How to Defrost Bacon in Microwave Oven? What is Freezer Burns and Signs Bacon Has Gone Bad

Found a long-lost pack of bacon at the back of your freezer? And now you suddenly found it and are hoping to consume it in your next meal? Don’t worry; I am here to save your bacon! (pun intended!) Today I shall teach you how to defrost bacon in a microwave oven and other crucial info. So get your pans ready and prepare a tasty snack!

Before you start defrosting and eating the bacon, you need first to check if it is still fit for consumption or not.

Defrosting Bacon in a Microwave Oven

Follow these steps to defrost frozen bacon in a microwave oven easily:

1. First of all, you need to remove any sort of packaging.
2. Now, gently place the bacon on an oven-safe utensil.
3. Next, set your microwave to Defrost Mode.
4. Now, apply and set appropriate settings according to your oven’s instruction manual.
5. Set the weight, type of meat, time, etc., and follow the defrosting rules.
6. You may want to flip the bacon slab halfway through the defrosting process to ensure proper and even defrosting.
7. Once they have reached your desired temp, take them out.
8. Now, you need to inspect the meat to see if it’s still good.
9. If they are still good, then feel free to eat them!

How to Tell If Bacon Has Gone Bad?

There are certain telltale signs of bacon that have gone bad. Here they are:

• Discoloration: If you see any visible discoloration, it has gone bad. Freezer burn, too, causes discoloration, but that is still edible. But you can be sure that the meat has gone bad if it develops any color other than grey/brown.
• Slimy film: if you notice a slimy coating around your meat, you can be sure it has gone bad. Bacterial growth and rotting cause the meat to develop a slimy coating.
• Weird Smell: Cured meats have a weird smell, but if you smell anything funny or unpleasant and smells that are not normal, you can be sure that the meat has gone bad.
• Changes in Texture: While changes in texture may not always mean that the meat has gone bad, even if it hasn’t, you can be sure that its quality is no longer the same and has been compromised.

Tip : The shelf life of bacon depends on what kind of bacon it is, but usually, bacon has a long shelf life. So always check the expiration date and ask your butcher for details when buying bacon.

What Do You Mean by Freezer Burns? Is It Safe?

Products that have been frozen might experience a phenomenon called “freezer burn.” When frozen food has portions exposed to a freezer’s cold air, the exposed part will physically alter and change. The cold air will cause the exposed portions to dry out and discolor. You will be astonished to learn that it is still completely safe to consume products with freezer burns.

However, the fact that something is “safe to eat” does not always entail that it is “palatable to eat.” When a product sustains freezer burns, the afflicted section suffers a loss in both its texture and its overall quality. It will not make you sick if you consume such pieces, but it is strongly advised that you just take off those sections before or after the food is cooked since the flavor will not be pleasant and acceptable.

Some Other Easy-to-Follow Defrosting Methods for Frozen Bacon

Here are some of the easiest methods for defrosting frozen bacon at home:

1. Defrosting Frozen Bacon in the Refrigerator

This is perhaps the least complicated method for defrosting frozen bacon since it takes place within the refrigerator. Just follow these steps to thaw frozen bacon using a fridge: 

• First, take the frozen bacon out of the freezer.
• Next, you need to remove any packaging.
• Now, place the bacon in an airtight container that has been washed, cleaned, and dried.
• Place the container and set it in the refrigerator.
• Allow it to thaw throughout the night. This will allow the bacon to defrost gradually without losing its integrity. 
• Additionally, you should put some kitchen towels on the bottom of the container because as it slowly defrosts, water will condensate and accumulate on the bottom.

Lastly, if the portion of bacon is too big, it may require more additional time to defrost thoroughly, so always consider the bacon’s size and weight.

2. Defrosting Frozen Bacon in the Sink

This is a less common technique for defrosting frozen bacon since it involves submerging it in water. And ideally, you shouldn’t do it. But in case you have to, then just follow these steps:

• To begin with, you must fill up your sink with water up to 3/4ths of the way.
• Now, you need to plug the stopper in and create a bathtub situation.
• Next, you need to submerge the frozen bacon in the water.
• If the bacon starts to float, you should try to weigh it down using a heavy utensil like a plate or container.
• And now, you need to allow it to thaw out gradually.
• To further accelerate the process, you may need to replace the water regularly.
• You shouldn’t take the bacon out of its packaging though it does expedite the process. 

Remember that the package and wrapping must remain on the item. This method is less common because the bacon may soak up too much water, altering its flavor, quality, and consistency.

CAUTION: Do not leave any meat out for too long as it can spoil and may cause diseases like salmonella, digestive problems, etc.

