Learn how to freeze bacon to save time and money! It’s very simple and quick, and it’s great for when you only need a few pieces of bacon for a recipe. Buy your bacon on sale and freeze with this method to stretch your meat and your budget!.
For recipes that call for bacon but not a whole pound, this method works great. For example, bacon brussels sprouts, bacon chicken Caesar salad wraps, or savory pasta with bacon all call for bacon.
If foods have been kept at 40F or lower, the USDA says they are safe to freeze again. Most refrigerators are kept at least this cool. You can go back and forth between the freezer and the fridge as many times as you want.
It can be hard to do that, though, especially if you forget to thaw meat ahead of time (like I do!).
I often let meat thaw in my sink, which means that if I want to freeze it again, I should cook it all first.
But I have a hard time cooking bacon for a recipe that doesn’t need quite as much…
Since everyone in my family LOVES bacon, there’s NO WAY that any of it will end up as leftovers!
Instead of cooking more than I need to, I should find a way to quickly thaw my meat because I forget to do it a lot of the time.
Uncured bacon has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people look to avoid nitrates and eat cleaner, more natural foods. While regular cured bacon lasts seemingly forever in the freezer, some people wonder if uncured bacon can be frozen too. The short answer is yes – you can absolutely freeze uncured bacon for later use.
Freezing uncured bacon allows you to buy in bulk when prices are low and always have some on hand for recipes. It also prevents waste if you can’t use up an entire package before it goes bad. With a few simple steps, freezing uncured bacon is easy. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Freeze Uncured Bacon?
There are several great reasons to freeze uncured bacon
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Save Money – Buying uncured bacon in bulk and freezing saves money compared to buying just what you need each time from the grocery store. Uncured bacon can be expensive, so buying on sale makes sense.
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Prevent Waste – Packages of uncured bacon can go bad within just a week or two in the fridge Freezing ensures none goes to waste,
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Always Have Some On Hand – Freezing means you always have a stash ready to thaw whenever a recipe calls for bacon No more running to the store
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Stock Up – Got an awesome sale on uncured bacon? Stock up and freeze it!
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Portion Control – Freezing uncured bacon in servings makes it easy to thaw just what you need for a recipe.
How Long Does Uncured Bacon Last In The Freezer?
Properly stored in a freezer at 0°F or below, uncured bacon can last 6 months to 1 year before losing quality. The fat in uncured bacon can become rancid over time, leading to off flavors.
Freezer burn can also cause uncured bacon to dry out, take on a stale texture, or develop an unpleasant taste. Using an airtight freezer bag or container helps prevent freezer burn.
For best quality and taste, use frozen uncured bacon within 4-6 months. Properly frozen, it will still be safe to eat for up to a year, but the flavor and texture degradation will become more noticeable over time.
Does Uncured Bacon Freeze Differently Than Regular Bacon?
Uncured bacon freezes very similarly to regular cured bacon. The main difference between the two is that uncured bacon does not contain preservatives like nitrates.
While nitrates help extend the shelf life of cured bacon, uncured bacon relies solely on proper freezing temperatures to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. As long as uncured bacon is correctly frozen, it freezes just as well as cured.
Uncured bacon may not last quite as long in the freezer before drying out or becoming rancid, but can still be kept frozen for up to a year. Handle uncured bacon the same way you would regular bacon when freezing.
How To Freeze Uncured Bacon
Freezing uncured bacon only takes a few minutes. Here are some tips:
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Start With Fresh Bacon – Freeze uncured bacon as soon as possible after purchasing for best flavor and texture.
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Separate The Slices – Unroll strips and separate them before freezing so you can take out just what you need later.
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Use Freezer Bags – Place slices in a single layer inside freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air and seal.
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Use Freezer Wraps – Wrap stacks of bacon slices tightly in plastic wrap or foil before placing in bags.
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Portion It Out – Divide bacon into servings sizes like 8 slices per bag for easy thawing just what you need.
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Remove Air – Air causes freezer burn. Use a straw to suck out excess air from bags before sealing.
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Label Bags – Include type and date so you know how long it’s been frozen.
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Freeze Flat – Lay bags flat in a single layer in the freezer for faster freezing.
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Store Below 0°F – Use the coldest part of your freezer, like the back bottom shelf.
Thawing Frozen Uncured Bacon
Always thaw uncured bacon properly in the refrigerator or microwave to prevent bacterial growth. Here are some safe thawing methods:
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Refrigerator Thawing – Place frozen uncured bacon in the refrigerator 1-2 days before needing to allow it to slowly thaw.
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Cold Water Thaw – Place frozen uncured bacon in a zip top bag and submerge in cold water. Change water every 30 minutes until thawed.
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Microwave Thawing – Place frozen uncured bacon between paper towels and microwave in 30 second intervals until pliable.
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Cook Without Thawing – You can cook frozen uncured bacon directly in recipes like soups, casseroles and pasta dishes. Just increase cooking time.
Once thawed, uncured bacon should be used within 1 week. For food safety, do not refreeze uncured bacon after it has fully thawed.
Storing Thawed Uncured Bacon
Properly storing thawed uncured bacon helps retain quality and prevent bacterial growth. Follow these tips:
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Use Within a Week – Eat thawed uncured bacon within a week for best freshness.
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Keep Refrigerated – Store thawed uncured bacon in the fridge at 40°F or below, wrapped or in a container.
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Avoid Temperature Fluctuations – Prevent uncured bacon from sitting at room temperature or warming in hot water.
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Use Oldest First – Be sure to use any thawed older packages of uncured bacon before newer ones.
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Look for Discoloration – Discard if slimy, sticky or smells bad.
With proper freezing, thawing and food safety practices, you can enjoy delicious uncured bacon for up to a year after freezing it. Freezing allows you to save money, reduce waste, and always have this versatile ingredient on hand. Give it a try!
How to Freeze Bacon Step By Step
It’s also helpful if you buy bacon in packages greater than one pound. Even when I double my husband’s favorite Brussels sprouts recipe, I’ve never cooked more than one pound of bacon at a time. This will help you make sure you only use as much bacon as you need.
Step 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Open a package of thawed, raw bacon.
Step 3: Take off a piece of the back and roll it up like a sleeping bag, starting at one end. Place the bacon slice on the parchment paper so that it stands up and you can see the circle of bacon around the edge (like a cinnamon roll).
Step 4: Repeat with the remaining slices of bacon. Leave just a finger-width space between each slice on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Freeze for 4 hours, or overnight, until the bacon has frozen through.
Step 6: Remove the bacon from the baking sheet and place in a freezer-safe plastic container. Label the container with “frozen bacon” and the date.
- Take out as many pieces of frozen bacon as you need for a recipe and let them thaw. Put one roll of bacon in a small glass jar with a lid. Then, either put it in the fridge overnight to thaw or leave it out on the counter for a couple of hours to thaw quickly.
- Save the bacon grease; it’s a free, healthy fat that can be used in many simple recipes that need cooking oil, such as cornbread in a cast iron skillet, caramelized onions with Swiss chard, or zuppa toscana soup. Plus it adds a hint of delicious bacon flavor!.
What You’ll Need to Freeze Bacon
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