Freezing and Reheating Bacon Lardons: A Complete Guide

Bacon lardons are a versatile meat product made of pork belly that has been cured, smoked, and diced into small strips or cubes. Their smoky, salty, umami flavor makes them a popular addition to everything from salads and pasta dishes to soups and sandwiches.

But like regular bacon, lardons don’t have an indefinite shelf life So what’s a bacon lover to do when they’ve got more lardons than they can use up quickly? Is freezing an option for preserving these tasty morsels?

The short answer is yes – you can absolutely freeze bacon lardons for later use. However, there are some best practices to follow for freezing and reheating to ensure maximum flavor and texture.

In this complete guide we’ll cover

• Benefits of freezing bacon lardons
• How to properly freeze lardons
• Thawing and reheating methods
• How long lardons last frozen
• Tips for best results

Let’s get cooking!

Why Freeze Bacon Lardons?

Freezing offers several advantages when it comes to storing bacon lardons:

• Longer shelf life – Frozen lardons will keep for 1-3 months compared to just 1 week refrigerated.

• Avoid waste – Freezing lets you preserve extras instead of having lardons go bad.

• Always have them on hand – No need to make emergency trips to the store when you crave them.

• Buy in bulk – Freeze surplus lardons when purchasing large quantities for savings.

• Maintain freshness – Freezing locks in flavor and texture instead of having lardons go stale.

For bacon lovers, having a stash of lardons in the freezer means you can enjoy them anytime inspiration strikes.

How to Freeze Bacon Lardons

Freezing lardons is simple with these easy steps:

1. Start with fresh lardons – Don’t freeze meat that’s already past its prime. Use the freshest lardons possible.

2. Portion out – Separate lardons into recipe-ready amounts in freezer bags or containers. This allows easy grab-and-go convenience.

3. Exclude air – Vacuum seal bags or press out excess air before sealing storage containers. Air exposure causes freezer burn.

4. Freeze quickly – For best texture, freeze lardons as fast as possible. Place bags/containers flat on freezer shelves so they freeze evenly.

5. Label everything – Mark packages with contents and freeze date so you know what’s inside and when it expires.

Follow these tips and your lardons will freeze beautifully every time.

Thawing Bacon Lardons

Thawing is an important step to bring frozen lardons back to their peak quality. Here are some thawing methods:

• Refrigerator thawing – For best results, place frozen lardons in the refrigerator and allow them to thaw slowly over 12-24 hours.

• Cold water thawing – For quicker thawing, seal lardons in a plastic bag and submerge in cold water. Change water every 30 minutes until thawed.

• Microwave thawing – Microwaves can thaw lardons unevenly. Defrost at 50% power in 30 second bursts, checking often.

• As part of cooking – Lardons can also be added frozen right into soups, stews, pasta dishes, etc. where they’ll thaw as part of the cooking process.

Always thaw lardons completely before cooking and use immediately. Never refreeze thawed lardons.

How to Reheat Bacon Lardons

Once thawed, bacon lardons need proper reheating. Here are methods to reheat them deliciously:

• Saute in skillet – Cook thawed lardons in a hot skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling and crispy, about 5 minutes.

• Bake in oven – Place lardons on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes until heated through.

• Microwave – Microwave thawed lardons on high in 30 second intervals until hot, being careful not to overcook.

• Simmer in sauce – Add lardons to pasta sauce, soup, etc. and gently simmer until heated through.

Reheated lardons won’t be quite as crispy but will still have great texture and flavor. Cook just until hot to avoid toughness.

How Long Do Lardons Last Frozen?

In proper airtight packaging, bacon lardons typically last 1-3 months in the freezer before quality diminishes.

Frozen lardons remain safe to eat beyond 3 months but may suffer more moisture loss, rancidity, and texture changes the longer they are frozen.

For best flavor and performance, try to use frozen lardons within 3 months. Monitor bags for freezer burn or ice crystals which signal diminishing quality over time.

Tips for Freezing Bacon Lardons

Follow these pro tips when freezing bacon lardons:

• Use high-quality lardons from a trusted source for superior flavor.

• Chill lardons in the refrigerator before freezing to firm them up quicker.

• Portion lardons into recipe-ready amounts so you can thaw only what you need.

• Use moisture-proof freezer bags, plastic wrap, or airtight containers only.

• Press out all excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn.

• Freeze new packages towards the back of the freezer; use older ones first.

• Avoid overcrowding the freezer which can lead to temperature fluctuations.

• Label everything clearly with contents and freeze date for easy identification.

Taking steps to maximize quality means your frozen lardons will taste freshly-prepared once reheated.

Possible Changes from Freezing

While freezing is generally fine for lardons, it can cause some subtle changes:

• Slight moisture loss, making lardons feel drier.

• Less crispiness and crunch when reheated.

• Mild flavor loss over extended freezing time.

• Potential for freezer burn if not properly sealed.

• Can absorb odors from the freezer over time.

While not hugely noticeable, be aware texture and flavor may change compared to fresh never-frozen lardons.

Tasty Ways to Use Frozen Lardons

Don’t let frozen lardons languish unused in the freezer. Here are tasty ways to use them:

• Add to omelets, frittatas, and scrambled eggs.

• Include in salads for a smoky, salty crunch.

• Toss with roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans.

• Mix into baked potato soup or potato salad.

• Add depth of flavor to pasta carbonara.

• Include in a quiche or breakfast strata.

• Layer in grilled cheese sandwiches.

• Top pizza before baking for a new twist.

With so many possibilities, your frozen lardons will never go to waste!

The Takeaway on Freezing Lardons

Freezing is an excellent way to preserve leftover or bulk-purchased bacon lardons, allowing you to enjoy their intense bacon flavor for up to 3 months. Follow the proper techniques for freezing, thawing, and reheating to get the best results. While subtle texture and flavor changes may occur after freezing, lardons will be deliciously edible in all your favorite dishes when thawed and cooked properly. Keep your freezer stocked with these frozen porky treats!