Web1-2 months from date of purchase. If your bacon has turned brown or gray with a green or blue tinge, it has already spoiled. Both uncooked and cooked bacon can be frozen, but youll want to use both within 4 months for best quality. To prevent your bacon from going bad, you will need to store it properly. You can keep your cooked turkey bacon longer than three days (the USDA says its safe to refrigerate for up to 7 days), but in our experience there may be some deterioration in quality such as taste, texture, and appearance. Bacon shouldnt have a strong scent. Seriously dont wait. Cooked bacon will last about 5 to 7 days in the fridge when sealed in an airtight container. By Food and Life Lover February 27, 2023. However, this date doesnt necessarily indicate how long bacon can be used and safely eaten. Remember, the smell of spoiled turkey bacon is similar to that of sour or rancid fat, so it is easy to pick it. Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If youre looking for a tasty and healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner option thats quick to make and easy on the budget, then bacon may be your answer. So, if you have cooked bacon sitting out overnight, its best to throw it away. Or for up to a year when placed in the freezer. The relevant distinction between dry-cured and wet-cured bacon is that the dry-cured stuff lasts slightly longer in the fridge. Bacon is one of those foods thats easy to love. That rule applies whether the bacon is thick-cut or thin, hickory or maple-smoked, the fancy stuff or the cheap stuff. Spoiled bacon may also be slimy or sticky rather than soft and moist. Turkey bacon degrades because of the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Its critical to store your bacon properly, so it lasts in the fridge for as long as possible. Chips are generally good for a week or two after opening, depending on the type of chip. If the bacon smells off, looks shriveled, or has any visible signs of mold or spoilage, you should discard it. The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep bacon refrigerated at all times. The cured bacon lasts for several months; If you open it, the uncured bacon will last for only several days in the refrigerator. Nutrition, Calories and More, Is Bacon Bad for You, or Good? That Bonus: If youre buying dry-cured, slab bacon from a local butcher, your (untouched) hunk of meat will be safe to eat for anywhere from four to six weeks in the fridge. Here are the guidelines to keep in mind: The above guidelines apply to the standard, mass-produced bacon thats most often sold in the United States (think Oscar Mayer). This post may contain affiliate links. Uncooked bacon can be stored for up to a week in the fridge, but cooked bacon will keep for no more than 4-5 days, even if stored properly. Find out how long Cooked bacon that has been stored properly also has a shorter shelf life and can generally last around 45 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the freezer. The last three digits refer to the day of the year. That is how you tell if bacon is bad and no longer edible. Once you're sure that the bacon is safe to eat, brush up on your bacon cooking basics. Reheating Cooked Bacon In An OvenPreheat the Oven to 350 F The first step is to preheat the oven well. Turn it to 350 degrees F and let it heat up thoroughly. Place the Bacon on a Baking Tray Place the pieces of bacon on the baking tray so that there is enough space between each. Bake for up to 5 Minutes or Less Before storing, be sure to wrap any opened turkey bacon using tin foil or store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Since bacon is such a fatty food, it can go bad quickly. If you realize youve cooked more bacon than you can use in the next week, you can always freeze cooked bacon, too. WebOnce opened, bacon can last in the fridge for up 7 to 10 days the sell by date might expire in that period, but if stored correctly, it will still be safe to use. The bacon should smell fresh and smoky. Divide your bacon into smaller slices and spread on wax paper. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. What It Means When Your Ground Beef Turns Gray, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Opened Package When it comes to cooked bacon, safety is always the top priority. 4 months. Shutterstock/Brent Hofacker The USDA says food that has been left out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away. In the case of precooked bacon that is sold unrefrigerated, it lasts for about 1-2 weeks past the best by date as long as it is unopened and is stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry. Click on any of these headings to jump ahead: If you happen to have a windfall of leftover bacon, you may be wondering how long it will last in the refrigerator. Most people love bacon. Precooked bacon. If theres anything growing visibly, theres a good chance that fungi may exist throughout the bacon, even if you cant see it. Cooked bacon can be kept in the fridge for four to five days; raw bacon can be kept in the fridge for one to a week after opening and re-sealing. Its best to store it in an airtight container (we like glass containers because they dont absorb odors). Want to get right to the good stuff? Keep using the same technique until you pile all slices of bacon. Lets Find Out! Turkey bacon is often praised as a healthier alternative to traditional pork bacon. Trishdeseine is user-supported. The short answer to this question is typically four to five days but it obviously depends on the use by date before you bought it, how you store it, and the quality of the bacon. How long does an opened package of bacon last in the fridge or freezer? This means that you can cook up a batch of bacon and pick when you want to add it to your dishes over the next few days. Also, make sure to cook bacon thoroughly before eating it. Once youve opened and cooked bacon, it can last for five to seven days in the refrigerator. Many people think that curing bacon would make