If bacon is a part of your diet, we don’t need to tell you how delicious it is. This salty treat tastes great with scrambled eggs, on a salad, or inside a sandwich. Unless, of course, the bacon went bad before it met the skillet. How long does bacon stay fresh in the fridge? We have the answer and some other tips on how to make sure it stays fresh so you can always enjoy this fine pork product at its best.
A sizzling strip of bacon is one of life’s simple pleasures. Whether it’s part of a hearty breakfast or sandwiched in a BLT for lunch, bacon’s smoky, salty flavor enhances many dishes. But with its high fat content, bacon is perishable and has a limited shelf life. So how long does Oscar Mayer bacon stay fresh?
Understanding storage methods, signs of spoilage, and freezing techniques will help you enjoy Oscar Mayer bacon safely while minimizing waste. Read on for a complete guide to maximizing the shelf life and preserving the delicious taste of Oscar Mayer bacon.
Refrigerator Storage for Oscar Mayer Bacon
Proper refrigeration is key to keeping Oscar Mayer bacon fresh The brand’s signature Naturally Hardwood Smoked Bacon has a shelf life of
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Unopened package Up to 2 weeks from the packaged date
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After opening 1 week
Store unopened packages on a refrigerator shelf rather than in the door, where temperature fluctuates. Once opened, wrap the remaining slices tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container. Refrigerating at 40°F or below inhibits bacteria growth.
Pay attention to best by dates on Oscar Mayer bacon packaging. These indicate peak freshness rather than safety, so bacon may still be fine for use shortly after. Rely on your senses too. Discard bacon that smells, looks, or feels slimy.
Freezing Oscar Mayer Bacon
Freezing extends the shelf life of Oscar Mayer bacon for months. Properly frozen, unopened packages last:
- 6-8 months in a freezer set at 0°F
Prepare opened bacon for freezing by wrapping tightly in foil or plastic. Place in freezer bags, press out all air, and seal. Label with date. Frozen Oscar Mayer bacon keeps for 1-2 months beyond the fridge use by date.
For best quality, use frozen Oscar Mayer bacon soon after thawing in the refrigerator. Cook frozen bacon directly on the stovetop or in the oven by adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Signs Oscar Mayer Bacon Has Spoiled
Rely on your senses along with storage times to determine if Oscar Mayer bacon is still usable. Discard bacon that exhibits these signs of spoilage:
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Slimy texture – Sticky or glossy spots indicate bacterial growth
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Greyish color – Normal color is pink to deep red
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Off smell – Bad odors like sour or ammonia mean it’s spoiled
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Dry or hard texture – This happens when frozen bacon gets freezer burn
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Greenish tinge – Color changes to dull or greenish hues signal spoilage
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Mold – Presence of black, green, or white fuzzy mold
When inspecting the bacon, look carefully and sniff closely. And remember, safety first – if in doubt, throw it out.
Handling and Cooking Oscar Mayer Bacon
Safe handling and thorough cooking help prevent foodborne illness from Oscar Mayer bacon:
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Cook until crispy to kill harmful bacteria. Pieces should be stiff, not limp.
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Don’t keep cooked bacon at room temperature over 2 hours before refrigerating.
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When reheating cooked bacon, heat to 165°F measured with a food thermometer.
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Store leftover cooked bacon drippings in a tightly covered container in the fridge.
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Rinse hands, utensils, countertops after handling raw bacon to avoid cross-contamination.
Proper cooking and storage of both raw and cooked Oscar Mayer bacon maximizes safety and shelf life.
Freezing Uncooked Bacon Grease
Bacon grease adds great flavor when cooking other foods. To freeze leftover uncooked grease:
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Let fat cool until warm, not hot.
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Pour into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1⁄2 inch of headspace.
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Seal lids tightly. Label with date.
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Freeze up to 3 months.
Thaw bacon grease overnight in the refrigerator before using. Add a bit at a time when cooking to avoid burning.
Tasty Ways to Use Oscar Mayer Bacon
From breakfast tacos to carbonara pasta, bacon boosts the flavor of many dishes. Here are creative ways to use up bacon before it spoils:
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Bacon jam – Cook bacon, add spices and maple syrup. Spread on biscuits.
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Bake into cornbread or muffins for a salty, smoky twist.
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Sprinkle crumbled bacon on salads for a crunchy topping.
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Wrap shrimp, chicken, or aspargus in bacon and roast for a tasty bundle.
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Crumble onto baked potatoes with cheese, scallions, and sour cream.
Oscar Mayer bacon is too tasty to waste. With proper storage and creative recipes, you can enjoy every last strip. Follow these guidelines and tips for maximizing shelf life while savoring the signature flavors of Oscar Mayer bacon.
