Wondering if That Cooked Bacon in the Fridge Is Fine for Brunch? Here Are the Spoiled Bacon Signs To Look For

How to tell if bacon is bad once and for all.

Ah, bacon. It’s one of the most mouthwatering foods on the planet. Whether you fry it up as a crispy brunch side or put it on top of a cheeseburger for dinner, it can elevate just about any meal with its crispy, salty taste. But bacon only stays fresh for so long in the fridge. So, if you’re wondering how to tell if bacon is bad before you cook it, here’s what you need to know. 

Related: 70 Best Bacon Recipes

How To Tell if Bacon Is Bad: 4 Signs to Watch Out For

Staring into your fridge and wondering how to tell if your bacon is bad? Here are some warning signs that your open package of bacon has gone bad, according to the experts we interviewed.

1. It smells sour or rancid

Raw bacon (whether pork or turkey) should have a pretty neutral smell. If it has a strong, sour or repulsive smell, then it's likely no longer any good and should be tossed because there could be bacteria present. Leftover cooked bacon that has a rancid smell is also bad.

2. It's changed color

Is uncooked bacon okay if it turns brown? Nope! Food experts say to err on the side of caution and get rid of your bacon if it has changed color. Traditional pork bacon usually has a pink-red hue with marbles of fat, while turkey bacon also has a pinkish color. If either one starts to turn brown, gray or green, that means there could be bacteria present. The same goes for cooked bacon that's become discolored.

3. It has a slimy texture

Uncooked bacon typically has a soft, moist texture. If you notice that it's now slimy and sticky to the touch, then that's another sign there could be bacteria present and that your bacon is past its prime.

4. It's moldy

Finally, look out for any mold on your bacon. This is an obvious indicator that bacon has gone bad. Whether raw or cooked, any spots of visible mold or growths are a tell-tale sign you should throw that bacon away!

How To Tell if Raw Bacon Is Bad

When it comes to raw, uncooked bacon, “a simple smell test is the easiest way to tell if bacon has gone bad,” says Jessica Randhawa, head chef, recipe creator, photographer and writer behind The Forked Spoon. “Bacon should have a neutral smell if it is safe to cook.” If the bacon in your fridge has any strong, sour or repulsive smell, it’s likely gone bad and should be thrown out or composted. “Another leading indicator of bacon has gone bad is if it is excessively slimy to the touch, compared with bacon's normal texture,” says Randhawa.

How To Tell if Cooked Bacon Is Bad

“Cooked bacon that has spoiled usually smells rancid or sour and appears shriveled,” says Bryan Q. Le, PhD, food scientist and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered. “If there is evidence of mold or bacteria growing, those are telltale signs that the bacon has spoiled.”

How To Tell if Turkey Bacon Is Bad

For the turkey bacon lovers among us, there are some similar things to watch out for to tell if it’s spoiled. “Spoiled turkey bacon may yield an odor, different texture and color,” says Elizabeth Shaw, RN, president of Shaw Simple Swaps and author of Instant Pot Cookbook for Dummies. Le adds that spoiled turkey bacon would also have a rancid or sour smell, slimy texture and grayish hue.

Related: 18 Recipes That Prove Bacon Makes Everything Better

How Long Does Bacon Last in the Fridge?

So, how long does bacon last in the fridge, exactly? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), unopened bacon is safe in the fridge for seven days before cooking. Keep in mind, however, that some types of bacon may have a longer shelf life than others. “For instance, beef and pork bacon last around seven days, whereas bacon cured without nitrates can last around 21 days,” says Shaw. She suggests referring to the date on the package, if available, and either using or freezing by that date.

How Long Is Bacon Good for After Opening?

What if you have an open package of bacon in your refrigerator? Once you open any sort of meat, it’s a good idea to cook it or freeze it within one to two days, per the USDA. “I always recommend taking out the portion you intend to cook right away and freeze the remaining pieces in a zip-tight bag,” says Shaw. “If you do open the bacon package, be sure to wrap the unused portion in a zip-tight bag and place it back in the fridge.”

Related: Trisha Yearwood Shares the Best Ways to Cook Bacon

What Can Happen if You Eat Spoiled Bacon

The culprit for spoiled bacon is usually a microorganism called Leuconostoc mesenteroides, explains Le. Although this microorganism is relatively harmless, it’s responsible for the sliminess and sour odors of spoiled bacon, he says. Yuck!

But in addition to Leuconostoc mesenteroides, other icky bacteria can come along that can cause food poisoning. These bacteria include Salmonella, Bacillus, E. coli and Staphylococcus species. “These microbes produce toxins that are inert to heat and can cause serious gastrointestinal problems,” says Le. So you’ll want to avoid eating spoiled bacon to prevent getting sick!

Can You Freeze Bacon?

Yes, you can freeze bacon! “Uncooked bacon can be frozen before the best-by date for four to six months, depending on the variety,” says Shaw, who notes that Canadian bacon can be frozen for around one month. “Cooked bacon can also be frozen for around four months as well.”

Related: How to Make Candied Bacon

The Best Way To Store Cooked & Uncooked Bacon

Shaw says it’s best to store uncooked bacon in its original container. “For cooked bacon, let it cool then place it in a glass container with a sealed lid and label it with the use-by date—i.e., four months from when you’ve cooked it,” she says.

Sources

• Jessica Randhawa, head chef, recipe creator, photographer, and writer behind The Forked Spoon

• Bryan Q. Le, PhD, food scientist and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered.

• Elizabeth Shaw, RN, president of Shaw Simple Swaps and author of Instant Pot Cookbook for Dummies