The most difficult aspect of switching to turkey bacon is becoming accustomed to the flavor and texture differences between real bacon and turkey bacon.
When you purchase them, they will not have the same appearance or texture, and their shelf life will not be the same either. It requires a great deal of attention to detail to determine when the bacon has lost its flavor.
How can you tell if the turkey bacon you bought has gone bad? After being opened, raw turkey bacon can be stored in the refrigerator for anywhere between 7 and 14 days. If the color of your turkey bacon is starting to turn brown or gray, if it smells rancid, or if it feels slimy or sticky, then it has gone bad, and you should throw it away as soon as possible.
In this article, we will provide you with some pointers that will help you determine when your turkey bacon has truly left this mortal coil and moved on to pastures new.
If you are concerned that you won’t be able to use all of the turkey bacon before it spoils, we will provide you with some general information regarding the shelf life of turkey bacon as well as some suggestions for keeping it fresh for the longest amount of time possible.
Is there something wrong with your turkey bacon?
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional bacon, turkey bacon is the way to go.
There are a lot of people who switch to turkey bacon because it is still possible to enjoy bacon with it, but it does not have nearly as much fat or grease as regular bacon does, making it a much better option for people who are watching their cholesterol levels.
But if it’s so different when it comes to the amount of nutrients it contains, does that mean it’s also different when it comes to the proper way to store it and the signs that it’s going bad?
In general, turkey bacon can only be consumed up to 7-14 days after the sell-by date before it becomes inedible.
However, this doesn’t always give you a lot of time to work with it before you have to start worrying about whether or not your turkey bacon is going bad. We always recommend erring on the side of caution and sticking with the 7-day guideline, but this doesn’t always give you a lot of time to work with it.
In addition to checking the dates, there are three primary ways to determine whether or not turkey bacon has gone bad.
Among these are evaluating the bacon based on its appearance, smell, and consistency.
These are the tried-and-true tests for determining whether or not an item has gone bad, and they apply to the vast majority of things. There is always a chance that turkey bacon, which may be just as unpleasant, will taste good to you, but we strongly advise against trying it because. . . well, ew.
As we move forward through this guide, we will discuss each of these topics in some detail and let you know exactly what to be on the lookout for in order to determine whether or not the turkey bacon has gone bad or whether it can still be used.
In the later sections of this guide, we will also discuss some storage solutions that could very well be of assistance to you.
1. Appearance
Let’s begin with how things look at first glance. There are times when it is immediately obvious that the turkey bacon has gone bad, at which point you should toss it.
It’s possible that this will spare you the need to give it a whiff or handle it. In the event that you aren’t absolutely certain about something, you can, of course, continue to make use of those strategies while also giving it a careful look.
The color of turkey bacon tends to be more pink than other types. It has the appearance of a natural pink that is neither excessively bright nor subdued. When you buy the bacon, you will notice this for yourself. The white-yellow color of the fat is the only thing that sets it apart from the pink color.
Now, as the bacon goes bad, there is a possibility that the color will change from its natural pink hue when it was first cooked. When turkey bacon spoils, it typically turns a brownish or even grayish color.
The shift may take place gradually, but if you are noticing these hints of color, it is highly likely that something is wrong.
In addition, those brown or gray tones are sometimes complemented by a blue or even a green undertone. If you observe any of these, then the turkey bacon has almost certainly become contaminated with mold and has gone bad. Do not consume it.
It is true that these colors are more likely to appear after the turkey bacon has been exposed to air, but because of the moist environment inside the package, they may also appear even if the package has not been opened.
If you think your bacon has a brown or gray tint but you aren’t really sure if it is spoiled or not, you can proceed with a smell or touch test for added safety. This will allow you to determine whether the bacon is spoiled or not.
2. Smell
The smell of the turkey bacon is the next test that you can perform to ensure its quality. If the turkey bacon is spoiled, you should be able to tell by the smell alone, which is a pretty good indicator.
When turkey bacon is fresh, it will have its own unique aroma, but it will also have the aroma of raw, freshly prepared meat. You are aware of this odor if you are familiar with its profile.
The putrid odor of spoiled meat is so offensive that even people who have never experienced the aroma of freshly prepared meat are likely to be repulsed by it.
When turkey bacon has gone bad, it takes on an odor that can be described as very rancid or sour. If you take a whiff of something that smells fishy, sour, or just rotten in general, you can usually tell if something has gone bad before it actually does.
