How Long Does Cooked Turkey Bacon Last?

Turkey bacon is a popular alternative to traditional pork bacon. It is made from ground turkey mixed with seasonings and preservatives and shaped into bacon-shaped strips. Compared to pork bacon, turkey bacon has fewer calories and grams of fat, making it a slightly healthier alternative. However, it is still a processed meat product with an expiration date, so it's important to know how long does cooked turkey bacon last and how to store it properly to prevent bacterial growth.

This article will provide you with all the information you need on how long turkey bacon lasts, including storage tips for raw fresh turkey bacon, cooked, and frozen turkey bacon.

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1 - Why is it Important to Store Turkey Bacon?

Turkey bacon is another way to enjoy a bacon-like eating experience. Some people eat it because it has a lower fat content than traditional pork bacon, and turkey bacon may fit into more special diets than “real bacon.” Turkey bacon has fewer calories and grams of fat than regular pork bacon, making it a slightly healthier alternative, but it’s still a processed meat product with an expiration date. So, if you're a fan of turkey bacon, it's important to know how long it lasts and how to store it properly.

The shelf life of turkey bacon is essential to consider to avoid the risk of food poisoning. Consuming spoiled turkey bacon can lead to severe illnesses, such as salmonella and listeria. Knowing how long turkey bacon lasts can help prevent these risks. Knowing how long turkey bacon lasts can also help you save money and avoid waste. You can store leftover turkey bacon and use it for various recipes, such as salads, sandwiches, and breakfast meals.

2 - How Long Does Uncooked Turkey Bacon Last?

If you have unopened turkey bacon in a sealed package, it can safely be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or seven days past the expiration date, whichever comes first. Once opened, you can store it in the fridge, tightly wrapped, for up to one week.

The USDA states that you can store any type of raw bacon in a refrigerator at 40 degrees F and below for a week and in a freezer below zero degrees F for up to four months. We recommend tightly wrapping and storing the turkey bacon after opening the package, planning to cook and eat it within two to three days (or freezing it).

3 - How Long Does Cooked Turkey Bacon Last?

Leftover cooked turkey bacon can be a delicious addition to salads, sandwiches, and breakfast plates. It's essential to store leftover turkey bacon properly to avoid spoilage and food poisoning.

If you have leftover cooked turkey bacon, don’t worry, you don’t have to throw it away. Tightly wrap it and store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life for up to three days. If you prefer to freeze it, the good news is that it can maintain its flavor for up to three months.

To prevent food poisoning caused by lactic acid bacteria, it's essential to store your leftover bacon with caution. After cooking turkey bacon, drain the grease on a paper towel and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled and drained, wrap individual servings in aluminum foil or cling wrap and store the portions in a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to three months.

3 - How to Store Turkey Bacon?

Storing turkey bacon properly is essential to keep it fresh and tasty for as long as possible. Here are the simple steps to store both uncooked and cooked turkey bacon:

How to Store Uncooked Turkey Bacon

- Storing Uncooked Turkey Bacon In the Fridge

1. Check the sell-by date of the unopened package of turkey bacon. If it’s nearing the expiration date, use it soon or freeze it.
2. Once you open the package, wrap the uncooked bacon in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
3. Place the wrapped bacon in an airtight container or a zip-top bag.
4. Store the container or bag in the coldest part of your fridge, like the meat drawer, for up to one week.

- Storing Uncooked Turkey Bacon In the Freezer

1. Wrap the bacon strips individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
2. Place the wrapped bacon strips in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
3. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to six months.
4. Thaw the bacon in the fridge overnight before using it.

- Safe Handling Tips for Raw Turkey Bacon

• Keep raw turkey bacon away from other food items.
• Wash any surface it touches with soap and hot water, including your hands and utensils.
• Never serve or eat turkey bacon that isn't fully cooked. Eating raw bacon carries high chances of food poisoning.
• Don't undercook raw meat and then store it for future use. This won't kill the bacteria in the product, and may still cause food poisoning.

How to Store Cooked Turkey Bacon

- Storing Cooked Turkey Bacon In the Fridge

1. Allow the cooked bacon to cool to room temperature.
2. Place the bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease.
3. Wrap the bacon strips in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
4. Place the wrapped bacon strips in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
5. Store the container or bag in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.

- Storing Cooked Turkey Bacon In the Freezer

1. Allow the cooked bacon to cool to room temperature.
2. Place the bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease.
3. Wrap the bacon strips individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
4. Place the wrapped bacon strips in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
5. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to six months.

- Safe Handling Tips for Cooked Turkey Bacon:

• Always refrigerate cooked bacon within two hours of cooking.
• Only take out the bacon portions you're going to eat and thaw frozen bacon in the fridge.
• Keep raw meat away from other food items and wash any surface it touches with soap and hot water.
• Cook turkey bacon thoroughly over medium-high heat before consuming.
• Don't undercook raw meat and then store it for future use, as this won't kill the bacteria in the product and may still cause food poisoning.

Storage Recommendations: Using an airtight container or zip-top bag is the best way to prevent freezer burn and keep the turkey bacon fresh for longer. Additionally, wrapping the bacon in parchment paper or plastic wrap is a good idea as it helps to prevent the bacon from drying out or absorbing odors from other food products in the fridge or freezer.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious turkey bacon for days or even months after your grocery store run. Just be sure to check for any bad smell or foul odor before consuming any type of bacon, as this is a clear sign that the food product is no longer fresh or safe to eat.

4 - How to Tell If Turkey Bacon Has Gone Bad

It's essential to know how to tell if turkey bacon has gone bad to prevent food poisoning. Here are some signs to look for:

1. Appearance: The turkey bacon should have a subtle pink color. If it has any hint of a gray or brown tint to the slices, discard it.
2. Smell: Smell the turkey bacon. If it has a sour smell, discard it. Never use bacon that has a rotten or spoiled smell.
3. Texture: If the turkey bacon has a slimy texture, it is bad turkey bacon. Discard it immediately.

5 - How to Cook Turkey Bacon?

Cooking turkey bacon is a straightforward process, and there are many ways to do it.

Turkey Bacon in the Skillet

The easiest way is to cook it in a skillet over medium-high heat until it is crispy and golden brown.

Turkey Bacon in the Oven

You can also cook turkey bacon in the oven by laying the strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and baking them at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer

Another great way to cook turkey bacon is in an air fryer, which allows you to achieve crispy bacon without all the extra fat.

No matter which cooking method you choose, always cook turkey bacon until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it's safe to eat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how long turkey bacon lasts is essential for preventing food poisoning and avoiding waste. By following the proper storage tips for raw, cooked, and frozen turkey bacon, you can keep it fresh for an extended period. Remember to keep raw meat away from other food items, cook it thoroughly, and refrigerate or freeze it promptly. Additionally, always refrigerate cooked bacon within two hours of cooking and only take out the bacon portions you're going to eat. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy crispy turkey bacon strips with your meals in the safest way possible.

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