Bacon is popular around the globe due to its enticing smell and delicious taste. Most types of bacon have a sell-by date on the package. But this date doesn’t indicate how long you should use it. You need to consider many factors like types and storage methods to decide the shelf life of bacon. The shelf life and quality also depend on when it’s been opened or cooked. Here you will get an idea about how long bacon lasts and how to store it.
How long bacon last?
You need to store the bacon properly to optimize the best quality of it. There are some other factors that can ensure the good quality of bacon like the types of bacon or whether it’s cooked or not. Usually, you can use unopened bacon for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. It also lasts well up to 8 months in the freezer. On the other hand, if you open the package of bacon and not cooked yet then it may last good for 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer. Cooked bacon has a shorter shelf life. You can store cooked bacon around 4-5 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 month in the freezer.
Some people like to save bacon grease after cooking. If you like to store bacon in this way, you need to refrigerate it for 6 months or freeze it up to 9 months before going rancid. The shelf life may vary for different types of bacon. So with proper storage bacon can last from a few days to several months in the fridge or freezer. It mainly depends on the types of bacon and whether you have cooked or opened it or not.
How to store bacon properly?
While storing bacon, you need to maximize the shelf life by ensuring the quality of your bacon. Make sure that all the bacon is kept properly in the freezer or refrigerator directly after use. You can wrap the package of the unopened or uncooked bacon with tin foil to protect it from freezer burn. You can use an airtight container to maximize freshness before placing the uncooked bacon in the refrigerator or freezer. Meanwhile, you need to separate the small portions and wrap those with paper towels prior to freezing them.
If you find the changes in color, smell, or texture of your bacon, it indicates spoilage. You need to learn the proper way to store bacon and the common sign of spoilage of bacon. Thus you can be able to maximize the shelf life and quality of your bacon.