Are you storing bacon wrong? Experts reveal the right way

Salt-cured, oak smoked, hickory or maple-smoked... bacon is a popular choice for many to start off the day. A breakfast classic, these crispy, salty pork rashers are great as part of a Sunday morning fry-up, in a BLT sandwich or just on their own.

Like all meat, bacon has a shelf life and must be kept refrigerated to prevent it spoiling. Whether you buy freshly-cut slices from a butcher, or industrial-packed cuts from the supermarket, once it’s opened, bacon usually lasts 3-5 days.

Can you freeze bacon?

Raw, uncooked bacon needs to be kept in an airtight, resealable freezer bag (the ones with a zip top) or plastic container. The best place to store it is in the coolest part of the fridge - at the bottom, towards the back or in the bottom drawer.

And if you have bought a lot of bacon - too much to eat within five days, the best way to preserve it is by freezing it. Separate the rashers into small batches of four or five, wraps individual strips inside aluminium foil so that they don’t stick together once frozen (this also stops freezer burn); place inside a an airtight, resealable zip top freezer bag, then pop into the freezer compartment.

Frozen bacon will keep for around six months inside the freezer, although the USDA recommends using it within four months.

How to tell if bacon is off, or unsafe to eat

It’s relatively easy to find out whether your bacon has gone bad. First, it will smell bad - fresh bacon should only have a mild smoky smell. If it doesn’t smell right, toss it out.

If your bacon feels a little slimy to touch, it’s started to spoil. That slime is bacteria starting to spread. Don’t take any chances - bin it.

The color is another indicator - fresh bacon is a pinky-red color. If it is green, grey, or brown, it is no longer safe to eat.

And finally, any spots of white, dark green-black mold is not a good sign. And don’t be tempted to cut the moldy part off and eat the rest, the meat has deteriorated - and bacteria will be present even if you can’t see it. Throw it out - your stomach will thank you for it.

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