My family likes eating bacon every morning for breakfast but then sometimes we don’t get to finish all the bacon because everyone’s always in a hurry. So is it okay to put the cooked bacon back in the freezer so it won’t spoil? I’d like to reheat it next time for another breakfast meal.
Nothing beats a plate full of crispy and juicy bacon to jumpstart your mornings. It’s a classic breakfast meal for a lot of families. It’s common practice for raw bacon to be stored in the freezer before cooking. Frozen raw bacon can last you for several months.
As for your question, cooked bacon is absolutely okay to freeze for storage. In fact, cooking the bacon prolongs its freezer life. When properly stored, cooked bacon can last three months or more in your freezer.
Can You Freeze Cooked Bacon
It is safe to freeze raw and cooked bacon. Freezing cooked bacon will keep its freshness for up to three months. When reheated, the cooked bacon will remain fresh, juicy and crispy.
Cooked bacon that has been stored in the freezer can add a bit of saltiness to the taste but don’t worry because this is normal. The salty taste can even add to the overall flavor of the bacon.
It’s easy to thaw cooked bacon that’s been popped out of the freezer. Simply take out the cooked bacon from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator. It takes around one to three days for the bacon to thaw properly. However, if you don’t have time, placing it in the microwave oven to thaw is okay too.
After thawing, you can now place it in the microwave oven to cook for a few minutes in medium setting. Depending on the bacon, you can cook it even for 10 to 20 seconds.
On the other hand, you can also place the thawed cooked bacon onto the frying pan with oil. This will result to a crispier bacon compared to if you were just to reheat it in the microwave oven.
It’s important to not refreeze cooked bacon that has already been thawed. It is a general rule to immediately eat meat that has already been thawed and reheated.
How to Freeze Cooked Bacon
Uncooked and cooked bacon can be safely stored in the freezer to prolong freshness. Here is an easy step-by-step list to guide you on how to freeze your cooked bacon.
- Before freezing cooked bacon, let it cool until it is at room temperature. Freezing food that is too hot may cause your freezer to become warmer. This can also cause your other food goods inside the freezer to defrost. So be patient and let your cooked bacon cool down before freezing.
- It’s best to slice the cooked bacon into smaller pieces so that it would be easier to thaw later on. Also, this will be helpful if you’re going to reheat the cooked bacon in different batches later on.
- Coil the cooked bacon into little rolls and place them in freezer bags. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. You can also place them in quality airtight containers.
- Another alternative is to wrap the bacon with aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Wrap it as tight as possible.
- Once done, the cooked bacon can now be placed in the freezer for storage for as long as three months or more.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Cooked Bacon?
Bacon is a delicious and versatile food that can be used in a variety of dishes. But what do you do when you have extra cooked bacon? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover cooked bacon:
1. Make a BLT – This is a classic way to use up leftover bacon. Just add it to some bread with some lettuce and tomatoes, and you’ve got a delicious sandwich in no time.
2. Add it to a salad – This is a great way to give your salad some extra flavor and protein. Just add some crumbled bacon to your favorite salad, and you’re good to go.
3. Make a quiche – Quiche is a great way to use up leftover bacon. Just add it to a pie crust with some eggs and milk, and bake according to your recipe.
4. Wrap it around some vegetables – This is a great way to add some flavor to your favorite vegetables. Just wrap strips of bacon around asparagus, green beans, or any other vegetable, and bake in the oven until crispy.
5. Make bacon-wrapped dates – This is a great way to use up extra bacon and make a delicious snack at the same time. Just wrap strips of bacon around dates, and bake in the oven until crispy.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover cooked bacon. Next time you find yourself with extra bacon, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Bacon Recipes
Boost your everyday morning breakfasts with these exciting bacon recipes you can try out. Rolled bacon with oozing cheese sounds like a good idea. Try out this cheesy bacon bomb recipe:
Get creative with this eggs in bacon baskets recipe. The bacon basket nestles the delicious egg in the middle:
For fast breakfast meals, try out this bacon and egg French toast recipe. This is great for a filling breakfast meal in a fast-paced morning:
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze bacon. Frozen cooked bacon will last for up to three months in the freezer when stored correctly. When reheated, it will remain fresh and crispy with a bit of saltiness that is normal. If you’re looking to save time thawing your frozen bacon, popping it into the microwave oven on a medium setting should do the trick! Have any experience freezing cooked bacon? Share them below in the comments section 🙂