The Best Way To Store Candied Bacon To Keep It Fresh - The Daily Meal (2024)

The Best Way To Store Candied Bacon To Keep It Fresh - The Daily Meal (4)

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ByScott Williams|

Candied bacon, with its irresistible blend of sweetness and smoke, has captured the taste buds of food enthusiasts everywhere. First gaining popularity in Washington, D.C., candied bacon has quickly evolved from a gourmet whisper to a culinary trendsetter. Yet, the alluring crunch and flavor of candied bacon are ephemeral without proper care. The secret to prolonging the life of these golden, sugary strips lies in proper storage.

The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator. Before storing, let the caramelized bacon cool to room temperature. This helps keep condensation at bay when the meat is stored in the fridge, ensuring your delectable bacon stays crisp and delicious. Once cooled, store your strips in an airtight container. Your bacon should last for up to four days when kept like this. When ready to reheat, place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for around 20 seconds.

Candied bacon holds up well in the freezer

The Best Way To Store Candied Bacon To Keep It Fresh - The Daily Meal (5)

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When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer. Immediately after cooling, wrap portions in plastic wrap and then in foil, ensuring a tight seal. The inner layer of plastic wrap will help keep your bacon moist, while the aluminum foil will help protect against freezer burn. For even longer storage and tomaximize your freezer space, consider using a vacuum sealer, or if you don't own a machine, there are a couple of effective methods to perform a successful DIY vacuum seal.

Now, for those who prefer their candied bacon ready for a quick sprinkle on salads or omelets, processing it into bacon bits before storage is the move. Post-candying and cooling, a quick chop or pulse in the food processor turns your bacon into ready-to-go gold. Spread out the bacon bits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensure that they are not touching, and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the bits into an airtight container or freezer bag, portioning them as desired. This method keeps the bits separate and ready to use in a pinch.

There are so many ways to use candied bacon

The Best Way To Store Candied Bacon To Keep It Fresh - The Daily Meal (6)

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Candied bacon isn't just a standalone treat; it's a versatile ingredient that you can utilize to instantly improve many savory dishes by adding a pop of sweet and salty goodness. Crumble it over youravocado toastfor a smoky-sweet crunch, or weave it into a lunchtime BLT for an elevated twist on the classic. In salads, it pairs brilliantly with crisp greens and sharp vinaigrettes, offering an unexpected burst of flavor that will have dinner guests asking for your secret.

On the sweeter side, candied bacon is the plot twist your desserts deserve. It's the secret sparkle atop a sundae, the unexpected crunch in your cookies, and the talk of the party when it crowns your homemadevanilla sugar doughnuts.Even in the realm of co*cktails, a strip of candied bacon can be the star garnish in a bourbon-based drink or aplayful addition to a classic Bloody Mary.Candied bacon is that special something that leaves everyone craving more. When stored properly, there is no reason why it can't always be within reach for use in your next mealtime masterpiece.

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The Best Way To Store Candied Bacon To Keep It Fresh - The Daily Meal (2024)

FAQs

The Best Way To Store Candied Bacon To Keep It Fresh - The Daily Meal? ›

The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator. Before storing, let the caramelized bacon cool to room temperature. This helps keep condensation at bay when the meat is stored in the fridge, ensuring your delectable bacon stays crisp and delicious.

How long can you keep candied bacon in the refrigerator? ›

Much like traditional bacon, it is best to store candied bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While regular cooked bacon lasts only four to five days when stored in the fridge, candied bacon will last a little bit longer — up to three weeks.

Can candied bacon be frozen? ›

When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer. Immediately after cooling, wrap portions in plastic wrap and then in foil, ensuring a tight seal.

Can I reheat candied bacon? ›

Reheating Candied Bacon

When ready to eat, reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds until warm or crisp, or briefly in the oven at 350°F (175°C) on a baking sheet. This is like candy – we love it! I use a thick sliced pepper bacon and it is so good!

How do I store candied bacon? ›

The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator. Before storing, let the caramelized bacon cool to room temperature. This helps keep condensation at bay when the meat is stored in the fridge, ensuring your delectable bacon stays crisp and delicious.

Can bacon stay out of the fridge for 12 hours? ›

The general rule of food safety is to not let raw meat or cooked food sit out for more than 2 hours, and that rule applies to uncooked or cooked bacon. It's wise to be careful with uncooked pork products since they can harbor and grow bacterial pathogens like salmonella and trichinosis.

Can you freeze bacon in aluminum foil? ›

Follow some suggestions when freezing cooked bacon. To keep it from drying out, wrap it tightly in a freezer-safe wrap or aluminium foil. Make sure to remove as much air from the bag as you can to avoid freezer burn.

Do you freeze bacon or leave it in the fridge? ›

Raw bacon in a package that has been opened and re-sealed will last up to a week in the fridge, and cooked bacon will last four to five days if it's properly stored. You can also store bacon in the freezer.

Does bacon taste different after freezing? ›

Opened bacon can only be frozen for one month at most, and is better when frozen for shorter time periods. According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, the high fat content can cause bacon to develop a rancid flavor even in the freezer.

Can you make bacon the day before and reheat? ›

When you store them, cover with foil and refrigerate until ready to reheat. Reheat about 8 minutes in a preheated 300-degree oven. Finally, here's an easy way to bake bacon for a classic BLT.

Can you eat cooked bacon cold the next day? ›

Fully cooked, cold bacon is fine. Just as long as it hasn't been sitting out for an extended period.

How long does sugar cured bacon last in the fridge? ›

Unopened bacon may last roughly two weeks in the fridge and eight months in the freezer. Once the package has been opened, as long as it is well stored in a sealed container, uncooked bacon is good for a week.

Can you eat bacon that's been in the fridge for 5 days? ›

You can keep bacon in the refrigerator at 40 ºF or below for one week. Bacon can also be frozen at 0 ºF for four months (for best quality).

Is bacon good after 7 days? ›

Raw bacon in a package that has been opened and re-sealed will last up to a week in the fridge, and cooked bacon will last four to five days if it's properly stored. You can also store bacon in the freezer.

How long does crispy bacon last in the fridge? ›

Once stored, thick bacon will also last for up to five days in the refrigerator. Bacon bits: Sliced-up, home-cooked bacon is a great addition to almost any meal, and with an airtight container, you can refrigerate them for a little under a week.

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