Do you know how long does cooked and uncooked bacon last in the fridge? I’ll show you the expiration date on cooked and uncooked bacon. Plus, you’ll learn how to tell if it’s spoiled or not.
From breakfast to dinner and even dessert, we include delicious bacon in practically every meal. Cooking bacon is the usual method for crisping up those wonderful strips of smokey goodness, and it’s dead simple, that’s one of the reasons we love it so much.
Everyone has a favorite type of bacon. Some people prefer it fattier, while others like it thicker or smoked. Much of your decision will be based on how you intend to use the bacon: a good recipe will specify whether the bacon should be smoked or not, or if a thick cut is needed.
Some people loathe frying bacon at home because it can stink up the kitchen and, indeed, the entire house. When frying bacon, you should utilize your oven’s exhaust fan if you have one, and you can also open a door or window.
But preparing it is one thing, and enjoying them as long as you can is another. In this article, we will help you make the most of your crispy smokey bacon stirps and help you to enjoy them safely without getting sick. Sometimes we can be lazy and simply don’t feel like putting away the food we made and cleaning up after ourselves, but you can only get food poisoning once to realize it’s not a joke, the slightest bit.
How long does cooked bacon last in the fridge?
Cooked bacon with proper storage also has a shorter shelf life, lasting 4–5 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the freezer.
If you want to keep the bacon grease after frying, it can be refrigerated for 6 months or frozen for up to 9 months before it goes rancid.
Bacon is well-known throughout the world for its enticing aroma and lovely taste. If you’ve ever cooked bacon at home, you’ll notice that the sell-by date is printed right on the packaging.
However, this date does not always reflect how long bacon can be safely used and consumed. In reality, the shelf life of bacon is influenced by a number of factors, including the type, storage method, and whether or not it has been opened or cooked.
Cooked bacon
Cooked bacon with proper storage also has a shorter shelf life, lasting 4–5 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the freezer. Allow cooked bacon to cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight bag. Squeeze all of the air out of the bag and place it in the refrigerator.
Refrigerate cooked bacon in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap to extend its shelf life for safety and quality.
To extend the shelf life of cooked bacon, freeze it in closed airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap securely in heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Cooked bacon that has been thawed in the refrigerator can be stored for 3 to 4 days before frying; bacon that has been thawed in the microwave or cold water should be consumed right away.
Uncooked bacon
Unopened bacon can be refrigerated for up to two weeks and frozen for up to eight months.
Meanwhile, opened but uncooked bacon will only keep in the refrigerator for about a week and up to 6 months in the freezer. Uncooked bacon will stay in the refrigerator for seven days, whether opened or not.
That guideline applies whether the bacon is thick-cut or thin, hickory or maple-smoked, pricey or cheap. You have seven days. If you have leftover uncooked bacon, do not just refrigerate the opened box.
Store it in a sealed container or resealable plastic zipper bag, or wrap it firmly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to keep it from drying out (and making the whole of your fridge smell like bacon).
How long is bacon good after opening?
Bacon that has been opened but not cooked has a shelf life of around one week in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer.
Certain bacon types may also have a different shelf life.
Cooked Canadian bacon, for example, might be refrigerated for 3–4 days or frozen for 4–8 weeks.
Other types of bacon, such as pancetta, turkey bacon, and beef bacon, keep in the fridge or freezer for about the same amount of time as normal bacon.
Regularly check your bacon. It will spoil if not kept properly. Deli meats such as ham, bacon, salami, and hot dogs can cause food poisoning. They can get contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms such as Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.
How long can you freeze bacon
Proper storage can help extend the shelf life and improve the flavor of your bacon. To begin, keep it refrigerated or frozen immediately after cooking.
Though uncooked and unopened bacon can be stored as-is, if freezing, cover the package in tin foil to prevent freezer burn.
Uncooked bacon that has been opened should be wrapped in tin foil or placed in an airtight container before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain freshness.
Meanwhile, cut cooked bacon into tiny bits and wrap in paper towels before freezing. The freezer period indicated is solely for optimum quality; cooked bacon that has been maintained consistently frozen at 0°F will remain safe indefinitely.
Can I eat bacon left out overnight?
As sad as it is to throw away bacon, it is far preferable to becoming ill. The general culinary school rule for raw meat safety is that it should not be left out for more than four hours. However, if you can get your hands on dry-cured bacon, it will last much longer, even if you don’t keep it in the fridge.
Bacterial growth is inhibited by cured bacon. Furthermore, when cured bacon is fried, all of the moisture from the meat strips is removed. As a result, most of the time, cooked bacon will not spoil if left out on the counter overnight.
How to know if bacon is bad?
Paying attention to the smell, texture, and appearance of your bacon can help you determine if it’s still fresh. When spoiled, the signature red color of your bacon may begin to fade into a grey, brown, or greenish shade.
Every type of bacon should be soft and juicy, but when it’s bad it can become slippery and gummy. Bacon with a sour or rotting odor should also be disposed of, as this is another sign of spoilage.
If you notice any signs of deterioration in your bacon, throw it out right away to avoid contaminating other meats and products in your kitchen. Changes in the color, odor, or texture of your bacon can all be indicators of spoilage.
Tips and tricks to preserve bacon
Bacon has a love-hate relationship with many folks. They enjoy the flavor and crunch, but they are concerned about processed meat and fat. How long bacon lasts depends on several things, including how it’s stored, whether or not it’s cooked, and the type of bacon.
After frying, the bacon grease may be refrigerated for 6 months or frozen for up to 9 months before it becomes rancid. Bacon may be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for several days to many months, depending on the kind and whether it has been cooked or opened.
Unsliced slabs of bacon can be wrapped in foil or placed in an airtight container and refrigerated for several weeks at a time. Keep in mind, however, that they should not be refrigerated since they might get rancid rapidly.
So, do you already know how long does cooked and uncooked bacon last in the fridge? If you still have any questions, feel free to leave your comment below!
Interesting articles:
