There’s nothing better than the smell of bacon on a lazy Sunday morning, whether it’s by itself, with eggs poached just right, or on toast with smashed avocado. However, it’s simple to overdo it when cooking bacon and end up with a lot more than you need. But how long can you keep bacon in the fridge?.
Here, we look at how to store bacon correctly and how long cooked and raw bacon will last in the fridge.
Crispy, delicious bacon is a breakfast staple for many. Whether you buy bacon in bulk or have leftovers from cooking a package, you may be wondering how long bacon actually lasts in the freezer. Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of bacon so none goes to waste. But what’s the maximum freezing time before bacon goes bad?
When kept in the right way, bacon can be eaten from the freezer for up to 4 to 6 months. But for the best taste and safety, you should use frozen bacon within one to two months. Follow these guidelines on freezer times for uncooked, cooked, and opened bacon.
This article covers everything you need to know about freezing bacon including
- Recommended freezer times for raw, cooked, opened bacon
- Proper freezer storage methods
- Signs of freezer burn or spoiled bacon
- Safety considerations when freezing bacon
- Effect of freezing on bacon’s texture
Let’s dive in and find out just how long you can keep bacon fresh, tasty, and safe in the icy cold freezer.
How Long Can Uncooked Bacon Last in the Freezer?
Raw uncooked bacon has the longest freezer life compared to cooked or opened bacon. Here are the recommended freezer times for uncooked unopened bacon
- 2-3 months – Best quality
- 4-6 months – Decreased quality but still safe to eat
- 6-12 months – Not recommended for quality and food safety
As long as the original vacuum-sealed packaging remains intact, uncooked bacon can safely be frozen for up to 6 months before the risk of spoilage increases.
For best texture and flavor, use frozen raw bacon within 2-3 months. If you freeze bacon for a lot longer than that, it will slowly dry out, taking on the smell of the freezer and losing its fresh taste.
How Long Can Cooked Bacon Stay Good In the Freezer?
Already cooked bacon has a shorter freezer shelf life compared to raw. According to the USDA, cooked bacon frozen properly should last:
- 2 months – Best quality
- 3-4 months – Edible but decreased quality
The recommended freezer time for cooked bacon is around 2-4 months at maximum. Fat oxidation causes flavor and texture changes over time. For best results, try to use frozen cooked bacon within 2 months.
Let cooked bacon cool fully before freezing. Package in airtight containers with moisture-absorbing liners to prevent sogginess.
Can You Freeze Opened Bacon? How Long Does It Last?
Once opened, raw bacon won’t last as long in the freezer. Follow these timelines for opened packages:
- 1 month – Best quality
- 2-3 months – Decreased quality
- 3-6 months – Not recommended
Opened bacon is more prone to freezer burn since it’s exposed to air. For safest quality, use opened bacon within 1 month in the freezer.
Discard packages if you detect any rancid odors, color changes, or texture issues once thawed. Don’t take risks with questionable frozen bacon.
Proper Storage of Bacon In the Freezer
Storing bacon correctly is key to maximizing freezer shelf life. Follow these tips:
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Seal tightly or use freezer bags, removing excess air.
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Divide into smaller portions to limit thawing excess bacon.
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Interleave cooked bacon strips with wax/parchment paper before freezing.
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Label bags with freeze dates and use older frozen bacon first.
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Maintain consistent freezer temperature around 0°F.
Proper freezer storage protects bacon from “freezer burn” damage and oxidation, keeping it fresher for longer.
How To Tell If Frozen Bacon Is Bad
Bacon that’s spoiled from being frozen too long may display these signs:
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Dry, shriveled texture
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Dull or faded color
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Rancid or “off” smell
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Ice crystals or freezer burn
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Mold growth
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Expired date (if frozen for over 6-12 months)
Taste a small thawed piece if you’re uncertain. Spit it out at the first rancid flavor or odor and discard the rest. Don’t take risks with old, questionable frozen bacon.
Does Freezing Change Bacon’s Texture?
Freezing can affect the texture of bacon over time. The meat dries out, absorbing odors from the freezer. Extended freezing may result in:
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Dry, brittle bacon
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Less plump appearance
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Crinkly look when thawed
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Slightly stringier chew
The flavor also deteriorates the longer bacon is frozen. Try to use frozen bacon within 1-2 months for best texture and taste.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Bacon?
