Bacon jam is the trending condiment right now. Its popularity is skyrocketing. It can be found in countless recipes and on menus everywhere from fast food burger joints to five-star gourmet restaurants.
It’s not hard to understand why bacon jam is such a hit. This delectable spread combines smokey, savory, and sweet flavors with everyone’s perennial favorite - crispy, mouth-watering bacon.
If you haven’t tried bacon jam, you definitely should. A wide variety of bacon jam flavors is available for purchase, and it’s an amazingly versatile condiment. You can use it at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, for appetizers or snacks, and even in desserts.
When you do make the right choice and decide to try bacon jam for yourself, make sure you store it properly. As with any food product, improper storage can lead to serious health risks.
Why Bacon Jam Should Never Be Stored at Room Temperature
The last thing you want to do after you’ve opened a new jar of bacon jam to make a delicious recipe is to pop the top back on and leave it on the counter. Bacon jam should never be stored at room temperature.
When stored at room temperature, bacon jam, like many other foods, can become a breeding ground for Clostridium botulinum, a spore-forming bacteria and nerve toxin that can cause botulism in humans. Botulism attacks the nervous system and can cause paralysis, breathing problems, and even death.
To avoid this illness, never, under any circ*mstances, store your bacon jam at room temperature. Instead, you should refrigerate or freeze it.
How Long Can Bacon Jam Be Refrigerated?
Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that you keep in the fridge will need to be used within that length of time.
You can store bacon jam in any refrigerator-safe container. Many bacon jam enthusiasts choose to use mason jars for aesthetic reasons. You can certainly go that route if you wish, but don’t feel locked into it. Even simple tupperware will suffice to keep your bacon jam safe in the refrigerator.
If you know you won’t use all of your bacon jam before the allotted two to four weeks have passed, your best bet is to freeze it instead.
How Long Can Bacon Jam Be Frozen?
Bacon jam freezes and thaws quite well, so if you know you aren’t going to use it in the next few weeks, try freezing it instead. Bacon jam can be safely kept in the freezer for up to six months. You can use any freezer-safe container to store your bacon jam.
To thaw the bacon jam, place it in the fridge. It will need to thaw for around 24 hours, depending on the amount you are thawing. You cannot refreeze bacon jam once it has been thawed.
Here’s a helpful tip: when you freeze your bacon jam, separate it out into servings. Estimate the amount you will need at a time and only place that much in each container. That way, when you thaw it out, none of it will go to waste.
Discover the Sweet & Savory Goodness of Bacon Jam
If you store your bacon jam correctly, it will last you for many, many meals, snacks, and appetizers. From breakfast to lunch to dinner to dessert, there’s no dish that can’t be enhanced with TBJ Gourmet bacon jam. Try it for yourself today!
FAQs
Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that you keep in the fridge will need to be used within that length of time. You can store bacon jam in any refrigerator-safe container. Many bacon jam enthusiasts choose to use mason jars for aesthetic reasons.
Does bacon jam go bad? ›
For safety, we strongly recommend that bacon jam be refrigerated for times suggested by the recipe (2-4 weeks) or that it be frozen for longer storage.
What is bacon jam good for? ›
Our list of things we want to use this jam in is ever-growing. Here are just a few to get you started: warm potato salad, grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes, panzanella, grilled cheese, crackers and goat cheese, spinach salad, a spoon, fresh garden peas, scrambled eggs, bagels and cream cheese...
How to reheat bacon jam? ›
Store and reheat if needed
Use immediately, or spoon it into an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to four weeks. Serve warm. To reheat, zap it in the microwave for about 45 seconds or warm it in a small saucepan on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through, about 10 minutes.
How can you tell if jam has gone bad? ›
Regardless of the type of jam or jelly you have on hand, it's important to know the signs of spoilage. According to Lee, this may include yeasty off-odors, fermented alcohol-like flavors, and mold growth, which may appear as white fuzzy patches inside the jar or on the product itself.
Can I eat 1 year expired jam? ›
Expired jam does not necessarily mean it is unsafe to eat. If the jam shows no signs of mold, discoloration, or off odors and has been stored properly, it may still be safe for consumption.
How long does uncured bacon jam last? ›
Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that you keep in the fridge will need to be used within that length of time.
Can you reheat bacon after 2 days? ›
Yes, it's generally safe to store cooked bacon for later use. To prevent it from drying out or becoming soggy when reheated, you can store it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator.
What do you do with hot pepper bacon jam? ›
Here are some ideas:
- Deviled eggs.
- Use on crostini with… Bousrin and quince paste. Brie. Brie and caramelized onion. Pimento cheese.
- Top baked potatoes.
- Mix into mashed potatoes.
- Burgers (on top or mix in)
- Grilled cheese (use a few white cheeses or brie)
- Spread on bread for BLT or other sandwich.
- Bloody mary.
Uncured bacon really isn't a better alternative. It's still bacon. Little practical difference exists between cured and uncured bacon in terms of health. Both are cured in the true sense of the word, meaning they are preserved.
“Uncured” ham and bacon are actually cured
Uncured ham and bacon are still cured, just in a more natural way. Products labeled as “uncured” — such as Jones Dairy Farm's Uncured Canadian Bacon — use vegetables and fruits like celery or beets, which transform into nitrite when processed.
Which tastes better cured or uncured bacon? ›
While uncured bacon is still cured bacon, it undergoes a much different process. A process that is better for you and much more flavorful! Simply put, uncured bacon is bacon that has not been cured with synthetically-sourced nitrates and nitrites.
Is it safe to eat bacon past the use by date? ›
Uncooked bacon
If you are storing unopened uncured bacon in the fridge, it will last about one week past the “sell by” date on the package. In the freezer, unopened bacon could last up to six months. Unopened bacon may last roughly two weeks in the fridge and eight months in the freezer.
What are the side effects of expired jam? ›
If you eat expired food, you may have food poisoning which is caused by the consumption of water or foods with toxins, bacteria, or viruses. Symptoms that you may experience with food poisoning include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. It is best to avoid eating expired food.
How can you tell if bacon bits are bad? ›
To assess the safety of bacon bits past their expiration date, consumers should inspect the product for any strong odor, unusual color, or a slimy texture. If any of these signs are present, it is best to err on the side of caution and discard the bacon bits.
How long do bacon bits last after the expiration date? ›
Bacon bits that are made with real bacon are not going to last in your refrigerator as long as a shaker of bacon bits made from anything but real bacon. Per Eat by Date, bacon bits made with real bacon, once open, can last anywhere from 6 weeks in the refrigerator to 6 months in the freezer.
