How Long Do Hormel Real Bacon Bits Last? A Complete Guide

Bacon bits are a pantry staple in many households The crispy, smoky, salty flavor of bacon enhances everything from salads and baked potatoes to mac and cheese. While cooking fresh bacon is always an option, pre-cooked bacon bits offer convenience without sacrificing much flavor

Hormel’s Real Bacon Bits are a popular brand of ready-to-eat bacon bits As a shelf-stable product, Real Bacon Bits have a decently long shelf life before opening But once you open the package, how long do they last?

In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about the shelf life and storage of Hormel Real Bacon Bits including

• What are Hormel Real Bacon Bits?
• How long do unopened Hormel Real Bacon Bits last?
• How to tell if Hormel Real Bacon Bits are bad
• How long Hormel Real Bacon Bits last after opening
• The best way to store Hormel Real Bacon Bits
• Can you freeze Hormel Real Bacon Bits?
• How to revive stale Hormel Real Bacon Bits

Armed with these tips, you’ll get the most out of every package of Hormel Real Bacon Bits and avoid wasting any that have gone bad.

What Are Hormel Real Bacon Bits?

Hormel Real Bacon Bits are made from 100% real smoked bacon that has been pre-cooked and crumbled into small bits. The bacon is cured with water, salt, sugar, sodium nitrite, and other preservatives.

According to the product description, Hormel Real Bacon Bits contain 40% less fat than regular pan-fried bacon. Each 1/4 cup serving provides 25 calories, 3g protein, 1.5g fat, and 210mg sodium.

Real Bacon Bits come in a 6 oz resealable pouch. Soups, sandwiches, burgers, baked potatoes, pastas, pizzas, salads, and more can all taste like they have smoked bacon in them right out of the package.

Because they are pre-cooked and can be kept for a long time, Hormel Real Bacon Bits are already fully cooked when you buy them. There’s no need to cook them further before eating.

How Long Do Unopened Hormel Real Bacon Bits Last?

An unopened package of Hormel Real Bacon Bits has a very long shelf life. According to the manufacturer, unopened Real Bacon Bits will stay fresh in your pantry for up to 1 year past the “best by” date printed on the package.

The best by date indicates the timeframe during which the bacon bits will be at peak quality and flavor. As long as they are stored properly in a cool, dry place, the bacon bits remain safe to eat for a full year past that date.

So if you have an unopened pouch of Hormel Real Bacon Bits with a best by date of March 2023, you can safely keep and use that package until March 2024 when stored at room temperature.

Of course, the bacon bits won’t be quite as fresh and flavorful by the time the year is up. But they will still be edible and safe to consume if the package remains sealed.

For best quality and flavor, try to use Hormel Real Bacon Bits within 6-9 months after purchasing for maximum freshness. The preservatives help maintain safety past that timeframe, but the taste and texture will degrade over time.

How To Tell If Hormel Real Bacon Bits Are Bad

Once opened, Hormel Real Bacon Bits don’t keep as long. So how can you tell if an opened package of bacon bits has gone bad?

Here are a few signs that your Hormel Real Bacon Bits have spoiled and should be discarded:

• Off odor – Fresh bacon bits have a smoky, salty, savory smell. If you notice a rancid, rotten, or ammonia-like odor, the bacon bits have likely spoiled.

• Change in texture – The bits should be dry and brittle. A soft, mushy, or slimy texture indicates spoilage.

• Dull or faded color – The bacon bits should be deep red. Grayish, brown, or dull-looking color is a sign they have gone bad.

• Mold growth – You may see fuzzy mold growing on the bacon bits or inside the package. Discard the bacon bits immediately if you notice any mold.

• Expired date – If the package is past the expiration date after opening, it’s best to throw it out.

When in doubt, remember the old adage – when it smells funky, it’s no longer chunky (edible). Rely on your senses, and toss bacon bits that seem off.

How Long Do Hormel Real Bacon Bits Last After Opening?

Once opened, the shelf life of Hormel Real Bacon Bits is significantly reduced. According to the manufacturer, an opened package will stay fresh for about 6-8 weeks when stored properly in the fridge.

