There’s nothing better than the smell of bacon on a lazy Sunday morning, whether it’s by itself, with eggs poached just right, or on toast with smashed avocado. However, it’s simple to overdo it when cooking bacon and end up with a lot more than you need. But how long can you keep bacon in the fridge?.
Here, we look at how to store bacon correctly and how long cooked and raw bacon will last in the fridge.
Nothing beats picking up a package of high-quality sliced bacon from the deli counter for weekend breakfasts. But once you get that bacon home, how long does it actually last in the fridge before going bad?
Understanding deli bacon’s shelf life can help prevent wasting this precious pork product. In this article, we’ll look at how long deli bacon stays fresh in the fridge along with tips on safe storage. Read on to become a bacon storage expert!
Overview of Deli Bacon’s Shelf Life
The shelf life of deli bacon depends on a few factors like packaging and ingredients. Here’s a general overview:
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Unopened deli bacon lasts 5-7 days in the fridge
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Opened packages last around 3-5 days.
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Bacon with preservatives may last slightly longer
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Watch expiration dates and don’t go by smell alone.
As you can see, deli bacon won’t last forever. Next let’s talk about how to spot spoiled bacon.
Signs Your Deli Bacon Has Gone Bad
Being able to identify bad bacon can prevent illness. Here are signs deli bacon has spoiled:
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Slimy texture and sticky surface
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Dull or grayish coloring
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Unpleasant sour or “off” odors
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Rancid taste when cooked
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Presence of mold or white speckles
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Very dry, stiff, or hard feel
When in doubt, trust your senses – if deli bacon looks, smells or feels off, play it safe and throw it out. Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled meat.
Proper Storage for Deli Bacon
To maximize deli bacon’s fridge life, follow these storage tips:
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Refrigerate unopened bacon immediately after purchasing.
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Keep deli bacon on lower fridge shelves away from fresh produce.
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Store opened bacon tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container.
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Use opened deli bacon within 3-5 days for best quality.
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Freeze extras while still fresh for longer storage.
With proper refrigeration, you can safely enjoy deli bacon for almost a week!
Freezing and Thawing Deli Bacon
Freezing extends the shelf life of fresh deli bacon for future use:
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Freeze deli bacon in original packaging up to 2 months.
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For longer freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil up to 4 months.
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Thaw frozen bacon overnight in the fridge before using.
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Cook thawed bacon immediately – don’t refreeze.
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Microwaving to thaw can partially cook the bacon – cook it fully after thawing.
Safely Cooking Leftover Deli Bacon
To safely cook and eat leftover deli bacon:
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Inspect first and discard if slimy, smelly or moldy.
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Cook thoroughly until crispy to destroy bacteria.
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Don’t let cooked bacon sit out for more than 2 hours.
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Refrigerate cooked bacon; use within 3-4 days.
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Reheat cooked bacon pieces fully before eating.
With proper handling, enjoying leftover deli bacon poses minimal risk.
Creative Uses for Leftover Deli Bacon
Try using extra pieces of cooked deli bacon in:
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Bacon jam glaze for burgers or sandwiches
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Sprinkled on pizza, flatbreads, and bruschetta
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Chopped into omelets, frittatas, and quiches
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Rolled into pancakes or waffles before cooking
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Mixed into mashed potatoes for flavor and crunch
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Topping for baked beans, soups, or green salads
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Crispy garnish for bloody mary cocktails
Don’t let that bacon go to waste – use it creatively!
Storing Ingredients for Homemade Bacon
Make your own bacon at home with:
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Pork belly – Keeps raw 3-5 days refrigerated, 6-9 months frozen
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Curing salts – Last at room temperature up to 1 year sealed
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Spices and sugar – Store up to 2 years in cool cupboard
With properly stored ingredients, you can create tasty homemade bacon safely.
Key Takeaways on Deli Bacon Storage
To recap, be sure to:
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Refrigerate deli bacon promptly after purchase
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Look for slimy texture, dull color and odors as signs of spoilage
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Use opened packages within 3-5 days
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Freeze extras when still fresh for 2-4 months storage
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Safely thaw and reheat leftover bacon pieces
Can you cook bacon from frozen?
Yes, it is safe to cook bacon from frozen, but once defrosted, you need to cook it ASAP. Don’t defrost frozen bacon by leaving it out to warm on the kitchen counter. Leave frozen bacon in the fridge to thaw more slowly and safely. It will be safe to eat for up to seven days.
If you’re thawing it in the microwave, it needs to be cooked immediately. Certain parts of the bacon may have been partially cooked in the microwave. Because of this, there may still be bacteria on the bacon. You need to cook the bacon all the way through before putting it back in the freezer after defrosting it in the microwave. Getty.
How long can you keep raw bacon in the fridge?
Uncooked bacon purchased from the deli will keep for about one week, if stored correctly. Sliced bacon that comes in a package might last longer, but you should check the date on the package to be sure. Store bacon in the fridge immediately after purchase. Getty.
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
How long does Bacon last in the fridge?
It’s critical to store your bacon properly, so it lasts in the fridge for as long as possible. Here are a few tips: Put it in the coldest part of your fridge: The temperature in the fridge door is warmer than the rest of the fridge, so bacon stored there will go bad more quickly.
How long do lemons stay fresh in the refrigerator?
Whole or uncut lemons generally last for 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge when it is properly stored, but could last up to 4 weeks. You can generally tell when fruits begin to expire by the skin becoming wrinkly and shrunken.
How long can Bacon sit out if unopened?
If unopened, use the refrigerated bacon within a month (or 1 week past the sell-by date). How Long Can Bacon Sit Out? The general rule of food safety is to not let raw meat or cooked food sit out for more than 2 hours, and that rule applies to uncooked or cooked bacon.
How long does raw bacon stay fresh?
In these conditions, the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) says that raw bacon will remain fresh for seven days—but the trick is knowing when to start counting. Here are the guidelines to keep in mind:
Does cooked bacon need to be refrigerated?
Cooked bacon is a perishable food and needs to be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. If it’s left out at room temperature for too long, bacteria will start to grow and can cause food poisoning. Even if you refrigerate your bacon promptly, it’s still only safe to eat for four to five days.
How long does cooked turkey bacon last in the fridge?
Cooked bacon can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cooked bacon can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Turkey bacon should be stored the same way as pork bacon and should have the same length of shelf life under the same conditions.