3. Defrosting Frozen Bacon on the Kitchen Counter

This is arguably the approach that is used the most often for defrosting frozen bacon, and it involves placing the bacon on the counter. To do so, follow these steps:

• First, take the bacon out of the freezer.
• Next, place it on a plate or utensil.
• Leave it on your kitchen counter or near your sink.
• Allow it to thaw slowly overnight.
• Additionally, you may want to place the utensil on top of a cloth or a few pieces of kitchen towels.
• This will collect and absorb any additional moisture that accumulates and prevent any unnecessary mess from happening.

How to Freeze Bacon Properly?

Ideally, you should not freeze bacon at all. But if any situation arises where you must freeze bacon, follow these instructions to freeze and store bacon properly:

Things you need:

• Ziplock bags
• Cling film
• Kitchen towels
• Airtight containers

Now, follow these steps:

• First, you must wipe off any excess moisture on the bacon.
• Next, you should portion the bacon according to your needs.
• Now, carefully wrap the portions of bacon with cling film.
• Make sure that it is airtight.
• Next, put them inside zip-lock bags.
• Make sure to squeeze out any excess air as much as you can.
• If you wish to use containers, ensure they have been washed and dried.
• Lastly, place them inside the freezer and allow them to freeze!

How Does Bacon Go Bad?

Any meat can go bad fairly easily. The main reason they go bad is bacterial growth and contamination. These two are the usual suspects in almost every case. Here are a few of the most common reasons why meat goes bad:

1. Excessive moisture
2. Exposure to bacteria and fungi
3. Cross-contamination
4. Improper storing methods 
5. Presence of too much blood
6. Abrupt changes in temperature
7. It has been thawed and refrozen too many times
8. Improper defrosting/thawing methods

The most common ways to prevent the meat from going bad are:

• Trimming the meat
• Removing and cleaning any excess blood
• Use sanitized and clean utensils
• Avoid storing cooked and raw products together
• Not leaving raw meat exposed or out in the open for too long
• Not freezing and thawing the meat more than once
• Portioning meats into manageable portions

What Happens When You Consume Spoiled Meat?

Consuming spoiled or stale meat can cause the following problems:

• Upset Stomach
• Digestive problems
• Fever
• Gastrointestinal discomfort and pain
• Ulcers
• Salmonella
• Vomiting
• Nausea

In worst-case scenarios, you must even be hospitalized and have your stomach flushed. So please inspect all meats before consumption.

Some Easy Dishes with Bacon

1. BLT Sandwich

The humble BLT sandwich is an all-time classic sandwich. Follow these steps to make the best BLT sandwiches of your life:

• Take two slices of your favorite bread.
• Gently toast the bread.
• Now, take some freshly cut pieces of lettuce and lay them on the bread.
• Next, add some thinly sliced rings of tomatoes.
• Add a layer of your favorite choice of condiments: Sauce, mustard, mayo, etc.
• Take some bacon and fry them off till they are nice and crispy.
• Add the bacon to the sandwich and close it off.
• Toast the sandwich outside in the same pan with the bacon fat.
• Now, serve!

2. Cream of Mushroom/Chicken Soup

This is a quick-fix meal you can have at any given time, considering how easy and fulfilling it is. Now, follow these steps:

• Take some bacon strips and chop them into small bits.
• Add them to the pan without any oil.
• Slowly fry them off and allow them to render their fat.
• Take some of the bacon out for garnish later.
• Add minced garlic and seasonings to the bacon and keep cooking.
• Add some mushrooms and start cooking them off as well.
• Now, add some chicken stock or vegetable stock to it.
• Cook it till the stock becomes half.
• Add fresh cream and coconut milk to it and cook it till your desired consistency and creaminess.
• Add some fresh chopped herbs and serve with some bacon bits and croutons!

3. Crispy Bacon Strips

Sometimes all you need is some crispy snack to munch on, and this is a perfect example of that. To make crispy bacon strips, just follow these steps:

• Take some strips of bacon.
• Cut them if necessary.
• Now, take a pan and heat it.
• Add the strips to the pan and fry them off on each side for a few minutes.
• You may want to sprinkle some seasonings, BBQ sauce, or honey on it.
• If you do, lower the heat and monitor it constantly as the bacon caramelizes.
• Layer kitchen towels on a plate and places the bacon on it.
• This will absorb any excess oil released by the bacon.

FAQ

The Last Morsel

Whether for a late-night snack or a “healthy” all-American Breakfast, everyone looks for an excuse to consume this high-cholesterol snack! Now that you know crucial information on defrosting bacon and other related info, I hope I was able to give you tips and tricks to make your life easier. 

And remember to always consume high-cholesterol snacks in moderation.