How Long Does Cooked Turkey Bacon Stay Good? The Complete Guide

Cooked turkey bacon is a quick and tasty way to add flavor and protein to your breakfast. But like any cooked meat product, it has a limited shelf life. So how long can you keep cooked turkey bacon in the fridge or freezer before it goes bad? Here’s a complete guide to maximizing the shelf life of cooked turkey bacon.

How Long Does Cooked Turkey Bacon Last in the Fridge?

Cooked turkey bacon will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days To maximize its shelf life

• Store cooked turkey bacon in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. This prevents drying out and cross-contamination from other foods.

• Keep cooked turkey bacon on the top shelf of the refrigerator, where temperatures are coldest. The ideal temperature to store it at is 40°F or below

• Cooked turkey bacon keeps longer than uncooked bacon. Cooking kills any bacteria present initially. But bacteria can still grow over time.

• Portion cooked turkey bacon into single servings before refrigerating. This prevents repeatedly opening the package and introducing new bacteria.

• Don’t let cooked turkey bacon sit at room temperature before refrigerating. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.

Under optimal refrigeration conditions, cooked turkey bacon lasts 3-5 days past the sell-by date or when cooked But always rely on sight and smell after 3 days. Discard any turkey bacon that smells bad, looks slimy, or grows mold

Maximizing Shelf Life of Cooked Turkey Bacon

You can maximize the shelf life of cooked turkey bacon by:

• Buying turkey bacon pre-cooked. Pre-cooked varieties have more preservatives to extend shelf life.

• Partially cooking turkey bacon in the microwave before pan frying. This reduces time spent in the bacterial “danger zone”.

• Adding acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar when cooking. Acidity controls bacterial growth.

-Cooking turkey bacon thoroughly until crispy. Kills more bacteria.

• Cooling cooked turkey bacon rapidly before refrigerating. Place in shallow container and refrigerate within 1 hour.

• Freezing individual serving sizes of cooked turkey bacon in freezer bags. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.

With proper storage methods, cooked turkey bacon keeps 3-5 days in the fridge. Use good judgment after that. Freezing extends shelf life to 2-3 months.

How To Tell If Cooked Turkey Bacon Has Gone Bad

Here are signs that cooked turkey bacon has spoiled and needs to be discarded:

• Slimy texture and sticky surface
• Grayish color and dull or slimy appearance
• Strange odor that’s unpleasant or sour
• Mold growth – discard entire package if any mold appears
• Turkey bacon feels tacky, overly soft, or slick

Trust your senses. If cooked turkey bacon smells bad, looks gray, or feels slimy or tacky, throw it out. Don’t taste meat that looks questionable.

Food Safety Risks of Eating Spoiled Turkey Bacon

Eating spoiled, undercooked, or contaminated turkey bacon can cause foodborne illness. Potential risks include:

• Salmonella – Causes fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps
• Listeria monocytogenes – Causes fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, confusion. Risks miscarriage in pregnant women.
• Clostridium perfringens – Causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea
• Staphylococcus aureus – Causes nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps

Properly cooking and storing turkey bacon reduces these risks. But if you experience symptoms of food poisoning, seek medical care.

At-risk groups like pregnant women, young children, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems should not eat turkey bacon past recommended storage times. The FDA advises this demographic avoid all undercooked or cold lunch meats, including turkey bacon.

The Best Ways to Store Uncooked Turkey Bacon

To maximize shelf life, store unopened uncooked turkey bacon:

• In original packaging until the sell-by or use-by date.
• On a refrigerator shelf, not the door. The temperature is more constant.
• Away from raw meat juices and produce drawers, which can cross-contaminate.
• For no more than 1-2 weeks past the sell-by date before freezing or cooking.

An opened package of raw turkey bacon keeps 7-10 days past the sell-by date in the fridge. Re-wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a resealable bag. Use opened packages within 1-2 weeks for best quality.

Freeze uncooked turkey bacon up to 2 months past the sell-by date for maximum freshness. Wrap tightly in freezer bags, foil, or plastic wrap. Separate into usable portions to reduce freeze-thaw cycles. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.

Storing Leftover Cooked Turkey Bacon

To store leftover cooked turkey bacon:

• Let cool, then transfer to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking.

• Make sure turkey bacon is cooked thoroughly before storing. Partially cooked bacon spoils faster.

• Refrigerate for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for 2-3 months.

• Portion turkey bacon into individual servings before storing. This prevents contamination from repeatedly opening.

• Avoid freezing more than once. The texture declines with multiple thaws.

• Thaw frozen turkey bacon overnight in the fridge before using. Cook thoroughly until hot. Don’t re-freeze after thawing.

Best Practices For Reheating Turkey Bacon

These are safe methods for reheating cooked turkey bacon:

• Microwave: Place a paper towel over turkey bacon and microwave in 30 second increments, flipping occasionally, until hot.

• Skillet: Cook turkey bacon slices on medium heat 1-2 minutes per side to crisp up.

• Oven: Bake turkey bacon slices at 400°F for 4-5 minutes on a foil-lined pan.

• Air fryer: Cook at 380°F for 1 minute, shaking basket occasionally, until crisp.

Only reheat fully cooked turkey bacon. Partial cooking can allow bacteria to survive. Cook leftovers thoroughly until steaming hot, at least 165°F internal temperature. Don’t eat turkey bacon that smells or looks questionable after reheating.

Enjoy Turkey Bacon Safely

Turkey bacon is a tasty alternative to regular bacon. Follow these tips for safe handling:

• Check the sell-by date and only buy unopened packages without damage.

• Store uncooked turkey bacon properly in the fridge or freezer. Don’t keep too long past the date.

• Always cook turkey bacon thoroughly until crispy. Use a food thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F.

• Let cool, then refrigerate cooked turkey bacon in shallow covered containers within 2 hours.

• Freeze leftovers in individual portions up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.

• Reheat cooked turkey bacon to 165°F. Toss out turkey bacon that smells or looks bad after reheating.

• Discard cooked turkey bacon after 3-5 days in the fridge, even if it looks OK. Don’t take chances with meat.

Following proper handling and storage, you can safely keep cooked turkey bacon 3-5 days refrigerated or 2-3 months frozen. Use your eyes, nose, and common sense to determine if turkey bacon is still fresh and safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.