Storing raw bacon can be a pain. According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, these popular meat slices last about a week in the fridge after opening. Home cooks are in a hurry because they need to use up all that bacon or throw it away. Many people just put these thin strips in the freezer to use later because many foods can stay fresh in this cold part of the fridge forever. But raw bacon remains the exception, as it cannot last there for longer than a month.
If you keep raw bacon in the freezer for more than a month, the fat starts to go bad. No one wants to eat rancid food, as it can obviously make you sick. Cooked bacon can be frozen for longer, but dont expect it to last forever either.
Crispy, salty bacon is a refrigerated staple in many households. But unless you’re cooking for a crowd, it can be hard to use up a whole pack before it expires Freezing is the solution to enjoy bacon longer and cut down on food waste. With proper freezer storage, bacon can last up to 8 months frozen!
Knowing how to freeze bacon correctly and identifying signs of freezer burn are key to enjoying frozen bacon at peak quality Here are some tips and guidelines for maximizing bacon’s freezer shelf life
How Long Does Bacon Last in the Freezer?
Bacon can be frozen for surprisingly long periods while retaining good flavor and texture. Here are the freezer timelines based on best practices:
- Uncooked bacon: 6-8 months
- Cooked bacon: 1-2 months
- Bacon grease: 9-12 months
The freezer time is significantly longer than refrigerated storage. An opened pack of bacon only lasts about 1 week in the fridge. Freezing buys you more time to use up the quantity purchased.
For best quality, try to use frozen bacon within 6 months. Bacon older than 8 months may suffer more moisture loss and oxidation. Properly wrap bacon to prevent freezer burn for achieving the full freezer shelf life.
Does Freezing Bacon Change the Taste?
Freezing itself does not significantly change the taste or texture of bacon. However, bacon is prone to freezer burn when frozen for extended periods, which can degrade quality.
Here are some tips for preventing freezer burn:
- Wrap uncooked bacon very tightly in plastic wrap or freezer paper, squeezing out air.
- Place wrapped bacon inside a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Portion out cooked bacon on a baking sheet and freeze solid before transferring to bags.
- Exclude as much air as possible and use high-quality, freezer-grade packaging.
With sufficient protection from air and moisture, bacon can be frozen for months without acquiring off-flavors or dry spots from freezer burn.
How to Thaw Bacon from Frozen
Give bacon plenty of time to thaw in the refrigerator. Don’t thaw on the counter, as the moisture encourages bacteria growth. Here are some thawing guidelines:
- Place frozen bacon in the refrigerator 1-2 days before needed.
- For quicker thawing, leave bacon overnight in fridge then submerge still-frozen portions under cool water for 30 minutes.
- Microwave thawing is not recommended, as it cooks edges before the middle thaws.
- Once thawed, use refrigerated bacon within 1 week.
- Avoid refreezing bacon more than once, as texture suffers.
The overnight fridge method is ideal, giving time for even thawing. Drain any water from the packaging once thawed. For immediate use, the cool water thawing method works in a pinch.
How to Freeze Uncooked Bacon
Start with fresh, unexpired bacon within 1-2 weeks of purchasing for best results. Here’s how to freeze raw bacon:
- Wrap the slab tightly in plastic wrap, pressing out air.
- Place wrapped bacon in a freezer bag, removing any excess air.
- Label bag with freeze date and “Use By” date 6-8 months later.
- Lay flat in a single layer in the freezer to freeze quickly.
Bacon can also be divided into smaller portions before freezing:
- Separate slices and stack on a baking sheet covered in wax paper.
- Freeze the slices solid, then transfer to labeled freezer bags.
- This allows grabbing just a few slices at a time from the freezer.
How to Freeze Cooked Bacon
Cooked bacon also freezes well when properly portioned and stored:
- Let cooked bacon cool completely after frying or baking.
- Place single layers of bacon between sheets of wax paper on a baking sheet. Freeze solid.
- Transfer frozen bacon slices to labeled freezer bags or containers.
- Press out excess air and return to freezer immediately.
You can also place small mounds of cooked bacon on a sheet and freeze into portions. Once solid, quickly transfer the frozen piles to bags for easy grabbing and reheating later.
How to Use Frozen Bacon
Frozen bacon slices or slabs can be cooked directly from the freezer:
- No need to thaw first, but increase cooking time slightly.
- Add frozen bacon straight to cold pans and increase heat gradually.
- Bake frozen bacon at 400°F for 18-24 minutes, checking often.
- Microwave in 30 second increments, allowing resting time.
The frozen bacon slices will release from each other once cooking starts. Resist the urge to pry them apart first or they will shatter. Let heat naturally release the frozen bacon.
Frozen bacon may splatter more during cooking. Use a splatter screen and reduce heat if needed. If bacon was thin and overlapped when frozen, slices may stick together permanently after cooking from frozen.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Cooked Bacon
To enjoy cooked bacon again later, properly store and reheat it:
- Cool bacon completely before refrigerating in an airtight container.
- Use cooked bacon within 4-5 days for best quality and food safety.
- Reheat refrigerated bacon slices in a skillet, oven, or microwave briefly until hot and sizzling.
Avoid letting cooked bacon sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours total, as bacteria can multiply quickly. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers.
What Happens if Bacon Gets Freezer Burn?
