Eating Bacon After the Expiration Date: Is it Safe?

Nothing beats the sizzling smell of bacon cooking in the morning. For many, bacon is a breakfast staple. The smoky pork product has a relatively long shelf life compared to other meats. But what if you discover an unopened pack of bacon past its expiration date in the back of your fridge? Should you throw it out or is it still safe to cook and eat?

Bacon packages have a sell-by or use-by date stamped on them which is not the same as an expiration date. This date informs retailers when to pull the product from shelves. It also provides consumers with an indication of peak freshness rather than a hard cutoff for when the bacon spoils.

So how long is bacon still OK to eat after the sell-by or use-by date? When does it actually expire and become unsafe? This article covers everything you need to know about bacon expiration dates including

• How to tell if bacon has gone bad
• Bacon shelf life when unopened, opened, and cooked
• Storing bacon properly for maximum freshness
• The safety of eating bacon past its date
• Reviving stale but not spoiled bacon

Let’s find out if you should throw away that package of bacon that has passed its expiration date.

Overview of Bacon Expiration Dates

Before determining if bacon is still good after the date on the package, it’s helpful to understand what those dates mean.

Sell-by date: This informs retailers when to remove the product from store shelves. Sell-by dates are usually a week or two after the bacon is processed and packaged. The bacon remains fresh for some time beyond this date.

Use-by/best-if-used-by date: This is the last date recommended for peak quality and freshness. Bacon should retain optimum flavor and texture up to the use-by date when properly stored.

Expiration date: There is no expiration date mandated for bacon. The use-by date is the closest indication, but bacon lasts longer if unopened.

Manufacture date: This specifies when the bacon was processed and packaged but is not an indicator of when it expires.

If you think bacon has gone bad, don’t look at the date. Instead, use your senses. Dates refer more to quality than food safety.

How to Tell If Bacon Is Bad

Since date labels aren’t completely reliable, the best way to know if bacon has gone bad is to check its appearance, smell, and texture:

• Slimy texture – Fresh bacon feels slightly sticky or tacky. Slime or glossiness indicates spoilage.

• Dull or faded color – Good bacon is bright pink or red. Gray, brown, or green hues mean it’s spoiled.

• Rancid smell – Discard bacon with an off, sour, or rotten odor.

• Mold – Toss bacon at the first sign of fuzzy mold anywhere on the package.

• Expired date – If unopened bacon is more than 2 weeks past the sell-by date, it’s risky to use.

When in doubt, remember the slogan “when in doubt, throw it out” – don’t take chances with bacon that seems questionable.

How Long Does Unopened Bacon Last After the Sell-By Date?

Tightly sealed, unopened packages keep bacon fresh for quite a while past the sell-by date. Here are some baseline timelines if stored in the fridge:

• 1-2 weeks after sell-by date: Bacon is still safe but won’t be very fresh.

• 3+ weeks after date: Risk of spoilage increases, discard if bacon has an off smell, texture, or appearance.

The fridge temperature prolongs freshness. Plus, the packaging prevents exposure to microbes and oxygen. Bacon lasts longer than the sell-by date if the vacuum seal is intact.

For optimal quality, use unopened bacon within 1 week beyond the sell-by date. But it stays edible for up to 3 weeks if the package is not damaged.

How Long Does Opened Bacon Last After the Sell-By Date?

Once opened, bacon has a much shorter shelf life. Air and handling introduce bacteria and accelerate spoilage. Follow these guidelines:

• 3-5 days after sell-by date: Bacon is on the brink of spoiling. Inspect carefully before cooking.

• 1 week after sell-by date: Toss it out. The risk of foodborne illness is too high at this point.

Opened bacon lasts no more than a week beyond the date on the package. For best flavor and texture, cook within 3-5 days after the sell-by date.

Always refrigerate opened packages and tightly wrap leftovers in plastic wrap or foil. Don’t leave bacon sitting out.

How Long Does Cooked Bacon Last After the Sell-By Date?

Cooked bacon has the shortest shelf life. According to the USDA, cooked bacon lasts:

• 4-5 days in the fridge
• 1 month in the freezer

These timeframes apply regardless of the sell-by date. So if you cook bacon 2 weeks past the sell-by date, it should still be fine for up to 4-5 days after cooking if stored properly in the refrigerator.

Refrigerating cooked bacon limits bacteria growth. Freezing stops growth entirely, extending shelf life. But keep cooked bacon frozen for no more than 1 month for best results.

Storing Bacon Properly

To maximize bacon freshness and shelf life, proper storage is key:

• Unopened – Leave bacon in its original packaging. Store in the coldest part of the fridge, not the door.

• Opened package – Reseal opened packages tightly or transfer bacon to a zip top bag. Try to push out air before storing.

• Cooked bacon – Allow to cool fully, then refrigerate in a covered container. Separate into smaller portions for freezing.

• Bacon grease – Store strained grease in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

With proper refrigeration and minimal air exposure, you can extend the shelf life of bacon, keeping it fresh and minimizing food waste.

Is Eating Bacon After the Sell-By Date Safe?

According to food safety experts, unopened bacon can last up to 3 weeks beyond the sell-by date if it has been continuously refrigerated. The sealed packaging provides a strong barrier to bacteria.

As long as the bacon smells and looks fine, it should be safe to eat when cooked thoroughly even past the sell-by date. However, safety risks increase exponentially when bacon is opened or cooked.

It’s not recommended to eat opened bacon more than 5 days past the sell-by date, even when cooked. At that point, harmful bacteria may start multiplying faster. Older bacon can cause food poisoning when eaten raw or undercooked.

So is it safe to eat bacon after the expiration date? If properly stored, unopened bacon seems to have more wiggle room for safety compared to opened packages. But once cooked, bacon should be eaten soon for best quality and food safety.

How to Revive Stale, Old Bacon

Over time in the fridge, opened bacon can dry out. The strips lose their moisture and chewy texture. Nobody wants limp, leathery bacon. Musty odors also develop when bacon sits too long after opening.

Before throwing away bacon that’s past its prime, try reviving it with one of these methods:

• Simmer in water – Submerge stale bacon strips in warm water for 10-15 minutes to rehydrate. Pat dry before cooking as usual. This restores suppleness.

• Bake at low temperature – Place bacon slices on a rack set in a baking sheet. Bake at 225°F for 10 minutes to crisp up.

Soaking in warm water followed by brief low-temperature baking will perk up limp, odd-smelling bacon and make it palatable again. The gentle heat renders out any off tastes or odors.

Bacon revived with these methods should be safe to eat if it hasn’t spoiled. But use your discretion – if bacon seems truly old or rancid, it’s safest to discard it.

The Takeaway on Eating Bacon After the Sell-By Date

Here are some key tips for maximizing bacon freshness and shelf life:

• Unopened bacon stays fresh 3 weeks past the sell-by date if continuously refrigerated.

• Opened bacon only lasts a week after the sell-by date before risking spoilage.

• Cooked bacon keeps for 4-5 days in the fridge regardless of the sell-by date.

• Don’t eat bacon more than 1 week past the sell-by date if opened. Unopened can go slightly longer when cooked thoroughly.

• Look for signs of spoilage like off smells, slimy texture, or dulled colors.

With proper storage, it’s reasonable to enjoy bacon a few days or even weeks past the sell-by or use-by dates – but use your senses before cooking or eating it.