You bought a package of bacon and left it on the counter while you unpacked the groceries. It has been sitting outside for about 45 minutes now. You’re wondering if the bacon really needs to be put straight back into the fridge, or if it can sit out a little longer while you get settled.
Does bacon need to be refrigerated?
Short answer: Yes, raw bacon and most cooked bacon should be refrigerated at all times. There is one exception: shelf-stable precooked bacon, which has been processed to a specific moisture level that allows storage at room temperature before opening. For everything else, refrigerate at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below and discard if stored more than 2 hours.
See the Food Storage Guide for more information on storing perishable food.
key takeaways
- Raw Bacon: Must be refrigerated at all times
- Cooked bacon: Must be refrigerated; Use within 4 to 5 days
- Left on for more than 2 hours: Discard
- Shelf-stable precooked bacon: room temperature before opening; refrigerate after opening
- Store raw bacon in the coldest part of the refrigerator, away from other foods, to prevent cross-contamination.
Does raw bacon need to be refrigerated?
Yes, all the time. Raw bacon is a raw pork product that requires constant refrigeration at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less as soon as you bring it home from the store. It was stored in the refrigerated meat case at the grocery store, and it goes right into your refrigerator when you get home. USDA FSIS clearly states that raw bacon must be kept refrigerated to maintain safety. Raw bacon should be removed if left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Brief exposure (15 to 20 minutes) while opening groceries is not a cause for concern. The 2-hour rule covers cumulative time at room temperature in the danger zone between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, not momentary counter rest.
Does cooked bacon need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Cooked bacon should be refrigerated if not eaten immediately. Once cooked and cooled to room temperature, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Don’t leave cooked bacon on a plate on the counter after a meal. Properly refrigerated, cooked bacon lasts for 4 to 5 days.
A practical tip: Batch-cooking bacon and storing it cooked in the fridge is actually a smart use of that uncooked package lying near your window. Cooking raw bacon before it reaches the end of the 1 week open window converts it to cooked bacon with a 4 to 5 day fridge life, effectively giving you more usable time than leaving it raw.
Shelf-Stable Precooked Bacon Exception
One type of bacon that does not require refrigeration before opening is shelf-stable precooked bacon. According to USDA FSIS, to be classified as shelf-stable, pre-cooked bacon must be processed at the plant to a water activity of 0.85 or below, which controls the growth of Staphylococcus aureus at room temperature. The USDA recommends storing it at 85 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and using it by the manufacturer’s recommended date. This product is typically found in vacuum-sealed packaging on non-refrigerated grocery shelves rather than meat cans.
Once opened, shelf-stable precooked bacon should be refrigerated and used within 2 weeks. If you’re unsure whether your pre-cooked bacon is shelf-stable, check where it was sold: If it was in a refrigerated meat case, keep it refrigerated. If it came from the non-refrigerated aisle, it is shelf-stable until opened.
How to store bacon correctly
raw bacon
- Keep in original sealed packaging until use. Vacuum sealing significantly extends shelf life.
- Once opened, wrap remaining strips tightly in plastic wrap or transfer to a zip-top bag, pressing out as much air as possible.
- Place on the lower interior shelf or in the meat drawer, not in the door. The door is the hottest place in the refrigerator.
- Keep raw pork drips away from ready-to-eat foods and beneath other foods to prevent contamination.
- Use within 1 week of opening according to USDA guidance.
cooked bacon
- Let it cool briefly on a paper towel to remove excess fat, then transfer to an airtight container.
- Do not leave cooked bacon at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Store it in a single layer in a sealed container or between paper towels to prevent soggyness.
- Use within 4 to 5 days.
- To reheat: Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, or reheat in a pan over medium heat. Do not reheat more than once.
Freezing Bacon
- Raw: Freeze in original sealed packaging if unopened. Wrap opened packages tightly in plastic wrap and place in freezer bags.
- Before freezing, separate the strips with parchment paper so that individual strips can be pulled out without melting the entire package.
- Raw Bacon: Frozen up to 4 months. Cooked bacon: Up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Use within 7 days of thawing. Once thawed, do not refreeze.
See also
Recipes That Use Bacon
If your bacon is reaching the end of its window, cook it. Batch-cooked bacon crumbles beautifully in salads, pasta, soups, baked potatoes and egg dishes and keeps for 4 to 5 days in the fridge. We love the bacon in this Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe. Turkey bacon works especially well in lighter preparations. For more information about turkey bacon and lean protein options, see Best Sources of Lean Protein. For USDA’s complete bacon safety guidance, visit USDA FSIS Bacon and Food Safety Page.
Bacon Storage Guide FAQ
FAQ: Can bacon sit out overnight?
No, raw or cooked bacon left out at room temperature overnight should be discarded. The USDA 2-hour rule applies: Any perishable food left in the temperature danger zone (between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than 2 hours should not be eaten. Bacon that has been sitting out overnight has been in the area for 8 or more hours. Even if it looks and smells good, bacteria levels can reach unsafe concentrations without causing detectable symptoms.
FAQ: Does unwrapped bacon need to be refrigerated?
Yes, for all standard raw and cooked refrigerated bacon. Sealed vacuum packaging significantly extends shelf life but does not make the product shelf-stable. An opened package of raw bacon stored in the refrigerator lasts continuously for up to 2 weeks. If it came from a refrigerated meat case at the store, it should still stay cold in the original sealed package. The only exception is shelf-stable precooked bacon sold from unrefrigerated shelves, which can be stored at room temperature until opened.
FAQ: Can you store bacon grease at room temperature?
Bacon grease stored in a sealed container can be kept at room temperature for up to a month, according to food safety experts, although refrigeration extends its life to 3 months or more. The high fat content and lack of water make it significantly more shelf-stable than bacon. However, if there are any food particles or bacon pieces in your bacon grease, refrigerate it immediately to prevent rancidity and bacteria growth from the protein-rich particles. See Does Bacon Go Bad for complete bacon shelf life and spoilage guidance.
Further reading
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