3 Easy Ways to Cook Bacon
Bacon is a beloved staple in many kitchens, known for its rich, smoky flavor that it brings to both savory and sweet dishes! While the traditional method of frying bacon in a skillet remains popular, there are other ways to cook bacon that can yield equally delicious results. Let’s explore three popular methods for cooking bacon: oven-baked, skillet-fried, and microwaved bacon. Each method has its own unique benefits and can be chosen based on your time, equipment, and desired outcome.
1. Oven-Baked Bacon
Cooking bacon in the oven is a favorite among many for its simplicity and ability to cook large batches evenly. This method requires minimal effort and results in perfectly crispy bacon with less mess.
Steps:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Using a high temperature ensures that the bacon crisps up nicely without becoming overly greasy.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This makes cleanup easier and prevents the bacon from sticking to the pan.
- Arrange the Bacon: Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Ensure the strips do not overlap to allow for even cooking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-18 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and your preferred level of crispiness. Start checking at around 12 minutes.
- Drain and Serve: Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, use tongs to transfer the strips to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Serve immediately.
Benefits of Oven-Baked Bacon
- Even Cooking: The oven method ensures that the bacon cooks evenly, reducing the risk of burning.
- Large Batches: This method is ideal for cooking bacon for a crowd, as you can cook multiple strips at once. And, you can even cook multiple sheet pans at once too.
- Less Mess: Since the bacon fat stays on the baking sheet, there's less splatter to clean up.
2. Skillet-Fried Bacon
The skillet method is the traditional way to cook bacon, offering control over the cooking process. It produces crispy bacon with a rich, smoky flavor and can be done on any stovetop.
Steps:
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet (preferably cast iron for even heat distribution) over medium heat. Allow the skillet to heat up for a few minutes.
- Add Bacon: Lay the bacon strips in a single layer in the skillet. Do not overcrowd the pan; you may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your skillet and how much bacon you’re cooking.
- Cook: Cook the bacon, flipping occasionally with tongs to ensure even cooking. This usually takes about 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon and your desired crispiness.
- Drain and Serve: Once the bacon reaches your preferred level of doneness, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess fat. Serve immediately.
Benefits:
- Flavor: Frying bacon in a skillet enhances its flavor, as the fat renders out and the bacon cooks in its own juices.
- Crispiness Control: You have more control over the level of crispiness and can easily adjust the heat if needed.
- Versatility: The rendered bacon fat can be used for cooking other dishes, adding a delicious flavor to eggs, vegetables, or pancakes. You can even spoil your dog with some drippings on their food.
3. Microwaved Bacon
The microwave method is the quickest and easiest way to cook bacon, making it perfect for busy mornings or when you need just a few strips. While it may not have the same depth of flavor as oven-baked or skillet-fried bacon, it is a convenient option.
Steps:
- Prepare the Plate: Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels. This helps absorb the excess fat and prevents the bacon from becoming soggy.
- Arrange the Bacon: Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the paper towels. If you're cooking more than a few strips, place another layer of paper towels on top and add another layer of bacon.
- Cover and Microwave: Place another paper towel over the bacon to prevent splatters. Microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, checking at the 4-minute mark and then every 30 seconds to prevent burning, until the bacon is crispy to your liking.
- Drain and Serve: Carefully remove the plate from the microwave (it will be hot) and transfer the bacon to a fresh paper towel-lined plate to drain any remaining grease. Serve immediately.
Benefits:
- Speed: The microwave method is the fastest way to cook bacon, ideal for when you’re short on time.
- Ease of Use: Minimal equipment is required, and cleanup is a breeze since the paper towels absorb most of the grease.
- Portion Control: Perfect for cooking small amounts of bacon without the need to heat up an oven or skillet.
Conclusion
Each method of cooking bacon has its own unique advantages, making it possible to enjoy this delicious meat in various ways depending on your preferences. Oven-baked bacon is perfect for cooking large batches with minimal mess, skillet-fried bacon offers unmatched flavor and crispiness control, and microwaved bacon is the go-to choice for speed and convenience.
You can choose the best approach for cooking bacon that works for you and ensure that your bacon always turns out perfectly. Whether you prefer the traditional skillet method, the ease of the microwave, or the even cooking of the oven, there's no wrong way to enjoy this beloved breakfast staple! Make sure to check out our Pasture-Raised Organic Bacon©.
