How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last?
How long does turkey bacon last? Well, an opened package of turkey bacon will last for about 1 week in the fridge. An unopened package of turkey bacon can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 months. However, if you freeze your bacon, it can last up to 6 months.
So how long does turkey bacon last really depends on how you store it and how you plan to use it?
In this post, we will discuss opened and unopened turkey bacon, as well as if it is better to freeze the bacon or just put your turkey bacon in the fridge.
Table of Contents
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last?
The shelf life of turkey bacon depends on a variety of factors, such as the sell-by date, the preparation method, and how the turkey bacon was stored.
Because of its relatively low cost, ease of use, and long storage life, turkey bacon is a popular choice for breakfast or sandwiches. It is also used as an ingredient in many dishes.
You might want to try my tips on how to cook turkey bacon!
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last In The Fridge?
Store your turkey bacon in the refrigerator. An opened package of turkey bacon can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days, while an unopened package can be stored for 2 weeks.
Cooked turkey bacon will last 3-5 days in the fridge, while uncooked turkey bacon will last 1 week past its sell-by date.
When you’re ready to eat it, reheat it in the microwave until it is hot enough for you (If you’re using a microwave without a turntable, rotate the plate halfway through so that the food cooks more evenly.)
For best taste, you might want to reheat the bacon in a pan, so it has that nice crispy texture.
The best way to keep track of your leftover food is by marking its storage date on it with a dry erase marker or piece of tape.
Place these items into storage containers and put them into the fridge as soon as possible.
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last In The Freezer?
Turkey bacon can last in the freezer for up to six months. You can freeze turkey bacon, but it will lose some of its flavors and become chewy.
To keep it as tasty as possible – wrap each slice of bacon individually in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer bag. Use the bacon within two to three months for the best quality.
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last After Opening?
A couple of hours at the room temperature. Up to 1 week in the fridge and up to six months in the freezer.
- Store turkey bacon in the fridge at 40 degrees or below on the lowest shelf possible and use it within 1 week of opening.
- Before using, let turkey bacon sit out at room temperature for 20 minutes to get back to its natural consistency.
- Turkey bacon can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last In The Fridge Unopened?
It depends on how it is stored. Turkey bacon that is unopened can last for 7-10 days if kept in the refrigerator.
This assumes it does not have any other ingredients besides meat and salt and that it has not been smoked or otherwise cooked. It also assumes it has been kept in the coldest part of the fridge.
As with all food products, you should smell and visually inspect the turkey bacon before deciding to cook it, even if well within its expiration date.
If it smells off or has mold growing on any piece, discard the whole package immediately!
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last Once Opened?
Once opened, turkey bacon will last for about seven to ten days in the fridge.
Turkey bacon that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional three to four days in the refrigerator before cooking; turkey bacon that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.
When you purchase unopened turkey bacon from a store, you may want to freeze it if you don’t plan on using it within a few days, because it can keep for up to three months.
The recommendation is to wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or place it into a plastic freezer bag.
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last In The Fridge Once Opened?
If you store it properly, turkey bacon should last for about a week in the fridge once opened. If you’re not careful, you could shorten that timeframe by two or three days.
This is another one of those premature spoilage scenarios where the smell is going to be your best indicator.
If your bacon starts to develop an odor that’s not consistent with fresh meat (and no, I’m not talking about the smell of cooked bacon), then go ahead and toss it.
The next important thing is temperature control. Never leave raw turkey on the counter at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F).
Make sure you refrigerate the raw product as soon as possible after purchase and keep it there until cooking time.
Once cooked, however, things change a little bit. You can leave cooked bacon out for up to 4 hours before it needs to go back in the fridge, so feel free to cook up and serve a big batch at room temp if that’s what suits your situation best!
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last After Expiration Date?
You can determine whether or not turkey bacon has gone bad by using your senses: smell, sight, taste, and touch.
- Smell – You’ll want to use your nose before diving in and tasting a piece of expired turkey bacon. Give it a sniff. Does it smell okay? If the answer is “no,” then you’re smart to toss it out. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
- Sight – Examine the appearance of the turkey bacon. Does it have any mold growing on it? Or is there some other unidentifiable growth on the surface? If so, throw the turkey bacon away immediately. Don’t even bother with a taste test; just get rid of it!
- Taste – If neither your sniff nor sight tests turn up anything weird about your meat, give a small piece a taste (remembering that you should never taste meat after smelling/seeing above).
- Touch – Use your sense of touch as well as sight to inspect the texture of the turkey bacon being tested. Is it slimy? That would be bad news bears and an indicator that something has gone wrong with this particular batch.
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last Unopened?
When you buy turkey bacon, it’s a good idea to check the expiration date and make note of how long the bacon will last in your fridge.
How Can You Tell If Turkey Bacon is Bad?
You can tell if turkey bacon is bad the same way you’d know if any other meats have spoiled. First and foremost, signs of spoilage include an off odor, a slimy feel, or discoloration.
If any of these things are present, your turkey bacon has gone bad. You should throw it away immediately.
A good rule of thumb is to smell the turkey bacon before you eat it. If it smells weird or rotten in any way, trust your nose and toss it out!
Some people also like to taste their food before eating it (try a tiny bite!) to make sure it tastes fine—this is NOT recommended for meat products! Eating spoiled meat could lead to serious illness.
The Key To Making Turkey Bacon Last
When it comes to storing turkey bacon, it’s important to remember that there are different methods for storing uncooked and cooked bacon.
If you keep these guidelines in mind, your turkey bacon will be edible and safe to eat long after its expiration date has come and gone.
Summary
How long does turkey bacon last? Turkey bacon will last for 1-2 weeks in the fridge and up to 2 months in the freezer. Proper storage is key to making turkey bacon last.
Remember to store uncooked and cooked bacon differently. With proper storage, your turkey bacon will be edible and safe to cook!
