For most meat-lovers, bacon is absolutely essential – and buying it in bulk is a great way to make sure you always have some on hand – but can you refreeze bacon?
We've all had that situation when you defrost more than you need of a certain ingredient. Then you're left wondering... what am I going to do with this now? It's too good to waste and it's already been frozen!
Today we take a look at whether or not you can refreeze bacon, whether cooked or uncooked, and the best methods to use to ensure you preserve the taste and texture.
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Can you refreeze bacon?
The good news is that yes, you can refreeze bacon! Refreezing bacon is completely safe and is a great way to ensure that this staple meat is not wasted.
However, there are some crucial points that must be followed in order to protect bacon from freezer burn and ensure that it doesn't lose its taste and texture.
Also, keep in mind that bacon should not be thawed at room temperature, nor refrozen after being thawed at room temperature. This will allow bacteria to grow and contaminate the meat.
Does refreezing bacon affect the taste?
Yes. The more you freeze bacon, the more the taste and texture of the bacon will be affected.
How many times can you refreeze bacon?
The more you refreeze bacon, the more the taste and texture will be affected. I recommend only refreezing bacon once. To avoid refreezing it again, use the flash-freezing method (see below), which allows you to defrost specific amounts each time.
How long can uncooked bacon sit out at room temperature?
Generally, uncooked bacon shouldn't be out of the refrigerator or freezer for more than two hours.
How do you know when bacon has gone off?
Generally, if you've left bacon out of the fridge for several hours, it's probably not going to be any good. Plus, if you're in any doubt, play it safe, especially when you're dealing with meat.
Gone off bacon is usually pretty easy to spot. Firstly, it will start to take on a slimy texture. You'll also notice a sour smell, and the coloring will start to get dull.
Can you refreeze cooked bacon?
Yes, you can refreeze cooked bacon. This is an especially practical thing to do when it comes to leftovers.
Can you refreeze uncooked bacon?
Absolutely. It's best to refreeze an unopened packet of uncooked bacon within 3-5 days of defrosting it.
If you've opened the packet of bacon, it's best to refreeze it within 2 days.
Is it better to refreeze raw or cooked bacon?
While you can refreeze cooked bacon and raw bacon, it's best to refreeze uncooked bacon. When it's frozen uncooked, there will be less impact on the overall taste and texture.
How long does bacon last in the freezer?
It depends on whether the bacon has been opened or not.
An unopened packet of bacon can be frozen for up to 8 months. After this, the taste and texture will start to be affected.
If you've opened the packet of bacon, you can store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
These time frames depend on storing the bacon properly – see below for guidelines on how to properly freeze bacon.
How do you thaw bacon?
Whether you're defrosting cooked or uncooked bacon, and whether it has been opened or not, it's very important to thaw bacon correctly.
The first thing to note – you should never thaw bacon at room temperature. In fact, this applies to any meat. This method is unsafe, and will lead to the growth of harmful bacteria.
To safely defrost bacon, it should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight. It typically takes 12-24 hours to defrost fully, so is best done overnight.
If you're in a hurry, there are two alternatives. You can defrost bacon in a sink full of cold water. This takes around an hour or two – just make sure you change the water every 30 minutes.
You can also defrost bacon using the 'defrost' setting on your microwave. This takes around 10 minutes.
How long does frozen bacon last?
Frozen bacon, provided it is stored properly, will stay good for around 6-8 months.
What can I do with leftover bacon?
There are so many uses for leftover bacon, which is exactly why buying bacon in bulk is such a great idea. Here are a few tips to give you some Greedy Gourmet inspiration:
Keep it simple and use leftover bacon in a BLT sandwich. You could even tear the bacon into bacon pieces and add to this brie sandwich with chicken, pear and balsamic onions.
Tear the bacon into pieces and fry until crispy. Then add it to your favorite pasta dish, like this pangritata, cajun chicken pasta, or replace the pancetta in this pancetta, leek and mushroom pasta.
Add some bacon bits to your favorite salad. This salad olivieh is the perfect salad for bringing the bacon!
Sprinkle some cooked bacon into mashed potato. Here's my roasted garlic mashed potato recipe.
If you're throwing a party, use your leftover bacon to make these incredible devils on horseback!
Key tips on refreezing bacon
Let's recap a few important points when it comes to refreezing bacon:
- The quicker you refreeze the bacon after it's been thawed, the better. It's best to refreeze bacon while it's still cold and has ice crystals on it.
- Never thaw bacon at room temperature and never refreeze bacon that has been thawed at room temperature.
- Wrap bacon in cling film before placing it in an airtight container. The double layering will protect it from freezer burn, which in turn will protect the taste and texture of the bacon.
- You can freeze bacon strips individually. This is a good idea if you have a lot of bacon, and will only need to defrost a little at a time. You'll need to follow the 'flash-freeze' method – see below.
📖 Recipe
How To Refreeze Bacon
Do you have plenty of bacon leftover and you don't want to let it go to waste? Read on to learn how to refreeze bacon in a few easy steps!
Instructions
Refreezing uncooked bacon slices
- Take the uncooked bacon slices and place them on a on a freezer-safe baking tray. Make sure that there is a gap between the strips– this will prevent them from sticking together during the freezing process.
- Place the tray directly in the freezer and let them partially freeze for a few hours. This is known as 'flash freezing' and will allow you to freeze the bacon slices in the same container, without them sticking together. This means you can defrost just the right amount, without having to continuously refreeze.
- Wrap the frozen strips individually in plastic wrap or cling film. Place each wrapped slice into an airtight freezer-safe container.
- Finally, label the container with the contents and date of freezing, before placing it in the freezer.
Refreezing an unopened package of bacon
- Place the package of bacon into an airtight freezer-safe container. This will help to better preserve bacon and avoid freezer burn.
- Finally, label the container with the contents and date of freezing, before placing it in the freezer.
Refreezing cooked bacon
- Allow the cooked bacon to cool completely before beginning the freezing process.
- Wrap the bacon tightly in cling film. This will help to prevent freezer burn.
- Once wrapped tightly in cling film, place the bacon inside an airtight freezer-safe container. This will help to better preserve bacon and avoid freezer burn.
- Finally, label the container with the contents and date of freezing, before placing it in the freezer.
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