We are aware that this is a simplistic explanation of what you can anticipate the smell to be like; however, the putrid smell will be very noticeable, and we are confident that you will not require a more in-depth explanation once it hits you in the face.
3. Texture
The sense of touch is the last method for determining whether or not your turkey bacon is ready to eat. Because the touch and feel will significantly change as it spoils, this is a fairly simple way to tell if turkey bacon has gone bad before it has actually gone bad.
When turkey bacon is both fresh and good, it will typically have a supple texture and a hint of a moist flavor to it. Because it is fresh meat, the texture is going to be a little bit soft and squishy, but it is not going to be slimy or gooey to the touch.
Simply tender, soft, and slightly squishy, with possibly just a trace amount of watery-appearing moisture that is quite thin.
Bacteria that produce lactic acid are one of the byproducts of turkey bacon that has gone bad. Because of that bacteria, the turkey bacon will have a slimy texture—if not a very slimy texture, then at least a somewhat slimy texture.
Turkey bacon that has gone bad will develop a layer of slime or even goo that will have a texture that is almost sticky. It will unquestionably have a slimy consistency, and as a result, it will not be very appetizing.
You should avoid eating the turkey bacon if it has a slimy texture or anything that looks gooey. You won’t be able to use it anymore because it has become completely rancid.
Suggestions for the Care and Maintenance of Turkey Bacon
The shelf life of turkey bacon is simply not nearly as long as the shelf life of other types of bacon.
There are certain things that you can do to help it last longer, but ultimately, you should be prepared to use your turkey bacon within a reasonable timeframe in order to avoid it going bad. This is because there are some things that you can do to help it last longer.
When you buy turkey bacon, keep in mind that the packaging will have a sell-by date on it, and your turkey bacon will probably not last more than seven days after that date has passed. It is imperative that we move quickly.
In order to ensure that your turkey bacon stays fresh for the longest amount of time possible, we do have a few pointers to share with you.
Check out these helpful hints:
- Hold off on using the turkey bacon until you are ready to use it, then store it in a package that has not been opened and is still sealed. If the package of turkey bacon is ever opened, the turkey bacon’s quality may suffer as a result of coming into contact with air.
- If you decide to open your package of turkey bacon but do not use all of it, you should make sure to store any leftover pieces in a bag that can keep air out. You could use a container that doesn’t let air in, a bag that seals, or even some good quality plastic wrap. All of these options are available.
- It is not recommended to keep turkey bacon in the refrigerator for longer than 14 days at a time.
- In the event that you need to, you can wrap turkey bacon in plastic wrap, freeze it, and then keep it in the freezer for a few months. To ensure that it will be preserved in the freezer, you must first check that it has not gone bad before placing it there, and then you must freeze it in an airtight container.
You can use turkey bacon for virtually the same applications as you would use regular bacon. Check out some of these possibilities if you’re looking for ways to put it to use so that you can make sure it’s completely gone before it has a chance to go bad.
The following are some wonderful applications for turkey bacon:
- Pizza topping
- Salad topping
- Incorporated into dishes such as chicken Alfredo or pasta.
- Chicken breasts encased in bacon
- BLTs
- To the macaroni and cheese this was added.
- Burgers or sandwiches, depending on the topping.
- Mixed into casseroles
- Included with the morning meal.
- Tossed with vegetables that have been steamed.
- Bacon jalapeno poppers
In all seriousness, you do not lack for choices. You can either use whole strips of bacon or dice it up into small pieces before adding it to whatever it is that you are preparing. Both methods will yield the same delicious results.
Concerning This Subject…
We really hope that you will find this guide to understanding when turkey bacon has gone bad to be helpful and informative. Take a look at these different categories to acquire some additional knowledge.
How long does turkey bacon keep once it’s been cooked?
After the sell-by date that is printed on the package, turkey bacon may still be edible for up to 7–14 additional days.
We strongly advise playing it safe and adhering to the 7-day mark throughout the process.
When stored in the freezer, will turkey bacon go bad?
If it isn’t already spoiled when you freeze it, there is a good chance that it won’t go bad in the freezer for at least another six months. During this interim, there is a possibility that the product’s quality will deteriorate or that it will suffer from freezer burn.
Is it Unhealthy If Turkey Bacon Has a Slimy Appearance?
If the meat has a slimy consistency, this is a glaring red flag that it has most likely gone bad. However, you shouldn’t confuse a little bit of moisture for sliminess. Even if it is only slightly damp or possibly even wet, it may still be edible. The consistency of slime is more similar to that of glue than that of water alone.
