Bacon thawed in the fridge can be refrozen, if needed. Its critical to store your bacon properly, so it lasts in the fridge for as long as possible. How Long Does Bacon Last in the Fridge? Hey, I'm Shawn and I run this site. Table Of Content show. Is Buttered Popcorn Bad for Acid Reflux? To keep your bacon fresh for a bit longer, seal it in an airtight plastic bag and pop it in the freezer. Cooked bacon that has been stored properly also has a shorter shelf life and can generally last around 45 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the freezer. How to Store Bacon in the Fridge Follow these instructions to store bacon in the fridge: If the package is open, cover the How Long Does Bacon last in the fridge. Our team has spent hundreds of hours researching products. Uncooked bacon should be refrigerated immediately after you get it home and used within 10 days. 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). She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You. Bad bacon can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. Once it turns brown, gray or has a greenish hue, its definitely time to toss it. Read Also >> How Long Do Ribs Last in the Fridge? These include: Hard cheeses Butter or margarine Opened fruit juices or canned fruits Many spreads including peanut butter, jelly, relish, ketchup and mustard The cured bacon lasts for several months; If you open it, the uncured bacon will last for only several days in the refrigerator. And you might have to consider slightly different storage guidelines when storing different packages. Even though our bacon is cured with natural ingredients and smoked, it doesnt stay fresh forever. 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. Still, you should store it in the fridge only when you believe you will use it in the next couple of days. The Grilling Dad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If you ask me, bacon is one of lifes greatest gifts, don't you think? Generally speaking, unopened raw bacon will last in the fridge for about two weeks. Shelf-stable, cooked bacon should be stored in a cool cupboard that is 85 degrees F or lower, and used by the package expiration date or within 3 months of purchase, whichever is sooner. Although foods that are properly stored in a freezer are safe to eat indefinitely, the USDA recommends using frozen bacon within one month. So whats the difference between the two? In the case of precooked bacon that is sold unrefrigerated, it lasts for about 1-2 weeks past the best by date as long as it is unopened and is stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry. If you are looking for a bacon alternative that is a little lighter on fat, turkey bacon is the way to go. The last three digits refer to the day of the year. You can use the same sheet pan method to freeze cooked bacon. Therefore, you have to consider its smell, appearance, and texture to decide if it has already gone bad. If you prefer crispy bacon, then cook a little longer in the pan. Well, it is true that bacons flavor can diminish after being opened, but it does not mean it is any less remarkable. For more information, be sure to read How to Store Cooked Bacon.. 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. Storing food properly and learning some of the common signs of spoilage can help maximize the shelf life and quality of your bacon. Nitrate-free may be a new term for some people when it comes to bacon. If you follow our above advice, you should in most instances be absolutely fine. To help you decide whether its safe to eat your bacon, were going to cover a bit about packaging, as well as four signs its time to toss your bacon. Turkey bacon degrades because of the growth of lactic acid bacteria. For more specific timeframes for your situation, keep reading. If youre looking for a premade holiday meal and wonder if Honey Baked Ham stores or websites accept EBT, the answer is no. Uncooked bacon can be stored for up to a week in the fridge, but cooked bacon will keep for no more than 4-5 days, even if stored properly. The USDA has created guidelines to help consumers understand how long food lasts in the fridge. Bacon past its prime might smell sour, change in hue from rosy pink to slightly gray, or have a sticky-to-the-touch texture before it grows mold or has other signs of spoilage. Just make sure to thaw and cook the bacon thoroughly before eating it. Cooked bacon that has been stored properly also has a shorter shelf life and can generally last around 45 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the freezer. If you choose to save bacon grease after cooking, it can be refrigerated for 6 months or frozen for up to 9 months before going rancid. Do you slice the sausage or remove the casing and crumble? The bacon should smell fresh and smoky. Probably not what you think. 5699 E 71st StSte 9A #369Indianapolis, IN 46220(317) 804-1852. 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. Any type of undercooked or raw meat increases the risk of getting sick by harboring viruses, bacteria, and parasites. However, how do you tell if your bacon has gone bad? Here are the guidelines to keep in mind: The above guidelines apply to the standard, mass-produced bacon thats most often sold in the United States (think Oscar Mayer). The easiest way to tell if your cooked bacon is less than prime is to take a sniff. 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. Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. When bacon is stored in the fridge, theres no need to wait for it to thaw. Bacon that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator before cooking; bacon that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be cooked immediately. 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. I've tried just about every type of grill, accessory, and gadget you can imagine. If your cooked bacon isnt stored in a tightly sealed way, then it may reduce the number of days it is safe for consumption. Most people love bacon. When spoiled, the signature red hue of your bacon may start to become dull and fade into a grey, brown, or greenish color. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no added cost to you. Once youve found the date, take note of whether its a sell by or use by date. When it comes to raw bacon, you may find that it feels slimy to touch instead of soft and slightly moist, you can likely tell that your bacon is bad in this situation. For more information about First youll need to cook the bacon using your favorite method. Click on any of these headings to jump ahead: If you happen to have a windfall of leftover bacon, you may be wondering how long it will last in the refrigerator. Whichever you choose will work just as well. Once you open that package, bacons shelf life shortens whether you cook it or not. If any of these signs are present, know that the turkey bacon has gone bad and is growing mold. And if you're in need of some recipe inspiration, I recommend these Bacon Pancakes. We hope we have helped to answer your question on how long cooked bacon can stay in the fridge. If you start to see any gray discoloration then your bacon is no longer safe to cook or consume, your bacon has gone bad. Keep it from drying out (and making the other contents of your fridge smell like bacon) by storing it in a sealed container or resealable plastic ziplock bag, or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. While it can last up to two weeks unrefrigerated, salt pork can last for 4-5 months refrigerated and even longer frozen. It depends on many factors including how you store it in the first place. In general, if stored correctly in a sealed container, a zip-top plastic bag, or an airtight bag, cooked bacon will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator as long as its not past its original expiration date. Contents show WebHow long can raw bacon stay in the refrigerator? Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. That is how you tell if bacon is bad and no longer edible. 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. This article looks at the nutritional profile of Spam, telling you. After this time has passed, throw the sausages away to avoid any risk of food poisoning. Find out if you can eat raw bacon. Home-cooked bacon bits that are made from real bacon should be refrigerated in an airtight container as well, and will last up to five days. WebHow long can you keep open bacon in fridge? Cooked bacon can be used to flavor so many tasty dishes. How Turkey And Stuffing Can Make You Sick. For all you bacon lovers out there who are looking for a healthier alternative, turkey bacon might be a good option. Therefore, you can expect open bacon to last for about a week in the refrigerator. When it has cooled down, you can place the bacon into an airtight container or wrap it in aluminum foil. The first two numbers refer to the year. 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. It tastes awesome and goes with almost any food. Leftover cooked bacon lasts 4 to 5 days in the fridge. Cooked bacon will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. Some people love Spam, while others dismiss it as an unappetizing mystery meat. For the best flavor, plan to use it in a day or two. You can also store bacon in the freezer. Throwing away bacon grease is one of the most common mistakes people make when cooking bacon. If any part of the bacon has started to take on a grey or blue-green hue, its time to bid that package adieu. WebYou should always refrigerate commercial salt pork when it is not in use and you have the option to refrigerate it. If you What About Dry-Cured Bacon? Ensure that each strip of bacon is laying flat on the pan with no overlapping. Bacon that has gone bad will often have an odor. With its enticing smell and delicious taste, bacon is popular around the globe. It is perfect to add to sandwiches or breakfast food so is great to have on hand during the week. This article discusses how long bacon lasts and how to preserve it to extend its shelf life and improve its quality. After opening, refrigerate for 3 weeks. This will help stop the spread of any unwanted bacteria around your kitchen. How to tell if bacon is off If youre not sure if that extra rasher is still safe to eat, However, improper storage can cause turkey bacon to spoil. Often, a fishy odor, or even just a rotting stench, will be a telltale sign of deterioration. 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. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in the refrigerator overnight. But, keep in mind that there is a possibility that bacon goes bad much earlier than this. Sometimes bacons smoky smell can mask these odors. We emphasize that you smell it, never taste it first! 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. If theres anything growing visibly, theres a good chance that fungi may exist throughout the bacon, even if you cant see it. Next, its time to get cooking. What Temperature Must Stuffed Lobster be Cooked to at Home? How? The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep bacon refrigerated at all times. Some important things to remember are that bacon is a meat product so you must ensure that it is cooked and stored properly. The easiest way to tell if cooked bacon is bad is to smell it. Remember, if you have any doubts about whether or not your bacon is safe to eat, its best to throw it out. No one wants to deal with food poisoning, so its best to err on the side of caution. |, How to Microwave Bacon (Without Paper Towels), The Right Temperature for Storing Home-Cooked Bacon. All dates are created with the assumption that bacon is properly vacuum sealed and stored. USDA guidelines say that bacon has a safe refrigeration use-by date of one week. Learn how your comment data is processed. Whether cooking for yourself or feeding a large crowd, bacon is always a good choice. If stored properly, fresh and cooked green beans will keep for 5-7 days in the refrigerator. Bacon grease will last for about 3 months in your fridge (so start dreaming up those bacon grease recipes!) Uncooked bacon that has been opened should be wrapped in tin foil or stored in an airtight container to maximize freshness before placing it in the refrigerator or freezer. Last medically reviewed on December 16, 2019. Its best to store it in an airtight container (we like glass containers because they dont absorb odors). Certain varieties of bacon may also have a different shelf life. 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. (FYI: Per the Washington Post, theres no evidence that dry-cured bacon is any healthier or has less nitrite than mass-produced bacon.). thank you for sharing. Your best bet when it comes to bacon is to just stick with the seven-day rule regardless of the curing process and youll be in the clear. 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. Cooked bacon has the shortest lifespan of them all. It will take longer to cook compared to thawed bacon, though. These bacteria can cause serious illness or even death. This article discusses how long bacon lasts and how to preserve it to extend its shelf life and improve its quality. Theres no one answer that fits all when it comes to how long you can store bacon. 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. Learn what the terms cured and uncured bacon actually mean when you see them in the store. Most frozen bacon packages will thaw overnight in the refrigerator and should be used within 7 days. Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. Its not worth the risk of getting sick. Cooked bacon that has been properly stored has a shorter shelf life, and it can generally last 45 days in the refrigerator and up to a month in the freezer. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. BENSA was founded by bacon expert Eliza Cross, author of more than a dozen cookbooks. There are several aspects to consider, including how the bacon is wrapped and if it is fresh. If the bacon smells off, looks shriveled, or has any visible signs of mold or spoilage, you should discard it. Even if its before the use by or sell by date on your package, your bacon may still be bad. Check out the brands our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend. By storing it this way, you can expect your thick-cut bacon to last for up to 5 days in the fridge. To ensure the bacon stays fresh when stored, you need to pay attention to how well you wrap it in the first place. These bacteria can cause serious illness or even death long do Ribs in. 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