How Long is Turkey Bacon Good in the Fridge

Turkey bacon is always served during gatherings, especially during the holiday season.

However, most people do not think about

How Long Turkey Bacon Lasts Once Opened

After opening, bacon might lose its flavor, kind of becoming soggy and less sharp.

Before refrigerating bacon, wrap it securely with plastic wrap. What’s the shelf life of opened bacon?

Opened turkey bacon stays fresh for up to 7 days stored the fridge, according to my tests.

How Long Does Opened Turkey Bacon Last?

After opening, raw turkey bacon may be refrigerated for seven days. Time may wreck it, however. If you store it longer, check for color and fragrance changes. If so, trash.

You may also be interested in – How Much Turkey Bacon Do I Need for A Big Group?

How to Properly Refrigerate Turkey Bacon

If properly stored, turkey bacon may last up to 7 days after its expiration date.

It is always best to keep cured meats like turkey bacon fresh by refrigerating them immediately after purchase.

You can store the cooked turkey bacon for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

How Long Does Open Turkey Bacon Last in the Freezer

In addition, if you do not have any plans to consume it right away, you can store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How to Tell if Turkey Bacon Has Gone Bad

If you find yourself eating turkey bacon that tastes like cardboard, it has probably gone bad.

The best way to check for freshness is to look at the expiration date. If the turkey bacon has expired, then it should be thrown out immediately. Especially if you have left it out over night, even if it is in an air tight container.

Moreover, checking the appearance, smell, and texture is an obvious sign of bad bacon. Here is how you should do it:

1. Check the appearance

A piece of fresh, good turkey bacon always has a subtle pink color, just like other fresh meat. While spoiled or bad bacon gives the common signs of the unusual color brown or gray hue.

This discoloration often comes with blue fuzzy patches due to molds or bacteria and parasites that cause food poisoning. 

These colors are more likely to show up when turkey bacon has been exposed to air.

However, they can appear even in an unopened package due to the damp environment within.

If you think your bacon has a brown or gray tint but aren’t sure if it’s spoiled, try a smell or touch test for added protection.

Turkey Bacon and Eggs For A Big Crowd
Turkey Bacon and Eggs For A Big Crowd – You can use Stored Turkey Bacon

2. Check the smell

Bad turkey bacon gives off an unpleasant rotten or sour smell that indicates it is already bad meat.

If you know what fresh raw meat smells like, it is usually not pleasant, but it is or nauseating, either.

When turkey bacon goes rancid, the sour, rank, or putrid odor is overwhelming to tolerate due to bacterial growth.

3. Check the texture

Checking the texture is one of the easiest ways to determine whether your turkey bacon is still good.

Fresh turkey bacon feels soft and moist, while spoiled bacon hives a slimy texture due to the lactic acid bacteria increasing on the raw meat. 

How Long is Turkey Bacon Good in the Freezer

Always check the sell-by date of the product to ensure its quality. You can freeze turkey bacon for up to six months when you have purchased one. To make sure it does not go bad, follow these steps:

1. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil first and then place it inside a resealable bag or airtight container to prevent freezer burn.

Use a heavy-duty freezer bag if you have a bunch of bacon to freeze.

2. Remove all the air from the bag before sealing it, just like storing regular bacon in the freezer.

How to Thaw Frozen Turkey Bacon

To thaw uncooked bacon, simply take it out of the freezer and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, transfer it to a bowl filled with cold water.

Let it soak for another 30 minutes before draining it thoroughly.

Once drained, pat dry with paper towels and cut into slices. If you want a faster way, try to follow these steps:

1. Wrap the unopened bacon in aluminum foil, cling wrap, or plastic wrap. 

2. Place in a microwave-safe dish and thaw for 30 seconds over medium heat. 

3. Remove from the microwave and serve while it is warm.

How Long Does Cooked Turkey Bacon Last

Cooked turkey bacon will stay suitable for up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator and for two months in the freezer.

However, if you do not plan to eat it soon, you should also consider freezing it. For this reason, you need to use it quickly once you get it home.

This type of bacon should be stored in the fridge until ready to serve. You can reheat it by placing it back into the oven or microwave for about 15-30 seconds over medium-high heat with damp paper towels on top.

