It’s pretty well known that you can freeze whole packs of sealed bacon. But what about cooked bacon? It turns out that it’s pretty easy to cook your bacon and freeze it for future cooking adventures.
You’ll love ButcherBox’s juicy bacon, which isn’t cured and doesn’t have any nitrates or nitrites, sugar, or other bad things in it.
Bacon is a staple ingredient in many households. Its smoky, salty, umami flavor takes dishes to the next level. From bacon bits on salads and soups to a BLT sandwich, bacon makes its way into breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes.
We don’t always eat a whole pack of bacon at once, even though fresh bacon is best. So, can you freeze bacon that has already been cooked? The short answer is yes! Freezing cooked bacon is a great way to keep some for later and always have some on hand.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about freezing pre-cooked bacon. We’ll talk about:
- The benefits of freezing bacon
- How to properly freeze cooked bacon
- How long frozen bacon lasts
- How to thaw and use frozen bacon
Plus, we’ll share tips for achieving maximum crispness and flavor when cooking previously frozen bacon.
Why Freeze Pre-Cooked Bacon?
Freezing cooked bacon provides several advantages
Longer Shelf Life
Bacon typically lasts 5-7 days in the fridge. But in the freezer, it will keep for 2-3 months. If you freeze bacon that has already been cooked, you won’t waste it and will have it on hand whenever you need it.
Saves Time
Frying bacon can be tedious and time-consuming. Freezing pre-cooked bacon means you can skip straight to incorporating it into recipes. No need to dirty extra pans and watch the stove.
Batch Cooking
You can cook entire packages of bacon at once, then divide and freeze portions. Perfect for meal prepping!
Availability
Freezing guarantees you’ll always have cooked bacon ready when you need it. No more running to the store for a couple strips.
Locks In Freshness
Frozen cooked bacon maintains its texture and flavor better than refrigerated bacon. Freezing stops food spoilage in its tracks.
Clearly, keeping a supply of frozen pre-cooked bacon has multiple perks!
How To Freeze Bacon After Cooking
Freezing cooked bacon is simple, but there are some steps to follow for best results:
1. Let Bacon Cool Completely
Bacon straight from the pan is still releasing steam and moisture. Allow it to cool to room temperature before freezing, about 10-20 minutes. Cooling prevents excess water from forming ice crystals during freezing.
2. Drain Excess Grease
Blot cooked bacon strips with paper towels to soak up visible grease. Frozen grease can turn rancid over time. Removing it helps bacon stay fresh longer.
3. Portion Into Freezer Bags
For easier thawing and use, divide cooled bacon into meal-sized servings. The ideal amount depends on your recipe needs. Common portions are 4 strips, 6 strips, 1/2 cup crumbled.
4. Exclude Extra Air
Press excess air out of freezer bags before sealing. Exposure to air causes oxidation and off-flavors. Removing air protects quality.
5. Label Bags
Mark bags with contents, amount, and freeze date. This prevents mystery meat situations down the road!
6. Freeze Promptly
Within 2 hours of cooking, get sealed bacon bags into the freezer. Quick freezing maintains texture and locks in freshness.
Follow those steps, and your cooked bacon is ready for long-term frozen storage!
How Long Does Frozen Bacon Last?
When stored flat in airtight freezer bags at 0°F or below, cooked bacon keeps well for 2-3 months.
Bacon will still be safe to eat beyond that timeframe. However, flavor and texture will gradually decline over longer storage.
For optimal quality and taste, try to use frozen cooked bacon within 3 months. But even bacon frozen for 4-6 months should still cook up decently. Discard any bacon over 6 months old.
Proper freezer temperature is also key. At 0°F, bacon lasts the full 2-3 months. Warmer freezers shorten shelf life. Monitor your freezer occasionally to ensure it’s maintaining 0°F or colder.
How To Thaw Frozen Bacon
Thawing frozen cooked bacon is hassle-free. Just stick to one of these methods:
Fridge Thawing
For slower thawing, leave bacon in its freezer bag and place in the refrigerator. Allow 12-24 hours for complete thawing.
Once thawed, use within 4-5 days.
Cold Water Thaw
For quick thawing, seal the bag of frozen bacon and submerge it in a bowl of cold tap water. This thaws bacon in about 30 minutes.
Pat bacon dry before using, as water can dilute flavor. Use thawed bacon right away.
Microwave Thawing
Microwaving partially thaws bacon in just 1-2 minutes. But microwaves can start cooking bacon, so thaw in 30 second bursts and check often.
Let microwaved bacon stand 2 minutes before using, so the heat evenly distributes.
Avoid thawing bacon at room temperature or in hot water, as bacteria can start growing. Refrigerator and cold water thawing are safest.
How To Cook Previously Frozen Bacon
Cooking bacon that was previously frozen doesn’t require any special techniques. You can cook from frozen or thawed using your preferred cooking method – skillet, oven, microwave.
Here are some tips for achieving the best results:
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Add 1-2 minutes to total cooking time, as frozen bacon takes longer to crisp up. Adjust cooking times as needed.
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Preheat skillets and ovens fully before adding frozen bacon. Proper preheating prevents partially cooked spots.
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Fry bacon over medium-low heat to prevent burning before it’s thawed. Higher heat overcooks the outer layer before the middle thaws.
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Bake frozen bacon at 400°F on a wire rack lined sheet pan. The rack allows air flow for even crisping.
