I unintentionally left a pound of bacon thawing out on the counter overnight . Forgot to put it in the refrigerator. The room was 66 degrees and the bacon was vacuumed packed. Do you think it’s safe to fry up and eat?

I bet it’s just fine. What time did you throw it on the counter last night?

What it thawed already or did it thaw during the night?
How much did it cost and is it worth making everyone sick?
Is it natural bacon or does it have nitrates added?

If it was still frozen and it has preservatives and you cook it crispy, it might be ok.

Me, personally, I would eat it, but I don't want to speak for you. You will have to use your own judgement in this regard.

It started out frozen (which is what I read from "thawing out") and was never unsealed? It's fine.

Food poisoning isn't something I'd play with. The toxins the bacteria release are what make you sick and you can't cook that out. Up to you though.

I’d cook and eat it.

Cook it and it will be fine. I'm sure of this.

Started frozen and sat out all night, I’d eat it.

Yeah, I agree with the majority here.
It should be fine. If it tastes bad, throw it out but it should be OK.

Wife says to cook it and eat but cook it all, as long as vacuum seal not broken.

quote:

Originally posted by Ackks:
Food poisoning isn't something I'd play with.

Word.

Consider how much a pound of bacon costs... ~$5.

Is it worth the risk just to save $5?

Probably fine but I always ask myself, is this worth being up all night hurling my guts out? The answer is almost always no. When in doubt...

You decide, but I’d cook it and eat.

I cook bacon till its crispy. I cook low and slow so most fat is rendered out. That's the way my family likes it. Kids dont like the fatty parts when they are still rubbery.

I wouldn't hesitate but if you cook it less than that I'd reconsider.

These threads frequently come up and we never find out what happens.

If you do eat it and everything is fine let us know. If you spend the afternoon on the toilet crapping all day post from the thone.

I bet it's fine but the potential for vomiting and shitting my brains out for 24 hours isn't worth the $5.

I've had serious food poisoning before and I'd pay a lot more than $5 to avoid it.

However, if you do cook it, COOK it like GA Gator says. Crispy as hell (the way I like it) with zero rubbery fatty parts.

quote:

Originally posted by SSgt USMC/Vet:
Wife says to cook it and eat but cook it all, as long as vacuum seal not broken.

This. If it remained sealed the entire time and you cook it all at once, you should be fine.

I'm a wimp. I'd just throw it away, 1/2 because grocery store is walking distance and it's only $8, second because it was frozen. I'm weird, I don't like frozen meat.

It was frozen solid, set it out around 9:00 PM...it was 8:00 this morning when I realized what I had done. It had a coolness about it...slightly cooler than other things on the counter.

Based on what you've said, I'd cook and eat it. It will be fine.

Jim

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by Ackks:
Food poisoning isn't something I'd play with.


Word.

Consider how much a pound of bacon costs... ~$5.

Is it worth the risk just to save $5?

Absolutely agreed. Anyone who has had true food poisoning will attest that saving a few dollars isn't worth the risk.

Back about 20 years ago I got it, bad. 2 visits to the ER for dehydration from days of throwing up and diarrhea. How do I know it was food poisoning? Every person but one (who never got sick) on my shift at work (EMS) had the same food, from the same place and all became ill within hours of each other. Litteraly our shift went from 3 MICU's (Advanced Life Support Ambulance) and a Medic Squad (single ALS provider in a Chevy Suburban) down to just the Medic Squad and that guy scrambling to call people in early. Thank god it was a quiet night shift. Work suffered though as 3 full crews were out of service for several days.

I throw food out left and right because frankly, it isn't worth the risk.