Bacon is one of the most beloved breakfast foods out there. Who doesn’t love waking up to the smell of sizzling bacon in the morning? But like many cooked meats, bacon has a relatively short shelf life once it’s been prepared. So if you don’t eat it all right away it’s important to know how to properly store the leftovers.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how long cooked bacon lasts in the refrigerator, how to store it for maximum freshness, how to tell if it’s gone bad, and more.
How Long Does Cooked Bacon Last in the Fridge?
The USDA recommends consuming cooked bacon within 7 days if it’s stored properly in the fridge [1]. However, for best quality, it’s better to eat bacon within 3-5 days of cooking. After about 5 days, cooked bacon tends to lose its signature texture and flavor.
Here are some general guidelines for how long different types of cooked bacon will last refrigerated:
- Regular sliced bacon: 3-5 days
- Thick cut bacon: 5 days
- Bacon bits/crumbles: 5 days
- Pre-cooked/pre-sliced bacon: 4-5 days once opened
- Turkey bacon: 3 days
The exact shelf life depends on several factors like the packaging method, thickness and quality of the bacon. Proper storage techniques (more on that below) can help extend the lifespan of cooked bacon in the fridge.
How to Store Cooked Bacon in the Fridge
Storing cooked bacon correctly is key to keeping it fresh for as long as possible. Here are some tips:
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Let bacon cool completely before refrigerating. Warm bacon will raise the temperature inside your fridge.
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Wrap cooked bacon very tightly in plastic wrap, wax paper, or aluminum foil. This prevents air from contacting the surface and drying it out.
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Place wrapped bacon in a resealable bag or airtight container. This adds another layer of protection.
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Store cooked bacon in the coldest part of the refrigerator, which is usually the bottom shelf or special deli drawer.
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Cooked bacon can also be frozen for 1-2 months for longer storage. Wrap the bacon very securely in freezer bags, foil, or plastic wrap before freezing.
What’s the Best Temperature to Store Cooked Bacon?
Cooked bacon should be refrigerated at 40°F or colder. This temperature prevents bacterial growth. If your refrigerator runs warmer than 40°F, it’s a good idea to invest in an inexpensive fridge thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Some people recommend storing cooked bacon at the very back of the refrigerator furthest from the door. This area tends to be the coldest, so your bacon will keep longer.
Can You Freeze Cooked Bacon?
Freezing cooked bacon is absolutely fine and can extend its shelf life for 1-2 months. To freeze, let the cooked bacon cool fully, wrap it tightly, then place it in freezer bags or airtight containers. Try to remove as much air as possible before sealing.
When ready to eat, thaw frozen bacon gradually in the refrigerator overnight. Bacon doesn’t hold up well to being thawed and refrozen multiple times though, so only freeze portions you know you’ll use within a couple months.
Signs Your Cooked Bacon Has Gone Bad
It’s important to know how to tell when previously-cooked bacon has spoiled and is no longer safe to eat. Here are a few telltale signs your bacon’s gone bad:
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Slimy texture – Fresh bacon feels firm and dry to the touch. If it feels abnormally slick or slimy, toss it.
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Off smell – Cooked bacon retains a smoky, savory smell when fresh. Rancid or sour odors mean the bacon’s spoiled.
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Change in color – The color shifts from pink or red to a dull grey or green hue.
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Mold growth – This one’s obvious – mold shows bacon has crossed into dangerous territory. Discard immediately if you see any mold.
When inspecting previously cooked bacon, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If the bacon smells, looks, or feels questionable in any way, don’t risk eating it.
Can You Reheat Bacon?
It’s perfectly safe to reheat previously cooked, refrigerated bacon. Just make sure it hasn’t exceeded the recommended 3-7 day storage timeframe.
To reheat bacon, place it on a baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes until hot and sizzling again. You can also reheat bacon slices in a skillet over medium-low heat. Microwaving tends to make the texture rubbery.
Only reheat bacon to 165°F or hotter before serving. This kills any bacteria that may have multiplied during storage.
How To Use Up Leftover Cooked Bacon
Don’t let leftover bacon go to waste! Here are some delicious ways to repurpose cooked bacon:
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Crumble on top of salads, baked potatoes, or omelets
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Make BLT sandwiches
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Mix into macaroni and cheese or baked beans
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Top pizza, flatbreads, or bruschetta
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Fold into scrambled eggs, frittatas, or quiches
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Toss with roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans
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Garnish soups like broccoli cheese or clam chowder
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Add to pancake or waffle batter
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Fold into biscuit dough or cornbread
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Make homemade bacon bits for sprinkling
With a little creativity, you can transform leftovers into all sorts of mouthwatering bacon-y treats.
Storing Uncooked Bacon
For the sake of comparison, let’s quickly go over proper storage for raw bacon as well. Like cooked bacon, raw bacon has a relatively short shelf life and requires special handling.
The USDA recommends using unopened raw bacon within 2 weeks of the “sell by” date printed on the package [1]. An unopened pack of bacon can be safely stored in the fridge. Once opened, rewrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and use within 7 days.
Raw bacon also freezes well for 4-6 months. Wrap the bacon tightly and place inside freezer bags or containers, squeezing out excess air. Thaw frozen raw bacon gradually in the fridge before cooking.
Bacon Safety Tips
When handling any raw meat like bacon, be sure to follow basic food safety practices:
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Wash hands and surfaces after handling uncooked bacon.
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Never let raw bacon come into contact with cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
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Cook bacon thoroughly until crispy.
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Don’t leave cooked bacon out at room temp for more than 2 hours.
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Monitor fridge temperature and throw away bacon that smells or looks iffy.
Following the recommendations in this guide will help you get the most out of your bacon by storing it properly and preventing waste. So go grab some bacon from the fridge and whip up something delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if cooked bacon has gone bad?
Signs that cooked bacon has spoiled include a slimy texture, sour/rancid smell, dull or discolored appearance, mold growth, or simply questionable odor, look, or feel. Always discard cooked bacon at the first sign of spoilage.
Why does cooked bacon need to be refrigerated?
Like any cooked meat, bacon must be refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth. The low temperatures keep bacteria from rapidly multiplying, extending the shelf life. Refrigeration also slows down chemical changes that affect bacon’s quality.
How should you thaw frozen cooked bacon?
Thaw frozen cooked bacon gradually by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or for 24 hours. Do not thaw at room temperature or in hot water, as this allows bacteria to grow. Bacon can be refrozen after thawing, but the texture declines.
Can you eat bacon that smells a little off?
No, it’s risky to eat bacon with any kind of off or questionable odor. Even a slight rancid or sour smell likely means spoilage bacteria are present. Don’t chance it – when in doubt, throw it out.
Does cooking bacon kill bacteria?
Yes, properly cooking bacon to an internal temperature of at least 145°F will kill harmful bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. However, toxins released by bacteria prior to cooking can still cause illness.
The Bottom Line
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Cooked bacon lasts 3-7 days in the refrigerator, depending on thickness and storage method. For best quality, eat within 3-5 days.
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Store cooked bacon tightly wrapped in plastic, foil or paper, inside a covered container in the coldest part of the fridge.
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Signs of spoiled bacon include slimy texture, discoloration, sour smell, or mold. Discard bacon at the first sign of spoilage.
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Bacon can be safely reheated and repurposed into many tasty dishes. Use proper food handling when cooking.
Storing bacon properly helps retain that smoky flavor we all crave. Follow these fridge storage guidelines, cook up some delicious bacon treats, and say goodbye to waste!
References:
[1] USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. “Food Product Dating”. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating