Can bacon go in the fridge?
In this brief, we will answer the query, “can bacon go in the fridge?”. We will also talk about how bacon is prepared and learn more about the storage options for the longevity of shelf life.
Can bacon go in the fridge?
Yes, bacon can go in the fridge. It is the best place for the bacon to be stored for a couple of days or weeks depending on various factors. Bacon that has been cooked or raw should be stored in the fridge wrapped tightly with a plastic wrap and or aluminum foil for maximising its shelf life.
Bacon is the most loved cured meat. The fat and the smell and the flavour it brings to the table are no match to any other food. But bacon can cause lots of health disorders if consumed raw or if that has gone bad.
Bacterias and parasites will grow if the bacon is not stored properly which will cause food poisoning and other gastrointestinal diseases.
How long does bacon last in the fridge?
Storing bacon in the fridge extends its shelf life. Unopened raw bacon still in the store bought packaging lasts for 2 weeks in the fridge. Opened and sealed or wrapped raw bacon will not last as long as the unopened ones.
They will last for 1 week whilst wrapped with multiple layers of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminium foil to avoid contact with air.
Cooked bacon does not have that much shelf life. They last for 4-5 days if they are stored properly in an airtight container.
What is bacon?
Nowadays bacon can be made from turkey, beef, mutton, or even vegan soy proteins. But the original bacon that originated in China came from pork.
The pork is a salt-cured belly part of the pork. The belly is either injected with brine i.e. wet curing or rubbed with salt mixture i.e. dry curing for a few weeks and then is smoked or boiled to get that consistency.
One should know that in modern times nitrates and nitrites are used with the brine to speed up the curing process and also to stabilise the pink colour of the bacon.
Bacon can be home to a lot of bacteria and parasites like tapeworms or salmonella if not cured or stored properly.
So it is really important to take good care when storing and cooking bacon at home.
How to know when bacon has gone bad?
Bacon is full of fat content so the bacon can easily go bad if not stored properly or past its shelf life. The key indicators to figure out if the bacon has gone bad are discussed below.
Colour
The pink red colour of bacon is when it is fresh. But if the colour changes to grey or green with a bluish hue then it is about time to trash that bacon.
Odour/smell
Bacon when fresh smells very meaty. If it is otherwise i.e. smells funky or sour then it has gone rancid. It is probably time to throw them away.
Touch/feel
Bacon when fresh is soft and squishy to touch but when it is slimy and wet then it has gone bad. The lactic acid bacteria are the main reason the meat turns slimy.
Can bacon be stored at room temperature?
The loud and clear answer is a big no. bacon should not be stored at room temperature because 40F to 140 F is the favourable temperature range for bacteria to grow.
If bacon is left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it is in the best interest to discard them to avoid any food poisoning or other health issues.
Can you freeze bacon for later use?
Freezing bacon for later consumption is probably a good idea if you have plenty of bacon bought.
Bacon that has not been opened and is in its original packaging can be stored in the freezer for 6-8 months. But the bacon that has been opened and re-wrapped can stay in the freezer for 4-6 months.
In the case of the cooked bacon, it won’t last long but will still be good for 1 month keeping in mind that they are properly wrapped with multiple layers of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminium foil to avoid them from getting freezer burns. Placing the wrapped bacon in a zip lock bag will help reduce the risk of freezer burn.
Conclusion
In this brief, we answered the query, “can bacon go in the fridge?”. We also talked about how bacon is prepared and learned more about the storage options for the longevity of shelf life.
I hope to find this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.
