Is there anything more exciting than waking up to the smell of freshly cooked bacon? It’s the best way to start the weekend, and its salty, savory goodness is hard to resist whether you eat it by itself or with pancakes or eggs. But don’t stay up too late; bacon could be harmful to eat if it sits out for more than two hours.
Bacon is meat, which means its perishable. Even though it has a lot of salt, that salt won’t keep the bacon from going bad at room temperature. If you eat bacon that has gone bad, you could get foodborne illness, which is at best unpleasant and at worst deadly. Follow food safety rules and throw away your bacon after two hours, whether it’s fully cooked or still raw. Better yet, put it in the fridge right away instead of leaving it out.
A bacon egg and cheese sandwich is a classic hearty breakfast. This sandwich combining crunchy bacon, fluffy eggs, and melted cheese between bread is convenient to eat on-the-go. But if you don’t finish your sandwich in one sitting, you may wonder – how long can I safely leave it out before the food becomes unsafe to eat?
It’s important to keep an eye on time and temperature when working with foods that go bad quickly, like eggs, meat, and dairy. If you leave food in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F for too long, bacteria can quickly grow to dangerous levels.
So what is the exact time limit for leaving out a tasty bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich? Here are some tips on storing this sandwich to enjoy it safely
How Long Can a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich Safely Sit Out at Room Temperature?
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If the sandwich is left out at room temperature for more than two hours (or one hour if it’s over 90°F), it should be thrown away.
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Bacteria in the eggs, bacon, and cheese can quickly multiply to unsafe levels after sitting in the danger zone for too long.
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Some food safety experts recommend no more than 1 hour at room temperature for egg dishes to be extra cautious.
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If you won’t finish the sandwich within this time frame, it’s best to put it in the fridge or toss it in the trash. Don’t risk food poisoning!
How to Store a Leftover Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich
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For short term storage, refrigerate sandwich leftovers for 3 to 4 days maximum.
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You can also individually wrap portions in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for 1 to 2 months.
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When reheating, reheat fully to 165°F until hot and steaming to kill any bacteria.
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Don’t let the sandwich sit out again after reheating. Eat immediately or toss any leftovers.
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Discard sandwich if it has an off smell, appearance, or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
Tips for Handling a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Safely
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If assembling sandwiches in advance, keep bacon, eggs, cheese, and other fillings refrigerated until ready to assemble.
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Cook bacon thoroughly until crispy to reduce the risk of lingering bacteria.
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Cook eggs until yolks and whites are firm. Soft, runny eggs are more prone to bacterial growth.
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Choose pasteurized cheese slices instead of unpasteurized varieties, which carry more risk.
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Only take out as many sandwiches as needed if serving a group. Keep extras refrigerated.
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Consider putting sandwiches in individual bags to prevent cross contamination.
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Use an insulated bag/cooler if transporting sandwiches for a commute, road trip or picnic.
What About Homemade Versus Store-Bought?
For homemade sandwiches:
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Follow the 2 hour room temperature rule (1 hour if very hot outside).
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Make sure ingredients were properly stored, cooked, and handled before assembling sandwich.
For store-bought sandwiches:
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Remove from refrigerated case and eat within 2 hours. Don’t let sit out after purchase.
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Check expiration or “sell by” date and inspect sandwich for off smells or textures.
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Discard if packaging is opened, damaged, or compromised.
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If doubts about handling or storage, play it safe and toss it out.
Why You Shouldn’t Take Chances with a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese
There are a few reasons you don’t want to take risks with how long you leave this sandwich sitting out:
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Salmonella – Raw or undercooked eggs can contain Salmonella bacteria, which causes serious food poisoning.
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Listeria – Deli meats like bacon are at higher risk for Listeria, which is dangerous for pregnant women.
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Staph – Staphylococcus aureus bacteria causes nasty staph food poisoning.
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E. Coli – Raw egg risk, undercooked bacon risk.
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Clostridium perfringens – Causes diarrheal illness. Spores grow on cooked meat, poultry, gravy.
Basically, a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich combines some of the most common culprits that can cause foodborne illness. It’s better to be safe than sorry when handling this sandwich!
The Takeaway on Enjoying a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich
A fresh bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich is a hangover-curing, satiating comfort food. With its rich combination of breakfast proteins and melty cheese between bread, it’s easy to want to savor every last bite.
But once you’ve taken that first bite, the clock starts ticking. Make sure to finish your sandwich within 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is very warm. After that, toss leftovers or get them in the fridge ASAP.
By following proper food safety guidelines on time and temperature control, you can feel confident that you can safely enjoy this classic sandwich without worrying about possible health consequences later.
So next time you grab a delicious bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, find a comfortable place to sit down and relish each tasty bite. Just make sure it doesn’t turn into a post-meal nightmare by letting it linger too long at room temperature. Stay safe and happy eating!
Bacon goes bad after two hours
In general, the USDA says that meat should never be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. This is because room temperature is in the “danger zone” for perishable foods, which means that bacteria can easily grow there. If it’s above 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below 140 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria can grow quickly. This can cause food poisoning quickly in the form of salmonella or E. coli if the meat is kept out too long.
If you live in an environment without air conditioning, the time limit is even smaller; your bacon should not sit out for more than one hour in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The one exception here is dry-cured bacon, which the USDA says can last for up to 10 days outside the refrigerator. However, raw grocery store bacon doesnt fall into this category.
Bacon shouldn’t be left out at room temperature for more than two hours, but it also shouldn’t be kept in the fridge forever. Even though it will last longer there, bacon that has been opened should be eaten within seven days (the expiration date is the best way to tell if a package has been opened or not). And if you choose to freeze it, use it within six months.