Shutterstock/Brent Hofacker The USDA says food that has been left out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away. 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. With a rich flavor and crispy, satisfying texture, Coleman Natural Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon is a household favorite. WebRead the charts below to find out how long you should keep certain foods in the refrigerator or freezer. How Long Do Farm Fresh Eggs Last? September 4, 2022 by eatwithus. I've tried just about every type of grill, accessory, and gadget you can imagine. 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. If you have any doubts about your fridges cooling abilities, you can use a refrigerator thermometer to keep an eye on the precise temperature. How to tell if bacon is off If youre not sure if that extra rasher is still safe to eat, 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 found the date, take note of whether its a sell by or use by date. ), 9 Best Pellet Grills and Smokers for BBQ Mastery, New York Strip vs. Sirloin (Which is Better? If the bacon has been sitting out longer than that, its best to play it safe and discard it. After bacon is purchased, it may be kept refrigerated for about 1 week after the sell-by date on the package if it has been properly stored. Another tip is to make sure your bacon is as airtight as possible. No one wants to deal with food poisoning, so its best to err on the side of caution. You can get toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, and tapeworms if you eat raw bacon or bacon that has gone bad. Youre not alone. There are several factors to consider when determining the shelf life of bacon, including what type it is, the storage method, and whether it has been opened or cooked. Learn more about BENSA document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. WebBacon's shelf life depends on a number of factors including its type, whether the package has been opened, and how you're storing the package in your fridge. However, some people say that it can even last up to 14 days past its expiration date when stored in your fridge. Some people love Spam, while others dismiss it as an unappetizing mystery meat. 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. Check out the brands our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend. There are a few factors, such as how the bacon is packaged and whether or not its fresh. And if you're in need of some recipe inspiration, I recommend these Bacon Pancakes. If the bacon smells off, looks shriveled, or has any visible signs of mold or spoilage, you should discard it. When you bring home Coleman Naturals Parent Tested Parent Approved bacon, you want to be able to enjoy every last savory bit. Cooked bacon will stay fresh in the fridge for four to five days, which is more than enough time to bust it out for a mouth-watering lunchtime BLT. To further extend the shelf life of bacon, freeze; when freezing, place bacon in the freezer before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed. It depends on many factors including how you store it in the first place. Play it safe and throw away any bacon that has been left out overnight. Read on to find out. Its critical to store your bacon properly, so it lasts in the fridge for as long as possible. To make this happen, be sure you store your bacon properly. This is usually the case when you store turkey bacon in a container and leave it at room temperature for an extended time. That rule applies whether the bacon is thick-cut or thin, hickory or maple-smoked, the fancy stuff or the cheap stuff. If your cooked bacon isnt stored in a tightly sealed way, then it may reduce the number of days it is safe for consumption. Can you cook fried chicken in bacon grease? Or for up to a year when placed in the freezer. Turkey bacon is often praised as a healthier alternative to traditional pork bacon. Bacon is a versatile and popular food, but its also perishable. Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 F or less). We use our affiliate earnings to buy tasty snacks and new toys. So, if you have cooked bacon sitting out overnight, its best to throw it away. TheGrillingDad.com is reader-supported. Thawing bacon in cold water or the microwave takes less time (about 30 minutes in cold water or as quickly as 5 minutes in the microwave), but needs to be cooked immediately. WebHow long does opened refrigerated bacon last? If the bacon is slimy or spongy, its a sign of spoilage. ), If you can eat bacon after it sits out overnight. It tastes awesome and goes with almost any food. Crispy, salty, smoky bacon is great for both cooking and eating on its own, as well as flavoring everything from beans to popcorn. To extend bacons shelf life, you need to store it at a temperature that is low enough to prevent bacteria growth but not so low that it causes freezer burn. It is cheaper, healthier, and more delicious than traditional bacon, with fewer calories and sodium. Keep using the same technique until you pile all slices of bacon. Copyright 2023 StillTasty LLC. Please see ourdisclosurestatement. Cooked bacon is a perishable food and needs to be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. Bad bacon can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. Before you purchase bacon, glance over the package to make sure its well sealed and doesnt show any indicators of spoilage. WebCooked 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 f Youve got grilling questions. For more information about storing turkey bacon, be sure to check out How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last?. How to tell if bacon is bad? But if you have any leftovers, ensure that you have put them in an airtight container before placing them in the fridge. Coleman Natural Bacon is Parent Tested Parent Approved. Leftover cooked bacon lasts 4 to 5 days in the fridge. Our team has spent hundreds of hours researching products. Cooked bacon will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. For example, 22 refers to 2022. 