Nothing beats the smell and sound bacon of sizzling on the stove on a weekend morning. But let’s face it - bacon is so much more versatile than breakfast! It can be used on sandwiches, in salads, with Brussels sprouts, and so much more.
There are so many different ways bacon can be sold, not just in terms of flavor variations, but in levels of preparation. This leads to uncertainty in many cases.
Is smoked bacon cooked? Can you eat smoked bacon raw? What happens if you eat raw bacon? These are just a few of the questions we’ll answer for you below. The short answer though, is that eating raw bacon is incredibly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
That’s why we encourage you to eliminate the guesswork and stress with our smoked bacon for sale at Mahogany Smoked Meats. We’ve done the hard work of slow-smoking the bacon to perfection for 24 hours so you can simply warm and enjoy it!
Is Smoked Bacon Cooked?
So is smoked bacon cooked or not? The only way we’d be able to tell you yes or no with any level of certainty is if we could take a look at the packaging for your specific bacon.
The short answer, though, is that sometimes smoked bacon is already cooked. There are two different ways you can go about smoking bacon, and each method imparts a varying level of “doneness.”
Cold-smoked bacon is smoked at low temperatures, usually below 90°F. This doesn’t cook the bacon at all, really. What it does is infuse the bacon with a rich, smoky flavor. It’s still considered raw bacon at this point, though, meaning it must be cooked further prior to consumption.
On the other hand, hot-smoked bacon - like ours here at Mahogany Smoked Meats - is smoked at much higher temperatures, ranging from 140°F to 200°F. This doesn’t just add a depth of flavor but also cooks the bacon, at least, to a certain degree.
Not all hot-smoked bacon is completely ready to be eaten. That’s why you should always check the packaging labels for clear guidance. Terms like “fully cooked” or “ready-to-eat” mean you can simply warm and enjoy the bacon.
If you don’t have the label handy, just a bag of bacon, there are a few other things you can do to determine if it’s raw or cooked. The appearance should clue you into what you’re dealing with.
Cooked bacon tends to have a firmer texture and a darker color, often with a slightly glossy sheen. Raw bacon, on the other hand, looks softer, fattier, and often has a pale pink hue. If it feels overly pliable or sticky to the touch, there’s a good chance you still need to cook it.
The smell test may help you find your answer, too. Raw bacon can have a milder, fatty aroma compared to the smoky, savory scent of fully cooked bacon.
Can You Eat Smoked Bacon Raw?
So can you eat smoked bacon raw? Absolutely not. In fact, you should never eat any raw meat, especially raw pork-derived meat. This could expose you to harmful bacteria or parasites.
Even when bacon is cured, the curing process alone does not guarantee it is free from risks associated with raw consumption. That’s why you need to be 100% certain the smoked bacon has been fully cooked.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution and cook it thoroughly, even if that means cooking the bacon twice and compromising some of its flavor and texture. Let’s look at what happens if you eat raw bacon to make it crystal clear why this is not something you should take lightly.
What Happens if You Eat Raw Bacon?
There’s a reason taking steps to avoid eating raw bacon is so important. It can harbor Salmonella or Listeria, both of which can cause severe foodborne illnesses characterized by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Bacon that hasn’t been fully cooked can also expose you to Trichinella parasites, which can lead to trichinosis, a condition that causes muscle pain, swelling, and fatigue.
Keep in mind that the curing and smoking processes reduce these dangers, but don’t eliminate them altogether. The bacon must be thoroughly cooked to the appropriate internal temperature for safe consumption.
Symptoms from foodborne illnesses caused by eating raw bacon might appear hours or even days after consumption, making it harder to trace the source.
Those with compromised immune systems, such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly, are even more at risk of these complications. You can’t afford to take any chances if you or your loved ones fall under this umbrella.
For what it’s worth, the risks of foodborne illness apply even after bacon has been cooked, too, as this meat has a shelf life just like any other meat. So, how long is cooked bacon good for? It’s typically best to consume it within 4-5 days.
The good news? We’re here to help you avoid the risks of eating raw bacon. We’ll share some tips on cooking it below so you can enjoy it with peace of mind.
Tips on Cooking Smoked Bacon for Safe, Enjoyable Consumption
Cooking smoked bacon is super simple and straight forward, which is why this meat belongs in your regular rotation. There are many ways to prepare and enjoy it, and we’ll help you bring out all the flavor it has to offer below.
