Turkey bacon is a delicious meaty food item that combines minced turkey meat with seasonings and herbs. It is trendy worldwide as a fabulous alternative to pork bacon because of its low calories and fats.
Turkey bacon has a delicate aroma, crispy texture, and heavenly taste. Unfortunately, though, it won’t taste suitable for longer once you open the package. This is because the fats in the meat drip down and make it soggy.
To preserve the texture of turkey bacon and enhance its shelf life, tightly wrap it and place it in the freezer or refrigerator.
Properly stored turkey bacon can last for 6-10 days in the refrigerator. Cooked bacon can last for 3-4 days, and thawed bacon remains suitable for two days, whereas fully cooked turkey bacon can last for more than two weeks.
After this particular period, the turkey bacon begins to spoil and shows some signs. Therefore, discarding the spoiled turkey bacon as soon as possible is best because it can cause health hazards.
How long does turkey bacon last in the refrigerator?
An open package of uncooked turkey bacon can last 7-14 days in the refrigerator if you store it correctly. Sometimes the packaged turkey bacon stays fresh for three weeks in the fridge.
Whereas the cooked turkey can last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator and three months in the freezer.
Most experts suggest consuming turkey bacon within a week because it begins to degrade when you leave it for more than seven days in the refrigerator.
Does turkey bacon go bad?
Turkey bacon is a delectable food item and a fabulous alternative to pork bacon due to its low fats and calories.
Properly cooked turkey bacon can last for weeks in the refrigerator. However, meat goes bad faster if it is not correctly stored.
The spoiled turkey bacon changes its texture, taste, and smell quickly. You should throw it out as soon as possible because it can cause health problems.
What is the best way to store turkey bacon?
Freezing is the best way of storing food for extended periods. It preserves the taste and smell of foods and prevents bacteria from growing.
Like other meat products, you can store turkey bacon in the freezer. Frozen turkey bacon will last for two months easily. However, make sure you consume it within the first seven days of storage for the best taste and quality.
To freeze the turkey bacon, wrap it in a plastic wrapper and cover it with aluminum foil. Then, put the wrapped turkey bacon in an airtight container and place it in the freezer section, where the temperature remains consistent.
What happens when you eat spoiled turkey bacon?
Turkey bacon can last for approximately 14 days in the refrigerator. After this period, it starts going bad, and its texture, taste, and smell change dramatically. Therefore, it is better to discard the turkey bacon if you notice any undesirable change.
If you mistakenly eat spoiled turkey bacon, it will make you fall sick, and you need to see the doctor immediately.
Common problems you may experience are severe food poisoning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches, or an upset stomach.
How long does cooked bacon good for?
If you have cooked the turkey bacon and want to consume it later, keep it in the refrigerator or freezer. It will last for approximately four days in the best quality.
Properly stored cooked turkey bacon can last even longer. But unfortunately, it will lose its taste, aroma, and texture as time passes.
For reheating the frozen turkey bacon, thaw it in the fridge and place it in the microwave, oven, or stovetop for a few minutes.
Make sure you never leave the cooked turkey bacon on the counter for hours because it will encourage bacterial growth and affect food quality.
How long does thawed bacon last in the fridge?
Thawed turkey bacon can easily last for a few hours in the refrigerator and for 4-5 days in the freezer. However, even after proper storage, thawed turkey bacon can go wrong sooner; that’s why keep checking its color and smell.
Make sure you don’t have to put thawed turkey bacon back into the freezer because refreezing encourages the bacteria to grow rapidly and contaminate the food.
How long does fully cooked turkey bacon last in the fridge?
Fully cooked and cured turkey bacon can last 7-8 days in the refrigerator. If you cannot use it within this particular period, prefer freezing.
Freezing is the best option to preserve food’s original taste, smell, and texture. It extends food’s shelf life by limiting harmful bacteria growth.
What can you do with leftover turkey bacon?
If you have a bulk of leftover turkey bacon, you can use it for making some delectable dishes for serving your guests at a gathering or party.
