How To Store Cooked Bacon - The Ultimate Guide

Mmmm, bacon! One of our all-time favorite foods – the smell of cooking bacon is almost impossible to resist!

This may seem far-fetched to some people, but there may be times when you need to save leftover cooked bacon.

So how do you store cooked bacon? Cooked bacon can be kept refrigerated for up to 5 days, or longer in the freezer. Cooked bacon is best stored in the fridge to preserve its crunchy texture and delicious flavor.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the various methods of preserving cooked bacon, in the unlikely event that you ever have leftovers from your breakfast.

These storage methods can also work well if you need to cook the bacon ahead of time, perhaps for a big lunch!

How long does cooked bacon keep without refrigerating?

Having too much bacon cooked is what we would consider a good problem. However, cooked bacon, like most meat products, can go bad if left out at room temperature for too long.

At temperatures of 40°F and above , bacteria begin to multiply rapidly and will contaminate your cooked bacon.

Cooked bacon should be discarded if it has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours. This is important to keep in mind if you prepare dishes that include cooked bacon, such as sandwiches or salads.

How long does precooked bacon last in the fridge?

It’s always handy to have some cooked bacon in the fridge. It’s perfect for a quick pasta salad, a BLT sandwich, or some stuffed peppers; crispy cooked bacon will add a new dimension to many different dishes.

If you have cooked bacon left over from breakfast, or need to cook some ahead of time for lunch the next day, the best place to keep it is in the fridge.

Refrigerate the cooked bacon within two hours of cooking so it doesn’t start to go bad. If stored properly, pre-cooked bacon will last 4-5 days in the fridge.

If you have some bacon that is about to pass its expiration date, cook it quickly and it will keep for a few more days in the fridge.

Cooked bacon should be covered or wrapped when stored in the refrigerator. This will prevent the flavors and odors of other foods from contaminating the bacon, and vice versa.

How to store cooked bacon so it stays crisp

As with most foods, keeping air at bay is the secret to good storage. The lovely, crispy bacon will soon become soggy and unappetizing if stored incorrectly.

After cooking, allow the bacon to cool to room temperature . Pack the cooked bacon carefully, according to the use you are going to give it.

A large batch of bacon can fit in a single bowl or tray if you’re feeding a large crowd at brunch. If the cooked bacon is for an occasional snack or quick meal, it may be more convenient to store individual servings.

To keep the bacon crisp and fresh, store it in shallow, airtight containers or wrap it tightly in plastic or aluminum foil. Squeeze out as much air as possible and put the cooked bacon in the fridge.

Bacon stored this way should be eaten in 4-5 days, although we doubt it will last that long in most homes.

If you’re cooking the bacon ahead of time to reheat for a family breakfast or brunch, it’s a good idea to cook it to a slightly lower level of crispiness than usual.

This means you can reheat it with a quick sizzle in the pan, bringing it to the optimum level of delicious crunch.

Can cooked bacon be frozen?

Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of cooked bacon. As with all frozen foods, exposure to air is the enemy in this case, so be sure to store your bacon in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil or freezer paper.

Cooked bacon that has been frozen will be at its best if eaten within 2-3 months. After this time, it will still be edible, but the texture and flavors may have started to deteriorate.

The freezer is a great option if you have bacon you need to use - just cook it up and pop it in the freezer!

Some tips for freezing cooked bacon:

• Freeze cooked bacon in slices or individual portions wrapped in kitchen paper, so you can get exactly the amount you need for each meal.
• Heavy-duty freezer bags make excellent containers for storing cooked bacon.
• The best way to thaw cooked bacon is in the fridge. Frozen cooked bacon thawed in this way will keep for another 3 days in the fridge.
• Bacon thawed in the microwave or at room temperature should be eaten immediately.
• Frozen cooked bacon can be reheated from the freezer, in a skillet or using the microwave.

How to tell if cooked bacon is bad or spoiled

We know how disappointed you would be if your baked bacon went bad. The thought of throwing away something that was once so delicious also makes us cry, but eating spoiled food is not worth it.

To tell if your cooked bacon is bad or spoiled, you first have to take a good look at it.

If the cooked bacon has started to go bad, it will have a slimy texture and a slight shine on the surface . If the cooked bacon is okay to eat, the surface will be dry or possibly a little wet.

The next step is to smell the bacon: cooked bacon that has gone bad will have a sour, unpleasant odor. Cooked bacon that is fit to be eaten has virtually no odor when cold, so any odor is a bad sign.

If you have any doubts about whether or not your cooked bacon is bad, don’t risk it, and don’t be tempted to try it at all.

Cooked bacon that has gone bad or gone bad should be thrown away immediately . Please try not to sob too much while doing this - there’s always more bacon!

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over how long cooked bacon lasts if stored correctly, let’s look at some related questions!

Can you eat cold cooked bacon?

Cooked bacon can be eaten cold as long as it has been stored correctly. This means that it should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours, nor in the fridge for more than 4-5 days.

Some people don’t like the texture of cold bacon: it can lose its crunch and become more chewy. Cold bacon is also not as strong in flavor as hot, freshly cooked bacon, and the famous bacon smell won’t be as strong.

If you like to eat bacon cold, you can add it to cold salads, sandwiches and wraps, or just enjoy it as a quick snack from the fridge.

Can leftover bacon be reheated?

Yes, it is very easy to reheat leftover bacon!

We know that the chances of having cooked bacon left over after breakfast are very slim, but this method also works well if you want to cook bacon ahead of time. It is perfect if you are going to prepare a large lunch for a large group of people.

Here are the top three methods for reheating cooked or leftover bacon:

Microwave oven

Arrange the cooked bacon in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel and reheat for 30-60 seconds . Remove it from the microwave and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess fat.

On the stove

Place a single layer of cooked bacon on a nonstick skillet or skillet. It should not be necessary to add any oil, as the bacon should cook in its own fat.

Cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes on each side, until heated through . Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to absorb the fat.

Oven

Using the oven is a great option if you need to reheat a lot of cooked bacon. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a nonstick cookie sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Heat at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and place the bacon on a plate covered with kitchen paper.

What can cooked bacon be used for?

Leftover cooked bacon is a very versatile ingredient and can be used in many different dishes. Here are some of our favorite ways to use cooked bacon:

• Sandwiches , the most famous of which is the BLT - Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato, oozing with delicious mayonnaise of course!
• Pasta Salad: Cooked bacon pairs well with pasta and a creamy ranch dressing.
• Cooked bacon is perfect in quiche , adding a small, intense burst of flavor to each bite.
• Fill peppers with cooked bacon, vegetables, and sauce; Top them with cheese and pop them in the oven until golden and bubbly. Absolute perfection!
• Adding cooked bacon to mac and cheese takes this comfort food to a whole new level.