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Learn how to freeze individual slices of bacon with this simple method. It’s a great way to reduce waste and have bacon ready whenever you need it.

bacon strips rolled into spirals on a baking sheet.

Why You’ll Love This Method

  • Easy Portion Control: Pre-freeze individual bacon slices rolled into spirals so you can grab exactly what you need—no need to thaw the whole package.
  • Stays Fresh Longer: Freezing helps preserve the flavor and quality of bacon for months.
  • Simple and Fast: Rolling bacon into spirals takes just minutes and makes storing and using bacon more efficient.

I love this method of freezing bacon because it’s practical and works perfectly when cooking for one or two. In my early days of cooking, I realized how much flavor a single slice of bacon can add to soups, stews, and sauces. Since then, I’ve always kept bacon in my freezer, ready to grab whenever I need it. Freezing bacon this way means I don’t have to worry about it going bad, and I can enjoy the flavor it brings to my meals without any waste.

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How to Freeze Bacon

What You’ll Need:

  • Bacon
  • Baking sheet
  • Freezer-safe ziplock bag or container
  • Parchment paper (optional)

Freezing Uncooked Bacon

  1. Roll the Bacon: Take each slice and roll it into a spiral, starting at one end.
  2. Flash Freeze: Place the spirals on a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper if you’d like easier cleanup. Freeze for at least 1 hour, until solid.
  3. Store: Transfer the frozen spirals to a freezer bag or container. Keep them in the freezer until needed.
frozen bacon spirals in a ziplock bag.

Expert Tips

  • Space out the bacon spirals on the baking sheet so they don’t stick together.
  • Cook bacon right after thawing.
  • Store cooked bacon in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
a yellow bowl filled with clam chowder topped with crumbled bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze an entire package of bacon without separating the slices?

Yes, but it’s harder to separate and use individual slices later. For convenience, it’s best to freeze slices separately.

How long can you keep frozen bacon?

Frozen bacon can be stored for up to 6 months. For best quality, use it within 1 to 3 months.

How do I thaw frozen bacon spirals?

Place a spiral in the refrigerator for a few hours or defrost it in the microwave using the defrost setting.

Can I freeze cooked bacon?

Yes, cooked bacon freezes well. Let it cool, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Recipes That Use Bacon

Freezing bacon makes it easy to add flavor to your meals whenever you need it. Once thawed, use a slice or two in any of these single serving or small batch recipes:

For more ideas, search “bacon” on our site to find soups, salads, and main dishes that use just a few slices.

a bowl of pasta carbonara.

If you’ve tried this method for freezing individual slices of bacon, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and a comment below.


Cooking For One Made Easy
Because you’re worth it

How To Freeze Bacon

4.88 from 8 votes
By: Joanie Zisk
Prep: 5 minutes
Freeze: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 1 slice
Learn how to freeze bacon in individual portions so you can use just what you need without waste. This simple method keeps bacon fresh and ready for any recipe.

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • Any amount of bacon
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Instructions 

  • Roll each bacon slice into a spiral. Repeat with all slices.
  • Place the spirals on a parchment- or wax paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour, until solid.
  • Transfer the frozen spirals to a freezer bag and keep in the freezer until ready to use.

Notes

  • Space out the bacon spirals on the baking sheet so they don’t stick together.
  • Cook bacon right after thawing.
  • Store cooked bacon in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1strip bacon, Calories: 54kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.2g, Protein: 3.9g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1.4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1.8g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 194mg, Potassium: 57.4mg, Calcium: 1.3mg, Iron: 0.1mg

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.

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Iโ€™m Joanie, chef, author of The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook, and creator of One Dish Kitchen. With 10+ years of experience developing single serving and small batch recipes, Iโ€™m passionate about making cooking for one simple and enjoyable. So glad youโ€™re here!

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4.88 from 8 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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8 Comments

  1. Jane L Hill says:

    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.

    1. Lynne says:

      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!

  2. Chris says:

    Thank you!!!
    This is a game changer for me, don’t have to throw half used bacon packs away. Job done!

  3. Brenda says:

    Thank you so much I will do that with my bacon and I will try a lot of your foods

  4. Tony says:

    Great Idea. Never thought of that. Thank you.

  5. Tim says:

    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

  6. Marlene Harguth says:

    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.

  7. Sandy Fuoss says:

    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