Exact Answer: Up To 2 Weeks In The Refrigerator And Up To 8 Weeks In The Freezer
The freshness of bacon depends on how one stores it. For example, the fridge is a good place to keep the bacon because it will last about 2 weeks. If one wants to store their bacon in the freezer, we recommend storing it for 8 weeks.
The shelf life of bacon varies depending on if it was frozen or unopened. If unopened, there is a limit of 2 to 8 weeks, or it can last until its expiration date passes. When opened, the shelf life for freshness depends on whether one freezes or refrigerated after opening.
How Long Does Bacon Last?
| Bacon | Duration |
| Bacon Opened | 1 Week |
| Unopened bacon in the refrigerator | 2 Weeks |
| Unopened bacon in the freezer | 8 Weeks |
The answer to that question is a broad one. It all depends on what type of bacon one has, how it’s packaged, and whether or not one freezes it before being thawed. Bacon can be cooked up for breakfast in the morning, but if one wants to store it for later use, they can keep it in the freezer.
To freeze uncooked bacon: Wrap each piece tightly with plastic wrap and then place them in a zip-top bag or airtight container. If freezing more than one package of uncooked bacon, keep the pieces from sticking together by separating them with parchment paper first before wrapping tightly with plastic wrap and placing them inside a zip-top bag or airtight container.
Bacon can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 8 weeks. When storing in the refrigerator, keep it wrapped tightly with aluminum foil or freezer paper to dry out. This is also important when freezing bacon because one should make sure there isn’t any dehydration before it freezes. If the bacon is opened, it can only last for a week.
Frozen bacon should be thawed in the fridge for at least 24 hours before cooking since defrosting on a countertop could cause bacteria growth if not cooked immediately after being defrosted. Keep the bacon fresh by eating within two weeks of purchase date-that way; one can enjoy delicious crispy strips every time.
Why Does Bacon Last So Long?
Different types of meat have different shelf lives, and bacon lasts for about a week because of its low water content. Due to this, it does not produce bacteria as easily as other meats do.
It’s also worth noting that the salt inside the meat acts as a natural preservative. After all, bacon is packed with sodium nitrates.
The main culprits for bacon’s long life are the high smoke point of bacon grease and its high protein content. According to an expert “At frying temperature, the bacon fat is protective enough to keep the compromising molecules from reacting with anything else in the bacon.”
A side effect of these two qualities is that when a person fries up their next batch of fluffy, crisp bacon, they still get to enjoy that same delicious flavor from the last porky breakfast or brunch.
Bacon stays tasty even when refrigerated for a few days for sure. Ultimately, it all comes down to the smoke point – because once this boundary has been reached, it becomes chemically volatile, which means any molecule can react at any time.
Bacon should always be stored separately from other food groups in refrigerator drawers to protect against cross-contamination. It should not be on the shelf with raw meat products that require cooking before eating.
It is also best to store finished unsliced packages wrapped in a clean paper towel just beneath meat that has already been sliced since touching raw cut pieces of bacon is a common cause of bacterial contamination within storage facilities.
Conclusion
Bacon is delicious and versatile food that one can use in a variety of dishes. While bacon can easily last for months, some types of bacon may spoil faster than others. The type of bacon one buys will depend on their needs and the types of dishes a person plans to use it in.
It is also one of the most popular breakfast items available in the world and one of the most controversial because people either love it or hate it. Many people claim that bacon is unhealthy and does not contain enough protein to sustain a healthy diet.
References
- https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.4141/cjas-2014-121
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0309174013000326
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