A sell by date helps grocery managers move inventory through their stores, so you receive fresh products. This article looks at the nutritional profile of Spam, telling you. Cooked bacon that is properly stored can also last for about 5 to 5 days in the refrigerator and up to a month in the freezer. Uncooked bacon should be refrigerated immediately after you get it home and used within 10 days. Both uncooked and cooked bacon can be frozen, but youll want to use both within 4 months for best quality. If youre looking for a premade holiday meal and wonder if Honey Baked Ham stores or websites accept EBT, the answer is no. Bacon grease is one of the best things to save and use for future recipes! If you Otherwise, the fat will solidify in the refrigerator, causing the strips to stick together. This is a detailed article about pork (the meat of domestic pigs), looking at its health effects and nutritional properties. Unopened bacon can last up to 8 months in the freezer. Next, its time to get cooking. The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep bacon refrigerated at all times. 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. Once youve opened and cooked bacon, it can last for five to seven days in the refrigerator. That being said, its still a good idea to store it in an airtight container or wrapped in foil to keep it fresh for as long as possible. And sometimes, the bacon may actually go bad and no longer stay edible. 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. You can maximize the shelf life of bacon in the freezer by overwrapping the original store packaging with airtight heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper or place the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag in order to prevent freezer burn. You dont want to take any chances with your health. Generally, you should avoid using turkey bacon if it is 14 days past its sell-by date. 3-4 days. After opening, canned green beans are kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in the refrigerator overnight. This salty indulgence tastes divine whether it is served up alongside scrambled eggs, sprinkled on a salad, or stuffed in a sandwich. How Long Does Cooked Nitrate-Free Uncured Bacon Last? For more information, be sure to read How to Store Cooked Bacon.. We also recommend that if you plan to store your bacon in the fridge that you place layers of wax paper between the slices to prevent them from sticking to one another. 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. Bacon that is in excellent condition is soft, fresh, and moist. If you want to freeze individual bacon strips, lay the bacon pieces on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper, making sure the strips dont overlap, and place in the freezer. Well, it is true that bacons flavor can diminish after being opened, but it does not mean it is any less remarkable. You can freeze cooked or uncooked bacon as a way to extend its shelf life. Keep your refrigerator at 40 F or less). When you open the pack, it should smell like meat. How long can bacon be left at room temperature? Its important to keep in mind that turkey bacon has a shorter shelf life than regular bacon because it is leaner and doesnt have as much fat. The USDA advises tossing bacon that has exceeded its use by date. BENSA was founded by bacon expert Eliza Cross, author of more than a dozen cookbooks. In the case of turkey If you have worries about a bacon-adjacent product, like bacon bits, canned bacon, baby food with fresh bacon, or turkey bacon, have no fearthe USDA has a handy chart of bacon If the bacon has been sitting out longer than that, its best to play it safe and discard it. If you have any doubts about your fridges cooling abilities, you can use a refrigerator thermometer to keep an eye on the precise temperature. Cooked bacon can remain in your refrigerator for a further four to five days maximum. While it is possible to make it last longer by freezing it, there are many ways to use leftover bacon, so we hope you arent planning to keep yours that long. And it may last up to six months if it has been cooked and then carefully stored. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. On the other hand, a use by date (or best if used by date) indicates when a product passes peak quality. Changes in the color, smell, or texture of your bacon can all indicate spoilage. If you ask me, bacon is one of lifes greatest gifts, don't you think? Wasting good bacon is against the law in certain parts of the Southaccording to some people. Finally, touch the bacon and feel the texture. 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. We like to layer bacon strips between sheets of paper towels. Congrats!). Once again, this discoloration indicates bacteria and/or fungi have colonized your bacon. Therefore, you have to consider its smell, appearance, and texture to decide if it has already gone bad. Most bacon will have a sell by date, but a use by date is not out of the question. Is 10 Year Old Wine Safe To Drink? How long does bacon last in the freezer? This article reviews the nutritional profile of turkey bacon. up to 1 week. How to tell if bacon is off If youre not sure if that extra rasher is still safe to eat, Also, make sure to cook bacon thoroughly before eating it. After opening, youll want to use it within 5 to 14 days, depending on the package specifications. Youll know when its no longer good to use because it will smell rancid, and it will make anything thats cooked in it taste a little funky. But, first, lets answer the question of how long cooked bacon lasts in the refrigerator. Cooked bacon will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. Hi, I'm Eliza! This happens because the bacon has now been exposed to air and bacteria. Or perhaps you find yourself buying a bit more than your family can eat. While these factors determine the life of uncooked bacon, cooked bacon will not last as long. Cook the other side for 8 more minutes minimum. If the dry-cured bacon comes in a slabthe kind you slice yourselfit can last up to three weeks without the fridge, and four to six weeks in the fridge. It means the meat has been contaminated with bacteria and should not be eaten. How to Store Bacon in the Fridge Follow these instructions to store bacon in the fridge: If the package is open, cover the Opened packages of uncooked bacon can be stored in an airtight container, plastic bag, in plastic wrap or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil. In fact, it is not uncommon to see hints of blue or even green among the gray tinge. 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. With proper storage, bacon can last anywhere from a few days to several months in the fridge or freezer, depending on what type it is and whether it has been cooked or opened. If you notice any type of mold or growth on the product, your bacon has definitely gone bad. Find out how long bacon lasts in the fridge and freezer, the best way to Seriously dont wait. If you go to grab some bacon and find it slimy, something has gone awry. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. Freeze it properly. You can use the same sheet pan method to freeze cooked bacon. Discover the best bacon recipes, funny memes, bacon events, new products and more. An unpleasant slimy texture, verging on stickiness, will form on spoiled turkey bacon. Leftover cooked bacon lasts 4 to 5 days in the fridge. 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. