The short answer is that cooked turkey bacon will last for three to five days in the fridge. But read on for MORE information. Prepare your turkey bacon in the air fryer to get it crispy. It’s a quick and easy way to make a breakfast side dish.
If you have extra turkey bacon, you can put it in the fridge for three to five days or the freezer for up to three months. If you want to freeze turkey bacon slices, put them in a single layer in shallow containers that keep air out or a heavy-duty freezer bag (stasher bags also work!). For the best results, put parchment paper between the bacon strips and freeze for up to three months. Flavor and texture will start to decrease after 3-4 months.
Turkey bacon has become a popular alternative to regular pork bacon because it is lower in fat and calories. Because of its savory and smokey taste, it goes well with breakfast sandwiches, burgers, salads, and other foods. But, like any food that goes bad, turkey bacon needs to be kept cool and fresh to make sure it stays safe to eat. How long can you really keep turkey bacon in the fridge before it goes bad?
This comprehensive guide covers refrigerator shelf life for raw and cooked turkey bacon, proper storage methods, signs of spoilage, and answers common questions about turkey bacon refrigeration Read on for full details on maximizing fridge life for your tasty turkey bacon!
Understanding Turkey Bacon Expiration Dates
Let’s start by clarifying the meaning of the expiration dates printed on turkey bacon packaging. These are actually just suggestions for peak freshness, not safety indicators. There are two main date types:
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“Sell By” Date – Recommended period for grocers to display bacon About 1 week after opening
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“Use By/Best By” Date – Proposed limit for best flavor and texture. Around 1-2 weeks after opening.
The dates are more about quality than safety. With proper refrigeration, turkey bacon can stay fresh well beyond those dates.
Fridge Life for Unopened Raw Turkey Bacon
For unopened packages stored in the fridge, turkey bacon typically lasts:
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1-2 weeks past the printed date. The USDA recommends using raw bacon within 1-2 weeks of the sell-by date.
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3-4 weeks from the purchase date. Factoring in sell-by date plus an additional 1-2 weeks provides a general shelf life.
So an unopened pack can stay in the fridge about 3-4 weeks as long as temperatures are set properly at 40°F or below.
Opened Packages – How Long Is Turkey Bacon Good For?
Once opened, raw turkey bacon has a shorter fridge shelf life. Make sure to rewrap it tightly or place it in an airtight container. Generally, opened packages last:
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5-7 days past the printed date. Open exposure to air reduces shelf life after opening.
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1-2 weeks from the purchase date. Quick use once opened keeps bacteria growth to a minimum.
For maximum safety and freshness, use opened raw turkey bacon within 1 week.
Cooked Turkey Bacon Fridge Life
Cooked turkey bacon lasts:
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3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Cooked meats have shorter shelf lives.
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5 days maximum from the cook date. Quality and safety decline after day 5.
Eat refrigerated cooked turkey bacon within 3-5 days for the best flavor, texture and safety.
Keeping Turkey Bacon Safe Through Proper Storage
To help turkey bacon last as long as possible in the fridge, follow these storage tips:
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Store raw turkey bacon on lower fridge shelves away from ready-to-eat foods.
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Keep cooked turkey bacon on upper shelves away from raw meats to avoid cross-contamination.
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in sealed containers to prevent drying out.
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Divide into smaller portions to limit repeatedly opening packages.
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Ensure refrigerator temperature is consistently 40°F or below.
Proper storage keeps bacteria growth in check and flavor locked in.
Identifying When Turkey Bacon Has Spoiled
Rely on your senses when inspecting turkey bacon. Signs of spoiled bacon include:
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Slimy or sticky texture
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Grayish, greenish or dull discoloration
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Dryness or hardening
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Rancid or unpleasant sour smell
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Presence of mold – fuzzy spots or coating
If you notice any of these red flags, discard the turkey bacon. Don’t risk eating spoiled meat.
Answering Common Turkey Bacon Fridge Questions
Let’s review some frequently asked questions on turkey bacon refrigerator shelf life:
How long can cooked turkey bacon sit out at room temp?
Bacteria multiply quickly at room temperature. Refrigerate cooked turkey bacon within 2 hours.
Can I re-freeze thawed turkey bacon?
Only re-freeze if thawed turkey bacon goes unused within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze multiple times.
What happens if the sell-by date expires and it’s still sealed?
An unopened pack should still be fine up to 1-2 weeks past the sell-by date as long as refrigerated.
Is slimy turkey bacon safe to eat if I cook it thoroughly?
Sliminess indicates spoilage, so it’s unsafe to rely on cooking thoroughly to rescue spoiled turkey bacon. Play it safe and discard.
Does freezing extend the shelf life of refrigerator turkey bacon?
Yes, freezing can prolong shelf life. But quality still diminishes over time. Stick to recommended time limits.
The Bottom Line
When stored properly in the refrigerator, unopened raw turkey bacon typically lasts 1-2 weeks past the printed date, and opened packages 5-7 days. Cooked turkey bacon should be eaten within 3-5 days. Keep fridge temperatures at 40°F or below. Monitor for any signs of spoilage like stickiness, off odors or unusual colors. Follow these turkey bacon refrigeration guidelines and trust your senses to maximize freshness and safety.
How to Reheat Cooked Turkey Bacon
You can warm up turkey bacon (or regular bacon) in a few different ways. The best way for you will depend on your personal taste:
- For an air fry, put bacon in the machine and cook for one minute, until hot.
- Microwave: Put turkey bacon slices in a paper towel-lined microwave safe dish and heat for 30 to 60 seconds, or until hot. (Cooking time will vary greatly, depending on microwave. ) This is probably the easiest way.
- Iron Pan—Heat a pan over medium-low heat. Add the turkey bacon and cook for one to two minutes on each side, or until hot.
How to Tell if Turkey Bacon is Bad
To be safe (and because getting sick from food is never fun!), throw away any uncooked turkey bacon that has been out at room temperature for too long or has passed its sell-by or use-by date. Turkey bacon that has been opened and has changed colors, smells bad, or has mold that can be seen is obviously bad and should be thrown away. Bad turkey bacon will usually be pretty obvious, but use common sense. .
If you won’t use turkey bacon before it goes bad, you can freeze a package that hasn’t been opened.
Round out your turkey bacon with a few of these sides for a nutritious, balanced meal:
How long is open bacon good for in the refrigerator?
FAQ
Does turkey bacon go bad in the fridge?
How to know if turkey bacon is done?
Is cooked bacon good after 7 days?
Is turkey bacon already cooked?
How long can turkey bacon stay in the fridge?
Cooked turkey bacon, like any other food product, should be consumed within 3-5 days after being stored in the fridge because once it has been exposed to the air, harmful bacteria can begin to grow.
How long does cooked bacon last in the fridge?
Once you open that package, bacon’s shelf life shortens whether you cook it or not. Cooked bacon lasts for four to five days if it’s properly stored in the fridge. Raw bacon in a package that has been opened and re-sealed will last up to a week in the fridge.
How to store turkey bacon?
To store your turkey bacon properly, you must consider how it is packed (or if it is not packed), as well as the contents of the package. Also, it is not enough to put the packaging in the refrigerator (if you just put it in the fridge, its expiration date expires faster).
How long does raw turkey bacon last at room temperature?
When it is more than 2 hours at room temperature, we see rapid growth of bacteria and, consequently, it will begin to get spoiled and unfit for consumption. How long does Raw Turkey Bacon last in the Fridge?