It can happen to anyone: cooking a yummy bacon dish and forgetting to place the leftovers in the fridge that evening. The question is: can cooked bacon sit out overnight? We’ll get to the answer soon along with some bacon storage tips and other info to help you avoid waste in the future!
My family and I are huge fans of bacon! On the few occasions it happened, I can attest it’s heartbreaking to throw away leftovers because you forgot to put them in the fridge in time.
If you’re in the same situation, you’re probably wondering if your bacon is still safe to eat and we’ll do our best to answer that!
Can It Sit Out Overnight?
The short answer is no. According to the USDA, all perishable foods shouldn’t be left in the “danger zone” (temperatures between 40°F and 140°F) for over 2 hours.
Bacon kept at room temperature overnight is way past the 2-hour mark and it might look good, but it’s definitely not safe to eat.
What Is Bacon Made Of?
We can all agree that bacon is not just amazing on its own and it can elevate many dishes. Regarding bacon’s shelf life, it’s important to know how it’s made.
Many people confuse bacon and pork belly, but they are not the same. American bacon is typically made from pork belly. Sometimes other pork cuts are used from the back or rib area.
The variety is even bigger when we discuss the different types of bacon. American bacon, also known as streaky bacon, doesn’t look or taste the same as English bacon, Canadian bacon, or Irish bacon.
Bacon is not raw meat since it’s gone through several stages of processing. Firstly, the meat is cured, and the solution used is often made of salt and nitrate. Once curing is over, bacon goes through a smoking process to give it its typical flavor.
We made home cured and smoked bacon and the results are outstanding! It’s totally worth the effort if you have a smoker.
Curing and smoking lengthen the shelf life of bacon compared to raw meat and uncured bacon too. On that note, I still recommend you place it in the fridge within two hours of cooking. Better safe than sorry!
How Long Can Cooked Bacon Sit Out?
Can cooked bacon sit out overnight? We already answered that and it’s a definitive no. The next big question is: how long can it sit out?
Ideally, cooked bacon is best consumed right away. That’s when it has the perfect texture and flavor.
All perishable foods, including any type of cooked meat, should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Let’s not forget room temperature is in the “danger zone” (40°F – 140°F) and that’s when bacteria multiplies the fastest.
When the ambient temperature is over 90° F, that time window is reduced to only 1 hour.
Things are different for cured bacon, as salt and nitrites significantly slow down the multiplication of bacteria.
Shelf-stable, cured and cooked bacon won’t spoil when left out overnight.
Be careful, though! If your bacon was made to be stored at room temperature, this information has to be on the label along with other information like the “use-by date”. Make sure it’s actually there!
I dare say it’s still best to refrigerate bacon as soon as possible after cooking. If you leave it out overnight, it definitely won’t have the same texture and flavor. It might even end up too dry.
Read our guide on how long is cooked bacon good for to find out more about bacon’s shelf life.
How Long Can Raw Bacon Sit Out?
Don’t keep raw bacon at room temperature for more than 4 hours.
If the bacon was dry-cured or marked as shelf-stable, it can keep for up to 10 days without being refrigerated. Even so, consult the “use-by date” on the package just to be safe.
How Long Does Bacon Last In The Fridge?
For short and medium-term storage, the refrigerator is your best friend! Storing cooked bacon in the fridge will significantly lengthen its life-span.
You can keep cooked bacon for 4-5 days in the fridge and up to 1 month in the freezer. This is true for American bacon but also other types such as pancetta, beef bacon, and turkey bacon.
As obvious as this might be, I need to mention most bacon isn’t made to be consumed raw. Cooking it properly is absolutely required for it to be safe to eat.
Regardless of your cooking experience, if you’re having doubts about your methods, it’s good to learn how to tell when bacon is done.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes! With no plans for immediate use, freezing cooked bacon is the best choice. In the freezer, it will stay safe to eat for one month or longer.
I recommend individually wrapping bacon with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and placing it in a freezer or vacuum-sealed before freezing. Wax paper also works well for separating bacon slices.
This will minimize the exposure to air and potential contaminants but also prevent freezer burns.
How To Tell If It Has Gone Bad
If your cooked bacon is close or just past the 2-hour mark for keeping it at room temperature, you’re probably not sure if it’s still safe to eat.
Here are the most common signs to look for when judging the freshness of your cooked bacon:
- Smell – If your bacon smells sour, rancid, or simply off-putting, it’s time to put it in the trash.
- Color – When cooked, the meat layers in bacon will have a shade of reddish brown that can vary and the fat will be slightly yellow. If you notice any grey or green areas that’s a clear sign it’s no longer safe to eat.
- Texture – A slimy or sticky surface is another signal that your bacon has gone bad and should be discarded.
Taste-testing is not a good idea! Even a small bite can lead to food poisoning symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even fever.
F.A.Q.
Yes, you can eat cold cooked bacon as long as it wasn’t left at room temperature for over 2 hours or stored in the fridge up to 5 days.
Still, bacon tastes better when reheated and it’s safer to eat as well.
Bacon grease can be stored in the fridge for 6 months or 9 months in the freezer. Use it to add extra flavor to your dishes for any recipe that calls for cooking oil or fat.
Bacon labeled as shelf-stable has been precooked and it has a high salt content which are excellent preserving methods.
Shelf-stable bacon stays safe to eat at room temperature up to 10 days or 1 month if refrigerated.
If your bacon is precooked but not marked shelf-stable, it shouldn’t be left on the counter for over 2 hours.
Yes! You can reheat bacon up to three times before significant texture and flavor changes occur.
If you already reheated your bacon three times, it’s recommended to discard the leftovers and cook a fresh batch.
Final Words
It’s definitely not a good idea to let bacon sit out overnight, but it can happen by accident. No need to feel guilty about it, though!
The safest practice is to discard cooked bacon if it was at room temperature for 2 hours or longer. Precooked shelf-stable bacon can last for much longer outside the fridge, but that is one of the few exceptions.
If possible, refrigerate cooked bacon as soon as it cools completely. This is the easiest way to lengthen bacon’s shelf life from 2 hours to 5 days.
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Jason’s been firing up the grill for over 30 years after graduating from the US Coast Guard Academy. His love of finely-grilled steak and chicken led him to buy his first Weber grill to put on his apartment patio in 1992. Each military move led to a new grill (a mixture of gas and charcoal) until he fell in love with the Big Green Egg in 2008. Since then, he has added another 4 grills to the collection. Yes, he has a problem. Jason loves smoking in the ceramic BGE with exotic woods including olive wood from Egypt and hard to find varieties such as sassafras and orange wood. Jason takes the term “foodie” to a whole new level, jumping at the chance to take food tours and cooking classes during foreign travels. These have provided inspiration to incorporate new ideas into recipes when he gets back home. He has been featured in Fox News, Parade, Yahoo News, Kansas City Living and more. After retiring from the military and moving to southwest Florida, he has focused grilling and smoking locally sourced meats and fish (read: he likes to catch his own fish!)
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