The high salt content helps prevent bacterial growth. But without the airtight packaging, the pre-cooked bacon bits lose moisture over time, making them prone to drying out.

Make sure to carefully reseal the package after each use and refrigerate opened bacon bits right away. Only take out what you need as you use them. Don’t leave the opened pouch sitting out.

You can safely use refrigerated opened bacon bits for up to 2 months past the printed “best by” date. But for maximum freshness and flavor, try to finish the package within 6-8 weeks.

Write the date you opened the bacon bits on the package with a marker. This makes it easier to keep track of how long they’ve been open.

Also, inspect the bacon bits before use and give them a quick sniff test. If you detect any off odors or see any mold, err on the safe side and throw them out.

How To Store Hormel Real Bacon Bits

To get the full shelf life from Hormel Real Bacon Bits, proper storage is key. Here are some tips:

• Unopened – Store unopened bacon bit pouches in a cool, dry spot such as your pantry. Avoid direct sunlight and heat to preserve freshness.

• Refrigerate after opening – As soon as you open the pouch, refrigerate the bacon bits. Cold temps are important for food safety once exposed to air.

• Use original packaging – Keep bacon bits in the original packaging if possible rather than transferring to a container. The foil pouch protects against moisture loss.

• Reseal the pouch carefully – Always press out excess air and seal the pouch tightly after use to prevent freezer burn.

• Use within 6-8 weeks – For best flavor and texture, use up refrigerated opened bacon bits within 2 months.

• Check for mold periodically – Occasionally inspect bacon bits for mold growth, especially if planning to keep near the 6-8 week mark.

Proper storage helps slow the deterioration in quality so you can enjoy Hormel Real Bacon Bits for as long as possible after opening.

Can You Freeze Hormel Real Bacon Bits?

Freezing is not recommended for Hormel Real Bacon Bits. The high salt content makes the pre-cooked bacon bits prone to texture changes when frozen.

According to the manufacturer, Real Bacon Bits should only be refrigerated and are not suitable for freezing. The frozen moisture causes the bits to become soggy once thawed.

If you do freeze bacon bits by accident, allow the sealed package to thaw completely in the refrigerator before opening. But the texture and flavor will likely suffer. It’s best not to freeze opened bacon bits at all.

Your best bet is to buy Hormel Real Bacon Bits in smaller pouches if you don’t think you’ll use up a 6 oz package within 2 months. Or portion out leftover bacon bits into small reusable containers for freezing.

For unopened bacon bits, the fridge can extend the shelf life slightly compared to the pantry. But avoid the freezer to prevent compromising the texture. Refrigerating opened packages is ideal.

How To Revive Stale Hormel Real Bacon Bits

Over time, opened and refrigerated Hormel Real Bacon Bits will start to dry out. The bits lose their crispy texture and crispiness. Soft or soggy bacon bits aren’t very appealing.

Before throwing away a stale pouch of bacon bits, try this simple trick to refresh them:

• Place the bacon bits in a skillet over medium-low heat.

• Warm them up for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.

The gentle heat will drive off any absorbed moisture and revive the crispy texture of the bacon bits. Let them cool to room temp before returning to the fridge.

You can also refresh soggy bacon bits by spreading them out on a baking sheet and baking at 250°F for 10 minutes. The low oven heat crisps them right up.

Revived bacon bits won’t be quite as perfect as a fresh package. But these tricks extend the shelf life for a few extra weeks so you can use up every last bit.

Get the Most Out of Hormel Real Bacon Bits

Hormel Real Bacon Bits are a kitchen staple thanks to their smoky bacon flavor and convenient shelf-stable packaging. Follow these tips for maximizing the shelf life of your bacon bits:

• Store unopened pouches in a cool, dry pantry to retain freshness up to the 1 year “best by” date.

• Refrigerate opened bacon bits right away and use within 6-8 weeks for best quality.

• Seal the pouch carefully after each use. Keep bacon bits in the original packaging if possible.

• Avoid freezing Real Bacon Bits to prevent soggy texture when thawed.

• Revive stale refrigerator bacon bits with a quick low heat crisping method.

With proper storage and handling, you can keep those delicious Hormel bacon bits tasting great for months. Use our shelf life guidelines so none of them go to waste.