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. It will be applied However, cooked bacon will last 2-3 months in the freezer. We will also tell you how to tell if bacon has gone bad and what the signs of spoilage are. Unopened: indefinitely: 1-2 months: Summer sausage labeled "keep refrigerated" Opened: 3 weeks. Once you're sure that the bacon is safe to eat, brush up on your bacon cooking basics. You will never be let down if you follow our simple steps! Web1-2 months from date of purchase. This is enough time for you to be able to add your bacon to several meals throughout the week. Dry-curing, on the other hand, is a more time-consuming process in which the pork is rubbed with a combination of dry curing agents (often celery salt) and hung to dry. Remember, if you have any doubts about whether or not your bacon is safe to eat, its best to throw it out. Read on for the answers! However, understand that the shelf life of turkey bacon would change when you store it opened vs. unopened. Just make sure to thaw and cook the bacon thoroughly before eating it. Once opened, the chicken will last three to four days, as well. The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep bacon refrigerated at all times. your eyes and nose to check the colour, appearance and smell). If you are looking for a bacon alternative that is a little lighter on fat, turkey bacon is the way to go. There are some items, though, that are likely OK even when theyve been stored in a fridge over 40 degrees for longer than two hours. For example, cooked Canadian bacon can be refrigerated for 34 days or frozen for 48 weeks. 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. As a general rule, you should throw away any cooked food that has been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours. How long is turkey bacon good after opening? How to tell if bacon is bad? 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 an opened package of bacon last in the fridge or freezer? 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. 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. Effective Ways To Store Bacon To maintain quality and make successful use of the shelf life, follow these quick storage tips. Per Eat by Date, bacon bits made with real bacon, once open, can last anywhere from 6 weeks in the refrigerator to 6 months in the freezer. Uncured bacon is not a thing: In reality, all bacon has been cured using one of the methods described above. Be prepared to discard it. Nutrition, Calories and More, Is Bacon Bad for You, or Good? This stuff is liquid gold! If you start to see any gray discoloration then your bacon is no longer safe to cook or consume, your bacon has gone bad. 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. Carefully fold the wax paper so that it covers the bacon completely. Better yet, freeze your bacon and youll get months of enjoyment out of every package you bring home. We hope we have helped to answer your question on how long cooked bacon can stay in the fridge. If you think the bacon you ate might be bad, its best to see a doctor as soon as possible. Slime actually occurs when certain types of bacteria begin breaking down the meat. Weve got the best grilling answers from a network of seasoned grilling pros. If stored properly in the fridge, you can expect precooked bacon to last for four to five days or even up to seven. Learn what the terms cured and uncured bacon actually mean when you see them in the store. When you notice the edges of your bacon curling up, its time to flip it. How Long Can I Keep Cooked Turkey Bacon in Fridge? Learn more. This means that you can cook up a batch of bacon and pick when you want to add it to your dishes over the next few days. After sitting in the refrigerator for a week, you may notice your bacon has taken on a green, gray, or brown hue. USDA guidelines say that bacon has a safe refrigeration use-by date of one week. To ensure the bacon stays fresh when stored, you need to pay attention to how well you wrap it in the first place. Most frozen bacon packages will thaw overnight in the refrigerator and should be used within 7 days. While some may say that slime is just water leaking out of bacon, this isnt true. 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. (Like You Didnt Eat It All First Time!). Contents show Thanks for reading! If you follow our above advice, you should in most instances be absolutely fine. So, how long is turkey bacon good for after opened? Sugar-Free Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon, How to Cook Bacon: 5 Different Ways to Make Bacon. This post may contain affiliate links. In most cases, it stays good in the freezer for up to eight months if it is raw and unopened. Pancetta vs Bacon: Whats the Difference? Label and date the package, then place it in the fridge or freezer. Can you use a paper towel or heavy-duty aluminum foil? When you open the pack, it should smell like meat. There is nothing better than a bacon sandwich with lots of butter on a Sunday morning, eating bacon cheese burgers, or sprucing up a meal like pasta with some crispy & salty bacon, in my opinion. How? Read myfull disclosure here. When you want to reuse frozen turkey bacon, it is naturally important to thaw it first. Corn and Bacon Chowder can be a quick weeknight meal and Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potatoes are the perfect snacks for football watching or movie nights. If you realize youve cooked more bacon than you can use in the next week, you can always freeze cooked bacon, too. Uncooked bacon should be refrigerated immediately after you get it home and Meanwhile, cooked bacon should be separated into small portions and wrapped with paper towels prior to freezing. According to the USDA, refrigerated cooked bacon products should be checked out at the grocery store right before youre going home. This will help to avoid any contamination or health issues. Find out how long Now that you know how to tell if your bacon has gone bad, you might be wondering how fast this happens. To store your bacon properly and extend its lifespan, it must be promptly refrigerated and kept at a consistent temperature of 40F or below, whether cooked or Leaving it there for longer than a week may cause your bacon to go bad. The freezer is another option for storing bacon. To maximize your bacon enjoyment, its crucial to know how to store it properly to avoid any safety issues. If youre not sure whether your bacon is still good to eat, its a good idea to check the color. 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That rule applies whether the bacon thoroughly before eating it bacon bad for you, treatment... A perishable food and needs to be able to add your bacon and youll get months of enjoyment of. Bacon properly, so it lasts in the first place, 9 best Pellet Grills and for., be sure to check the color how well you wrap it in the fridge you! That you have put them in the store bacon Pancakes site I may an. To answer your question on how long cooked bacon products should be checked out at the store...