Can You Freeze Bacon Pudding? A Guide to Freezing and Reheating This Classic Comfort Food

Bacon pudding, also known as bacon roll or roly poly, is a classic British comfort food made with a bacon and onion filling wrapped in suet pastry dough then steamed or boiled. The combination of savory bacon and soft, steamed dough makes for a hearty, warming, and crave-worthy dish But with its rich filling, bacon pudding is best when shared So can you freeze the leftovers to enjoy later?

Freezing is an easy way to save those bacon pudding leftovers and make them last Here is a complete guide to successfully freezing and reheating bacon pudding to enjoy again and again

An Overview of Bacon Pudding

For those unfamiliar, let’s first learn what exactly bacon pudding is. It’s an old-fashioned British recipe that was very popular in the 1960s and still holds nostalgia for many today. Here are the basics:

• The filling consists of fried bacon and onions, seasoned simply with white pepper. Back bacon is preferred.

• This savory filling is wrapped in suet pastry dough rolled into a log shape.

• The wrapped pudding is then steamed or boiled for 2-3 hours until the pastry is cooked through.

• It’s served sliced, often with peas, potatoes, and gravy.

The steaming process gives the pastry a soft, fluffy texture while the bacon and onion filling provides a nice savory contrast. The result is a comforting, hearty, and filling dish that’s perfect for a cold winter’s day.

Can You Freeze Bacon Pudding?

The great news is that yes, bacon pudding freezes exceptionally well. The high fat content of the suet pastry and bacon makes this dish ideal for freezing. Here are some freezing tips:

• Allow cooked bacon pudding to cool fully before freezing, about 2 hours. This prevents condensation in the freezer.

• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, or place in airtight freezer bags. Eliminate air pockets.

• Portion pudding into single servings before freezing for easy reheating. Or freeze whole and slice portions as needed.

• Add any gravy or sauce separately when reheating to prevent sogginess.

• Label bags with contents and freeze date. Bacon pudding keeps well frozen for 2-3 months.

Freezing in individual portions makes enjoying this hearty dish easy anytime.

How to Thaw Bacon Pudding for Reheating

To safely thaw frozen bacon pudding:

• For best texture, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. This takes 10-12 hours.

• You can quick thaw in cold water in the sealed bag, changing water every 30 minutes. This takes 2-3 hours.

• Or thaw in the microwave using defrost setting if reheating immediately after.

• Avoid thawing at room temperature or in hot water. This risks bacterial growth in the “danger zone” temperature range.

• Cook thawed bacon pudding immediately and do not refreeze.

Tips for Reheating Leftover Bacon Pudding

Bacon pudding can be reheated in several ways. Follow these tips for best results:

• Oven: Bake covered at 375°F for 30-45 minutes until hot throughout.

• Stovetop: Steam over boiling water in a covered pan for 20-30 minutes until heated through.

• Microwave: Microwave individual portions on 50% power in 30 second bursts until hot. Check for spots.

• Slow cooker: Add gravy or sauce and cook on low 4-6 hours to gently reheat entire portions.

• Add extra gravy, broth, or sauce to prevent dried out texture.

• Reheat thoroughly until steaming hot, at least 165°F.

The slower reheating methods like oven, stovetop, and slow cooker tend to work best to retain the soft, moist texture. But the microwave can work in a pinch for individual servings.

Storage and Food Safety Tips

To safely store and reheat bacon pudding:

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.

• When reheating, check internal temperature reaches 165°F.

• Do not save reheated bacon pudding again. Only reheat once.

• Prevent cross-contamination by washing hands, utensils, surfaces after contact.

Following proper food storage and preparation guidelines will keep you safe when enjoying this hearty British classic.

Enjoy Bacon Pudding Hot or Cold

One of the great things about bacon pudding is that it can be enjoyed hot as a savory main dish or cold as a portable snack. The suet pastry holds up well and provides substance either way. So consider slicing up cold bacon pudding for:

• School or work lunchboxes

• Picnics, lunches on-the-go

• Quick breakfast paired with eggs or beans

• Evening snack paired with pickles or chutney

Getting creative with leftovers means no bacon pudding goes to waste.

Make-Ahead Bacon Pudding for Entertaining

Preparing bacon pudding ahead of time works great when entertaining or feeding a crowd. Here are some tips:

• Assemble uncooked pudding completely up to 2 days ahead. Refrigerate wrapped dough logs ready for steaming.

• Steam pudding 1-2 days in advance. Cool completely then refrigerate or freeze.

• Reheat frozen pudding per instructions above. Thawed pudding just needs gentile reheating.

• Cook extra puddings and freeze leftovers into single portions for effortless meals later.

With some easy make-ahead strategies, bacon pudding can serve as a comforting dish for holidays, parties, or anytime you need to feed a crowd.

Enjoy Bacon Pudding Hot or Cold, Now or Later

Bacon pudding is one of those versatile dishes that satisfies regardless of temperature or preparation time. Follow the guidance in this article to successfully freeze and reheat leftover bacon pudding or prepare it ahead of time for future enjoyment. With proper storage and handling, you can enjoy piping hot or refreshing cold slices of this classic British comfort food whenever cravings strike. Bacon pudding brings a little taste of nostalgia, no matter how you slice it!