How Long Is Turkey Bacon Good In The Fridge?
Do you want to eat healthier? If so, it is possible to substitute turkey bacon for pork bacon. Turkey bacon is a lean alternative to bacon, and it can be used in many different ways. However, if you’re like most people, you won’t eat all of your turkey bacon in one go. So, you will have leftover turkey bacon in your fridge. This will then leave you wondering, “How long is turkey bacon good in the fridge?”
There are a few factors that affect the shelf life of it in the fridge. Let’s see if you need to empty our fridge or not.
How Long Will the Turkey Bacon Last in the Fridge?
An unopened package of turkey bacon is good inside the refrigerator for 7-14 days after the expiration or sell-by date. Therefore, you could have it in your fridge for approximately up to a month before it turns bad. However, this doesn’t give you the permission to eat 3-week-old turkey bacon.
Don’t leave uncooked meat in the fridge for more than a week since it will begin to decay. On the other hand, cooked bacon will keep for 3-5 days in a refrigerator, and 8 weeks in a freezer.
You can store an unopened package of turkey bacon in the freezer for up to 6 months. However, it should be eaten within 3-4 months to get the best flavor and texture.
Prepare the Turkey Bacon
You’re probably relieved to know that it can be kept fresh for up to 2 weeks after expiration. However, keep in mind that turkey bacon can spoil, even if it is properly refrigerated. So you should eat yours within one week of purchasing it. You can also store it in the right way to increase its shelf life.
Furthermore, how you cook it will affect how long it lasts. You can either deep fry or pan-fry it. However, the lean meat tends to stick to the pan when pan-frying. It is also possible for turkey bacon to become very dry after cooking.
Keeping the Turkey Bacon in the Fridge
After you’ve pan-fried or deep-fried your turkey bacon, keep it at room temperature for approximately 2 hours. Then, it will need to be kept in the refrigerator.
Follow these steps:
- Let it cool completely.
- Wrap the leftovers in foil or cling wrap.
- Then, put the wrapped bacon in a freezer bag or an airtight container.
- Keep the package in the fridge for a maximum of 3-5 days.
Storing the Turkey Bacon in the Freezer
Instead of storing your turkey bacon in the fridge, you can store it in the freezer. Here are some tips to properly store your turkey bacon:
- Wrap it n in aluminum foil or cling wrap twice.
- Then, put the wrapped pieces in a freezer bag or an airtight container.
- The bacon can be kept for up to 6 months, but it is best used within 4 months.
Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before you cook it. But, if it is wrapped in foil, you can bake it in the oven for 20-30 mins at 350°F (180°C).
How Long Does Cooked Turkey Bacon Last?
Now, you already know how turkey bacon lasts in the refrigerator if it hasn’t been cooked. However, what happens to your leftovers? Although cooked turkey bacon will not last as long, you can still eat it up to 5 days after it has been cooked. You can also freeze cooked turkey bacon, and keep it for up to two months. So, freezing is the best option if you don’t intend to eat it in less than 3-5 days.
If you have already cooked it, place it in the fridge, and prepare it so that it can be served whenever you need it. You can quickly reheat your cooked turkey bacon in the microwave for approximately 15-30 seconds. Reheat the bacon on medium-high heat, and put it over a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Don’t heat it directly. It will turn to turkey jerky instead.
How to Check if Turkey Bacon Has Gone Bad
Does turkey bacon go bad? Yes, it does.
There is always the possibility of bacterial growth or oxidation, as with all animal-based products. You can look at the freshness date to determine if turkey bacon is bad. Then, throw away anything expired.
If your bacon has not gone over 7-14 days after the expiration date, you can check the following to determine if it has gone bad:
Check How It Looks
Fresh turkey bacon should be pinkish in color, just like any other meat. Spoiled turkey bacon can look grayish or brown. Moreover, the discoloration can worsen as bacteria spreads or mold grows. This could lead to the formation of fuzzy patches of blue or white. Therefore, NEVER eat discolored bacon since it could cause food poisoning.
If you notice that the edges are a little brown or discolored, but you aren’t sure if the bacon was exposed to air or gone bad, check the texture and smell.
Take a Look at the Texture
You can touch it. It’s one of the best ways you can test if it is still good. Fresh turkey bacon should be soft, moist, and slightly springy. On the other hand, bacon that’s gone bad is slimier and more squishy. This is due to the lactic acid bacteria consuming the raw meat. It’s best not to eat it.
Have a Whiff
Everything that has gone bad will smell bad and rotten. So, turkey bacon’s no exception. Don’t cook it if the smell is too nauseating. Don’t cook it and throw it out.
How Can I Use Leftover Turkey Bacon?
You have tons of turkey bacon leftover, and you don’t know what to do with it. Don’t worry!
You have approximately 3 days left to make use of your leftovers. Therefore, you can chop, dice, sauté, and toss those leftovers into delicious meals. Here are some suggestions:
- Turkey bacon soup
- Carbonara pasta with turkey bacon
- Turkey bacon salad sandwich
- Classic Cobb salad with turkey bacon
- Turkey bacon quesadillas or enchiladas
- Cream of turkey and wild rice soup
- Turkey bacon stuffed zucchini boats
- Pasta bake with turkey bacon
- Savory oatmeal with turkey bacon crumbles
Are you feeling hungry yet?
Make Yourself a Turkey BLT
What is the shelf life of turkey bacon in the refrigerator? It all depends on how long it has been cooked, and whether the package was opened. A fresh pack of uncooked turkey bacon can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 14 days after its expiration date, but it may go bad within 5 days.
Don’t let it go to waste!
