This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
See how easy it is to freeze bacon so there’s no waste. Save money and time with this easy method of freezing uncooked bacon to use later.
During my early days of cooking, I quickly discovered the amazing impact a slice or two of bacon can have on dishes like soups, stews, and sauces, giving them an incredible boost of flavor. Since then, I always keep bacon in my freezer, ready to use at a moment’s notice.
Cooking for just one or two can mean that buying a full package of bacon might seem too much, as finishing it all within a few days can be a challenge. That’s why freezing bacon is such a great solution. By freezing it, you can easily take out just a slice or two whenever you need it, ensuring nothing goes to waste while still enjoying that delicious bacon flavor in your meals.
Why This Method Works
- Portion Control Made Easy: By pre-freezing bacon in single servings and rolling them into spirals, you can conveniently use just the amount you need, whether it’s one slice or two.
- Longer Shelf Life: Freezing bacon significantly extends its usability, preserving its quality for several months.
- Quick and Simple: The process of rolling bacon into coils or spirals is not only efficient but also incredibly easy, making it a practical solution for saving time.
How To Freeze Bacon: Simple Steps For Lasting Freshness
What You’ll Need:
- Bacon
- A baking sheet
- A ziplock freezer bag or other freezer safe container
- A sheet of parchment paper (optional)
How To Freeze Uncooked Bacon
- Separate the bacon and roll each strip of bacon into spirals: Start at one end of the bacon slice and roll the slice into a spiral. Repeat with the remaining bacon slices.
- Flash freeze the bacon spirals: Place the bacon spirals on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour, or until the spirals are frozen solid. I like to line my baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, but you don’t have to. You can just put the spirals of bacon on the baking sheet without parchment.
- Store in a freezer bag: Remove the frozen bacon spirals from the baking sheet and place in a ziplock bag. Keep the bacon in the freezer until you are ready to use a slice or two.
Expert Tips
- Ensure to space out the bacon spirals while freezing to prevent them from sticking to each other.
- Once thawed, cook the bacon immediately.
- You can keep cooked bacon in the fridge for up to one week.
Frequently Asked Questions
The safest way to defrost frozen bacon is in your refrigerator, but you can also defrost it in the microwave. Never defrost bacon by leaving it on your kitchen counter because harmful bacteria can develop if bacon is left at room temperature for too long. Be sure to cook the bacon right away after it has thawed.
Although frozen bacon can last up to six months in the freezer, for best taste and texture, it’s ideal to cook it within one month of freezing.
No. Bacon is a raw meat and eating raw bacon will increase your risk of food poisoning and other health issues. Eating raw bacon can expose you to bacteria and parasites.
No, do not refreeze bacon once it has thawed.
How To Use Frozen Bacon
After your bacon has thawed, use it in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this method for freezing individual slices of bacon please let me know how you liked it by rating the method and telling me about it in the comment section below.
How To Freeze Bacon
Equipment
- freezer bag or container
- parchment paper or wax paper
Ingredients
- Any amount of bacon
Instructions
- Separate the bacon. Starting at one end of the bacon slice, roll the slice into a spiral. Repeat with the remaining bacon slices.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Place the bacon spirals on the baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour, or until the spirals are frozen solid.
- Remove the frozen bacon spirals from the baking sheet and place in a freezer bag. Store in the freezer until you are ready to use them.
Notes
- Leave space between the bacon spirals when freezing so they don’t stick together.
- Cook the bacon as soon as it has thawed.
- Cooked bacon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I have been using this technique for years with a slight variation. I have a few extra plastic ice cube trays, so I put the spirals in each cube cavity and then freeze it. When frozen I then put the frozen spirals in a ziploc bag. There is not always space in the freezer for a sheetpan, so this works for anyone who has a small freezer.
What a great idea! I am one of those people with no room for a baking sheet in my freezer (sometimes not even room for and ice cube tray haha) so this sounds like a great solution! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!!!
This is a game changer for me, don’t have to throw half used bacon packs away. Job done!
Thank you so much I will do that with my bacon and I will try a lot of your foods
Great Idea. Never thought of that. Thank you.
I have ried this and it works perfectly. I can just pull out of the freezer and cook what I need and not have the waste. Thank you
For years (even when cooking for family), I separate the bacon after opening the package and then lay each slice on a cookie sheet and freeze. After an hour or two the bacon has frozen enough to be put in a ziplock bag. I then take out how many slices I need.
I prefer baked bacon so I will bake the whole pound and then freeze it in a ziplock bag. It works great for everything from breakfast sandwiches 2 soup or a BLT. Just take it out of the freezer microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds depending on how much your heating and you’re good to go