Can you freeze bacon?
Yes, bacon can be frozen.
- Fully cooked Yes · 3 months
- Fully cooked, opened Yes
- Uncured Yes · 3-4 weeks
- Bacon Yes · 1 month
- Opened Yes
- Beef bacon Yes · 4 months
- Cooked bacon, purchased refrigerated Yes · 3 months
- Dry-cured slab bacon Yes · 3 months
- Dry-cured sliced bacon Yes · 3 months
- Cooked by consumer, leftover Yes · 1 month
- Bacon cured without nitrites Yes · 6 months
- Poultry bacon Yes · 4 months
- General guidance Yes · 1 month
How long does bacon last in the freezer?
- Fully cooked3 months
- Uncured3-4 weeks
- Bacon1 month
- Beef bacon4 months
- Cooked bacon, purchased refrigerated3 months
- Dry-cured slab bacon3 months
- Dry-cured sliced bacon3 months
- Cooked by consumer, leftover1 month
- Bacon cured without nitrites6 months
- Poultry bacon4 months
- General guidance1 month
Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
Your freezer should be around -18°C
A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.
How to thaw bacon safely
- In the refrigerator
- In cold water, cook it right after thawing
- In the microwave, cook it right after thawing
- Cook it from frozen
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.
It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.
You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm
It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted
After thawing
It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted
Can you refreeze bacon?
- In the United StatesYes
- In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.
Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.
After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.
You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that
Frequently asked questions
Can you freeze bacon?
Yes, bacon can be frozen. Fully cooked: 3 months; Uncured: 3-4 weeks; Bacon: 1 month.
Can you refreeze bacon?
In the United States: Yes; In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking.
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last verified: October 1, 2026.
- FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart US
- Food Standards Agency - consumer food hygiene guidance GB
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System US
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension US
- Kansas State University Research and Extension US
- Colorado State University Extension US
- University of Illinois Extension US
- Oregon State University Extension US
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension US
- Love Food Hate Waste (WRAP) GB
- National Center for Home Food Preservation US
- North Dakota State University Extension US
- Ohio State University Extension US
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech) US
- Worcestershire County Council GB
- USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data US
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling and Preparation US