Bacon is a breakfast staple in many households The smell of sizzling bacon in the morning is enough to get anyone out of bed! But when you have leftovers or buy pre-cooked bacon, proper storage becomes important So does pre-cooked bacon need to be refrigerated?
The short answer is yes. Pre-cooked bacon should always be refrigerated for food safety reasons. Read on for a complete guide on storing pre-cooked bacon to keep it fresh and delicious.
Why Pre-Cooked Bacon Needs Refrigeration
According to the USDA, cooked meats including bacon should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. This is because bacteria grow rapidly on cooked meat at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F.
Even though pre-cooked bacon is cured, it is still susceptible to bacteria. Refrigeration prevents bacterial growth and keeps pre-cooked bacon safe to eat.
Shelf-stable pre-cooked bacon is heat-treated to destroy bacteria It can be stored unopened at room temperature for up to 10 days. However, refrigeration extends the shelf life and preserves quality
Bottom line: Raw or cooked, bacon is a perishable food. Refrigeration inhibits bacteria growth and keeps pre-cooked bacon fresher for longer.
Storing Pre-Cooked Bacon Properly
To get the most out of your pre-cooked bacon, proper storage is a must. Here are some tips:
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Allow bacon to cool before refrigerating. Warm bacon can create condensation and moisture buildup.
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Store pre-cooked bacon in an airtight container. This prevents moisture loss and introduction of food odors from the fridge.
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Use oldest bacon first and check use-by dates. First in, first out helps reduce waste.
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Refrigerate promptly after opening. Shelf-stable bacon can last 7-10 days refrigerated after opening.
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Freeze extras if you won’t use within a week. Frozen pre-cooked bacon keeps for 1-2 months.
Following these guidelines optimizes safety and quality. Make sure to label and date containers to track fridge life.
Fridge Life of Pre-Cooked Bacon
How long does pre-cooked bacon last in the fridge? With proper refrigeration, it will maintain best quality for:
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Unopened shelf-stable bacon: 10 days past printed use-by date
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Opened shelf-stable bacon: 7-10 days
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Home cooked bacon: 3-5 days
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Store-bought pre-cooked bacon: 5-7 days
Of course, properly stored bacon lasting a week is still safe to eat. But for peak flavor and texture, use refrigerated pre-cooked bacon within 3-5 days.
If you don’t plan to eat it all within a week, freeze the extras.
Freezing Pre-Cooked Bacon
Freezing pre-cooked bacon is a great way to save leftovers or buy in bulk. Here’s how to freeze bacon properly:
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Allow bacon to cool completely before freezing.
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Portion bacon in freezer bags or airtight containers leaving no air pockets.
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Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly.
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Label with contents and freeze-by date (1-2 months).
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For quick heating, lay bacon flat in a single layer before freezing.
With minimal air exposure, frozen pre-cooked bacon keeps its quality for 1-2 months at 0°F.
To thaw, refrigerate overnight or microwave on defrost setting. Use immediately after thawing.
Is It Safe to Store Pre-Cooked Bacon at Room Temp?
It’s not recommended to store pre-cooked bacon at room temperature. The danger zone for bacterial growth is 40-140°F. Room temp falls right in this range.
Cooked bacon left out more than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90°F) may not be safe to eat due to rapid bacteria multiplication. Healthy adults may tolerate it, but children, elderly, pregnant women and those with illness or weak immune systems are at higher risk for foodborne illness from contaminated bacon.
Of course, the bacon cure contains salts and preservatives that inhibit bacterial growth. However, refrigeration is still the safer route for perishable cooked meats.
Pre-Cooked vs. Raw Bacon: What’s the Difference?
Pre-cooked bacon offers convenience, but how does it compare to raw bacon you cook yourself? Here are some key differences:
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Raw bacon requires cooking before eating. It can be fried, baked or grilled to desired doneness.
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Pre-cooked bacon is fully cooked when packaged. Just heat and eat!
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Pre-cooked bacon may contain preservatives like sodium nitrite for longer shelf life.
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Raw bacon has no added preservatives (just natural nitrates from celery powder).
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Pre-cooked bacon offers consistency in flavor, texture and doneness.
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Raw bacon allows customizing doneness and fat rendering to preference.
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Pre-cooked is quicker but some prefer raw bacon’s superior flavor and texture.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and convenience needs. Both pre-cooked and raw bacon bring home that irresistible sweet, smoky flavor.
Reheating Pre-Cooked Bacon to Perfection
If you have leftovers, pre-cooked bacon reheats beautifully. Here are some quick and easy reheating methods:
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Oven: Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes. Use foil lining for easy cleanup.
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Skillet: Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Crisps the fat nicely.
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Microwave: 30 seconds to 1 minute on high. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
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Air fryer: 375°F for 4-5 minutes. Gives great texture.
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Toaster oven: 350°F for 4-6 minutes. Nice for small portions.
Proper refrigerated storage preserves the quality of pre-cooked bacon to enjoy throughout the week. With various quick reheating options, you can enjoy crispy hot bacon anytime.
The Takeaway on Storing Pre-Cooked Bacon
Here are some key takeaways on whether pre-cooked bacon needs refrigeration:
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Yes, always refrigerate pre-cooked bacon within 2 hours for food safety.
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Properly stored, pre-cooked bacon keeps 5-7 days in the fridge.
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For longer storage, freeze for 1-2 months.
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Don’t leave pre-cooked bacon out more than 2 hours.
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Refrigeration inhibits bacteria, extends shelf life and preserves bacon’s quality.
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Reheating restored the flavor, texture and crunch of pre-cooked bacon.
So go ahead and cook up a big batch of bacon! With proper refrigerated storage and quick reheating, you can enjoy the convenience of pre-cooked bacon all week long.
How to Bake and Freeze Bacon | Making Bacon in the Oven
FAQ
How long does pre cooked bacon last unrefrigerated?
Does hormel precooked bacon need to be refrigerated?
Does Smithfield fully cooked bacon need to be refrigerated?
Does ready crisp bacon need to be refrigerated?
Should cooked bacon be refrigerated?
If you’ve got an unexpected amount of left-over cooked bacon from breakfast, or need to cook some in advance for a brunch the following day, the best place to store this is in the refrigerator. Refrigerate your cooked bacon within two hours of cooking to ensure it doesn’t start to spoil.
Does precooked Bacon need to be heated before cooking?
Contrary to popular belief, precooked bacon is not fully cooked and still needs to be heated before consumption to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature. Preparing the oven and baking sheet is the crucial first step in cooking pre-cooked bacon to perfection. To begin, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you store pre cooked bacon?
One efficient way to store pre-cooked bacon is to place it in a Ziplock bag and store it in the refrigerator. The Ziplock bag helps retain the freshness of the bacon and keeps it protected from any odors in the fridge. When storing pre-cooked bacon, it’s recommended to use it within a week to ensure optimal quality.
How long does Bacon last in the fridge?
To keep your bacon crisp and fresh, store it in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Squeeze out as much air as possible and put the cooked bacon in the fridge. Bacon stored in this way should be consumed within 4-5 days – although we doubt it would last that long in most households!