The Complete Guide to Properly Storing Uncooked Turkey Bacon
As a healthy and delicious alternative to regular pork bacon, turkey bacon has become increasingly popular in many households. With its leaner nutritional profile and versatility in recipes, this turkey-based bacon makes a great addition to any fridge or freezer. However, raw turkey bacon requires proper storage techniques to keep it fresh and safe to eat. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about storing uncooked turkey bacon to maximize its shelf life and quality.
What is Uncooked Turkey Bacon?
Turkey bacon is made from sliced and cured turkey, typically utilizing meat from the breast, thigh or tenderloins. It looks similar to traditional pork bacon in slice form but is distinctly darker in color when raw. Turkey bacon is seasoned and smoked to provide classic bacon flavor but contains significantly less fat and fewer calories than regular bacon. It makes a tasty lower-sodium, lower-cholesterol substitute.
Uncooked turkey bacon must be prepared by cooking before eating, whether frying, baking or microwaving. Proper handling and storage of the raw product is crucial to prevent spoilage and potential foodborne illness.
How to Store Unopened Packages of Turkey Bacon
When you first purchase turkey bacon at the grocery store, follow these guidelines for storage:
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Check expiration or sell-by date on the package and only buy turkey bacon that will be used by this date.
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As soon as possible after purchasing, place the sealed turkey bacon package in the refrigerator. Storage in the meat drawer or on the lowest shelf is ideal.
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Keep the original airtight packaging intact. Don’t open the turkey bacon until you are ready to use it. The sealed environment helps block oxygen and moisture to better preserve freshness.
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Use unopened turkey bacon within 7-10 days for maximum freshness and flavor.
Storing an unopened package properly in the fridge will keep your turkey bacon fresh for up to a week or more until ready to use. But once opened, it requires a different storage strategy.
Maximizing Shelf Life of Opened Turkey Bacon
After initially opening the turkey bacon, it’s important to take steps to maximize its shelf life:
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Wrap unused bacon slices or stacks carefully in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to create a barrier from air exposure.
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Place wrapped turkey bacon in a resealable plastic bag, squeezing out excess air before sealing.
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Alternatively, transfer to an airtight food storage container, gently pressing out air before sealing the lid.
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Return turkey bacon to the refrigerator immediately after opening and using a portion. Do not leave it sitting out.
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Use opened turkey bacon within 4-5 days for best quality and safety.
Properly storing opened packages in the fridge can buy you several more days before the turkey bacon goes bad. But for extended shelf life, consider freezing.
How to Freeze Turkey Bacon
Freezing turkey bacon allows it to be preserved for much longer durations while still maintaining good taste and texture. Follow these best practices when freezing turkey bacon:
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Wrap individual slices or stacks of bacon in plastic wrap, wax paper or aluminum foil before freezing. This helps prevent freezer burn.
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Portion the bacon into usable amounts before freezing. This allows you to only defrost what you need at a time.
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Place wrapped turkey bacon pieces in freezer bags, removing excess air and sealing tightly.
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Freeze turkey bacon as soon as possible after wrapping so it freezes quickly and uniformly. Avoid slow freezing.
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Arrange bags flat in freezer to conserve space and keep frozen bacon level.
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Label freezer bags with contents and freeze-by date. Use frozen turkey bacon within 2-3 months for optimal freshness.
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Store frozen turkey bacon at 0°F or below. Constant cold temperature is key for long term storage.
Proper freezing and storage will keep turkey bacon fresh for months rather than days. But it must be thawed safely before use.
How to Safely Thaw Frozen Turkey Bacon
Thawing and refreezing can compromise the quality and taste of turkey bacon. Use one of these safe thawing methods:
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In the refrigerator: Place frozen turkey bacon in the fridge. Allow 24+ hours for slow, safe thawing.
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In cold water: Submerge turkey bacon in a sealed bag or packet in cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes.
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In the microwave: Use the defrost function in 30 second bursts. Rotate and break up pieces as needed.
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skillet method: Cook frozen turkey bacon straight from freezer. May require slightly longer cooking time.
Once thawed, turkey bacon should be cooked fully until heated to 165°F internally before serving.
Tips for Safe Handling of Raw Turkey Bacon
Due to concerns with salmonella and other bacteria, turkey bacon requires safe handling:
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Always wash hands and tools thoroughly before and after handling raw turkey bacon.
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Never place cooked foods back on same plate or cutting board that previously held raw turkey bacon.
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Cook turkey bacon thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature until hot and crispy.
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Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours after cooking. Do not leave sit out.
Proper handling and sanitization practices are important when dealing with raw meats like turkey bacon.
Following the Right Methods for Freshness
Storing uncooked turkey bacon correctly is the key to preserving safety, quality and taste. Keep unopened packages refrigerated, use opened packages within a week, freeze for extended time periods, and handle carefully.
Following this proper storage guide will ensure your turkey bacon stays fresh and ready to cook whenever you get a craving for that crispy, savory, bacon-y taste and texture! So go ahead and stock up during your next grocery run knowing how to best keep that turkey bacon at optimal freshness.
How to Extend Turkey Bacon’s Shelf Life
If you want your unopened package of turkey bacon to last as long as possible, think about where you put it in the fridge. It’s best to store your turkey in the coldest part, which is usually the bottom shelf in the back. This is because the temperatures in the door sections aren’t always stable.
When you have extra turkey bacon, wrap it tightly in a paper towel and put it in a zip-top bag or an airtight container. This will soak up extra water that would otherwise make it slimy, and it will also help the flavor stay the same.
Shelf Life for Unopened Turkey Bacon
If you keep it cool, raw turkey bacon that hasn’t been opened should stay at its best for about 7 to 14 days after the sell-by date on the package. Bacteria will not grow as quickly in a cold fridge, which will help the bacon last a little longer.
Beyond the sell-by date, there are a few telltale signs that the turkey is a no-go. Bad turkey bacon may develop a sour smell, a slimy texture, or even a greenish hue.
What’s the Best Way to Store Bacon? – CHOW Tip
FAQ
Does turkey bacon go in the fridge or freezer?
How to preserve uncooked bacon?
How long can raw uncooked bacon stay in the fridge?
How long does bacon last in a ziploc bag?
How long can turkey bacon stay in the fridge?
Unopened turkey bacon in a sealed package can safely be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or seven days past the sell-by date. Once the package is opened, it can be stored in the fridge, tightly wrapped, for up to one week.
How do you store cooked turkey bacon?
Wrap, preferably twice with foil or cling wrap for safety. Shallow-airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags would also work. The cooking process and the ingredients used impact the shelf-life of cooked turkey bacon. The most common cooking method for turkey bacon is pan-frying or deep frying.
How should you store uncooked bacon?
To store uncooked bacon for the longest lasting freshness, portion your bacon so it fits into the vacuum-sealer bag and follow the machine directions to seal it. Then, move the vacuum-sealed bag with bacon to the refrigerator and keep it or use it within four weeks.
How do you know if turkey bacon is good?
To check if your turkey bacon is good, look for a slightly spongy texture that is cold but not slimy or sticky. Good turkey bacon is typically pink with some white streaks throughout. If it feels slimy or sticky, it has likely gone bad. You can also take a whiff to determine its freshness.
Is turkey bacon healthier than pork bacon?
Turkey bacon is a healthier option than pork bacon since it comes from a leaner cut of meat. However, like pork bacon, it should only be consumed occasionally and not as an everyday staple of your diet. How long can turkey bacon last in the fridge?