A lot of people think that cured meats, like bacon, last longer than fresh meats, but that doesn’t mean you can safely store them and eat them weeks or months later. (And, of course, it goes without saying that bacon needs to be refrigerated. ) Advertisement.
If you open a package of raw bacon and put it in the fridge, the USDA says you should use it within a week. Cooked bacon, however, has a slightly shorter shelf life of 4 to 5 days after its been cooked.
An unopened package of bacon is a little more ambiguous. Common advice is that you can store it for approximately 2 weeks. You can probably trust the use-by date on the package, though, as long as the package is sealed and the temperature in your fridge is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also keep bacon in the fridge or freezer to make it last a little longer.
Bacon is a breakfast staple in many households. The salty, smoky meat is delicious fried up into crispy strips or chopped up and added to dishes like omelets, baked beans, soups, and more. But like any perishable food, bacon has a limited shelf life. Knowing how long your vacuum sealed bacon will stay fresh can help you avoid wasting food and money.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how long vacuum sealed bacon lasts in the fridge. We’ll cover
- How vacuum sealing extends shelf life
- Recommended fridge storage times for unopened and opened packages
- Signs that your bacon has gone bad
- Proper storage tips to maximize freshness
- Freezing guidelines for long-term storage
Let’s dive in!
How Vacuum Sealing Extends Bacon’s Shelf Life
Vacuum sealing is a process that removes oxygen from food packaging before sealing it closed. This lack of oxygen slows down spoilage and bacterial growth. Vacuum sealed foods can last 2-3 times longer than their non-vacuum sealed counterparts.
For bacon specifically, vacuum sealing can extend the fridge life to about 2 weeks for unopened packages. Without vacuum sealing, raw bacon only lasts about 1 week in the fridge.
The airtight seal also prevents fridge odors from seeping into the bacon and altering its flavor. Overall, vacuum sealing gives you more time to use up your bacon before it goes bad.
Fridge Storage Time for Unopened Vacuum Sealed Bacon
An unopened package of raw vacuum sealed bacon will generally last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
The exact shelf life depends on a few factors:
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Sell by date: This is usually 1 week beyond the packaging date. Bacon is good for 1-2 weeks past this date if still vacuum sealed.
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Use by/freeze by date: This is the last day the manufacturer recommends using the bacon for best quality. Bacon is still safe to eat for an additional 1-2 weeks past this date when kept sealed and refrigerated.
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Visual and smell checks: Before the use by date, inspect the packaging for damage and leaks. Give the bacon a sniff through the bag – it should not have an off or sour odor.
As long as the vacuum seal is intact, unopened bacon is safe for around 2 weeks from the sell by or package date, regardless of what the use by date says. The use by date is very conservative to account for variables after opening.
Opened Bacon Fridge Life
Once opened, the clock starts ticking faster on your bacon’s shelf life. This is because oxygen can now penetrate the packaging and accelerate spoilage.
Here are some fridge life guidelines for opened vacuum sealed bacon:
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7 days: Raw bacon that is re-sealed in its original airtight packaging will keep for about 1 week in the fridge.
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3-5 days: Raw bacon stored in a new Ziploc bag or sealed container is good for 3-5 days. Try to remove as much air as possible before sealing.
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3-4 days: Cooked bacon lasts 3-4 days in the fridge stored in an airtight container.
No matter what, be sure to use opened bacon within 1 week for best flavor and texture.
Signs Your Bacon Has Gone Bad
Here are some common signs that your vacuum sealed bacon has spoiled and should be discarded:
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Sliminess: A slimy texture or sticky residue on the bacon’s surface indicates bacterial growth. Fresh bacon should look dry to the touch.
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Off-odor: Bacon that smells sour, ammonia-like, or unpleasant is past its prime. Trust your nose.
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Change in color: The fat on bad bacon may turn greyish-green or yellow. The meat itself may look dull or darker.
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Mold: This is an obvious sign of spoilage. You may see fuzzy or slimy dots of black, green, or white mold.
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Expiration dates: If your sealed bacon is more than 1-2 weeks past the “use by” date, it’s time to toss it out.
When in doubt, remember the old adage – if it smells bad or looks weird, just throw it out. You can always buy more bacon!
Proper Storage for Maximum Freshness
To get the full 2 weeks or more of fridge life from your vacuum sealed bacon, proper storage is key. Here are some tips:
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Keep unopened packages on a lower fridge shelf where the temperature is coldest. The back is ideal.
