Can I Freeze Leftover Bacon?

Name: Quick & Easy Green Beans with Bacon
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 slices center-cut bacon, chopped; 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed (about 6 cups); 1/2 cup chopped shallot; 3 tablespoons water; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 2 teaspoons grated garlic; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Absolutely. Leftover cooked bacon can be frozen for up to one month, according to the USDA . Meanwhile, uncooked bacon can be frozen for up to four months. When freezing uncooked bacon, we recommend portioning it out ahead of time. This step allows you to defrost the exact amount you need in the future. Whether you’re freezing cooked or uncooked bacon, be sure to wrap in freezer-safe paper and store in a bag that’s been labeled and dated.

Quick & Easy Green Beans with Bacon

5.0

(3)

3 Reviews

These tender-crisp green beans with bacon are sautéed and steamed in the same skillet for a speedy accompaniment that complements virtually any main dish, whether it’s chicken, shrimp or steak. Use a mixture of yellow and green beans to jazz up the presentation.

Amanda Stanfield

Published on April 12, 2024

Tested by

Craig Ruff

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Nutrition Notes

Are Green Beans Good for You?

Green beans are a low-carb vegetable that offers small amounts of a lot of nutrients, including fiber, folate and vitamins A and C. They have virtually no fat and offer a little bit of plant protein, according to the USDA.

Is Bacon Healthy?

While bacon may not be considered healthy due to its saturated fat content, it offers a flavor that really can’t be reproduced by anything else. And you don’t need a lot of bacon to get the flavor from it. With that said, bacon does offer some important nutrients, including protein, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and B vitamins, per the USDA.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

Is There a Substitute for the Shallot?

Yes. For this recipe, 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion is the next best option if you don’t have a shallot on hand.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm

Ingredients

3 slices center-cut bacon, chopped
1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed (about 6 cups)
1/2 cup chopped shallot
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 teaspoons grated garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly crisp and browned, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate, reserving drippings in the pan.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
Add green beans and shallot to the skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans blister, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add water; cover and cook, undisturbed, until the beans are tender and the water has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
Stir in the bacon, butter, garlic, salt and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and the butter has melted, about 2 minutes.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Freeze Leftover Bacon?

Absolutely. Leftover cooked bacon can be frozen for up to one month, according to the USDA. Meanwhile, uncooked bacon can be frozen for up to four months. When freezing uncooked bacon, we recommend portioning it out ahead of time. This step allows you to defrost the exact amount you need in the future. Whether you’re freezing cooked or uncooked bacon, be sure to wrap in freezer-safe paper and store in a bag that’s been labeled and dated.

EatingWell.com, April 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

90	Calories
4g	Fat
11g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 90
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 11g	4%
Dietary Fiber 4g	13%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 4g	9%
Total Fat 4g	5%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Cholesterol 11mg	4%
Vitamin A 57Âµg
Vitamin C 15mg	17%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 1mg	4%
Folate 42Âµg
Vitamin K 49Âµg
Sodium 194mg	8%
Calcium 51mg	4%
Iron 1mg	8%
Magnesium 33mg	8%
Potassium 318mg	7%
Zinc 1mg	5%
Vitamin B12 0Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.