Everybody loves smelling crackling bacon when they wake up in the morning—it makes for the perfect breakfast no matter what you serve it with.
If you’ve accidentally cooked more bacon than you need, you might be wondering how long it will stay in the fridge. Let’s dive into how long you can store bacon in your freezer. This is really useful as it is easy to defrost it later.
Storing Raw Bacon in the Freezer
Raw bacon has a longer shelf life than cooked bacon. You need to package it well with cling wrap and put it in the freezer as soon as possible. It will last you about a week if you have packaged it well.
Packaged bacon is quite different. It can last up to a month or whatever the expiration date is, but only when it is unopened.
If you have already opened the packaged bacon and want to store a part of it, you need to separate it as soon as you open it. Wrap it in cling wrap and foil for maximum preservation and return it to the freezer.
If you leave it out after opening and store it later, it won’t preserve very well. It might develop a strange flavor or go bad sooner.
Storing Cooked Bacon in the Freezer
Cooked bacon can be stored in the freezer, but it won’t keep as long or as well as uncooked bacon. Once it has been cooked, bacon will last up to a week in the freezer.
If you already know you’re going to be storing it, undercook the bacon a little. It will be completely cooked when you reheat it later, so it is best to leave it a little raw.
The bacon should be in strips or small pieces. Wipe away excess grease and oil with a tissue. Let it cool down first to avoid condensation.
Tightly pack it in cling wrap and aluminum foil. Make sure there is no air inside the package. Put the bacon in a Tupperware box or any air-tight container. Put it in the freezer and make sure to use it within the week.
How to Tell If Frozen Bacon Has Gone Bad
If you’re not quite sure if your frozen bacon is safe to eat, check for the following signs:
● Sour Smell: The biggest problem with cured meats is rancidity. Bacon can go rancid in the freezer, which will give it a distinctly sour smell. If the bacon smells strange, go ahead and chuck it in the trash.
● It Is Slimy: This is especially true for raw bacon. If the bacon is slimy to the touch, which is a sign of bacteria. Bacon can be damp or moist but if it feels slimy, it has definitely gone bad.
● Color: Meat goes from pink to gray when it spoils. If the bacon has turned gray, it is not fit for consumption anymore. If it has a fuzzy layer or specks of blue on the surface, it has gone moldy and cannot be eaten anymore.
Wrapping Up
Storing any cured meat is tricky. They don’t have a very long shelf life and the high-fat content means that they spoil quickly.
However, if you are prompt and diligent with your packing process, you can store bacon in the freezer and use it later.
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