Can you freeze cooked bacon? The quick answer is yes. However, there are methods that we describe below that will help you maximize the most freshness in your bacon after it’s frozen. We also describe the easiest way to cook bacon for the best outcome, and give you recipes for how to use leftover bacon.
What Is the Best Way to Freeze Cooked Bacon?
The best way to freeze cooked bacon is in a zipped freezer bag for up to 3 months. But we’ll give you more detailed instructions as well as tips and tricks for success below.
How to Freeze Cooked Bacon
To freeze cooked bacon, here is our recommended easy 3 step method.
1. Cook the Bacon. Cook the bacon until the desired doneness is achieved. You can see our instructions below for how to easily cook bacon in the oven.
2. Flash freeze the bacon with wax paper. Once the bacon has had a chance to cool, you can place it between layers of wax paper and flash freeze it.
3. Bag it in a freezer bag. After the bacon has been frozen, transfer it to a zipped freezer bag and date it before transferring it to the freezer.
How to Freeze Uncooked Bacon
It is possible to freeze bacon that’s not yet been cooked for up to 6 months if it’s done properly. Here are our recommended instructions:
1. You can leave the bacon sealed in its original packaging and place it directly in the freezer. Be sure to confirm that the packaging has been dated so you can use it in a timely manner.
2. If you want to freeze the bacon into portions that can be pulled out a few at a time, you can place a few flat slices of bacon each inside a sealed zipped freezer bag.
Or you can roll the bacon into coils like a snail and then place them in a zipped freezer bag. Be sure to date and label the packaging with today’s date.
How to Bake and Freeze Cooked Bacon
Baking bacon tends to be one of our favorite ways to prepare it because it allows for a hands’ off minimum clean up approach.
To bake bacon, here are our step-by-step instructions.
1. Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet that has a lip around the edge with aluminum foil for easy clean up.
3. Place bacon on the foil in a single layer, baking for 20-25 minutes or until the desired doneness is achieved.
4. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel to absorb any excess grease.
Serve and enjoy or prepare for refrigerator or freezer storage.
How to Cook with Frozen Bacon
There are two ways you can cook with frozen bacon. You can either thaw it first, or you can place it directly into the recipe while it’s still frozen.
Thaw in refrigerator. To cook with frozen bacon, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight by placing it directly from the freezer to the refrigerator.
Use frozen. When using frozen bacon in a dish that has yet to be cooked, such as quiche, casseroles, or pasta, you might want to consider using it directly from the freezer and adding it to the recipe.
This will work well in cases where the dish still needs to be heated which will thaw and warm the bacon in the process.
How Long Will Cooked Bacon Last When Stored in the Refrigerator?
Cooked bacon if stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, with a consistent temperature less than 40F degrees, can last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How Long Does Cooked Bacon Last in the Freezer?
Cooked bacon if stored properly in an airtight container in the freezer, with a consistent freezing temperature of about 0F degrees, can last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Thaw Cooked Bacon
The best way to thaw cooked bacon is to place it directly in the refrigerator overnight and allow it to thaw naturally.
How to Keep Cooked Bacon Warm
The best way to keep cooked bacon warm is to use the oven. Preheat the oven to 200F degrees and place the cooked bacon on a baking sheet and cover it with foil. You can keep bacon warm using this method for a short amount of time.
Can Cooked Bacon Go Bad?
Yes, just like any perishable foods, cooked bacon can go bad. Signs of spoiled bacon include key indicators such as:
Smell. When smelling your bacon that’s in question, if it smells off or sour in any way, throw it away and do not risk eating it.
Taste. If bacon tastes strange, chances are it has spoiled and should be discarded into the trash.
Appearance. If the appearance of the bacon is off colored and looks grey, has tints of green, or has grown mold, then your bacon has spoiled.
Touch. When bacon seems slimy or has a film to it, it has spoiled. Do not eat bacon that has spoiled.
How to Store Leftover Bacon Grease
Uses for leftover bacon grease have become somewhat less popular than days gone by. People used to save bacon grease for frying various other foods such as potato patties, eggs, and anything else they desired.
That’s not the case so much anymore with a more recent move toward healthier eating by the general population.
To save bacon grease, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
The important thing to keep in mind is that bacon grease, or any grease for that matter, shouldn’t be disposed of down your sink drain. It will cause it to become clogged. Rather, dispose of any unused bacon grease in a container and allow it to cool before adding it to your garbage container.
How to Store Cooked Bacon Bits
There are two main options for storing cooked bacon bits. Your selection of options will be determined by the length of time you desire to store them.
