Can You Freeze Canadian Bacon? | What You Should Know

I like to buy things in bulk. Anytime I purchase any kind of meat, I like to buy some for the fridge and some for the deep freeze. As a Southerner, I only recently started eating bacon, so I wondered if the same rules of preservation apply to Canadian bacon as to regular bacon. I looked into the matter, and this is what I learned.

Raw Canadian bacon can last up to a week in the refrigerator, while cooked bacon may last up to ten days. Precooked bacon lasts less time in the refrigerator, only four to five days. If you do not think you will eat the bacon in time, you can freeze your Canadian bacon for up to six months. 

The rest of the article will cover the topic in greater detail and answer some commonly asked questions.

Can You Freeze Bacon Once Opened?

You can freeze bacon once it is opened for around six to eight months as long as you properly wrap the opened, uncooked bacon. You can keep it in your refrigerator for up to four days after you open the package. If you do not think you will consume it within four days, you should freeze it for later consumption.

If you place the opened bacon in a resealable plastic bag or tightly wrap it in aluminum foil, it will save the taste and increase the shelf-life of the Canadian bacon for at least six months. 

How Do You Cook Frozen Canadian Bacon?

Before you cook frozen Canadian bacon, you will need to thaw it in the refrigerator. Never thaw it on the kitchen counter at room temperature, as it could develop deadly bacteria. 

If you do not have the time necessary to thaw frozen Canadian bacon in the refrigerator, you can do the following: 

1. Put it in a plastic bag
2. Place the plastic bag in a bowl of water
3. Empty and replace the water every half hour until thawed 

It should only take about an hour to thaw a package that weighs one pound or less.

You can also thaw Canadian bacon in the microwave but only do this if you know you will be cooking the bacon right away because bacteria could grow if it sits after being microwaved. 

Related How Long Does Meat Last in the Freezer? (With Storage Times).

Can I Freeze Cooked Bacon?

You can freeze cooked bacon as long as you ensure that most of the fat is absorbed, the bacon is cooled properly, and then you wrap it in a resealable plastic bag or in aluminum foil. 

Pro Tip: You can freeze cooked bacon for up to three months. You should write the date you place the cooked bacon in the freezer to ensure you use it within that three-month time frame.

How to Freeze Canadian Bacon Correctly

To freeze cooked Canadian bacon, you will want to take the bacon off of the heat first and lay a paper towel over it to absorb any extra fat. Once it is cold, you can place the cooked bacon in a freezer bag and store it for around three months. Make sure all of the air is removed from the bag to prevent freezer burn from setting in.

You can store unopened, uncooked bacon in the freezer for anywhere from six to eight months. If the bacon is opened but uncooked, just place it in a resealable plastic bag or wrap it in aluminum foil. 

How Do You Store Canadian Bacon?

The best way to store Canadian bacon to ensure it stays fresh is in an airtight container or sealed package. You can then store it in your refrigerator as long as you think you will eat it within a week or so. If not, you should consider freezing your Canadian bacon so that it lasts longer. 

Here is an excellent airtight container that is safe for the freezer, dishwasher, and microwave.

You should store your Canadian bacon immediately if you do not think you will be cooking it. That way, it will not be exposed to the oxygen in the air and go rancid. Storing your bacon also depends on whether it is opened but not cooked or cooked bacon ready to be stored: 

• Opened Canadian bacon – First, try to reseal the bacon in its original package before storing it in the fridge or freezer. If you cannot reseal the package, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and mark the date with a pen.
• Cooked bacon – Store any leftover cooked bacon in an airtight container or freezer bag. 

If you do not open the package of Canadian bacon, you can simply place the unopened package in the refrigerator or freezer until it is ready to be cooked.

The most important thing when storing Canadian bacon is to do so right after it is used. That way, it will not sit and possibly accumulate bacteria. 

How Long Can You Store Canadian Bacon in the Freezer?

How long you can store Canadian bacon in the freezer depends on the type of bacon you are storing: 

• Cooked bacon – three months
• Unopened, uncooked bacon – six to eight months
• Opened, uncooked bacon – six to eight months if wrapped properly 

As you can see from above, you can freeze bacon once it is opened as long as you take the proper steps and precautions to ensure it will not go rancid before freezing it. 

How Long Does Canadian Bacon Stay Good in the Refrigerator?

You can safely store Canadian bacon in your refrigerator, but how long Canadian bacon stays in the refrigerator depends on the bacon type: 

• Raw bacon- 5 to 7 days
• Precooked bacon- 4 to 5 days
• Cooked bacon- 5 to 10 days 

If you think you will not eat your raw, precooked, or cooked bacon in time, you can always freeze them for their respective amount of time and still safely feed your family. If you are unsure about timing, refrigerate your cooked Canadian bacon for three to four days. Then, you can be conservative and freeze it for one to two months. 

Final Thoughts

Bacon is one of the most popular foods in the world, and Canadian bacon is no exception. By properly wrapping it and knowing the amount of time raw, precooked, and cooked bacon can be stored, you can maximize the product’s shelf life and ensure your family’s safety when you bring out that delicious bacon for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

I hope this article has been helpful. Thanks for reading!

For more, check out How Long Does Bacon Last in the Fridge?