Cooked bacon has the shortest lifespan of them all. The USDA advises tossing bacon that has exceeded its use by date. We use our affiliate earnings to buy tasty snacks and new toys. That being said, its still a good idea to store it in an airtight container or wrapped in foil to keep it fresh for as long as possible. Let us know in the comments below! Now that you know how to tell if your bacon has gone bad, you might be wondering how fast this happens. Even if its before the use by or sell by date on your package, your bacon may still be bad. Once it turns brown, gray or has a greenish hue, its definitely time to toss it. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If stored properly in the fridge, you can expect precooked bacon to last for four to five days or even up to seven. And if you're in need of some recipe inspiration, I recommend these Bacon Pancakes. You've got seven days. If stored properly in the fridge, you can expect precooked bacon to last for four to five days or even up to seven. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. Cooked bacon that is properly stored can also last for about 5 to 5 days in the refrigerator and up to a month in the freezer. Home How To Grill Safety How Long Does Bacon Last in the Fridge? Youll know when its no longer good to use because it will smell rancid, and it will make anything thats cooked in it taste a little funky. Copyright The Grilling Dad 2023 All meat, including bacon, can go bad if not stored or cooked properly. If you realize youve cooked more bacon than you can use in the next week, you can always freeze cooked bacon, too. Can you use a paper towel or heavy-duty aluminum foil? Now that another slice of bacon and place it over the first one. If you cant use your bacon in time, pop it into the freezer. When spoiled, the signature red hue of your bacon may start to become dull and fade into a grey, brown, or greenish color. Have you ever experienced the rare, almost-unheard-of phenomenon of having leftover bacon, and wondered, How long does cooked bacon last in the refrigerator?. Lets Find Out! Once again, this discoloration indicates bacteria and/or fungi have colonized your bacon. Shelf-stable, cooked bacon should be stored in a cool cupboard that is 85 degrees F or lower, and used by the package expiration date or within 3 months of purchase, whichever is sooner. Food poisoning can be serious, especially for young children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems. WebUnless 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 Certain varieties of bacon may also have a different shelf life. Because of that, I am here to help guide you to the best of the best and help you save time and money by avoiding the junk. To do this, follow our super-simple steps above which will guide you through the perfect steps to cook delicious, crispy bacon. On the other hand, a use by date (or best if used by date) indicates when a product passes peak quality. Grilled Cheese, Bacon and Oven-Dried Tomato Sandwich, Crunchy Bacon Blue Cheese Red Pepper Brussels Sprouts. 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 But if you have any leftovers, ensure that you have put them in an airtight container before placing them in the fridge. Uncooked beef, veal, pork, and lamb Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here. Be prepared to discard it. Corn and Bacon Chowder can be a quick weeknight meal and Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potatoes are the perfect snacks for football watching or movie nights. One of the best things about the low-carb way of eating is all the delicious foods you can eat. Better yet, freeze your bacon and youll get months of enjoyment out of every package you bring home. 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. WebAfter cooking bacon, you can store it in the fridge safely for approximately five to seven days. 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. Raw bacon is always pink with white fat running through it. It will take longer to cook compared to thawed bacon, though. WebHow long can you keep open bacon in fridge? Generally, unopened bacon can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. Turkey bacon has a natural pink shade, neither too dark nor too light. In the case of turkey bacon, there is a seven-day refrigeration window once it has been opened. In fact, so many people opt for it when they cannot enjoy the regular option because of its high cholesterol content. She has written three bacon cookbooks including the award-winning Bacon Beans and Beer, the bestselling 101 Things to Do With Bacon, and the popular sequel 101 More Things to Do With Bacon. Unopened Bacon Whether the package is opened or not, uncooked bacon will last just over a week in the fridge, and no longer than two weeks. The tastiest way is on the stovetop. But, keep in mind that there is a possibility that bacon goes bad much earlier than this. Read myfull disclosure here. Reading the These include: Hard cheeses Butter or margarine Opened fruit juices or canned fruits Many spreads including peanut butter, jelly, relish, ketchup and mustard 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 saltan ingredient that contains naturally-occurring nitrite. With a rich flavor and crispy, satisfying texture, Coleman Natural Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon is a household favorite. You can also freeze raw bacon. Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked may only last around 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer. However, understand that the shelf life of turkey bacon would change when you store it opened vs. unopened. Once youve opened and cooked bacon, it can last for five to seven days in the refrigerator. Bacterial growth in refrigeration slows, but it does not halt. That said, some types of bacon (i.e., dry-cured) will stay fresh in the fridge for longer. Hi, I'm Eliza! While it can last up to two weeks unrefrigerated, salt pork can last for 4-5 months refrigerated and even longer frozen. The easiest way to tell if your cooked bacon is less than prime is to take a sniff. This brings us to all kinds of questions: How long does bacon last in the fridge? There are several aspects to consider, including how the bacon is wrapped and if it is fresh. Finally, touch the bacon and feel the texture. Even though our bacon is cured with natural ingredients and smoked, it doesnt stay fresh forever. As the risk of turkey bacon going bad is for real, you have to check it carefully before you reuse it. Bacon that has gone bad will often have an odor. Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked If you have leftover uncooked bacon, don't just put the opened package back in the refrigerator. Youll also want to toss any bacon thats sticky, slimy or has a strong sour aroma. USDA guidelines say that bacon has a safe refrigeration use-by date of one week. Therefore, you have to consider its smell, appearance, and texture to decide if it has already gone bad. 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. WebHow long does opened refrigerated bacon last? How to tell if bacon is bad? Read on to find out. The bacon should smell fresh and smoky. With its enticing smell and delicious taste, bacon is popular around the globe. So you bought more bacon at the store than you can devour in a single week. September 4, 2022 by eatwithus. Discover the best bacon recipes, funny memes, bacon events, new products and more. Copyright 2023 StillTasty LLC. If you open the pack and you get a strong fishy or rotten smell, it is time to put that bacon in the garbage. Just make sure to thaw and cook the bacon thoroughly before eating it. Uncured bacon is bacon that has not been cured with nitrates or nitrites, which are often added to bacon to help preserve its pink color and to prevent the growth of bacteria. All rights reserved. If you have a busy lifestyle or live alone, it is also very convenient to cook bacon in batches to keep aside for use throughout the week. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. The last thing to check out is how it smells. Keep in mind, though, that they should not be frozen, as they can turn rancid very quickly. Cooked bacon will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. Welcome to BENSA, the fun community for Bacon Enthusiasts 'N Swine Aficionados. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a general rule, you should throw away any cooked food that has been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours. Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It might be safer to eat once cured with salt and sugar mix, but it can sometimes be risky if you leave it for long enough. So, lets break it down. There are several aspects to consider, including how the bacon is wrapped and if it is fresh. This is the big question Does bacon expire ? and its the answer is easy: bacon does go bad, just like Ham does. yet, it depends on a lot of factors. such as the way of storing, if its opened or not, and so on. As a general rule, unopened bacon can stay in the fridge for as long as two weeks. 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. If you intend on storing bacon grease and fat, it lasts over 6 months in the refrigerator, and between 8 and 9 months when frozen. Still Tasty says that Here are a few of our favorite recipes: Mini Quiches with Cheddar and Bacon (shown above), BLAT Bacon Lettuce Avocado and Tomato Sandwich. Tip: Under no circumstances should raw turkey bacon be kept out in the open, as refrigeration is required for meat storage to inhibit bacterial growth. Meanwhile, bacon that has been opened but not cooked When stored tightly wrapped in the fridge, cooked turkey bacon will last for up to three days. Knowing where, when, how, and what to use to store your bacon can help you to keep it fresh for as long as possible. It will be applied The best way is to smell and look at the bacon: signs If you experience any of these symptoms after eating bacon, its best to go to the hospital to be on the safe side. In fact, it is not uncommon to see hints of blue or even green among the gray tinge. 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