How Long Does Bacon Last in the Fridge
Bacon's high fat and salt content buys it more fridge time than most raw meat, but that window shrinks fast once the package is opened. How long it actually lasts depends on whether it's raw or cooked, sealed or opened, and how cold the fridge is running.
Steps
- 1Check the sell-by or use-by date on the package before storing, this is the starting point for counting shelf life, not a hard expiration.
- 2Keep unopened bacon in its original vacuum-sealed packaging on a middle or lower shelf, where temperature stays most consistent, not in the door.
- 3Once opened, rewrap the bacon tightly in its original packaging or a layer of plastic wrap pressed directly against the meat, then place it in an airtight container or zip-top bag to block air and odor transfer.
- 4Store opened bacon for up to 1 week, and unopened bacon for up to 2 weeks past the package date, as long as the fridge stays at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- 5Refrigerate cooked bacon in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, and use it within 4-5 days.
- 6Freeze any bacon you won't use in time: raw bacon holds good quality for about 1 month in the freezer, and cooked bacon for about 1 month as well, tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
Common mistakes
- Storing opened bacon loosely folded over instead of tightly rewrapped, which lets air in and speeds up both spoilage and freezer burn.
- Judging freshness by the printed date alone instead of smell and texture, since bacon can spoil before the date if the fridge runs warm or the package was opened days earlier.
- Leaving cooked bacon out on the counter to cool completely before refrigerating, which lets it sit in the danger zone (40-140°F) too long.
- Refreezing bacon that was already thawed in the fridge for more than a couple of days, which degrades texture and increases spoilage risk.
Equipment
- Airtight container or zip-top freezer bag
- Plastic wrap
- Refrigerator thermometer
- Freezer-safe bags for long-term storage
FAQ
How can you tell if bacon has gone bad?
Spoiled bacon turns grayish or greenish, develops a slimy or sticky film, and smells sour or ammonia-like instead of the normal smoky, meaty smell. Any of these means it should be thrown out, not cooked.
Does the sell-by date mean bacon is unsafe to eat after that day?
No, the sell-by date is a freshness guide for retailers, not a safety cutoff. Unopened bacon stored at 40°F or below is generally still good for about 2 weeks past that date.
Can you freeze bacon in its original packaging?
Unopened vacuum-sealed packaging can go straight into the freezer, but once opened, rewrap the bacon in freezer paper or a freezer bag with the air pressed out to prevent freezer burn during the 1-month storage window.
Is it safe to eat bacon that's slightly discolored but smells fine?
Bacon can darken slightly from oxidation without being spoiled, but any greenish or grayish tint combined with sliminess is a spoilage sign regardless of smell, and it should be discarded.
How long does cooked bacon last compared to raw bacon?
Cooked bacon lasts a shorter time than raw, about 4-5 days refrigerated versus up to 1-2 weeks for raw, because cooking breaks down the fat structure that helps preserve the raw strips.
Need exact temperatures or timing? Check our Time & Temperature Guide →