it last longer but that is not always the case. What About Dry-Cured Bacon? First, check for color: Fresh, raw bacon will be red or pink in color with white streaks of fat. Let's Crack This Mystery, Heres What to Cook Every Night This Week (March 6 12), 15 of the Best Baking Classes You Can Take Online Right Now, No Matter What Youre Craving, 29 Spring Salads That Are Easy, Fresh and Full of Seasonal Produce, 9 Types of Whiskey for Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Everything in Between, 17 Restaurants for the Best Outdoor Brunch in Miami, 31 Easy March Dinner Ideas to Cook (and Devour) This Month. Most bacon will have a sell by date, but a use by date is not out of the question. If youve already broken the seal and enjoyed a few strips, however, be sure to consume the remaining bacon within seven days of opening the package (regardless of what the sell-by-date says). Check out the brands our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend. Conclusion According to the blog post, chips are generally good for about two weeks after they are opened. Raw bacon in a package that has been opened and re-sealed will last up to a week in the fridge, and cooked bacon will last four to five days if its properly stored. The Salty, Crunchy Truth, Pork 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects, 6 Indulgent Foods That Are Low-Carb Friendly. Unless you buy from a local butcher, you will likely buy bacon in packs of six or eight rashers from the supermarket (if you buy it frozen and forget to defrost before breakfast time then follow my simply hack to thaw bacon quickly and safely here). Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. Wasting good bacon is against the law in certain parts of the Southaccording to some people. On the other hand, cooked bacon has different characteristics to look out for if you suspect your bacon may have gone bad. To store your bacon properly and extend its lifespan, it must be promptly refrigerated and kept at a consistent temperature of 40F or below, whether cooked or raw. The freezer time shown is for best quality How Long Can Cooked Bacon Stay in the Fridge? When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and throw it away. How Turkey And Stuffing Can Make You Sick. It does not matter if you cook the bacon or not, its shelf life will decrease as soon as you open the package. This brings us to all kinds of questions: How long does bacon last in the fridge? So a code of 22-023 would mean January 23, 2022. Many factors determine how long raw bacon will last in the fridge, like how its packaged, how its been stored, and the temperature of your fridge. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. How Long Does Cooked Bacon Last in the Refrigerator? There are several factors to consider when determining the shelf life of bacon, including what type it is, the storage method, and whether it has been opened or cooked. While these factors determine the life of uncooked bacon, cooked bacon will not last as long. If youre guessing this means its time to toss your bacon, youre right! Its not worth the risk of getting sick. Since it is fresh meat, the texture will be a little spongy, but it will not be gooey. To keep your bacon fresh for a bit longer, seal it in an airtight plastic bag and pop it in the freezer. How long is turkey bacon good after opening? When stored tightly wrapped in the fridge, cooked turkey bacon will last for up to three days. Sydney Watson/Taste of Home. Mini Sweet Potato Scones with Rosemary & Bacon, Hawaiian Bacon & Pineapple Breakfast Bake, Air-Fryer Bacon-Peanut Butter Cornbread Muffins, Butterscotch Pie with Walnut-Bacon Toffee, 12 Mistakes Everybody Makes When Cooking Bacon. Once bacon has been cooked, its best to store it in an airtight container. How to Store Bacon in the Fridge Follow these instructions to store bacon in the fridge: If the package is open, cover the To maximize your bacon enjoyment, its crucial to know how to store it properly to avoid any safety issues. This will help to avoid any contamination or health issues. Squeeze all the air out of the bag before sealing it, or use a vacuum air sealer. 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. Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 F or less). But if you have any leftovers, ensure that you have put them in an airtight container before placing them in the fridge. WebOnce youve opened and cooked bacon, it can last for five to seven days in the refrigerator. If the bacon has been sitting out longer than that, its best to play it safe and discard it. After bacon is purchased, it may be kept refrigerated for about 1 week after the sell-by date on the package if it has been properly stored. Still, you should store it in the fridge only when you believe you will use it in the next couple of days. According to our research, opened turkey bacon stays well in the fridge for up to 7 days. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You. 1-2 months+. Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. Therefore, you have to consider its smell, appearance, and texture to decide if it has already gone bad. Do you slice the sausage or remove the casing and crumble? This salty indulgence tastes divine whether it is served up alongside scrambled eggs, sprinkled on a salad, or stuffed in a sandwich. Find out if you can eat raw bacon. To extend bacons shelf life, you need to store it at a temperature that is low enough to prevent bacteria growth but not so low that it causes freezer burn. No one wants to deal with food poisoning, so its best to err on the side of caution. WebCooked bacon that has been stored properly also has a shorter shelf life and can generally last around 45 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the f Leftover cooked bacon lasts 4 to 5 days in the fridge. Read on to find out. After sitting in the refrigerator for a week, you may notice your bacon has taken on a green, gray, or brown hue. 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