Is bacon still good when it turns brown? How to store bacon?

Is bacon still good when it turns brown?

Bacon is a popular meat in many parts of the world and people can’t imagine their day without some bacon in at least one of their meals. Many people wonder “can bacon go stale?” Read on to find the answer. Not just bacon! Find more on how to store food.

If your bacon is spoiled, its distinctive red color may fade to a greyish, brown, or greenish hue. Spoiled bacon might also appear slimy, sticky, or soft and moist. It can have a rotting smell or foul odor. Throw out any spoiled bacon. So, No! bacon that turned brown is not safe to eat.

If the bacon has not turned brown or grey, is still pink and the fat is white or yellow, it’s safe to eat. Bacon that has become brown or grey, with a tinge of green or blue, is considered spoiled. Exposure to too much air can cause a chemical reaction that causes the meat to change its color.

Well, bacon can go bad! As you likely know, this is an issue especially if you are a bacon lover! The more important questions are about the shelf life of bacon and storage tips and techniques for bacon to stay safe to consume for a long time. How to tell if bacon has gone bad? You’re here if you want to find the answers to all these questions.

Storage Tips And Techniques For Bacon – How to store bacon?

You can store all forms of bacon, be it unopened, cooked, sliced, or even leftovers in the refrigerator.

• If the package of bacon is opened, ensure proper wrapping before storing it.
• If the bacon is cooked, ensure it is cooled down before you transfer it to a container and store the bacon in the refrigerator.
  • Colling down the cooked bacon might take about an hour if it sits on the counter, but it will take much less if you decide to cool it down by keeping it in a bowl filled with running water.
• When you’ve cooked bacon, be sure to save any bacon grease that stays for later use. Wrap the bacon in plastic wrap once it has cooled. Then, place it in the refrigerator. 
• You can also place the cooked slices in freezer bags or other airtight containers and freeze them.

Raw Bacon in Fridge

Raw bacon should be stored in the fridge, for best results, keep it in one corner of the fridge.

• After opening the package, wrap the bacon so that it doesn’t dry or its smell linger in the fridge. You can use the original packaging if it is resealable.
  • If the original package is not resealable put the bacon in a freezer bag. It’s convenient and no waste.
• The fridge is your best option for storing leftover bacon once you have cooked it. You have two options: a freezer bag or an airtight container. Remember, to always seal the bacon tightly.

Now the pre-cooked, store-bought bacon, there are two types; shelf-stable bacon and refrigerated bacon.

• As you probably know, store-bought bacon should be stored the same way as it is in the supermarket.
• The shelf-stable can be stored at room temperature in the pantry, kitchen, or other areas (kept away from heat sources and sunlight). Refrigerate the leftovers once you have opened the package.
• Pre-cooked bacon should be wrapped in plastic to preserve its quality longer, just like raw bacon.

Shelf Life Of Bacon – How long does bacon last?

Unopened Package Of Bacon

• Unopened vacuum-sealed raw bacon will last for at least a week and up to the best-by date.
• You can store it in the freezer for longer periods of time if you prefer. You can leave it there for up to 2 months, or even a little longer.
• Wrap the package again before freezing if you intend to store it for longer. Well, there is an added advantage of wrapping it twice! You can prevent a freezer burn and your bacon stays safe!

Opened Package Of Bacon

Bacon should be eaten within one week of opening the package. Freeze it if you need it to last longer. Wrapping it well is important, so use freezer bags and plastic wraps.

• It is best to wrap it twice with a kitchen roll or aluminum foil when you’re freezing it for a longer time.
• You might want to freeze bacon in slices. This will allow you to make a few portions making it easier to thaw only some part of the bacon that you want to use for a recipe.

Cooked Bacon

Cooked bacon should last for at least two days. You can also freeze it, but make sure to properly wrap it.

Signs Of Spoilage For Bacon – How do you tell if bacon is bad?

Here comes the most important part. These are all signs that bacon is bad and should be thrown out.

• You can tell if bacon is good by knowing how bacon tastes and looks.
• It changes the color of the substance, so it can become brownish, grayish, or even greenish.
• The smell of the meat is another thing. It would smell foul or funny if it has gone bad.

We recommend that you throw it out if it has been stored for longer than the time stated earlier.

Key takeaways

• Bacon can quickly go bad, especially after it has been cooked.
• You can freeze it if you store it for a longer time than its shelf life. Be sure to properly wrap it.