Can You Freeze Bacon? How To Freeze Raw & Cooked Bacon

Whether it’s a pack of back bacon for a full English breakfast or streaky bacon for sandwiches, pasta dishes and weekend brunches, bacon is one of those ingredients I nearly always have in the fridge.

The problem is that once a packet has been opened, it doesn’t last very long. I’ve thrown away more bacon than I’d like to admit over the years simply because I didn’t get around to using it in time.

These days, if I know I won’t use it before the use-by date, I freeze it instead. Bacon freezes surprisingly well and it’s one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste while making sure you always have some ready for quick meals.

Can You Freeze Bacon?

Yes, you can freeze bacon.

Both smoked and unsmoked bacon freeze well, including back bacon, streaky bacon, bacon rashers, bacon lardons and cooking bacon.

Freezing has very little effect on the flavour or texture as long as the bacon is wrapped properly and protected from freezer burn.

For the best quality, I recommend using frozen bacon within 3–4 months, although it will remain safe for longer if it has been kept continuously frozen.

Can You Freeze Bacon After Opening?

Yes, you can freeze bacon after opening the packet.

In fact, this is one of the best ways to prevent leftover bacon being wasted. If you’ve opened a pack and know you won’t use it before it goes off, freezing it is a much better option than leaving it forgotten at the back of the fridge.

You can freeze the rashers together, but I personally prefer separating them first so I can take out exactly what I need.

Can You Freeze Different Types Of Bacon?

Most types of bacon freeze really well.

Type of bacon Can you freeze it? Tips
Back bacon Yes Freeze rashers separately if you only use a few at a time
Streaky bacon Yes Great for freezing in smaller portions for recipes
Bacon lardons Yes Freeze ready-to-use portions for pasta, soups and casseroles
Cooking bacon Yes Split larger packs before freezing
Cooked bacon Yes Cool completely before freezing

Can You Freeze Back Bacon?

Yes, back bacon freezes extremely well.

If the packet is unopened, you can usually place it straight into the freezer. If you’ve already opened it, wrap the rashers well or transfer them into a freezer bag.

If you normally only cook a couple of rashers at a time, freeze them individually so you can remove exactly what you need.

Can You Freeze Streaky Bacon?

Yes.

I actually prefer freezing streaky bacon in smaller portions because I often use it for recipes rather than breakfast.

Sometimes I’ll chop the bacon before freezing so I can grab a handful straight from the freezer for carbonara, soups or casseroles without needing to defrost the whole pack.

Can You Freeze Bacon Lardons?

Yes, bacon lardons are ideal for freezing.

Because they are already cut into small pieces, they thaw quickly and are easy to add straight into recipes.

I like freezing them in recipe-sized portions so I don’t have to defrost more than I need.

Can You Freeze Cooked Bacon?

Yes, cooked bacon can also be frozen.

Allow cooked bacon to cool completely before placing it into a freezer bag or airtight container.

Personally, I think back bacon freezes better than very crispy streaky bacon. Crispy bacon can become quite brittle after freezing and may crumble when reheated, although it is still perfectly fine to use in recipes or as a salad topping, for example.

How To Freeze Bacon

Freezing bacon is quick and simple.

1. Decide how you will use it

Think about how you normally cook bacon.

If you usually cook a whole packet at once, freezing it together may work best. If you only use a couple of rashers at a time, separating portions before freezing will make life much easier.

2. Wrap the bacon well

If the bacon is unopened, you can often freeze it in the original packaging.

For opened packets, wrap the bacon tightly or place it into a freezer bag or airtight container. Removing as much air as possible helps prevent freezer burn.

3. Freeze rashers individually

If you want to remove individual rashers easily, place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper and freeze until firm.

Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.

This stops the slices sticking together, meaning you can take out just what you need.

I started doing this a few years ago and it has made breakfasts much easier when I only need two slices.

4. Label and freeze

Write the date on the freezer bag before placing the bacon into the freezer.

Frozen food has a habit of looking surprisingly similar after a few months!

How Long Can You Freeze Bacon For?

For the best quality, use frozen bacon within 3–4 months.

After this point it is still usually safe to eat if it has remained frozen, but the flavour and texture may start to deteriorate and freezer burn becomes more likely.

How To Defrost Bacon

The safest way to defrost bacon is overnight in the fridge.

If you need it more quickly, you can use your microwave’s defrost setting.

If you’ve frozen individual rashers, you may find they separate easily while still frozen, allowing you to cook only what you need.

Can You Cook Bacon From Frozen?

Yes, you can cook bacon from frozen.

Individual rashers can usually be cooked straight from frozen, although they may take slightly longer than fresh bacon.

If you have frozen an entire packet together, it is usually easier to defrost it first rather than trying to separate the frozen slices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Freeze Raw Bacon?

Yes, you can freeze raw bacon.

In fact, this is how most people freeze bacon. Just make sure opened packets are wrapped well before placing them in the freezer.

Can You Freeze Vacuum-Packed Bacon?

Yes.

Vacuum-packed bacon freezes particularly well because there is less air inside the packaging, which helps reduce the risk of freezer burn.

Can You Freeze Bacon Twice?

You can refreeze bacon if it has been thawed safely, cooked thoroughly and then frozen again as leftovers.

However, repeatedly freezing and thawing bacon can affect the quality, so I would avoid doing this where possible.

Can You Freeze Bacon Grease?

Yes, bacon grease can be frozen.

Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can then be used later for adding flavour to dishes such as roast potatoes, vegetables or sauces.

Can You Freeze Turkey Bacon?

Yes, turkey bacon can also be frozen.

The same advice applies: wrap it well, remove excess air and use it within a few months for the best quality.

Does Freezing Affect Bacon?

Not very much.

Bacon is one of the meats that freezes particularly well. As long as it is wrapped properly and stored correctly, most people won’t notice much difference in flavour or texture.

Final Thoughts

If you’re anything like me, bacon often gets bought with good intentions and then forgotten at the back of the fridge.

Freezing it means you always have bacon ready for breakfasts, sandwiches and recipes, while also helping to reduce food waste.

I now freeze leftover bacon whenever I know I won’t use it in time, and it has saved me from throwing away perfectly good food many times.

More Foods You Can Freeze

If you’re building up your freezer and want to know what else you can freeze, take a look at my complete guide to freezing food.

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Whether you’re trying to reduce food waste, save money or simply make meal planning easier, you’ll find hundreds of practical freezer guides in our Freezing Food Hub.

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