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Microwave bacon in 30 second bursts, allowing the fat to render between rounds. Blot with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
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Pat bacon dry before and after cooking. Ice crystals thaw into water, which can make bacon soggy.
Follow those guidelines, and frozen bacon crisps up deliciously! It tastes freshly cooked.
Tips For Freezing Bacon
Take these extra steps, and your frozen bacon will come out perfect every time:
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Choose bacon without added sugars or seasonings, which can turn gummy or foul tasting when frozen. Plain bacon freezes best.
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Cook bacon just until crispy. Overcooked bacon turns extra crispy and brittle when frozen.
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Freeze bacon raw for folding into egg bakes, casseroles, soups. It’ll cook to crispness as the dish bakes.
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Double wrap freezer bags for added moisture protection. Or vacuum seal for ultimate freshness.
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Store bags flat in freezer to prevent breakage and maximize space.
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When thawing, leave bacon in the bag. It helps retain moisture so bacon stays tender.
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Don’t refreeze thawed bacon. Refreezing causes more ice crystal formation, damaging texture.
Recipes Using Frozen Bacon
Ready to put that stash of frozen bacon to use? Here are some delicious ways to incorporate it into meals:
Breakfast
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Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches – Thaw just enough bacon for a weekend batch
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Baked Oatmeal with Apples & Bacon – Fold thawed, crumbled bacon into oatmeal before baking
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BLT Egg Bake – Line the pan with frozen bacon to bake up crispy
Lunch
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Bacon & Tomato Pasta – Crumble frozen bacon right into hot pasta
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Bacon Ranch Chicken Wraps – Quick thaw 6 strips to add crunch
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Baked Potato Soup – Garnish bowls with crispy microwave-thawed bacon
Dinner
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Pasta Carbonara – Start with a skillet of frozen bacon to render the fat
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Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf – Wrap loaf in partially frozen bacon before baking
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Cobb Salad – Top salads with crumbled thawed bacon for a tasty crunch
As you can see, the possibilities are endless for cooked, frozen bacon! It takes dishes from boring to gourmet in minutes.
Is Freezing Bacon Worth It?
Freezing pre-cooked bacon provides multiple benefits:
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Saves money by preventing waste
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Adds convenience – bacon is always at the ready
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Allows bulk batch cooking – prep multiple packs at once
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Locks in freshness for 2-3 months
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Provides flavor and texture similar to fresh
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Works well in all recipes – breakfasts, lunches, dinners
As long as it’s frozen and thawed properly, pre-cooked bacon holds up beautifully to freezing. So go ahead and stock up! A freezer full of bacon means you’re ready to take any dish up a notch.
How to Freeze Cooked Bacon
To start, you’ll have to cook your bacon, of course. For small amounts, pan-frying bacon is best. But if you want to make a lot of bacon to freeze, baking it might be a better idea.
Warm your oven up to 400°F and cover a large baking sheet with foil. This will allow you to bake a whole pack of bacon. If you’d like extra crispy bacon, place a wire cooling rack atop the sheet pan. If you don’t have one, no worries. The bacon will still be delicious.
Spread the bacon out on the pan or rack in pieces, making sure they don’t touch. If they do, they’ll stick together. For obvious reasons, this means keeping the bacon in a single layer. Real oven temperatures can be different, and some people like their bacon chewy while others like it as crisp as a cracker. Bake the bacon for 15 to 30 minutes. Start checking for your preferred doneness at 15 minutes, though.
The Best Way to Freeze Cooked Bacon?
You want to ensure you get the bacon into the freezer or fridge reasonably fast after cooking it. This is because bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature. For this reason, you should throw away cooked bacon that has been out for more than two hours.
Use heavy-duty, zip-top freezer bags to keep your cooked bacon fresh in the freezer. It’ll keep for many months, but it’s probably at its best if used within three months.
Thawed, cooked bacon that was frozen will keep in the fridge for several days. Still, always check your frozen foods. You shouldn’t cook with bacon that smells bad or feels slimy.
Now that we’ve established freezing cooked bacon is safe, let’s break down the steps for freezing cooked bacon.
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FAQ
Does cooked bacon freeze well?
Can I freeze hormel fully cooked bacon?
Can you freeze pre-packed bacon?
Can you freeze Kirkland fully cooked bacon?
Can Bacon be frozen?
Cover with wax paper and freeze overnight, or for a minimum of two hours. Pop the frozen bacon into a zip-top bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. When ready to cook, take however many slices you need at a time. The bacon can either be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or microwaved, making it the perfect grab-and-go breakfast item.
Does freezing Bacon taste good?
Freezing bacon does not affect its taste as long as it has not been freezer burnt. Freezer burnt meat does not taste good. How To Freeze Bacon to Avoid Freezer Burn. The main point is to avoid freezer burn … Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag. Make sure there are no holes in your freezer bag.
Can Bacon be stored in the freezer?
Batch cook the amount of bacon you plan on storing. Let it cool completely, before preparing it for storage in the freezer. Once the bacon has cooled, you can wrap them with foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper. Make sure to wrap each strip individually, so you can take out only as much as you need.
Can You bake bacon if you have a big freezer?
While pan-frying bacon is the best approach for small batches, you’ll want to consider baking bacon if you’re looking to build a big freezer stash. To bake a whole pack of bacon, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large sheet pan with foil. If you’d like extra crispy bacon, place a wire cooling rack atop the sheet pan.