How Long Can You Store Bacon Before It Goes Bad?
You can store for up to one year if kept in a cool, dry place. But, you should eat the bacon within three months after the sale.
If you keep it longer, it may go not taste good. But it depends on the type of bacon.
It takes effort to learn how to store a pack of bacon and keep it in the freezer, but it’s worth it.
You will be able to enjoy the taste of cooked bacon, as well as save money by buying in bulk and storing it in your freezer.
How to Freeze bacon?
The best way to store frozen bacon is by wrapping and placing them into storage containers. You can also put them in freezer bags.
This method prevents cross-contamination between slices of bacon. You can also place the regular bacon onto a baking sheet and freeze it that way.
Freezing bacon tips:
1. Freezing bacon will make it easier to cut up when thawed. Thawing frozen bacon takes longer than fresh bacon because there is excess water in the meat.
2. When thawing, be sure to leave the package in the fridge overnight so that all the liquid has been removed.
3. Be careful not to over-freeze bacon. Frozen bacon tends to get hard and dry as time passes. You should cook the bacon once the bacon has reached its most storage life.
4. Make sure to wrap the bacon. Wrap with plastic wrap or aluminum foil first, then cover with a second layer of plastic wrap. Then secure the ends with tape.
5. Store bacon in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Colder temperatures can slow down the growth of dangerous bacteria and extend the shelf life of the bacon.
6. Do not refrigerate bacon after opening the package. Refrigeration increases the risk of contamination.
7. Do not rewrap bacon once it’s been opened. Rewrapping makes it difficult to tell if any parts have been damaged during handling.
8. When thawing frozen bacon, do not refreeze it. Bacon that has been frozen and thawed may become mushy.
Bacon is one of my favorite delicious food. I love how versatile it is and how easy it is to cook. But sometimes, you just want something quick and easy to eat.
That’s where bacon sandwiches come in handy. They are perfect for those busy mornings when you don’t have much time to cook.
Signs of Spoiled Bacon
If you see these terrible signs, you know your bacon is going bad:
- Smell
Bacon smells like pork. But, if it stinks or has a sour smell, it means that the piece of meat is spoiled. If the bacon smells like ammonia, it’s likely gone bad.
- Color
If the bacon starts turning dark brown, this indicates spoilage. It could mean that the meat is infected with mold.
- Texture
Sticky texture and rubbery bacon are usually a sign of spoilage. The surface of the bad form of meat looks dull and grayish.
- Taste
If the bacon tastes terrible, it’s gone wrong.
There are several simple ways to tell if your bacon has gone bad. If you think your bacon is bad, throw it away — it’s not worth the risk.
To help you enjoy the best bacon possible, try to buy fresh bacon and learn the common signs of spoiled bacon.
How to extend the shelf life of Bacon?
There are many ways to extend the shelf life of bacon. These basic methods include freezing, curing, smoking, drying, and brining.
I want to say that the best way to keep your bacon fresh is to store it in the fridge. You can reserve and organize your bacon without taking up much space.
When you’re ready to cook, it’s easy to pull out a bacon package and get cooking!
- Freezing
The best way to freeze bacon is by wrapping each and placing them into a freezer paper bag or ceramic container. This method prevents cross-contamination between pieces of bacon.
- Curing process
Another great way to preserve bacon is to cure it. Cured bacon type is stored at an average temperature. A mixture of salt, sugar, and spices (such as black pepper) helps to preserve the common meat product.
- Smoking
Smoking bacon is another popular way to keep it from spoiling. Smokehouse bacon is smoked, which adds flavor to the raw meat. You can smoke bacon yourself using a smoker or grill.
- Drying
It involves hanging the traditional pork bacon on racks above a warm place, such as an oven or stovetop. Dried bacon is crispy and delicious.
- Brining
This method involves soaking the bacon in a solution containing salt and sugar. Brined pounds of bacon are ready to eat right away.
You can also use other preservation techniques to extend the shelf life. For example, you can freeze bacon. You can also dry it out. You can even make bacon jerky!
How to Properly Store Bacon
Bacon is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you need to store bacon longer, wrap each slice individually in resealable plastic wrap and then place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag.
The fat from bacon drips out easily, so be careful not to let any drip onto other food.
I recommend using a zip-lock bag to freeze your unopened bacon. They work well and are easy to store. If you don’t have enough zip-lock bags, a heat-proof container may work as well.
It’s important to store bacon properly so that it stays fresh and tasty.
How to Defrost Bacon
To defrost frozen bacon, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw. Once thawed, rinse off any excess cold water. Cut the slices into desired bacon portions and enjoy.
Another way to meat defrost, place it wrapped in a microwave on high for 1-2 minutes per slice.
The microwave will cook the amounts of bacon and cook off the frost as it thaws. You should avoid microwaving frozen bacon for too long, though.
If you cook it for too long, it can make the bacon challenge.
Note: Never put hot bacon onto the ice. The heat could cause the ice to melt and release dangerous chemicals. Also, never put raw bacon in the microwave. It may explode.
Pros to freezing Bacon
Freezing prolongs the lifespan of bacon. Freezing allows you to have an extended period of time to prepare and cook the bacon.
It does slow down the growth of harmful bacteria. So if you want to keep the bacon fresh, freezing is a good option.
Cons to freezing Bacon
The biggest con to freezing bacon is that it takes more work. To freeze the bacon, you must first remove it from its original sealed packaging.
Then it would help if you packed it back into the original container. This simple process can take quite a bit of time.
Bacon is not recommended for those who don’t like the texture. Due to its high-fat content, bacon tends to become rigid when frozen.
How to cook bacon?
There are five effective methods for cooking bacon. Cooking bacon is easy.
All you need is a sharp knife and an oven. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages.
1. Frying
Frying is the easiest method of cooking bacon.
- Place it between two layers of paper towel or waxed paper to fry bacon. Press until most of the grease runs out.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a skillet.
- Add the bacon strips. Cook them until they are crisp.
- Remove the bacon from the pan and drain it on paper towels. You can also use this method for other foods such as eggs.
Note: If you do not have a nonstick skillet, add extra virgin olive oil to the pan to prevent sticking.
2. Baking
If your goal is to make crispy bacon without dealing with greasy messes, try baking it instead.
- To bake bacon, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay the bacon strips flat on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Flip each piece over and bake again for another 10 minutes.
- Once done, transfer the cooked bacon to a cooling rack.
Be careful not to burn yourself while handling the bacon.
3. Grilling
For the best flavor and texture, grill bacon.
- Lay the pieces on a cookie sheet lined in foil or parchment paper to grill bacon.
- Grill them for 8-10 minutes per side.
- Turn the pieces over halfway through the cooking process.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the average temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
4. Sautéing
- Sautéing bacon gives you a delicious way to enjoy it.
- To sauté bacon, place the bacon slices in a skillet and cook over medium heat.
- Stir to avoid burning them. The type of bacon should be ready after about 12 minutes.
- Let cool completely before wrapping.
Final Words
To sum it all up, if you want to enjoy types of bacon, then the freezing process will not give you many benefits. It might even not be good faster than average.
But, if you want to save money, then freezing is a good option. Remember that you should never defrost uncooked bacon in the microwave.
Doing so could cause the food to get mushy. Please read our article here for more information about how long you can store bacon in the freezer.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post! Do leave a comment below.