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. With a rich flavor and crispy, satisfying texture, Coleman Natural Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon is a household favorite. So 001 would correlate with January 1 and 365 would indicate December 31. Play it safe and throw away any bacon that has been left out overnight. After opening a package of lunch meats or buying sliced lunch meats at a deli, you can refrigerate them for three to five days. For all you bacon lovers out there who are looking for a healthier alternative, turkey bacon might be a good option. That means great-tasting bacon that you and the whole family can feel good about eating. Bonus: If youre buying dry-cured, slab bacon from a local butcher, your (untouched) hunk of meat will be safe to eat for anywhere from four to six weeks in the fridge. The short answer to this question is typically four to five days but it obviously depends on the use by date before you bought it, how you store it, and the quality of the bacon. Can you use a paper towel or heavy-duty aluminum foil? Want to get right to the good stuff? 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. Hey, I'm Shawn and I run this site. If youre storing cooked bacon, allow it to cool to room temperature before placing it in the fridge or freezer. So how long does bacon last in the fridge? After bacon is opened, it may be refrigerated for about 7 to 10 days - the "sell-by" date on the package may expire during that storage period, but the bacon will remain safe to use after the sell by date if it has been properly stored. 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). However, there are a few things that can affect this timeframe. Its fantastic with breakfast, but its equally good when chopped up on a salad, draped over chicken on a sandwich or tossed with vegetables for a side dish. If you are looking for a bacon alternative that is a little lighter on fat, turkey bacon is the way to go. Get our best recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox. Fortunately, theres a solution that doesnt require a bacon bingejust pop your package of bacon in the freezer and you can keep coming back to it for months. After you open that package of bacon, the shelf life is shorter. WebUnless you buy from a local butcher, you will likely buy bacon in packs of six or eight rashers from the supermarket (if you buy it frozen and forget to defrost before breakfast time then follow my simply hack to thaw bacon quickly and safely here). 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. After opening, refrigerate for 3 weeks. Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You can freeze bacon for up to two months for longer storage, or cook your bacon and then use it within another five to seven days. All rights reserved. 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. In other words, if the bacon you brought home from the store claims to be uncured or nitrite-free, what the package means to say is that it has been dry-cured with celery saltan ingredient that contains naturally-occurring nitrite. 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. Thank you for sharing that with me!! Learn more about why you can trust our recommendations. The last three digits refer to the day of the year. Storing food properly and learning some of the common signs of spoilage can help maximize the shelf life and quality of your bacon. Is Buttered Popcorn Bad for Acid Reflux? With a wife and 7 kids, I get most of my grilling practice from feeding my own family. Crispy, salty, smoky bacon is great for both cooking and eating on its own, as well as flavoring everything from beans to popcorn. The date written on the can of green beans is a guideline for how long do canned green beans last in the fridge at their optimal quality. There are several aspects to consider, including how the bacon is wrapped and if it is fresh. There are also plenty of ways to use leftover cooked bacon. Many factors determine how long raw bacon will last in the fridge, like how its packaged, how its been stored, and the temperature of your fridge. Raw turkey bacon usually stays good after opening for up to 7-14 days, but sometimes, it may begin to spoil earlier, so it is important to identify those signs. If your nose detects a stale, fishy or sour odor, that bacon is a no-go. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Learn more. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Nutrition, Calories and More, Is Bacon Bad for You, or Good? If you store your chips in a cool, dry place, they will last even longer. Frozen, cooked bacon will keep its delicious flavor and texture for about a month. Once opened, it's best to use your jar of pasta sauce in about five to six days. The Salty, Crunchy Truth, Pork 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects, 6 Indulgent Foods That Are Low-Carb Friendly. Its important to remember that bacon is a perishable product and needs to be handled properly to reduce the risk of food poisoning. After that, the quality of the bacon will start to decline, and it will become more susceptible to bacteria growth. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you notice your bacon feels slimy, its almost certainly been colonized by bacteria. How Long Can Cooked Bacon Stay in the Fridge? Editor: According to the USDA, fresh or thawed bacon should be used within 7 days. How Long Can Cooked Bacon Stay in the Fridge? 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. Here are four signs your refrigerated bacon may have gone bad. WebUnless you buy from a local butcher, you will likely buy bacon in packs of six or eight rashers from the supermarket (if you buy it frozen and forget to defrost before breakfast Uncooked beef, veal, pork, and lamb An airtight bag or container is key for freezing or refrigerating cooked bacon, as you want to eliminate as much surface area being exposed to oxygen as possible. WebThat way, I can grab one on my way out the door when I head to work on those days that Im running late. Prevent freezer burn by wrapping the unopened package in a layer of aluminum foil (and label it with the date). She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Usually, you can get good results if you go with plastic wrap and secure it tightly before leaving it in your refrigerator. Discoloration is an indication of late-stage spoilage, thoughso even if the bacon looks normal, you should still give it a sniff before you proceed to ensure it has the mild scent youd expect from fresh meat. Learn what the terms cured and uncured bacon actually mean when you see them in the store. Probably not what you think. Well, it is possible but not always recommended. Another tip is to make sure your bacon is as airtight as possible. Storing bacon in the refrigerator or freezer by wrapping it properly or placing it in an airtight container can help maximize its shelf life. 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Here are four signs your refrigerated bacon may have gone bad not out of the Southaccording to people! 'S best to use both within 4 months in the fridge law in certain parts of the year been to! Has been left out overnight the product, your bacon is a no-go if nose! Less ) dont want to use it within 5 to 14 days past its sell-by date and. Been exposed to air and bacteria you see them in the fridge uncommon to see hints of or! Will keep its delicious flavor and crispy, satisfying texture, verging stickiness! The refrigerator and up to 8 months in the fridge stores or websites accept EBT, the of...