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How Long Does Bacon Last
An unopened pack of bacon lasts up to 8 months in the freezer and 2 weeks in the fridge. If the bacon is opened, the uncooked bacon will last 1 week in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer.
The best indicator of how long bacon can last in the refrigerator or freezer is how well it is stored.
Raw bacon opened and resealed, can last up to a week in the refrigerator, while cooked bacon can last four to five days if stored properly. Unused bacon can last up to 6 months in the freezer if stored properly and in the refrigerator for several days. Stored properly, bacon fat can be refrigerated for up to 3 months.
Once thawed in the refrigerator, bacon can be refrigerated for another 1-2 days before cooking. Unopened bacon pieces can be safely refrigerated for up to 6 months.
Generally, you can store unopened bacon in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and up to eight months in the freezer. USDA guidelines state that uncovered bacon can be refrigerated for 1 to 2 weeks, while uncovered bacon can only be kept for seven days.
You probably already know that frozen bacon will keep for several months in the refrigerator, while thawed bacon should cook within a few days of putting it in the new refrigerator.
Properly stored frozen bacon can be kept in the refrigerator for up to six months, but to preserve the best flavour and texture of bacon, it is best to cook it within a month of freezing.
| Freezer | Refrigerator | |
| Raw bacon | 3 months | 1 week |
| Cooked bacon | 2 to 3 months | 5 to 7 days |
How long does leftover bacon fat last?
Leftover bacon fat, stored correctly in an airtight container, will keep for up to six months in the refrigerator and up to nine months in the freezer. Raw or cooked bacon will always stay fresh when stored in an airtight container at or below 0°F (i.e. standard freezing temperatures). Once you’ve cooked turkey bacon, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for four to five days, just like any other bacon.
By storing turkey bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator, minimizing exposure to heat and oxygen, you’ll find that turkey bacon will keep for weeks. You can wrap the bacon and keep it in the refrigerator or freezer for a long time.
If you want to maximize storage in this situation, you should run it, wrap it, refrigerate it for the next week, or vacuum freeze it for up to 6 months. Before refrigerating or freezing, you can wrap the bacon in freezer paper, plastic wrap, or aluminium foil.
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How to store cooked bacon?
When storing in the freezer or refrigerator, always store cooked bacon in a plastic bag, a container with an airtight lid, or aluminium foil. To keep your bacon package longer in the freezer, store it in a plastic bag, wrap it in aluminium foil, or in an airtight container. If you want chopped bacon to last longer, you can put it in the freezer, which will keep it for up to six months. Cured bacon lasts much longer; you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Buying a pre-cut bag of bacon will last less than a week in the refrigerator. If you leave the bacon on the counter at room temperature for a while after cooking, it may not last long after being placed in the refrigerator. Your cooked bacon will still be fine after a couple of days in the fridge; the way you store it can shorten its shelf life and make it unsafe to eat.
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How to tell if bacon has gone bad?
Another way to tell if bacon has gone bad after being cooked and refrigerated is to smell it. Depending on specific conditions, it may be possible to leave bacon at room temperature overnight and eat it safely the next day. Still, it can be difficult to tell if bacterial growth has begun.
Improper cooking, improper storage, and many other factors can cause bacon to spoil quickly. While many factors can cause poor-quality bacon, even if you have it before the expiration date, you can help protect bacon from spoilage and maintain its quality until it is best used.
Cooked meat can get mouldy if kept in the fridge for too long, so if you see small fuzzy white or blue spots on the bacon, it’s definitely not safe to eat.
For slower and safer defrosting, you can leave frozen bacon in the refrigerator, and eating it for up to seven days will be safe. To keep the same taste of bacon even after proper freezer storage, it is best to consume bacon after 2 months.
Wrap the original packaging tightly in cling film or a strong freezer bag – unopened bacon can last up to 8 months, and open or cooked bacon can last up to 6 months. Cooked bacon can be stored in the refrigerator for 10 days.
Once opened, bacon can be stored in its original packaging in the refrigerator, but for maximum freshness, place the already opened package in a resealable plastic bag or wrap it tightly with cling film. This increases the shelf life of bacon; it can be stored in the freezer.
Cooked bacon will stay fresh in the fridge for four to five days, which is more than enough to take out for a delicious BLT dinner. Vacuum-packed, unopened raw bacon will keep until its expiration date and a couple more days (about a week).
How long is bacon grease good for after cooking?
Once you’ve cooked bacon, its grease can be stored later. If refrigerated, bacon grease can even last up to 6 months. If stored in a freezer, the grease can take almost a year to become spoilt. Watch out for any rancid odours before using.
How to perfectly reheat bacon
The microwave is the fastest way to reheat bacon. Place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate. You may cover it with a towel. Heat the bacon for a minute or less, and make sure to wipe any extra grease off before serving. Other heating options include ovens and air fryers.
How to know if my bacon is bad?
The spoiled bacon will fade in its shade and gradually turn brown, grey, and greenish. A spoiled piece of bacon may also be sticky instead of soft. Bacon that has a rotten smell should be thrown right away.