How long does bacon last?
An open pack of bacon has a shorter clock than you might think. Here's how long it keeps, opened and unopened, and how to freeze slices so you can take out just a few.
By Justin and Mary KatzmanOne week in the fridge unopened (one week once opened) and one month in the freezer. Keep it in the fridge, not the pantry.
The freezer turns one week into one month.
Bacon, case by case
Left out at room temperature
Two hours at most for raw or cooked bacon, or one hour above 90°F. After that, throw it out. Cured does not mean it can sit on the counter.
Past the date on the package
Use or freeze unopened bacon by the sell-by date. Once it is slimy, sour smelling or turning green, throw it out. Freezing before the date is the easy fix.
Signs bacon has gone bad
- It smells sour.
- It feels slimy.
- The fat has turned grey, green or yellow.
Before you toss it
Past its best but still safe? Try one of these.
- Chop it up and cook it into soup, beans or a pot of greens, where a little bacon flavors the whole dish.
- Cook the whole package at once, then refrigerate or freeze the cooked slices. Crumble them onto salads, potatoes or eggs.
- Past the fridge window but unspoiled? Freeze it before the date, not after.
How to store bacon
- Once it's open, seal it tightly and use it within a week.
- Freeze slices between parchment so you can take out a few at a time.
- Keep it in its own drawer or on a low shelf.
Bacon by the numbers
The average American goes through about 0.9 lb a week. If your household eats less than that, buy smaller and less ends up in the trash.
A pound at $4.22 keeps about five days in the fridge. Frozen, it keeps six months. Buy the bigger pack only if you'll use it in time.
What bacon costs now
$4.22 a pound (pork chops), up 25% since January 2020. Its price barely moves with the seasons.
National average price per pound (pork chops), monthly. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cook it before it turns
Three Haivenly starter recipes use bacon. Here are a few to start with.
Questions about bacon
How long does bacon last in the fridge?
One week from purchase, going by USDA FoodKeeper guidance. Your fridge temperature and how fresh it was when you bought it can change that, so check it before you use it.
Can you freeze bacon?
Yes. USDA says it keeps its best quality for about one month in the freezer, though it stays safe much longer at 0°F (-18°C). Wrap it tightly to avoid freezer burn.
Is the grey color on bacon normal?
A slightly dull tone can be normal, but a slimy surface, sour smell or green or fuzzy spots are not. Those mean it should go in the trash.
How long does cooked bacon last?
About four to five days in the fridge, per USDA guidance for cooked leftovers of this kind. Store it in a sealed container with a paper towel to absorb grease.
Does bacon need to be refrigerated after opening?
Yes. Once the package is opened, keep it sealed tightly in the fridge and use it within about a week.
Is bacon grease safe to keep?
Strain it and refrigerate it in a sealed jar. Use it within a few months for cooking, and throw it out if it smells rancid.
Use every last bit of your bacon.
The average American tosses about $57 of pork a year. Haivenly learns how fast your household goes through it, so you hear about it while there's still time to cook it.
More foods to check
Raw chicken breast
Meat & poultry- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 9 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Ground beef
Meat & poultry- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 3–4 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Cooked chicken
Leftovers- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 2–3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Eggs
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- 3–5 weeks
- Freezer
- Not advised
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Milk
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- Use-by date
- Freezer
- 3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold