How long does bacon last?

Checked 24 Oct 20266 official publishers, 9 sources

Raw, unopened: 7 days in the fridge and 1 month in the freezer for best quality.

Storage times for bacon by state and place
StateCounter / pantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Raw, unopened 2 hours max CDC 7 days safety FDA FoodKeeper 1 month best quality FoodKeeper Extension FDA Sources disagree: 1-2 months Extension
Raw, opened 2 hours max CDC 2 days Extension Sources disagree: 1 week FoodKeeperExtension Not stated
Uncured 2 hours max CDC 4-7 days FoodKeeper 3-4 weeks best quality FoodKeeper
Turkey bacon, unopened 2 hours max CDC 2 weeks FoodKeeper 2-4 months best quality FoodKeeper
Turkey bacon, opened 2 hours max CDC 7 days FoodKeeper Not stated
Fully cooked, shelf-stable, unopened 6 months FoodKeeper Extension Not stated 3 months best quality Extension
Fully cooked, shelf-stable, opened Not stated 5-14 days FoodKeeper Extension Not stated
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStateCounter / pantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Raw, unopened-1 week1 month
Nebraska ExtensionRaw, unopenedNot recommended-1 month
FDA 2018Raw, unopened-7 days1 month
University of Illinois ExtensionRaw, unopened--1-2 months
CDC 2025Raw, unopened2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Raw, opened-1 week-
Nebraska ExtensionRaw, opened-1 week-
CDC 2025Raw, opened2 hours--
University of Wisconsin-Madison ExtensionRaw, opened-2 days-
CDC 2025Uncured2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Uncured-4-7 days3-4 weeks
CDC 2025Turkey bacon, unopened2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Turkey bacon, unopened-2 weeks2-4 months
CDC 2025Turkey bacon, opened2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Turkey bacon, opened-7 days-
Nebraska ExtensionFully cooked, shelf-stable, unopened6 months-3 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fully cooked, shelf-stable, unopened6 months--
Nebraska ExtensionFully cooked, shelf-stable, opened-5-14 days-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Fully cooked, shelf-stable, opened-5-14 days-

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

What the sources say

For raw bacon, FoodKeeper gives 1 week in the refrigerator both before and after the package is opened, and 1 month in the freezer.1

The FDA storage chart lists 7 days in the refrigerator and 1 month in the freezer for bacon.3

The Nebraska Extension chart says to use unopened bacon within 1 week of its "Use by" date, gives 1 week once opened, and lists 1 month in the freezer.2

The University of Illinois Extension freezer chart allows longer, 1 to 2 months, than the 1 month in FoodKeeper, the FDA chart and the Nebraska chart.4132

A University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension sheet on food product dating is stricter about opened packages, saying to use or freeze them within 2 days, and it reminds readers to cook bacon before eating it.6

Raw bacon does not belong in the pantry: the Nebraska chart lists it as not safe at room temperature.2

FoodKeeper lists uncured bacon separately, with 4 to 7 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 weeks in the freezer.7

Turkey bacon keeps 2 weeks unopened in the refrigerator and 7 days after opening, and FoodKeeper gives it 2 to 4 months in the freezer.8

Fully cooked, shelf-stable bacon can stay in the pantry: FoodKeeper and the Nebraska chart give 6 months unopened, with Nebraska adding "or until the use-by date on the package".92

After opening, both give 5 to 14 days in the refrigerator, and the Nebraska chart lists 3 months in the freezer for this kind of bacon.92

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour ruleFridge and freezer temperatureFreezing and refreezing
HamDeli meatGround beef

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 79: Bacon. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Bacon. DOP_Refrigerate: 1 Weeks; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 1 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 1 Months
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Bacon Not safe Within 1 week of "Use by" date (unopened); 1 week (opened) 1 monthBacon, fully cooked and shelf stable 6 months or until the "use-by" date on the package (unopened) 5 to 14 days (opened) 3 months
  3. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Bacon Sausage, raw from pork, beef, chicken or turkey Smoked breakfast links, patties 7 days 1 - 2 days 7 days 1 month
  4. Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Bacon 1 to 2 months
  5. Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
  6. Safe and Healthy: Food Product Dating. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Packaged (bacon and hot dogs) Eatup to 2 weeks past date. Once opened, use or freeze within 2 days.Cook bacon or hot dogs before eating.
  7. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 683: Bacon, uncured. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Bacon, uncured. Refrigerate: 4-7 Days; Freeze: 3-4 Weeks
  8. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 431: Turkey bacon. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Turkey bacon. DOP_Refrigerate: 2 Weeks (Unopened.); Refrigerate_After_Opening: 7 Days; Refrigerate_After_Thawing: 0-; DOP_Freeze: 2-4 Months
  9. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 107: Bacon, fully cooked. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Bacon, fully cooked. DOP_Pantry: 6 Months; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 5-14 Days