In the realm of culinary delights, bacon holds a special place. What if you cook more bacon than you can eat at once? Can you put cooked bacon in the freezer to use later? The short answer is yes, you can freeze bacon.
Whether its uncooked or already sizzled to perfection, freezing is a viable option. But how do you do it? How do you thaw it without losing any of the flavor? This is the complete guide to the best way to freeze cooked bacon.
Well share tips on how to properly store, freeze, and thaw those irresistible slices of bacon. By the end of this post, youll be a pro at cook and freeze bacon techniques.
Bacon is one of those snacks that just hits the spot anytime Its smoky, salty, savory flavor is irresistible whether you’re cooking up breakfast or just need a quick protein boost The problem is, fresh bacon doesn’t keep for long in the fridge.
The solution? Cook up a big batch of bacon, freeze it for later, then reheat individual portions as needed. But reheating frozen cooked bacon can be tricky. Done wrong, you end up with limp, soggy strips.
Follow my handy guide to learn how to properly reheat frozen cooked bacon so it comes out crispy, sizzling hot, and ready to enjoy anytime!
Why Freeze and Reheat Bacon?
Freezing cooked bacon is brilliant for a few reasons
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Save time – Cook once, use multiple times. No need to fry up bacon every time you want some.
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Preserve freshness – Frozen cooked bacon keeps for 2-3 months versus just a week in the fridge.
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Portion control – Freeze individual servings in bags or slices on a baking sheet.
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More uses – Make ahead for easy addition to salads, sandwiches, dips, and more!
Tips for Freezing and Storing Bacon
To get the best results when reheating frozen bacon, start with proper freezing:
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Cook bacon just until crispy. It will crisp up more when you reheat it.
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Cool bacon completely before freezing so it doesn’t get soggy.
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Place slices between sheets of parchment or wax paper so they don’t stick.
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Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag.
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For portioned strips, freeze individually wrapped slices.
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Use freezer bags and squeeze out excess air for max freshness.
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Label bags with quantity and date. Use within 2-3 months for best quality.
Safe Thawing Methods
Always thaw frozen cooked bacon fully before attempting to reheat it. Here are safe ways to thaw:
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In the refrigerator overnight, usually about 8 hours.
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In a bowl of cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed. Takes about an hour.
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Sealed in an airtight bag, under running cold tap water. Thaws in 30-60 minutes.
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In the microwave on the “defrost” setting if you want to thaw and reheat in one step.
Avoid thawing bacon at room temperature as bacteria can start growing rapidly above 40°F.
Reheating Frozen Bacon in the Oven
The oven is my top reheating method for evenly cooked, crispy bacon every time.
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
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Arrange thawed bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet.
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Bake for 8-12 minutes, until hot and starting to sizzle. Watch closely to avoid burning.
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For extra crispness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
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Drain excess grease from the baking sheet. Enjoy your hot, crunchy bacon!
Reheating in a Skillet
For quick, hands-on crisping, a skillet on the stovetop works great:
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Heat a skillet over medium heat. No oil needed since bacon has fat.
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Add thawed bacon slices. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through and lightly browned.
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Drain on a paper towel lined plate. The bacon will continue crisping as it cools slightly.
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Keep an eye on the heat to avoid scorching. Lower heat and flip occasionally.
Reheating Bacon in the Microwave
If you’re in a rush, the microwave can reheat frozen cooked bacon reasonably well:
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Place thawed bacon between paper towel layers on a microwave-safe plate.
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Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power for 2 slices. Add 10-15 seconds per additional slice.
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Check and flip halfway through. Stop when hot and slightly crispy.
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Let stand 1 minute before eating, as it will continue cooking.
The microwave can par-cook frozen bacon before giving it a quick crisping in the skillet too.
Pro Tips for Reheated Bacon Perfection
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Reheat only what you plan to eat. Refreeze unused reheated bacon.
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Add reheated bacon to salads, sandwiches, baked potatoes, etc. right away so it stays crisp.
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Use within a week for optimal taste and texture.
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Store reheated bacon pieces covered in the fridge.
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Toss with chopped veggies or shredded cheese for quick snacks or sides.
Enjoy the Convenience of Pre-Cooked Bacon
With proper freezing, thawing, and reheating, you can enjoy delicious crispy bacon anytime with minimal effort. I hope these tips help you reheat frozen cooked bacon safely so you can indulge conveniently in this salty, savory treat!
Thawing and Reheating Cooked Bacon
When youre ready to use the bacon, heres how to thaw and reheat it:
- You can thaw the frozen bacon in the fridge overnight. This allows it to thaw evenly and maintains its quality.
- You can also reheat the bacon straight from the freezer if you want to save time. Just heat the oven up, put the frozen bacon on a baking sheet, and cook it until it’s done.
Remember that if you bake and freeze cooked bacon the right way, you can enjoy its delicious crunch and flavor whenever you want. So, bag and freeze away, and make the most of your delicious cooked bacon!.
How to Reheat Frozen Cooked Bacon
If you want to reheat frozen cooked bacon without losing its flavor, search no further! We have three easy but effective ways for you: use a microwave, a skillet, or an oven. Each method has its own perks, and well walk you through each one, step by step. Youll be enjoying your leftover bacon strips in no time!.
So lets dive right in and explore these techniques.
The microwave is a quick and convenient option for reheating your frozen cooked bacon. Keep in mind that using a microwave may result in slightly less crispy bacon compared to other methods.
Instructions:
- Place a sheet of wax paper on a microwave-safe plate.
- Put the frozen bacon on the wax paper in a single layer.
- Put another piece of wax paper over the bacon to keep it from splattering.
- For 30 seconds to one minute, or until the bacon is hot all the way through, heat it in a microwave on medium power. Check every 15 seconds to avoid overcooking.
A skillet is a classic choice for reheating bacon, providing a crispy and flavorful result. Just be cautious about potential splatter during the process.
Instructions:
- Lay out the cooked frozen bacon in a single layer in a nonstick skillet.
- Heat the skillet over medium-low heat.
- Turn the bacon over a few times while it’s cooking until it’s as crispy as you like it (about 3 to 5 minutes).
- Take the bacon out of the pan and put it on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any extra grease.
Cooking bacon in the oven is an excellent way to achieve evenly cooked, crispy bacon. Oven baked bacon is especially great for reheating large batches of leftover bacon strips.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Put a piece of wax paper on the baking sheet that has been lined with foil.
- Place the cooked frozen bacon on the wax paper in a single layer.
- To reheat more than one layer of bacon, put a sheet pan on top of the bacon and cover it with wax paper. Then add another layer of bacon on top of that. Repeat this process for additional layers.
- Put the bacon in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it’s as crispy as you like it. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
- Take the bacon out of the oven and put it on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any extra grease.
Now that you know the three best ways to reheat frozen cooked bacon, you can enjoy those tasty leftovers whenever you want! Whether you like the speed of the microwave, the classic skillet method, or the even heat of oven-baked bacon, all of them will give you a satisfying bacon experience.
The next time you have too much cooked bacon, don’t be afraid to freeze it for later use. These ways of reheating bacon will let you enjoy the ease and taste of perfectly reheated bacon whenever you want.
Whether you’re cooking or serving bacon, raw meats, fruits, or any other food, our walnut cutting boards are the best way to do it. The non-porous surface of our boards prevents bacteria buildup and makes cleaning a breeze. Dont let your cooked bacon go to waste, freeze it on our cutting board!.