Some super delicious dishes in which you can add turkey leftovers are as follows;
- Turkey bacon soup
- Pasta baked with turkey bacon
- Turkey bacon salad sandwich
- Brown sugar-baked turkey bacon
- Turkey bacon frittata
- Creamy pasta with turkey bacon
- Turkey bacon wraps
- Easy cobb salad
- Roasted brussels sprouts with turkey bacon
- Egg muffins with turkey bacon
Besides that, you can use the leftover turkey bacon for topping pizza, mac & cheese, burgers, and salads.
How long does turkey bacon last in the freezer?
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of food items. For example, frozen turkey bacon, whether raw or cooked, can easily last up to four to six months.
To freeze the turkey bacon properly, all you have to do is;
- Wrap the turkey bacon in a plastic wrapper.
- Cover the wrapper with aluminum foil.
- Put the wrapped turkey bacon in an airtight container.
- Place the container in the meat section of the freezer where it is significantly less to be moved.
When you plan to eat turkey bacon, thaw it at least for one whole night in the refrigerator. Once it is melted, put it in the microwave or oven and heat for 1 minute to restore its taste and smell.
How long is raw turkey bacon good for?
A packet of raw turkey bacon will remain good only for seven to fourteen days in the refrigerator, 3-4 hours on the kitchen counter, and 2-3 months in the freezer.
During this duration, if you notice that the color of turkey bacon is turning brown or grey, the texture is a slimy or unpleasant odor, throw it out because it is no longer safe and healthy to eat.
What tips should you follow to keep turkey bacon fresh for longer?
Here are some essential tips and tricks that you can use to store the turkey bacon ideally, extend its shelf life, and make it fresh for longer.
- Use aluminum foil for wrapping the turkey bacon completely. It will prevent bacterial growth and retain its taste & smell.
- Keep the wrapped turkey bacon in airtight containers or resealable freezer bags.
- Do not keep the wrapped turkey bacon in the fridge for more than 14 days because it will start degrading quickly.
- Keep a package of turkey bacon sealed until you need to use it.
- After cooking, keep the dish on the counter for only 2 hours to cool down its temperature, then store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Make sure you never leave the cooked turkey bacon on the counter for more than 2 hours because bacteria will overgrow.
- Before storing the leftover turkey bacon, divide it into small portions. It will extend their life and prevent contamination.
- Once you thaw frozen turkey bacon, do not try to refreeze it because bacteria will grow faster and contaminate the food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can turkey bacon last in the refrigerator for more than seven days?
You can keep the turkey bacon in the refrigerator for more than seven days. Turkey bacon tastes perfect when eaten freshly cooked. However, if you made a large batch with some leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator.
Wrap the leftovers in a plastic wrapper, cover with foil, and place in the refrigerator or freezer for the next seven days or more.
How long is turkey bacon good for in the fridge?
The cure is a mixture formed by combining salts and nitrites to preserve the flavor & color of turkey bacon. In addition, this mixture makes the turkey bacon safe for consumption by inhibiting bacterial growth.
Cured turkey bacon can last for only two weeks in the refrigerator. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze or smoke it.
Do not forget to check the color and texture of stored turkey bacon every few days because it can go bad quickly due to temperature fluctuations.
How long can you keep an opened package of raw turkey bacon in the fridge?
An open package of raw turkey bacon can last fresh for only 7-12 days in the refrigerator. After that, it is at a higher risk of spoilage due to high protein content. So you should keep checking its color and smell.
When you see any undesirable change, discard it without any second thought because it is no longer suitable for consumption.
If you mistakenly forgot to put the open package of raw turkey bacon in the refrigerator, don’t worry; it will not go wrong. An empty package of turkey bacon can last for 3 hours easily at room temperature.
How long does turkey meat last in the fridge?
Cooked turkey meat lasts for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. However, refrigerators do not stop the bacteria from growing; they only slow down the growth speed. That’s why it is recommended to eat cooked turkey as soon as possible for the best taste and quality.
Conclusion
Turkey bacon is a flavourful treat that is made by mixing the minced meat with different seasonings and herbs. It is famous worldwide because it is a fantastic alternative to pork bacon.
If you have bought turkey bacon in bulk, you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer to enhance its life.
Properly stored turkey bacon can last for a few hours on the kitchen counter, seven to fourteen days in the refrigerator, and six months in the freezer.
You can use the frozen turkey bacon for making some delectable meals. Besides that, you can use the leftovers for topping pizzas, salads, and soups.