Oscar Mayer Bacon Storage Cheat Sheet
| Storage Method | Unopened Package | Opened Package |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 2 weeks | 1 week |
| Freezer | 6-8 months | 1-2 months beyond fridge date |
Signs of Spoilage
- Slimy texture
- Discoloration
- Off odors
- Mold growth
Safe Handling Tips
- Cook thoroughly until crisp
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
- Reheat cooked bacon to 165°F
- Rinse surfaces after raw bacon contact
By understanding optimal storage methods, signs of spoilage, and safe handling, you can enjoy the maximum shelf life and flavor of Oscar Mayer’s signature bacon.
How Long Does Bacon Last in the Freezer?
So you bought more bacon at the store than you can devour in a single week. (No judgment. Luckily, there’s a way out that doesn’t involve eating a lot of bacon: just freeze the package of bacon, and you can eat it again and again for months. When stored in an airtight container at 0ºF or below (i. e. , standard freezer temperature) bacon, raw or cooked, will stay fresh until the end of time. Still, the FSIS says that you should use raw bacon within four to six months of freezing it for the best taste and texture. Cooked bacon that has been frozen will start to taste less good around the three-month mark.
What About Dry-Cured Bacon?
The above guidelines apply to the standard, mass-produced bacon that’s most often sold in the United States (think Oscar Mayer). That said, some types of bacon (i.e., dry-cured) will stay fresh in the fridge for longer. Per the experts at Fleishers Butchery, generic bacon, the kind with the seven-day rule, is almost always wet-cured—a quicker curing process that involves either injecting liquid curing agents into the meat or brining it in a curing solution. Dry-curing, on the other hand, is a more time-consuming process in which the pork is rubbed with a combination of dry curing agents (often celery salt) and hung to dry.
So what does it mean if your bacon says it’s ‘uncured’? Probably not what you think. Uncured bacon is not a thing: In reality, all bacon has been cured using one of the methods described above. However, because of a labeling loophole in the FDA’s definition of curing, companies can still use the rather misleading term to refer to their dry-cured product—a popular, but pricey item often found at whole food stores or at butcher shops in slab form. In other words, if the bacon you brought home from the store claims to be ‘uncured’ or nitrite-free, what the package means to say is that it has been dry-cured with celery salt—an ingredient that contains naturally-occurring nitrite. (FYI: Per the Washington Post, there’s no evidence that dry-cured bacon is any “healthier” or has less nitrite than mass-produced bacon.)
If you’re not sure what kind of bacon you have, look at the label. It will tell you if it has been dry-cured or not.
The main difference between dry-cured and wet-cured bacon is that dry-cured bacon stays fresh in the fridge a little longer. The FSIS says that dry-cured bacon will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three weeks if the label says it is nitrite-free and the package has not been opened. On top of that, if you buy dry-cured slab bacon from a local butcher, you can keep the meat in the fridge for four to six weeks without touching it.
Confused? You’re not alone. If you want to avoid problems with bacon, follow the seven-day rule. This is true no matter how it is cured. Better yet, freeze your bacon and you’ll get months of enjoyment out of every package you bring home.
How long is open bacon good for in the refrigerator?
FAQ
How long does Oscar Mayer bacon last in the fridge?
How long is sealed bacon good in the fridge?
Can I eat bacon 12 days out of date?
How long is fully cooked packaged bacon good for?
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PRODUCT
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PANTRY
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FREEZER 0 °F or below
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Leftover cooked bacon, cooked by consumer
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N/A
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1 month
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Baby food with fresh bacon
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Observe “use-by” date.
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1 month
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Cooked bacon, purchased shelf stable
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Unopened in the pantry (stored below 85 °F) until the “use-by” date on the package
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3 months
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How long do bacon bits last?
Per Eat by Date, bacon bits made with real bacon, once open, can last anywhere from 6 weeks in the refrigerator to 6 months in the freezer. The site also notes that the range of dates is only as good as your storage method. But if you eschew real bacon, you may opt for, say, McCormick’s Imitation Bac’n Pieces, which are touted as vegan bacon.
Does Bacon expire?
Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember, bacon, like a lot of other proteins, usually has a sell by date and not a use by date or expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use bacon to compliment your favorite meals even after the sell by date has lapsed.
Does Oscar Mayer make bacon crispy?
(That’s right, the pig gets no credit.) Oscar Mayer uses a fairly standard set of ingredients for industrial-cured bacon: water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphate, sodium ascorbate, and sodium nitrite. The verdict: We want crispy. We want crunchy. We do not want bacon that shatters into bits on the first bite, as Oscar Mayer’s did.
Does Oscar Mayer eat bacon?
Based in Chicago, Oscar Mayer is primarily known for making hot dogs (and for its infamous Wienermobile ), so we had high hopes for its bacon. Senior service editor Kelsey Jane Youngman found that a bite of bacon coated her mouth in grease, and associate cooking and SEO editor Zoe Denenberg said it “disintegrates.”