Refrigerator. To store cooked bacon bits for the short-term, use the refrigerator. Store bacon bits in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer. To store cooked bacon bits for the long-term, use the refrigerator. Store bacon bits in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
How to Use Leftover Bacon
When you have leftover bacon, there are many ways to incorporate it into recipes and dishes. Here are some ideas:
Soups.
Soups such as potato soup and onion soups are perfect for adding leftover bacon pieces. Or consider making cream of bacon soup if you have a lot of it leftover to use up.
recipes:
Ultimate Saltgrass Baked Potato Soup Recipe
Tyler Florence French Onion Soup
Sandwiches.
In our opinion, bacon can be added to any sandwich such as a sub sandwich, burger, or traditional BLT sandwich. Below are some of our favorite burger recipes that call for bacon.
recipes:
Amazing Mushroom Bacon Swiss Burger
Amazing Avocado Bacon Burger
Pizza.
Homemade pizza is so versatile, and bacon is a favorite topping among many pizza eaters. We’ve shared some of our most popular pizza recipes with you below, and feel free to load up the bacon until your heart’s content.
recipes:
Pioneer Pizza Fire Grilled Pizza
Greatest All American Pizza
Quiche.
Making a quiche is a great way to use up leftover bacon. Bacon pairs perfectly with quiche in our opinion. We’ve included a recipe for mini quiche below as well as some ideas of what to serve with quiche.
recipes:
Mini Quiche Recipe
What To Serve With Quiche
Pasta.
Have you tried bacon crumbles on pasta? It makes a delicious combination. Can you freeze cooked bacon? Sure, you can, but why not use it on pasta. Below are a few recipes for your reference.
recipes:
Easy Bratwurst Noodle Casserole
California Pizza Kitchen Garlic Cream Fettuccine
Eggs.
Eggs and bacon make the perfect breakfast dish and they go together as well as peanut butter and jam. Why not try leftover bacon in the ultimate French fry breakfast casserole or amazing Waffle House cheese eggs recipes below?
recipes:
Ultimate French Fry Breakfast Casserole
Amazing Copycat Waffle House Cheese Eggs
Salads.
Salads are a natural way to use leftover bacon pieces. We’ve included some of our popular salad recipes that call for bacon below.
recipes:
Ruby Tuesday Broccoli Salad recipe
Tequilaberry Salad Authentic recipe
Loaded Potato Salad
Bacon Recipes:
Everyone loves bacon and bacon burgers. Below are some of our most popular bacon recipes. And if you give one of them a try, be sure to leave us a review.
Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon
Bacon Egg McGriddle Copycat Recipe
Amazing Avocado Bacon Burger
Amazing Mushroom Bacon Swiss Burger
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are frequently asked questions that relate to can you freeze cooked bacon. If you have a question that’s not answered here, please feel free to drop it in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to answer it.
How long can you freeze cooked bacon?
Cooked bacon can be frozen in an airtight container or zipped freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Can you freeze cooked bacon and eggs?
Yes, cooked bacon and eggs can be frozen. Here is our article about how to freeze cooked scrambled eggs.
Can you freeze microwaved bacon?
We don’t recommend microwaving bacon because it turns out flabby and mushy instead of nice and crisp like it does when it’s baked or fried.
How to store cooked bacon?
The best ways to store cooked bacon are in the refrigerator or the freezer. Use an airtight container or zipped freezer bag to help maintain freshness.
Other Bacon Resources:
How long does bacon last in the fridge?
How to cook bacon on the grill
Where does bacon come from?
How to smoke bacon
How to Freeze Cooked Bacon
Equipment
- zipped freezer bag
Ingredients
- cooked bacon
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon. Cook the bacon until the desired doneness is achieved. You can see our instructions below for how to easily cook bacon in the oven.
- Flash freeze the bacon with wax paper. Once the bacon has had a chance to cool, you can place it between layers of wax paper and flash freeze it.
- Bag it in a freezer bag. After the bacon has been frozen, transfer it to a zipped freezer bag and date it before transferring it to the freezer.
Notes
There are two ways you can cook with frozen bacon. You can either thaw it first, or you can place it directly into the recipe while it’s still frozen. Thaw in refrigerator. To cook with frozen bacon, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight by placing it directly from the freezer to the refrigerator. Use frozen. When using frozen bacon in a dish that has yet to be cooked, such as quiche, casseroles, or pasta, you might want to consider using it directly from the freezer and adding it to the recipe. This will work well in cases where the dish still needs to be heated which will thaw and warm the bacon in the process.
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Thank you for the tips on freezing bacon, I’m a single man and I cook three pounds of bacon at a time and always wounded how to freeze it, again thanks for the tips it will save me money and time for seconds as I want it.