Freezer burn appears as dry, whitish patches on frozen bacon. It is caused by air reaching the bacon and dehydrating the meat. Freezer burned bacon is still safe to eat, but the quality is lessened.
You may notice the following effects of freezer burn:
- Dry, spongy, or tough texture
- Loss of flexibility when bending
- Duller or faded appearance
- Rancid or “off” flavors
Minimize freezer burn by properly sealing bacon from air exposure. Use freezer burned bacon quickly in cooked dishes rather than eating it plain. Trim off any severely dried out portions after thawing.
Signs Your Frozen Bacon Has Spoiled
On very rare occasions, bacon can spoil in the freezer if stored for excessive periods. Here are signs that your frozen bacon has gone bad:
- Unusual softness or stickiness
- Strong sour, rotten, or ammonia-like odor
- Visible mold or slime
- Weird colors like green, blue, or black
- Very dried out, flaky, or powdery texture
Bacon with these characteristics should be discarded rather than risking eating spoiled meat. Maintain your freezer at 0°F or below and honor the 6-8 month timeline for optimal bacon freshness.
Storing Other Types of Bacon
In addition to regular pork bacon, other specialty bacons like turkey, beef, or vegan bacon can be frozen too. Follow the same packaging tips. Their shelf lives may vary slightly:
- Turkey bacon: 4-6 months frozen
- Beef bacon: 6-8 months frozen
- Vegan bacon: 1-2 months frozen
Always check for manufacturer instructions, as some vegan bacons need refrigerated rather than frozen storage. But most bacons fare well in the freezer when properly wrapped.
Freezing Bacon Grease
Don’t throw out the tasty bacon fat leftover from cooking! Bacon grease can be frozen for nearly a year for sautéing other foods. Here’s how:
- Let grease cool completely after cooking bacon.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container, allowing headspace for expansion.
- Label container with freeze date.
- Thaw grease overnight in the fridge before using.
Frozen bacon grease keeps much longer than refrigerating it. But don’t forget about it in the back of the freezer! Use within 1 year for the tastiest results.
The Takeaway on Freezing Bacon
With proper freezer storage, both raw and cooked bacon can last 6-8 months in the freezer before quality decline. Prevent freezer burn by wrapping bacon tightly with as little air exposure as possible. Thaw frozen bacon slowly in the refrigerator before use for food safety.
Freezing leftover bacon provides an opportunity to enjoy it longer and avoid wasting food. Keep an eye on freezer dates and use frozen bacon within 6-8 months for optimal freshness. Follow safe handling practices and you can feel confident serving frozen bacon to your family, even months after initially freezing it.
Separate your bacon slices in the freezer to avoid clumping
Parchment paper makes storing your bacon a breeze – either in the fridge or freezer. Once they are split up, it’s easy to get as many slices as you need for cooking without having to pull apart delicate meat pieces. The same way to store them works in the freezer, too, since bacon quickly turns into a block of frozen protein if it’s not kept separate. This means you’ll have to thaw all of your bacon at once, and you can’t freeze any extra slices without risking getting sick.
Put a piece of parchment or wax paper between each slice of bacon to keep it fresh in the freezer. Make sure the paper completely separates each strip, as this will ensure no clumping occurs between each slice. You can also try flash-freezing each piece separately in order to minimize the chances of clumping.
Once your bacon pieces are properly frozen, dont waste time thawing them out before cooking. Because they are so thin, they can get crispy even when they are covered in frost. If you don’t thaw these popular meat strips properly, pathogens could get into your food.
How long does cooked bacon last in the freezer?
How long can you eat bacon after freezing?
Technically, frozen food will stay safe to eat nearly indefinitely, but for the sake of quality and taste we tend to freeze bacon no more than a few months. Readers, what’s your experience with freezing bacon? Do you find it’s best within a certain period? Next question? Q: How long is bacon good for after freezing?
Can you freeze cooked bacon?
Yes, you can freeze cooked bacon. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Properly wrapped, cooked bacon can last in the freezer for up to three months. 2. Can frozen bacon be used directly without thawing? Yes, frozen bacon can be cooked directly from its frozen state without needing to thaw it.
How long does uncooked bacon last?
For regular uncooked bacon, the USDA says it can last seven days in the fridge or four months in the freezer. Interestingly, uncooked bacon that is also cured without any nitrites will last a lot longer — three weeks in the fridge or six months in the freezer.
How long does raw bacon last in the fridge?
To combat this issue, many people just move these thin strips right to the freezer for later use, since many foods last indefinitely in this icy part of the fridge. But raw bacon remains the exception, as it cannot last there for longer than a month.
How do you store bacon in a freezer bag?
Place your bacon in a freezer bag. Place your wax paper-wrapped bacon stack in the bottom of the bag and use your arm to flatten the rest of the bag against the counter. Be sure to squeeze all the air out of the bag. Write the date on your freezer bag so that you remember how long you have stored it. Freeze.
What temperature should Bacon be kept in the freezer?
Freezer temperature: Keeping the freezer at or below 0°F (-18°C) is vital for maintaining the quality and freshness of frozen bacon. Frequency of opening the freezer: Frequent opening and closing of the freezer can cause temperature fluctuations, potentially affecting the longevity of the bacon.