When it comes to shelf stable bacon, most people want to know if Bacon Up and similar shelf stable bacon products are safe to eat. As a food product that does not require refrigeration and has a long shelf life, it’s understandable that consumers may be skeptical about how these bacons are processed and whether they make a good choice for meals and recipes.
What is shelf stable bacon?
Shelf stable bacon is bacon that has been processed in a way that allows it to be stored at room temperature without refrigeration. This process allows the bacon to have a shelf life of 9-12 months or longer before opening. Once opened, shelf stable bacon products must be refrigerated.
There are a few different processes used to make shelf stable bacon:
- Cooking – Fully cooking the bacon to destroy bacteria and pathogens.
- pH reduction – Lowering the pH of the bacon through ingredients like vinegar or culturing.
- Moisture reduction – Drying the bacon to remove moisture where bacteria can grow.
- Preservatives – Adding preservatives to prevent bacterial growth.
Most shelf stable bacons use a combination of these processes. The specific processing may vary between brands.
Is Bacon Up shelf stable bacon safe to eat?
Yes, Bacon Up and other major brands of shelf stable bacon are considered safe to eat. Here are some key reasons why:
- The bacon is fully cooked to eliminate harmful bacteria.
- Preservatives are used to prevent new bacteria from developing.
- The products meet USDA and FDA food safety regulations.
- The bacon is processed in facilities that follow food safety protocols.
- Reputable brands adhere to high quality control standards.
As long as the bacon is consumed before the expiration date on the package and stored properly, it should be safe to eat straight from the packaging.
What are the ingredients in Bacon Up?
According to the product packaging, here are the ingredients in Bacon Up Original shelf stable bacon slices:
| Ingredients |
|---|
| Cured with Water, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite. *Minimally Processed. No MSG. |
As you can see, the ingredient list is relatively simple. It contains basic curing agents you would expect to find in regular packaged bacon from the refrigerated section. There are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
The ingredients enable the cooking and curing process that makes Bacon Up shelf stable. Sodium phosphate helps retain moisture, sodium erythorbate promotes color retention, and sodium nitrite prevents the growth of harmful bacteria like botulism.
How does Bacon Up taste compared to regular bacon?
Most people find the taste and texture of Bacon Up and similar shelf stable bacons to be comparable to regular bacon straight from the fridge. However, there are a few key differences to note:
- Shelf stable bacon has a drier, chewier texture.
- The flavor tends to be saltier and smokier.
- It lacks the fatty richness of fresh bacon.
- The bacon does not crisp up as much when cooking.
So while shelf stable bacon tastes similar to regular bacon, the texture and mouthfeel may take some getting used to. The flavor profile emphasizes smoky, salty, and umami notes rather than fresh, fatty notes.
How long does Bacon Up last after opening?
Once opened, Bacon Up and other shelf stable bacons must be refrigerated and used within a certain timeframe. Here is how long Bacon Up specifically lasts:
| Shelf Life After Opening |
|---|
| 7-10 days |
This shelf life is typical for opened packages of shelf stable bacon. The bacon can last over a week as long as it is promptly refrigerated after opening and stored properly. Make sure to wrap up any leftovers tightly.
Should Bacon Up be cooked before eating?
Even though the bacon is fully cooked during processing, Bacon Up and most other shelf stable bacons are still recommended to be cooked before eating. Here are some reasons why:
- Cooking improves the texture, rendering some fat and making it less rubbery.
- Heating the bacon makes it warm, crispy and gives it an appealing fresh fried flavor.
- Cooking helps extend the shelf life after opening.
- Consumers expect bacon to be cooked and find it unappetizing to eat it straight from the pack.
So for maximum enjoyment and food safety, you should cook shelf stable bacon before serving. Quick frying, baking or microwaving are all effective cooking methods.
How to cook Bacon Up
To cook Bacon Up shelf stable bacon, you can use these basic methods:
- Skillet: Fry over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly crisped.
- Oven: Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave: Cook for 1-2 minutes on a microwave-safe plate.
Keep in mind that the bacon may not get as crispy as regular bacon due to the curing process. But cooking will make it warm, improve the texture, and bring out the smoky bacon flavor.
Tips for cooking Bacon Up
- Use a non-stick pan to prevent sticking.
- Cook it in batches to avoid crowding the pan.
- Try mixing flavors like maple syrup or brown sugar into the bacon before cooking.
- Crumble it up after cooking for use in recipes and toppings.
How to store unopened Bacon Up
To get the full shelf life out of your Bacon Up or other shelf stable bacon:
- Store unopened packages at room temperature.
- Keep the bacon away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Avoid humid environments like the bathroom.
- Check expiration dates and don’t use if expired.
- Ensure packages are properly sealed.
Stored properly at room temperature, unopened Bacon Up has a shelf life of 9-12 months. Refer to packaging for precise expiration dates.
Can Bacon Up be stored in the pantry?
Yes, the pantry is a perfect place to store shelf stable bacon as long as the environment is room temperature, dry, and relatively cool. An optimal pantry temperature range is between 50°F and 70°F.
What temperature should Bacon Up be stored at?
For best quality, Bacon Up and other shelf stable bacons should be stored between 60°F and 80°F before opening. Avoid temperature extremes outside this range. Refrigeration is not needed prior to opening the bacon.
How to store opened Bacon Up
Once opened, Bacon Up and all types of shelf stable bacon must be refrigerated. Here are some storage tips for opened bacon packages:
- Refrigerate after opening and keep at 40°F or below.