It’s not recommended to refreeze raw bacon after thawing in the refrigerator. Refreezing greatly impacts texture and quality.
However, cooked bacon can be refrozen once with minimal issues if done properly. Let it thaw in the fridge, then re-wrap and return to the freezer within 1-2 days. Use refrozen cooked bacon soon.
For safety, only thaw the amount of bacon you’ll use right away. Refreezing thawed raw bacon is risky from a food quality standpoint.
Freezing Bacon Safely
Follow these tips when freezing bacon:
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Freeze raw bacon before the “sell-by” or “use-by” date for optimal freshness.
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Inspect packages for damage, odor, or sliminess before freezing.
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Separate into smaller portions to limit thawing excess bacon.
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Cook frozen bacon thoroughly to 165°F minimum internal temperature.
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Don’t leave frozen bacon at room temperature over 2 hours before cooking.
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Label each package with freeze date and use older bacon first.
Proper handling and storage when freezing bacon prevents illness from bacteria like salmonella.
Storing Bacon In the Freezer
To summarize safe storage:
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Uncooked bacon keeps 2-6 months frozen.
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Cooked bacon lasts 2-4 months in freezer.
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Opened bacon only 1-3 months in freezer.
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Use freezer bags or airtight containers.
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Label packages with freeze dates.
With the proper freezer storage methods, you can keep delicious bacon fresh for months. Follow the recommended timelines based on whether it’s raw, cooked, or previously opened. Trust your senses as well – if thawed bacon seems off, play it safe and throw it out.
How to tell if bacon is off
Here are some general rules that can help you figure out right away if that extra rasher is still safe to eat:
- Your bacon smells a bit sour. This olfactory clue is most apparent with raw bacon. It’s likely that bacteria are already growing on the meat if it smells sour or sharp. If it smells funny, throw it away.
- The bacon has small mouldy flecks. If you leave cooked meat in the fridge for too long, it can grow mold. If you see fuzzy white or blue spots on your bacon, it’s not safe to eat.
- The bacon is sticky. You can eat raw bacon as long as it’s still soft and a little wet. That being said, bacon that is slimy is a sign of lactic acid bacteria, which can make meat slimy and mean it’s gone bad.
- The bacon is already grey. Meat that is too old turns gray instead of pink, and bacon that has turned dark is already bad.
When you’re sure that bacon has gone bad, you should always throw it away right away because it could spread germs to other food in your fridge. Getty.
Can you cook bacon from frozen?
Yes, it is safe to cook bacon from frozen, but once defrosted, you need to cook it ASAP. Don’t defrost frozen bacon by leaving it out to warm on the kitchen counter. Leave frozen bacon in the fridge to thaw more slowly and safely. It will be safe to eat for up to seven days.
If you’re thawing it in the microwave, it needs to be cooked immediately. Certain parts of the bacon may have been partially cooked in the microwave. Because of this, there may still be bacteria on the bacon. You need to cook the bacon all the way through before putting it back in the freezer after defrosting it in the microwave. Getty.
How long is open bacon good for in the refrigerator?
FAQ
Can you freeze bacon for 2 years?
How long does uncooked bacon last in the freezer?
Can I freeze bacon in its original package?
How to tell if bacon has gone bad?
How long can you freeze bacon?
According to the USDA, fresh or thawed bacon should be used within 7 days. Technically, frozen bacon is safe to eat nearly indefinitely, but for the sake of quality and taste, it is recommended to freeze it no more than a few months.
How long does cooked bacon last?
Cooked bacon that has been stored properly can generally last around 4-5 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the freezer. Bacon grease saved after cooking can be refrigerated for 6 months or frozen for up to 9 months before going rancid.
Can you freeze Bacon coils?
Place the baking sheet with the bacon coils into the freezer for a few hours, just until frozen solid. Remove the baking tray from the freezer and pack the frozen bacon spirals into a ziplock freezer bag. Press out any excess air before sealing the bag. Label the ziplock bag with the date before placing it in the freezer.
Can you freeze bacon grease?
Yes, you can freeze bacon grease. Allow the grease to cool to room temperature, then pour it into a heat-resistant container. Place the container in the freezer, and the grease will solidify. It can be stored in the freezer for several months and used for cooking or flavoring recipes later.