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Immediately store opened bacon in an airtight container or resealable bag. Remove as much air as possible.
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Don’t open the package until ready to use. Limiting air exposure preserves freshness.
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Use opened packages within 1 week. Write the open date on the storage container so you remember.
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Monitor for signs of spoilage like stickiness, off-smells, or slime.
With proper storage in the coldest part of the fridge, your vacuum sealed bacon can stay fresh for its full recommended shelf life.
Freezing Bacon for Long-Term Storage
For infrequent bacon consumers, freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life even longer. Here are some freezer storage guidelines:
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Unopened packages: 8 months is the typical recommended freezer time. The bacon remains safe indefinitely but may suffer some quality loss after this.
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Opened packages: Reseal opened bacon in airtight freezer bags or containers with as much air removed as possible. It will last about 1 month before the texture and flavor declines.
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Cooked bacon: Let cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. It keeps for 2-3 months.
Frozen bacon may take on some freezer burn but will still be safe to eat. Defrost in the fridge before using to prevent food safety issues.
The Bottom Line
With proper refrigeration and freezing, vacuum sealed bacon can stay fresh for quite a while. Follow these guidelines:
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Unopened bacon lasts 2 weeks beyond the sell by date when kept sealed in the fridge.
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Opened bacon should be used within 1 week for best quality.
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Look for signs of spoilage like odor, slime, or mold. When in doubt, throw it out.
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Freeze unopened packages for up to 8 months and opened packs for 1 month.
Knowing just how long your vacuum sealed bacon lasts removes the guesswork and helps you avoid needlessly throwing out perfectly good food. With proper storage, you can keep bacon on hand to enjoy its smoky goodness anytime.
How to best store bacon in the fridge or freezer
Use a meat drawer at the bottom of the fridge to store your bacon if your fridge has one. This drawer is usually the coolest spot in the fridge, and your bacon will be away from other foods like dairy and produce, so there is less chance of them getting contaminated. Even if you don’t have that drawer, the bottom of the fridge is still better because bacon or other meat juices that might contain bacteria won’t be able to get on other food. It’s also usually cooler at the bottom. Advertisement.
When you open a package of bacon, don’t just put it back in the fridge. This will make it go bad faster and often dry out. If you don’t want it to go bad, you should store it in a zip-top bag that keeps air out of the fridge. You can also use a container that can be sealed and has a lid, or you can wrap it tightly in cling wrap to keep it safe.
As with most foods, bacon will be okay to eat for longer if you freeze it, compared to keeping it in the fridge. According to the USDA, opened bacon lasts around 4 months in the freezer. Put it in a zip-top or freezer bag (and consider separating the portions with parchment or plastic wrap so you can take out just a few rashers at a time instead of defrosting the whole package at once). Advertisement
How long can vacuum sealed meat last in the fridge?
FAQ
Can I use unopened bacon past use by date?
How to know if bacon has gone bad?
How long is uncooked bacon good for in the fridge?
Can I vacuum seal bacon?
How long does vacuum sealed Bacon last?
Vacuum packed bacon is a popular choice for those who want to extend the shelf life of their bacon. When stored properly, vacuum sealed bacon can last up to two months in the refrigerator, six months in the freezer, or even up to one year in the pantry. The key to maximizing the shelf life of your vacuum packed bacon is proper storage.
How long does Bacon last in the freezer?
According to the USDA guidelines, an unopened and wrapped package of bacon will last 6 months in the freezer. The easiest way to thaw it is to simply move it to your refrigerator the day before you’d like to enjoy it. The frozen bacon will thaw slowly and be ready to cook and enjoy the next day. The freshest bacon is always the BEST bacon!
How long does Bacon last if cooked?
Once you open that package, bacon’s shelf life shortens whether you cook it or not. 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 it’s properly stored. You can also store bacon in the freezer.
Can you freeze vacuum packed Bacon?
Yes, you can freeze vacuum packed bacon. Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of your bacon even further. In fact, vacuum packed bacon can be frozen for up to six months. However, it’s important to note that the quality and taste of the bacon may start to deteriorate after about a month in the freezer.
How do you store vacuum packed Bacon?
The key to maximizing the shelf life of your vacuum packed bacon is proper storage. It should be stored in an airtight container or bag, and kept at the proper temperature in either the refrigerator or freezer. It’s important to check the expiration date and follow the storage instructions on the package to ensure safety.
Does Bacon need to be refrigerated?
The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions – keep bacon refrigerated at all times. How long does an unopened packaged of bacon last in the refrigerator? 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.