Does Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon Need Refrigeration?

Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon has become a staple in many households thanks to its convenience and great taste. This pre-cooked bacon allows you to enjoy the salty smoky flavor of bacon without the hassle of cooking it yourself. It’s ready to eat right out of the package.

But one question that often comes up is whether you need to refrigerate Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon after opening it. Let’s take a closer look at how to store Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon to maintain safety and quality.

Overview of Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon

Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon is bacon that has already been cooked before packaging It comes in a few different varieties including original and lower sodium The bacon is pre-cooked so it has a shelf-stable formula that prevents bacterial growth.

The fully cooked bacon is made from pork that is cured, smoked, and cooked. It contains no artificial preservatives though it does contain nitrates from the curing process. The ingredients are simply pork cured with water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphate, smoke flavoring, sodium ascorbate, and sodium nitrite.

Oscar Mayer says their fully cooked bacon is ready to eat right out of the package. It can be eaten cold or reheated. To reheat you can microwave individual slices for about 20-30 seconds or cook a few slices in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

Storage Guidelines Before Opening

Because it is pre-cooked and cured, Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon can be kept for a long time before it needs to be opened.

Unopened Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon does NOT require refrigeration.

The unopened packages can be stored at room temperature in your pantry. The shelf life for an unopened package stored below 75°F is about 1-2 months.

You can also keep unopened fully cooked bacon in the refrigerator. Oscar Mayer says that if you refrigerate before opening, you should use the food within 14 days for the best quality.

An unopened package can be frozen for longer term storage. It will keep for about 1-2 months in the freezer before quality starts to decline.

• Room temperature (below 75°F): 1-2 months
• Refrigerator: 14 days
• Freezer: 1-2 months

Just make sure the bacon stays sealed in its original packaging until you are ready to eat it.

Does Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon Need Refrigeration After Opening?

Once you open the package of Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon, refrigeration becomes important. Exposure to air and handling introduces potential bacterial contamination.

The opened bacon DOES need refrigeration after opening to prevent bacteria growth and food safety issues. Here are the guidelines:

• After opening, refrigerate Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon.
• Use within 14 days for best quality and safety.
• Discard any bacon that looks discolored or smells off.

Oscar Mayer specifically states that their fully cooked bacon must be refrigerated after opening the inner tray. The packaging is not designed to provide long shelf life after opening like it does when sealed.

Refrigerating after opening limits bacteria growth. The cold temperatures help slow it down. This gives you about a 2 week window to safely eat the bacon while maintaining quality.

Can You Freeze Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon After Opening?

Freezing is another option if you won’t use Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon within 2 weeks of opening.

You can safely freeze the bacon after opening the package. This lets you store it for longer term while preserving quality.

To freeze opened fully cooked Oscar Mayer bacon:

• Reseal the opened package or place bacon slices in a freezer bag. Squeeze out excess air.

• Freeze for up to 2-3 months.

• Thaw refrigerated overnight when ready to eat.

The bacon may suffer some loss of texture from freezing but will remain safe to eat.

Proper freezing prevents bacterial growth. The Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon will keep for a few months frozen. But don’t forget about it in the back of the freezer for 6 months!

Signs Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon Has Gone Bad

Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon, like any meat and poultry, can spoil if not stored properly. Here are some signs to watch out for:

• Slimy texture – Fully cooked bacon that feels excessively soft or slimy has likely spoiled from bacteria. Discard it.

• Discoloration – Grayish or greenish tints indicate spoilage. Toss it out.

• Off odors – Sour, ammonia, or “off” odors mean the bacon is no longer fresh. Don’t eat it.

• Mold – Any fuzzy mold spots also mean Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon has gone bad. Do not eat moldy bacon.

Your nose and eyes are the best tools for determining if pre-cooked bacon has spoiled. Rely on them to gauge safety and quality.

Maintaining Food Safety With Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon

Proper handling and storage are important for keeping Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon safe:

• Wash hands before handling bacon to prevent bacteria transfer.
• Avoid cross-contaminating surfaces and foods with raw bacon drippings which can harbor bacteria.
• Cook bacon thoroughly if reheating from frozen state to eliminate harmful germs. Reheat to 165°F minimum.
• Refrigerate or freeze after opening. Never leave sitting out for more than 2 hours.
• Follow package instructions for microwave heating.
• Discard bacon that smells bad, changes color, or grows mold.

Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon is a pre-cooked product but food safety steps still matter. Follow the storage guidelines and trust your senses to determine if the bacon stays fresh.

With proper refrigeration after opening, Oscar Mayer fully cooked bacon will retain its quality and safety for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for longer storage. And of course, eat this tasty bacon within its prime!