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How Long Does Unopened Bacon Last In The Fridge
Unopened bacon may last in the fridge for about 2 weeks and can stay good in the freezer for about 8 months. You can increase the shelf life of unopened bacon by freezing it. When cooked bacon is stored properly, it may last for about 2 months. Make sure that always pack them in an airtight container before freezing.
The amount of time that bacon lasts in your refrigerator depends on its packaging, the way you keep it, and the kind of bacon itself. Whether or not a package is opened, uncooked bacon will last a little more than one week in the refrigerator, with the longest being two weeks. Whether or not you open the package, uncooked bacon will last for seven days in the refrigerator, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 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.
For bits of bacon without being opened, you can store it safely for up to 6 months in the refrigerator. In general, you can keep unopened bacon for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, and as long as eight months in the freezer. If unopened, you can store bacon in the refrigerator (at 40 degrees F) for two weeks. You can expect unopened bacon to keep for about one week in the refrigerator.
| Types | In the Refrigerator | In the Freezer |
| Unopened bacon | For 2 weeks | For 8 months |
| Bacon fat | For 3 months | For 9 months |
When stored correctly, bacon fat is best kept for up to 3 months in the refrigerator. Leftover bacon fat, stored properly in an airtight container, should last for up to six months in the fridge and up to nine months in the freezer. When stored in an airtight container at or below 0F (i.e., standard freezer temperatures), bacon, whether raw or cooked, will remain fresh for the rest of time. Once defrosted in a refrigerator, bacon is stored in a refrigerator again for another 1 to 2 days before cooking.
If storing cooked bacon, let it cool to room temperature before placing in fridge or freezer. The amount of time that cooked bacon can remain outside is also shorter, so make sure you are always keeping it in the refrigerator to extend its life. To properly store your bacon and prolong its shelf-life, it should be promptly refrigerated and kept at a constant 40F or lower, whether it is cooked or uncooked. Raw bacon in a bag that has been opened and sealed again will keep for up to one week in the refrigerator, while cooked bacon will keep for four to five days when stored correctly.
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Keep turkey bacon in a sealed package in the refrigerator, where there is the least amount of contact with warmer temperatures and oxygen, and you will find turkey bacon will last for several weeks. Pre-packaged sliced bacon can last up to one week after its expiration date if kept in its vacuum-sealed, unopened package in the fridge. Packaged sliced bacon may last longer than a week, but it is important to check the shelf life on the package to make sure. While you can check the expiration date, bacon stored incorrectly may spoil sooner.
Like other protein or meat products on the market, bacon typically has a “sell-by” date label rather than an expiration date. Because of this, you can still eat bacon after its sell-by date has passed. Like other refrigerated foods, bacon has a sold-by date printed on the box, but depending on how you keep it, it can be slightly extended or reduced in its shelf life. An unopened pack of bacon may keep for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator beyond its recommended use-by date, and it should be refrigerated right after you buy it (at about 4 degrees Celsius). Once opened, bacon may keep for 7-10 days in the refrigerator–the sell-by date can be expired during this time, but it should still be safe for use as long as it is stored properly.
Uncooked bacon purchased from the deli department will keep about a week, when stored properly. Raw unopened bacon will stay good only 5 to 7 days beyond its expiration date when stored in a refrigerator. Vacuum sealed raw bacon in a non-opened package will last well past its Use-by date, and for several days beyond that (a week or so).
If the package is already opened, a good rule of thumb is to consume the package in one to two weeks. If, however, you have already broken the seal and enjoyed some strips, make sure you use up any remaining bacon within seven days after opening the package (regardless of what the shelf-life says). If you cannot consume your opened bacon in a mere week, then instead, freeze it at 0degF (18degC).
If you would like to maximize the bacon storage time in this scenario, you would need to Slide, Wrap, Refrigerate it over the next week, or Vacuum Seal, Freeze for up to 6 months. Lay it on a paper towel to absorb any excess fat, and when fully cooled, you can store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To preserve your bacon a little longer, seal it up in a sealed plastic bag and put it in the freezer.
Slab bacon needs to be wrapped tight, and it will last a few weeks in the fridge, depending on how fresh you bought it. Slab bacon can be stored refrigerated in heavy-duty foil or plastic wrap, but it should not be frozen, because fat turns rancid very quickly.
Airtight aluminum foil, freezer paper, or plastic wrap also helps to maximize freshness of uncooked bacon while refrigerated or frozen. Storing raw or cooked bacon in an airtight or resealable container helps to maximize the shelf life of the bacon and maintains its quality. You can store unopened, raw bacon in its raw, original packaging, covered by a large zip-top bag or several layers of aluminum foil.
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When stored correctly, bacon that is been frozen will keep up to six months in the freezer, though to keep bacons best flavor and texture, cooking it within one month after it is frozen is ideal. For best flavor and texture, FSIS recommends using uncooked bacon between four to six months after freezing, whereas cooked, frozen bacon will begin to become less appealing around the three-month mark. If you are melting your frozen bacon in the microwave, you need to cook it right away.
If it is pre-cooked shelf-stable bacon purchased at the store, the USDA recommends using it within 5 to 14 days. Dry-cured bacon keeps much longer, and you can keep it up to a maximum of 4 weeks in the refrigerator. You should always store cooked bacon as well as uncooked in your fridge or freezer.
Does unopened bacon go bad?
Bacon should always be stored in a freezer or refrigerator. In the refrigerator, unopened bacon will keep for one to two weeks and in the freezer, it will keep for six to eight months. Bacon that has been opened and is still raw will keep for a week in the fridge and for up to six months in the freezer.
What does bad bacon smell like?
Similar to any other food, you should always give your bacon a whiff before cooking or eating it. It is ruined if it smells sour or offensively like ammonia. Err on the side of caution and reject it even if the odor is just off. It’s unnecessary to take a chance on becoming sick from rotten bacon.
Can you eat bacon past the use by date if unopened?
Bacon can be stored for two weeks in a refrigerator (40 degrees Fahrenheit) if it is unopened. You have seven days after opening it to consume the bacon. The USDA advises keeping lunch meat with a “sell by” date rather than a “use by” date for two weeks if you don’t open it.