How Long Does Bacon Last In The Fridge

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The world is full of bacon lovers. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Who wouldn’t love bacon because it’s such a wonderful melt in your mouth flavor that is delicious? But, if you love bacon and want to keep from getting sick from eating or serving spoiled food, you’ll want to know the answer to the all-important question of how long does bacon last in the fridge.

bacon on griddle

How Long Does Bacon Last?

How Long Can Bacon Last? There are a variety of answers to the question how long does bacon last and each of those answers depend on the current state of the bacon.

For example, is the bacon thawed or frozen? Is it wrapped or unwrapped? Is it still sealed in its original packaging, or has it been opened? Is it still raw or has it been cooked? What is the expiration date on the packaging?

Your answers to these questions will determine how long your bacon should last.

How Long Does Cured Bacon Last?

Dry curing bacon is a process that the fresh pork goes through when it is rubbed with seasonings, salt, nitrates, and sugar. The meat is then left to cure for 1-2 weeks. After it is cured, the added ingredients are rinsed off. What About Dry-Cured Bacon?

According to the USDA, dry cured bacon should be used in 4 weeks if kept in the refrigerator, or use it within 10 days if it’s kept at room temperature.

How To Extend The Shelf Life Of Bacon?

To extend the shelf life of bacon, you can make your food last longer by learning proper storage guidelines. Whether you store bacon in the fridge or the freezer only matters as to the length of time you intend to store it.

How to Store Bacon

The average shelf life of bacon is typically determined by how bacon is stored.

raw bacon on a cutting board

How to Store Raw Bacon

1. Select your bacon at the grocery store just before checking out.

2. Then, take the bacon home and immediately place it in the refrigerator that is cooled at or below 40F degrees. It should be stored in the refrigerator in the sealed packaging from the store.

3. Your bacon should be cooked and eaten within 7 days, or placed in the freezer.

How to Store Cooked Bacon

For how to store cooked bacon, we also recommend the USDA guidelines which are:

1 Read the product label for handling instructions.

2. Select the bacon from the refrigerated section at the grocery store just before checking out, to keep it cool.

3. Take the bacon home and immediately place it in the refrigerator at 40F degrees or below.

4. For shelf stable cooked bacon, store at 85F degrees or below. Place in the refrigerator after opening.

5. Observe the manufacturer’s product expiration date.

How to Store Bacon in the Fridge

To Store Uncooked Bacon: The best way to store bacon in the refrigerator is to place it there in the plastic sealed packaging directly from the grocery store. Cook and use it within 10 days or place it in the freezer.

To Store Cooked Bacon: The best way to store cooked bacon in the refrigerator is to place it in an airtight container within 2 hours of when it’s cooked. Cooked bacon in the refrigerator should be used within 4 days.

How to Store Bacon in the Freezer

You might be wondering can you freeze bacon? And the answer is yes. It doesn’t matter if your bacon is raw or cooked. You can store it in the freezer in its original store packaging or in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

bacon on griddle

Bacon Storage

Bacon storage and handling is important for food safety reasons. It’s all about how to preserve bacon. How to properly store bacon comes down to how long it lasts. It makes all the difference about prolonging its shelf life.

How Long Does Bacon Last in the Fridge?

Cooked bacon can last up to 4 days in the fridge, whereas raw bacon can last up to 10 days in the fridge.

How Long Does Cooked Bacon Last in the Fridge?

Cooked bacon can last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

How Long Can You Keep Cooked Bacon

The length of time that you can keep cooked bacon depends on how it’s stored. Cooked bacon can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cooked bacon can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Store Turkey Bacon

Turkey bacon should be stored the same way as pork bacon and should have the same length of shelf life under the same conditions.

How Long Does Cooked Turkey Bacon Last in the Fridge?

Cooked bacon whether it’s turkey bacon or pork bacon should last for up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator that has a temperature of 40F degrees or below.

Cooking Your Bacon

Bacon can be fried, grilled, or baked. Choose whatever method you prefer and follow the package instructions for the cooking temperature and the length of time to cook it. Whenever cooking bacon, you might like to line your baking pan with foil for easier clean up.

How to Know if Your Bacon is Done

When your bacon reaches an internal temperature of 145F degrees, it is considered done. It will also become slightly browned.

bacon on a piece of foil

Does Bacon Go Bad?

Yes, bacon can go bad if it’s not stored properly or has been stored for too long. Watch for the signs of spoilage and throw it out if in doubt. Here are the signs of spoiled bacon.

Tip # 1: Using Your Senses (Looking, Smelling, Touching)

If the looks, smell, or texture of your bacon seems off, you likely have noticed that these are all signs that your bacon is spoiling.

Observe Its Color. If the bacon has changed colors since it was purchased, then it likely has gone bad. Your bacon should be a nice light pink color.

Judge by Its Smell. If you notice the bacon has an “off” odor, then it’s likely spoiled. Throw it away.

Check Its Texture. If the bacon is slimy or spongy, it’s spoiled and should be discarded.

Tip # 2: Using Common Knowledge About Bacon

Using common knowledge about bacon is a great way for how to tell if bacon is off. You know that bacon should be smooth in texture, it should have a nice soft pink color, and the common smell of bacon. If any of things are off, or if your bacon hasn’t been stored properly, then throw it away.

Tip # 3: Asking For Some Help

Bacon is one of the most loved foods throughout the US. And because of that, there are a lot of people you can go to ask for help if you’re not sure whether your bacon is good. Tap into that knowledge to learn more.

Tip # 4: If You Are In Doubt…

You can also check the expiry date printed on the packaging by the manufacturer. Many manufacturers use a best by date as opposed to an expiration date. Chances are, if bacon has been stored properly, it can still be good for a small window of time after that best by date.

It’s important to know the key indicators for how to tell if bacon is bad. And if you’re not sure, discard it if in doubt.

how to cook bacon

How To Know You Had Bad Bacon?

If you suspect that you had bad bacon, you’ll know by showing signs and symptoms of food poisoning. If those signs persist, you’ll want to contact your physician for assistance.

Additional Tips For Protecting Bacon From Going Bad

Here are some additional tips for protecting bacon from going bad. Follow the guidelines to ensure bacon of lasting longer. Here are our tips.

Wrapping. Whenever possible, leave your bacon sealed in the vacuum-packed sealed plastic wrapping that it comes in from the store.

Freezing. If you don’t intend to use your bacon right away, place it directly in the freezer. Or if it’s been in the refrigerator for 10 days, move it to the freezer to prolong its life for up to 3 months.

Splitting. If you come from a small household and know that you’ll only need a few slices of bacon at a time, it’s a good idea to go ahead and split the bacon and rewrap it before placing it in the freezer.

Vacuum Sealing. If you have access to a vacuum sealer, vacuum sealing your bacon before freezing it will help to prolong its shelf life and keep it from becoming freezer burnt.

Use as Soon as Possible. It’s always a good idea to use your bacon as soon as possible whether you’ve got it stored in the refrigerator or freezer. This will help to guarantee its quality to the highest degree.

FAQs

Following are frequently asked questions that relate to how long does bacon last in the fridge. If you have a question that’s not listed here, please send it to us in the comments box below and we will answer it.

Which color of bacon means it is safe to eat?

If your pork bacon is uncooked, it should have a nice pink color just like when you purchased it. If it has a gray cast to it or appears green in color, the bacon should be thrown away and it should not be eaten.

Can bacteria be killed when you cook bacon?

Some bacteria can be killed when bacon is cooked, but if you suspect your bacon is gone bad, don’t take the risk, just throw it away instead.

Can you eat bacon after it has passed its use-by date?

It’s possible that your bacon is still good after it has passed its use by date. This is especially true if proper handling instructions have been followed and the bacon has been stored in the freezer. But if you think there’s any chance that your bacon has gone bad, don’t it eat.

How long can you leave bacon at room temperature?

Raw bacon should not be left at room temperature. Cooked bacon can be left at room temperature that’s less than 90F degrees for up to 2 hours. After that, it should be thrown away.

How long should defrosted bacon be cooked?

Bacon should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145F degrees for medium done. For pork to be well done, it should reach an internal temperature of 165F degrees. Bacon should be cooked for the length of time it takes to reach this temperature.

Can you cook bacon from frozen?

Yes, bacon can be cooked after pulling it straight from the freezer. If you’re cooking sliced bacon straight from the freezer, you’ll want to check on it as it cooks and pull the pieces apart as it becomes thawed. Also, you’ll likely need to increase the cooking time when cooking frozen bacon.

bacon cooking on the grill

Can you eat cooked bacon that has been left out overnight?

No. You shouldn’t eat cooked bacon that has been left out overnight. Consuming bacon that has been left out for more than 2 hours causes you to risk getting sick. If bacon has been left out overnight, it needs to be thrown away.

What happens if you eat bad bacon?

Eating bad bacon can cause you to become sick. If you suspect bacon is bad, don’t take the risk. Just throw it away. Eating bad bacon can cause you to get toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, or tapeworms if you eat raw bacon or bacon that has gone bad. It’s just not worth the risk.

The bottom line

The bottom line of prolonging the shelf life of bacon is all about its storage. Be sure to master proper storage methods for raw bacon and cooked bacon and you will get the fullest amount of time. And if you’re ever in doubt, please throw it out.

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Sarah
Sarah is known for her extra fancy yeast breads, melt in your mouth pies, and everything salads. She has won awards as a home cook, and is passionate about helping others feel smarter in the kitchen. Sarah is the cooking genius of the sister duo.

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