- Use within 7-10 days for best quality.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil or an airtight container.
- Keep away from fresh produce that may absorb odors.
- Do not freeze, as this greatly alters texture.
With refrigeration and proper storage methods, opened shelf stable bacon can retain good flavor and texture for up to 10 days post-opening.
What is the best way to store opened Bacon Up?
The best way to store opened Bacon Up is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents the bacon from drying out in the refrigerator. An airtight container also works well and prevents fridge odors from seeping in.
Can Bacon Up be frozen?
Freezing is not recommended for opened packages of Bacon Up or any opened shelf stable bacon products. Freezing causes detrimental textural changes, making the bacon extremely hard and crunchy once thawed.
Unopened, unused packages of Bacon Up can be frozen by the expiration date for longer term storage. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before opening the package.
Is Bacon Up good for recipes?
Bacon Up works great in recipes that call for bacon bits, crumbles or flavoring. Here are some of the best ways to use shelf stable bacon like Bacon Up in recipes:
- Salads – Crumble on top of leafy greens or pasta salads.
- Baked potatoes – Top with crumbled bacon.
- Soup beans – Add bacon pieces for flavor.
- Mac and cheese – Mix in bacon bits.
- Pizza – Sprinkle crisped bacon over pizza.
- Casseroles – Use as a crunchy, smoky topping.
- Green beans – Sauté beans with bacon pieces.
- Baked goods – Add bacon crumbles to biscuits, scones, etc.
The key is to cook and crumble the bacon first, then mix the crisp bacon crumbles into the dish. Shelf stable bacon may be too chewy if not pre-cooked before eating.
What kind of recipes work best with Bacon Up?
Some of the best recipe uses for Bacon Up and shelf stable bacon include:
- Salads
- Baked potatoes
- Pizzas
- Green vegetables
- Dressings and dips
- Pasta dishes
- Soups
- Casseroles
- Egg dishes
- Baked goods
The crispy, salty, smoky bacon bits add delicious flavor to all kinds of recipes. Just cook the bacon first for the best texture.
Is Bacon Up Keto and Paleo friendly?
Yes, Bacon Up makes an excellent choice for low carb, high protein diets like the Keto diet or Paleo diet. Here’s why it fits these diets so well:
- High in protein – 10g protein per serving
- No carbohydrates
- No sugar
- High in fat – But it’s heart healthy unsaturated fat
- No soy, grains, fillers or preservatives
- All natural ingredients
Bacon Up provides a quick protein boost without any of the carbs, sugars or additives restricted on low carb diets. It’s an easy keto-friendly food for breakfast, salads, snacks and more.
Is Bacon Up Whole30 approved?
Bacon Up is not Whole30 approved, as Whole30 restricts use of nitrates/nitrites and other cured meats. But Bacon Up can fit into a Paleo diet, as Paleo allows uncured nitrate-free bacon and other processed meats in moderation.
Where to buy Bacon Up
There are a few options for where to buy shelf stable bacon like Bacon Up:
- Online – Amazon, Walmart, Bacon Up website, other online retailers
- Grocery stores – Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, Harris Teeter, etc.
- Warehouse clubs – Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale
- Convenience stores – 7-Eleven, Circle K, QuikTrip, Wawa, Pilot Flying J, etc.
- Mass merchandisers – Target, Kmart, Dollar General
The major national brands like Bacon Up, Oscar Mayer, Hormel and Wright Brand are widely available both online and in stores. Look for shelf stable bacon near the spam, canned meats, dried sausage and similar products.
Is Bacon Up available at Walmart or Costco?
Yes, both Walmart and Costco sell popular shelf stable bacon brands like Bacon Up. At Walmart, it will be stocked with the other bacon products in the refrigerated section or meat department. Costco typically carries it in the canned/dried goods aisle.
Pros and cons of Bacon Up
Here is a quick overview of some of the key pros and cons of Bacon Up shelf stable bacon:
Pros:
- Long 9-12 month shelf life unopened
- Doesn’t require refrigeration before opening
- Convenient for camping, RVing, travel
- Natural ingredients with no artificial additives
- High protein
- Lower fat than regular bacon
- Keto and paleo friendly
- Widely available at stores
Cons:
- Chewy texture
- Not as fatty/rich tasting as fresh bacon
- Contains sodium nitrite
- Must refrigerate after opening
- More expensive than regular bacon
- May not appeal to bacon purists
Shelf stable bacon safety tips
To safely enjoy Bacon Up and other shelf stable bacons:
- Check expiration dates and don’t eat if expired
- Discard packages that are damaged or leaking
- Cook thoroughly before eating
- Refrigerate after opening and use within 7-10 days
- Don’t microwave uncooked bacon straight from package
- Watch sodium intake if limiting salt
Overall, shelf stable bacon is designed to be safe at room temperature until opened. But always practice good food safety and enjoy bacon responsibly as part of a healthy diet.
Conclusion
Bacon Up and similar shelf stable bacon products provide a tasty convenient alternative to regular refrigerated bacon. While the taste and texture may be slightly different, shelf stable bacon offers the savory bacon flavor consumers love in a product that’s portable and non-perishable.
As long as you store it properly, cook it before eating, and use opened packages within a week, shelf stable bacon can be a safe, easy way to keep bacon on hand for recipes, salads, snacks and more.