperature of 40F or below, whether cooked or raw. The relevant distinction between dry-cured and wet-cured bacon is that the dry-cured stuff lasts slightly longer in the fridge. We will also tell you how to tell if bacon has gone bad and what the signs of spoilage are. Remember, bacon isnt just a breakfast food. Spoiled bacon may also be slimy or sticky rather than soft and moist. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Some people love Spam, while others dismiss it as an unappetizing mystery meat. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. All dates are created with the assumption that bacon is properly vacuum sealed and stored. Mini Sweet Potato Scones with Rosemary & Bacon, Hawaiian Bacon & Pineapple Breakfast Bake, Air-Fryer Bacon-Peanut Butter Cornbread Muffins, Butterscotch Pie with Walnut-Bacon Toffee, 12 Mistakes Everybody Makes When Cooking Bacon. 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. Bacon grease will last for about 3 months in your fridge (so start dreaming up those bacon grease recipes!) There are instances when spoiled turkey bacon is so obviously off that you can trash it without even trying to touch it. Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked Proper storage can help maximize the shelf life and quality of your bacon. Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked It will kill any harmful bacteria that may have grown while the bacon was frozen. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and throw it away. How long does bacon last after being frozen and thawed? Most frozen bacon packages will thaw overnight in the refrigerator and should be used within 7 days. 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. Its better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food poisoning. (Note: Bacon bits freeze well, and can last up to six months if you wrap them tightly and store them in the freezer.). WebAfter cooking bacon, you can store it in the fridge safely for approximately five to seven days. Although foods that are properly stored in a freezer are safe to eat indefinitely, the USDA recommends using frozen bacon within one month. Generally speaking, unopened raw bacon will last in the fridge for about two weeks. 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. So, first things first: pay attention to how it looks from the outside. Hi, I'm Eliza! Open, uncooked bacon lasts for about a week when stored in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. Meanwhile, cooked bacon should be separated into small portions and wrapped with paper towels prior to freezing. Cooked bacon will stay fresh in the fridge for four to five days, which is more than enough time to bust it out for a mouth-watering lunchtime BLT. Precooked bacon (offered refrigerated, unopened) Use-by + 5 7 days. If youre looking for a premade holiday meal and wonder if Honey Baked Ham stores or websites accept EBT, the answer is no. Once opened, the chicken will last three to four days, as well. Table Of Content show. As the risk of turkey bacon going bad is for real, you have to check it carefully before you reuse it. This article reviews the nutritional profile of turkey bacon. 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. Coil the slices of bacon up so they look like snailsFreeze in a single layer on a baking sheetOnce the bacon coils are solid, store them in a zip-top bag in the freezer for up to 6 months. Have you ever experienced the rare, almost-unheard-of phenomenon of having leftover bacon, and wondered, How long does cooked bacon last in the refrigerator?. Is it a good idea to store cooked bacon in the freezer? This can be either a Ziploc bag or a glass container. Leftover cooked bacon lasts 4 to 5 days in the fridge. So how long can cooked bacon stay in the fridge? 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. No one wants to deal with food poisoning, so its best to err on the side of caution. WebOnce youve opened and cooked bacon, it can last for five to seven days in the refrigerator. According to the FSIS, if the label says How do you freeze bacon? 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. The ideal temperature for refrigerating bacon is 40 degrees F or lower. And it may last up to six months if it has been cooked and then carefully stored. First youll need to cook the bacon using your favorite method. Opened packages of uncooked bacon can be stored in an airtight container, plastic bag, in plastic wrap or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil. Coleman Natural Bacon is Parent Tested Parent Approved. This is the big question Does bacon expire ? and its the answer is easy: bacon does go bad, just like Ham does. yet, it depends on a lot of factors. such as the way of storing, if its opened or not, and so on. As a general rule, unopened bacon can stay in the fridge for as long as two weeks. 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. 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