Keeping cooked turkey bacon away from direct heat sources such as the stovetop or oven not easily drying out is important. 

What to Do With Leftover Turkey Bacon

If you do not finish all of your turkey bacon, several options are available for you to enjoy leftovers.

First, you can store leftover turkey bacon in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Second, you can chop it up and add it to sandwiches, salads, soups, casseroles, and other dishes.

Leftover Turkey Bacon – How Many Sliders for a Group

Third, you can use it to season meats, vegetables, and eggs. Fourth, you can grind it up and mix it with mayonnaise to create delicious turkey bacon burgers. 

Check out these recipes for your reference in case you want to consume some leftover bacon strips:

  • Homemade Turkey Bacon Soup
  • Turkey Salad on Wheat Bread
  • Hot Brown Turkey Casserole
  • Turkey Enchiladas Verdes
  • Classic Cobb Salad
  • Slow-Cooked Bacon Sandwiches
  • Italian Turkey Skillet
  • BLT Turkey Salad
  • Crispy Mashed Potato & Stuffing Patties
  • Cream of Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

What is the difference between turkey bacon vs. pork bacon?

Turkey bacon is made from turkey meat, while pork bacon is made from pig meat. The main difference is that turkey bacon has less fat than pork bacon. However, both types of bacon contain salt and sugar.  

Does turkey bacon expire?

Yes, turkey bacon does expire. It expires when its flavor changes and becomes too salty or bitter. This happens because of oxidation and bacteria growth. To avoid this, keep it refrigerated and cook it within one month

Can you eat turkey bacon if it has been in the fridge for a week?

It actually depends on the condition of the bacon.
If you do not see any signs of spoilage, as we indicate above, then it is okay to consume.
However, if you can see obvious signs of discoloration and a sour smell, it is better to discard it for safety and prevent food poisoning.

Can I Eat Uncooked Turkey Bacon?

Turkey bacon undergoes separate processes before being sold – firstly; they’re cured (by smoking) then secondly, smoking of the bacon to give it flavor.
Smoking and curing are used for processing food and making it safe to eat without needing additional heat.
It’s highly likely that your turkey bacon was processed using one or both of these two methods and is, therefore safe for consumption.

Is Turkey Bacon Pre Cooked?

It is not strictly pre-cooked – but the curing process lasts longer, effectively making it pre-cooked, particularly if the bacon is then smoked.

How do I tell if turkey bacon is pre-cook or raw?

If you see the words “pre-cooked” on the package, then the bacon is pre-cooked.

If you see the word “raw” on the package instead, then the bacon is raw. 

Is Butterball Turkey Bacon Raw?

Butterball turkey bacon is made from 100% white meat turkey breasts and is considered raw; you should cook it unless the package says otherwise.

This means that there is no skin or bones in the product.

When you buy Butterball turkey bacon, you’re buying a delicious smoked turkey breast.

Can You Eat Turkey Bacon without Frying It?

While you can eat cured and smoked raw, if it says so on the packaging, and there you do not need to fry it.  

To get the most flavor out I would broil it or use the skillet method below to eat turkey bacon.

• Cook it over medium heat in a skillet.

• Add salt and pepper to taste.

• Don’t overcook it.

• Use a nonstick pan.

• Drain off the grease after cooking.

• Serve with eggs, toast, or salads.

Is Turkey Bacon Better for You than Pork Bacon?

Is turkey bacon better for you?

Here’s what you need to know about turkey bacon vs. pork bacon.

1. Turkey Bacon Has Less Fat Than Pork Bacon

Turkey bacon contains less fat than pork bacon.

A 3 oz serving of turkey bacon has 1 gram of fat, while a 3 oz serving of pork bacon has 2 grams of fat.

This means that a person who eats one serving of turkey bacon every day would consume fewer calories than someone who ate one serving of pork bacon every day.

2. Turkey Bacon Contains More Protein Than Pork Bacon

This means that eating one serving of turkey bacon each day would provide more protein than eating one serving of pork bacon each day.

3. Turkey Bacon Has Fewer Calories Than Pork Bacon

This means that people who eat one serving of turkey bacon per day would burn more calories than those who eat one serving of pork bacon per day.