Best Cooking Methods for Smoked Bacon
You can learn more about how to cook smoked bacon in our blog if you’d like, but these are the best ways to go about it:
- Pan-Frying: Allows better control of the crispiness and flavor. Put a skillet over medium heat, lay the bacon strips flat without overlapping, and cook for 2-4 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Flip frequently for even cooking and drain excess grease as needed.
- Baking in the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and arrange the strips on a wire rack set over a lined baking sheet to catch drippings. Bake for 15-20 minutes, keeping an eye on the level of crispness you want. Keep in mind the bacon continues crisping up after removal from the oven.
- Air Fryer: This minimizes grease and maximizes crispiness. Set your air fryer to 375°F, lay the bacon in a single layer, and cook for 8-10 minutes. As with baking, adjust cooking time based on thickness and desired texture.
- Grilling: For a smoky char, grill bacon over indirect heat at medium temperature. Place the strips perpendicular to the grates, cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, and use tongs for flipping to avoid breakage.
If you still have lingering doubts about where the bacon is fully cooked, don’t play the guessing game. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F before eating. Make sure you put the thermometer probe into the thickest, non-fat part of the bacon.
Our Favorite Ways to Enjoy Smoked Bacon
Once your bacon is safely cooked you can start enjoying it. If you’re like us, you’re happy to just chow down on the individual strips on their own! However, there are many other ways you can use bacon that you might not have considered:
- Breakfast Staple: Pair smoked bacon with eggs, pancakes, or toast for a classic, hearty meal.
- Salad Enhancer: Crumble cooked bacon over fresh greens to add a salty crunch to salads.
- Burger Topping: Lay a few crispy strips on top of burgers to complement the smoky, savory flavors.
- Wraps and Sandwiches: Use in wraps or club sandwiches to elevate flavor and texture.
- Snack or Appetizer: A standalone snack or wrapped around dates, asparagus, or jalapeños for crowd-pleasing appetizers.
We said it from the start, and we’ll say it again - there is no bad way to enjoy bacon! At least, not when you set yourself up for the most succulent, flavor-packed meals at Mahogany Smoked Meats…
The Best Smoked Bacon Online is Just a Few Clicks Away!
Our brand has more than a century of experience in slow-cooking meats to perfection using age-old techniques. It starts with premium cuts of meat for the perfect balance of fat and lean meat for a texture that’s both tender and crispy when cooked.
So, is smoked bacon cooked at Mahogany Smoked Meats? It sure is! We smoke the bacon in a deep pit for 24 hours using fallen mahogany logs. As the only smokehouse in the nation that uses this variety, we mean it when we say you won’t taste anything like this anywhere else!
You can choose from individual slices to chopped chunks and whole slabs. We also have Canadian bacon for sale, whole smoked turkey for sale, smoked sausage for sale, smoked ham steaks for sale, smoked pork chops for sale, beef jerky for sale, smoked boneless ham for sale, and smoked bone-in ham for sale.
Skip the grocery store and have the finest smoked bacon delivered straight to your door. With fast, reliable shipping, you can enjoy fresh, perfectly smoked bacon whenever you like. Spoil yourself and your loved ones today!
Parting Thoughts on the Risks of Eating Raw Bacon
So, is smoked bacon cooked? More importantly, can you eat smoked bacon raw? We hope this guide has answered your questions and left you with a solid grasp of smoked bacon from a food safety perspective.
Always verify whether your smoked bacon is fully cooked and take the necessary steps to prepare and store it safely. Foodborne illness is not something you want to take any chances on. When in doubt, enjoy bacon as it’s meant to be - crispy, savory, and satisfying.
Read more food safety resources in our blog like beef jerky and pregnancy, how much ham per person, is beef jerky cooked, how long does sausage last in the fridge, how to cook smoked pork chops, cooking ham steak, how to reheat a smoked turkey, and does beef jerky go bad.
Whether you prefer Canadian bacon vs bacon, Mahogany Smoked Meats is your one-stop shop for the best smoked bacon online. We also have all the different types of jerky, you could be interested in, be it the best fish jerky or the best buffalo jerky.
So, take a look around and see what catches your eye. Discover the unmatched taste and safety of expertly prepared smoked meats today!
