Turkey bacon has become a popular lower-fat alternative to regular pork bacon. But because it’s still a fresh meat product it has a relatively short shelf life. So how can you tell if your turkey bacon has gone bad and needs to be discarded?
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the signs of spoiled turkey bacon You’ll learn how to identify bad turkey bacon by sight, smell, and touch. I’ll also provide tips on proper storage to extend the shelf life.
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last?
First, it’s helpful to understand how long turkey bacon lasts when properly stored. The sell-by date on the package is a good starting point. For best quality, use turkey bacon within:
- 7 days past the sell-by date for unopened packages
- 3-5 days past the sell-by date once opened
Turkey bacon lasts 1-2 weeks at most in the fridge. Any longer and it’s at high risk of spoiling. Freezing can extend the shelf life to 4-6 months.
Now let’s go over the indicators that your turkey bacon has spoiled and is no longer safe to eat.
Detecting Bad Turkey Bacon by Sight
Your eyes can often detect spoiled turkey bacon right away. Here’s what to look for:
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Unnatural colors – Fresh turkey bacon should be pale pink. Gray, brown, green or blue hues indicate spoilage.
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Slimy texture – The meat looks excessively shiny, sticky or gooey. Healthy raw turkey bacon has a moist appearance but is still matte and dry to the touch.
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Mold growth – You may see fuzzy spots or discoloration from mold. This renders the turkey bacon unsafe.
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Dry, shriveled texture – The bacon has lost too much moisture and dried out. While not dangerous, the taste and texture really suffer.
If you notice any of the above visual signs, the turkey bacon has likely gone bad. When in doubt, move on to the smell test.
Smelling for Spoiled Turkey Bacon
Your nose often knows when meat has spoiled before your eyes do. Give the turkey bacon a good sniff. Fresh turkey bacon has a mild meaty smell. Off or rancid odors indicate it has spoiled, including:
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Strong sour scent
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Rotten or decaying smell
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Ammonia-like scent
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Unpleasant “off” odor
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Fishy smell
Trust your senses. If your turkey bacon smells funky or rotten in any way, it has spoiled and needs to be discarded. Don’t risk eating turkey bacon with an off putting smell.
Testing Turkey Bacon Texture
Lastly, feel the texture of the turkey bacon. Fresh bacon feels moist but not overly slimy or gooey. Here’s what turkey bacon texture indicates:
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Soft but not slimy – still fresh to eat
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Thick sticky slime – clear sign of spoilage from bacteria growth
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Dry and stiff – the bacon has lost moisture and dried out
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Ultra mushy – spoiled texture
Once bacteria growth starts, it causes a distinct slimy and gooey texture you’ll notice upon touch. Discard any turkey bacon with this texture.
Proper Storage Helps Avoid Spoilage
To get the longest shelf life out of your turkey bacon:
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Store unopened packages as labeled until ready to use.
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Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight bag.
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Keep fridge temperature at 40°F or below.
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Use within 3-5 days of opening. Don’t go past a week.
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Freeze if not using within 5 days. Thaw in fridge when ready to use.
With proper storage and handling, you can enjoy turkey bacon while minimizing the chances of it spoiling prematurely.
What To Do If Your Turkey Bacon Smells Off
Sometimes turkey bacon develops an off odor but you’re unsure if it’s actually spoiled or just slightly on the decline. Here are a few tips if your turkey bacon smells slightly funky:
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Rinse under cold water in case it just absorbed nearby odors.
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Cook a small piece. If the smell goes away with cooking, it should still be safe to eat.
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When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t risk getting sick from questionable turkey bacon.
Storing Leftover Cooked Turkey Bacon
Got leftovers after cooking up a batch of turkey bacon? Here are some storage guidelines:
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Let cool completely before refrigerating.
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Store in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
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Reheat fully until steaming hot before eating.
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To freeze, allow to cool then wrap airtight. Use within 2 months.
Be extra diligent about using fully cooked turkey bacon within a few days. It’s prime for bacteria growth as it sits.
Can You Freeze Turkey Bacon To Extend Its Life?
Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of turkey bacon. Here are some freezing tips:
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It can be frozen both raw and cooked.
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags.
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Exclude as much air as possible.
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Raw bacon keeps 4-6 months frozen; cooked 2-3 months.
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Thaw in the refrigerator before using again.
So go ahead and stock up when turkey bacon is on sale! Just make sure to freeze it promptly in proper airtight packaging.
The takeaways on avoiding bad turkey bacon: check the sight, scent, and feel for signs of spoilage. Learn its typical shelf life. And store both raw and cooked turkey bacon properly via refrigerating or freezing. Follow these tips and you can enjoy bacon’s tasty cousin without worry!
Signs of Spoiled Turkey Bacon
- Bad smell: The turkey bacon may be bad if it has a strong, unpleasant smell.
- Feels slimy or sticky: Bacon that feels slimy or sticky is going bad.
- Green color: Bacon that has turned green is no longer good.
- Smells bad: Bacon is no longer safe to eat if it smells bad, like rotten food.
If in doubt, its better to throw it out. Eating spoiled turkey bacon can lead to food poisoning and an avoidable upset stomach.
How Long Does Unopened Turkey Bacon Last in the Fridge?
Unopened turkey bacon, a less sodium-packed alternative to regular bacon, is a staple item in many refrigerators. But how long does this type of bacon last unrefrigerated?.
If Your Turkey Bacon Isn’t Cooked Like This – You Are Doing it Wrong! #shorts
FAQ
How can you tell when turkey bacon is bad?
Is turkey bacon still good if it’s grey?
Why is my turkey bacon slimy but not expired?
What does spoiled bacon look like?
How do you know if Bacon is bad?
You can determine if bacon has gone bad by observing its appearance. Rancid bacon loses its redness and instead appears brown, gray, or greenish, with a faded color. Additionally, it develops an unpleasant smell and may become sticky or slimy. What happens when turkey bacon turns brown?
How do you know if Turkey bacon is bad?
It may start turning brown or grey, which is indicative of the bacon going bad. In some cases, the turkey bacon may also seem as if it is starting to mold. If it looks like that, throw it away. If everything seems fine and you cook the turkey bacon, you’ll be able to tell if something is off. It should taste like turkey, but leaner.
Does turkey bacon go bad?
Turkey bacon that goes bad often turns a brown or gray color. The change may happen slowly, but if you’re noticing these hints of color, it’s most likely bad. In addition, sometimes those brown or gray tones are accented with blue or even green. If you see any of these, the turkey bacon is most definitely growing mold and had spoiled.
What does turkey bacon feel like?
Turkey bacon feels like silk and is smooth to the touch. When it starts feeling off, that’s a clear indicator that it’s going bad or is already there. Getting used to how turkey bacon feels may take a minute. If at any time the turkey bacon comes out of the packaging feeling slimy, take it back for a refund because it is going bad.
Why does turkey bacon turn brown?
When turkey bacon turns brown, it is an indication that it may have spoiled. If the bacon still maintains its natural pink color with white or yellow fat, it is still safe to consume. However, if the bacon has turned brown or gray and has a hint of green or blue, it has already gone bad.
What does turkey bacon smell like?
It smells appetizing and feels silky, like smooth wet skin to the touch, with or without a thin layer of gelatin on the surface. If turkey bacon smells conspicuously sour, its color has changed from light pink to gray, or the meat itself feels slimy and sticky, it is most likely spoiled and should be discarded immediately.