Can You Refreeze Bacon Safely?

Freezing Bacon

If you need a couple of pieces of bacon at a time, repackage the bacon when you bring it home from the store. Then pop the individual servings in the freezer. You can even cook the bacon first, so it'll be easy to add to sandwiches.

Flash-freeze your cooked bacon on a cookie sheet. Then, transfer it to a freezer bag when it's fully frozen. This will prevent the pieces from sticking together, so they're easy to pull out as needed, and it'll save you the hassle of having to pack everything individually. Label all of your packages of bacon, so you don't confuse them with other foods in your freezer.

Refreezing Bacon

Just wrap the bacon well to prevent freezer burn (a freezer bag works well for this), and place it back in the freezer within three days of thawing. Exposure to air is the main cause of freezer burn, so squeeze all the air out of the freezer bag before you seal the top.

You can also refreeze cooked bacon as well as casseroles and other dishes that include bacon as an ingredient, provided the other ingredients are freezer-friendly.

Bacon in bags — The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Using Frozen Bacon

To use your frozen cooked bacon, just pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to heat it through, and it'll be ready to slide onto your breakfast plate or to top a sandwich without any additional prep work or dishes to clean.

Safety Warning

Your bacon will only be as good as it was when you put in the freezer, so don't try to cheat time by freezing old bacon. The quality won't be good, and it could put you at risk for food poisoning. While freezing does stop bacterial growth, it doesn't kill the bacteria that's already on the bacon.

As soon as you thaw it out, that bacteria will begin multiplying again. So, stick to the rule of only freezing opened packages of bacon that have been in the fridge for fewer than three days and sealed packages of bacon before their use-by date.

Tips

Try not to thaw bacon until you know how you'll use it, so you limit the amount of time it spends in the fridge. The Department of Agriculture notes that there are three safe ways to thaw bacon: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. You should never defrost bacon on the kitchen counter or at room temperature, the department warns.
Indeed, buying bacon—or any meat—in bulk can be a great way to save money because you can often get a better price if you buy more at one time. But it's important to learn the proper steps for packaging any meat for refreezing to ensure safety and avoid food-borne illnesses.

Food Safety & Sanitation