As a bacon lover, having crispy bacon ready to go anytime is a dream. But regular storing and freezing leads to soggy, spoiled bacon. Is freeze drying the answer for shelf-stable, crispy bacon on-the-go? Let’s dig into everything you need to know about freeze drying bacon.
Freeze dried bacon delivers all the salty, smoky, fatty flavor you love without the mess or storage headaches. With some preparation tips and the right freeze dryer machine, you can make crispy bacon that lasts for years without refrigeration.
Here’s how to freeze dry bacon at home and enjoy tasty portable bacon for camping, hiking and beyond!
Is Bacon Suitable for Freeze Drying?
Bacon contains a good amount of fat, which can make freeze drying tricky. Pure oils and fats don’t freeze dry well. But with some strategic cooking beforehand to render out excess fat, freeze drying bacon is doable
The key is cooking the bacon first to eliminate as much oil as possible before freeze drying. This prevents the fat from blocking the water removal necessary for successful freeze drying.
With test batches, you can perfect the pre-cooking to remove fat while keeping bacon’s signature taste and texture. It is possible to freeze dry bacon both raw and cooked.
How to Prepare Bacon for Freeze Drying
To prep bacon for optimal freeze drying, you’ll want to:
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Cook the bacon beforehand to render out fat, Baking it works best
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Allow cooked bacon to cool then blot with paper towels to absorb any oil.
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Freeze raw bacon overnight to -10°F if freeze drying from raw state.
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Line trays with parchment paper for easy transfer to the freeze dryer.
Cooking the bacon low and slow is vital. High heat frying causes fat to permeate the meat more. Baking allows fat to render out cleanly.
Letting the cooked bacon cool prevents moisture condensation when freezing or freeze drying. Blotting removes surface oil that could inhibit freeze drying.
Step-by-Step to Freeze Dry Bacon
Follow these steps for crispy, lightweight freeze dried bacon:
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Preheat freeze dryer and load trays of cooked, cooled bacon.
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Freeze raw bacon trays if needed to prevent ice crystal damage.
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Run a full freeze drying cycle according to manufacturer guidelines.
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Check for dryness and extend cycle if needed to remove all moisture.
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Remove trays and let bacon cool before vacuum sealing or storing.
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Store in air-tight bags or jars out of sunlight in a cool, dry area.
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Enjoy for up to 10 years when stored properly!
It’s that easy. Keep reading for pro freeze drying tips, storage recommendations and serving ideas for your homemade freeze dried bacon.
Handy Pointers for Freeze Dried Bacon Success
Follow these pro tips for best results with your freeze dried bacon:
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Play with baking times to optimize fat rendering pre-freeze drying.
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Use metal racks over trays so air circulates around the bacon while cooking.
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Weigh down bacon post-cooking to further press out fat before blotting.
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Freeze raw bacon below 0°F if possible to minimize ice crystal damage.
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Break up large frozen bacon slabs to maximize surface area for faster freeze drying.
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Check bacon at end of cycle for dryness and extend drying time if needed.
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Vacuum seal portions in bags or jars for storage to prevent rehydration.
How to Store Freeze Dried Bacon
To retain maximum freshness and crisp texture, store freeze dried bacon properly in:
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Vacuum sealed Mylar bags or mason jars
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Oxygen absorbers to remove oxygen
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Cool, dry place away from light and heat
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Outside of refrigerator or freezer for shelf stability
Proper storage keeps moisture out and prevents oxidation which leads to spoilage. Freeze dried foods stored well can last 5-25 years.
For bacon, estimate a 10-15 year shelf life when packed correctly in Mylar bags or mason jars. Refrigerate after opening.
Tasty Ways to Serve Rehydrated Freeze Dried Bacon
Rehydrate freeze dried bacon in:
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Sandwiches – add freeze dried bacon bits into chicken, BLTs, burgers
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Salads – use crunchy bacon bits as topping for extra flavor and crunch
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Snacking – rehydrate bacon strips for portable high protein snack
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Backpacking meals – add rehydrated bacon to camping dishes and meals
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Pizza – sprinkle rehydrated bacon over pizza for that salty, smoky flavor
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Pasta – mix bacon bits into pasta and mac and cheese dishes
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Soups – top soups with some crispy freeze dried bacon bits
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Baked potatoes – freeze dried bacon is perfect rehydrated on loaded baked potatoes
The possibilities are endless with this handy freeze dried staple!
Helpful Freeze Dried Bacon FAQs
Got bacon freeze drying questions? Here are answers to some common queries:
How long does freeze dried bacon last at room temperature?
10-15 years when properly stored.
Can you eat freeze dried bacon without rehydrating?
Yes, it makes a nice crunchy, crispy snack.
How long does it take to fully freeze dry bacon?
24-48 hours depending on fat content and freeze dryer model.
Is freeze dried bacon safe to eat?
Yes, freeze drying keeps foods safe indefinitely when sealed from oxygen, light, moisture.
Can you freeze dry raw bacon?
Yes, just be sure to flash freeze below 0°F first to avoid ice crystals.
Enjoy Your Crispy Custom Freeze Dried Bacon
Now you know everything needed to make tasty, crispy freeze dried bacon at home to take anywhere!
With some prep work rendering out fat and the right freeze drying equipment, you can make shelf-stable bacon that’s perfect for hiking, camping, road trips, and grab-and-go morning snacks.
Freeze drying allows you to skip refrigeration and enjoy flavorful bacon for years to come. Get creative with adding your homemade crispy freeze dried bacon to meals, snacks, and more!
