Extra crispy, golden bacon adds the perfect flair to a variety of dishes. There are numerous techniques for cooking it, but finding the best way to achieve a crisp texture and rich color can be challenging. In this step by step guide, we will teach you how to cook deliciously golden, crispy bacon that will make your meals stand out using three convenient methods: grill pan, oven, and microwave.
It is a hearty staple for breakfast and pairs wonderfully with fluffy scrambled eggs. It accentuates creative omelettes (like my kimchi omelette) filled with an array of brightly colored vegetables, provides a satisfying, crisp texture nestled within a sandwich and gives dinnertime meals an additional zing of flavor. Your home is about to be filled with the mouth-watering scent of cooking bacon.
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Chef's Notes - Before you begin
- Cooking times will vary depending on how thick the bacon is. These are the times that worked for me. Regular bacon strips will cook faster than thick-cut and get crispy quicker. I recommend checking after 10 minutes (and every few minutes after that) to avoid burning the bacon. Eventually you will get to know the baking time for your oven and your favorite brand of bacon strips!
- If using frozen bacon, be sure to thaw it in the fridge first.
- Also, keep in mind that bacon does get a little more crispy as it cools.
Ingredients
Grab a package of bacon, some tongs and cooking tool of choice.
Option #1. Using a Grill Pan
This method can get a bit messy but it's quicker than using the oven.
Step 1: Place bacon strips in pan. Place the bacon in the cold grill pan on the stove. Turn the heat to medium and fry until crispy on the bottom.
Step 2: Flip. Turn it over and continue grilling until it’s golden and crispy on both sides (about 7 to 10 minutes total).
Option #2. Using an Oven
I prefer the oven method over the stove-top because it is less messy and there is less active time. The bacon strips get cooked more evenly.
Step 1: Preheat oven. Preheat an oven to 400ºF. Place the bacon strips on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil (do not overlap the bacon).
Step 2: Bake until crispy. Bake in the preheated oven until the bacon strips are very crispy and get a nice golden color (about 15 to 20 minutes). If you like it extra crispy, you can go a few minutes longer but keep an eye on them. There is no need to flip the bacon.
👩🏻🍳Chef's Note: Placing the strips on a rack over the foil-lined pan is optional; if you are using thick cut bacon, they may benefit from this.
Option #3. In the Microwave
This is the quickest option, but some people like to avoid using a microwave.
Step 1: Arrange strips on plate. Place the bacon on a microwaveable plate covered with paper towels.
Step 2: Microwave. Microwave on full-power for about 2 minutes. Open the microwave, turn over the bacon, and cook for about 2 more minutes, until cooked through and crispy.
Final Step: Remove Excess Grease
Using paper towels, remove the excess grease from the crispy bacon. Serve & enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Crispy bacon egg wrap.
You can add crispy bacon to a wrap with these kimchi scrambled eggs and take a lunch from great to amazing!
- Serve it alongside Mexican chorizo eggs and toast for a classic breakfast with a spicy twist.
- Add some crunch to sandwiches, burgers and English muffins.
- Chop up the strips into bacon bits and serve over baked potatoes.
Top Tips
- For the pan method, always start with a cold pan. This way the fat will slowly melt out of the bacon as it heats up and help make it more crispy. Putting bacon in a hot pan makes the fat seize up, leaving you with soggy slices instead.
- Which method to use? When you are pressed for time, try the microwave method to quickly prepare a meal on-the-go. Use the grilling or baking options when you have more time.
- Alternative temperature for oven method. You can also bake the strips at 375ºF but it will take a bit longer to cook (about 5 minutes longer in my oven) so I prefer 400ºF.
- Save the Grease. If you wish to use the bacon grease for cooking, let it cool for about 15 minutes, drain it into a glass jar and save it in the fridge. You can use it to make gravies or infuse rice, like this kimchi bacon fried rice, with smoky flavor.
- Sweeten it. If you want to try candied bacon, sprinkle some brown sugar over the strips before baking in the oven.
Crispy Bacon FAQs
Transfer the cooled bacon strips to a covered container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can be frozen for 1 to 2 months.
In my experience, cooking bacon in the oven is better in terms of crispiness. You can get the bacon crispier without the mess, especially if you put the bacon on a rack over a sheet pan, which helps the strips render more fat.
Make sure the bacon slices are spread out in one layer and have sufficient space between them; if they overlap, they won't get as crispy. If you're cooking a lot of bacon at one time, use two pans.
More Cooking Tutorials to Sharpen Your Skills
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📋Recipe
How to Cook Crispy Bacon - 3 Ways
Ingredients
- 1 package bacon
Instructions
Option #1. Using a Grill Pan
- Place the bacon in the cold grill pan on the stove. Turn the heat to medium and fry until crispy on the bottom.
- Turn it over and continue grilling until it’s golden and crispy on both sides (about 7 to 10 minutes total).
Option #2. Using an Oven
- Preheat an oven to 400ºF. Place the bacon strips on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil (do not overlap the bacon).
- Bake in the preheated oven, until the bacon strips are very crispy and get a nice golden color (about 15 to 20 minutes). If you like it extra crispy, you can go a few minutes longer but keep an eye on them. There is no need to flip the bacon.
Option #3. In the Microwave
- Place the bacon on a microwaveable plate covered with paper towels.
- Microwave on full-power for about 2 minutes. Open the microwave, turn over the bacon, and cook for about 2 more minutes, until cooked through and crispy.
Final Step for All 3 Methods:
- Using paper towels, remove the excess grease from the bacon. Serve & enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
- Frozen bacon: If using frozen bacon, be sure to thaw it in the fridge first.
- Cool pan: For the pan method, always start with a cold pan. This way the fat will slowly melt out of the bacon as it heats up and help make it more crispy. Putting bacon in a hot pan makes the fat seize up, leaving you with soggy slices instead.
- Baking rack: Placing the strips on a rack over the foil-lined pan in the oven is optional; if you are using thick cut bacon, they may benefit from this.
- Crispiness: Keep in mind that bacon gets more crispy when it cools.
- Cooking times will vary depending on how thick the bacon is. These are the times that worked for me. Regular bacon strips will cook faster than thick-cut and get crispy quicker. I recommend checking after 10 minutes (and every 5 minutes after that) to avoid burning the bacon. Eventually you will get to know the baking time for your oven and your favorite brand of bacon strips!
- Alternative temp: You can also bake the strips at 375ºF but it will take a bit longer to cook (about 5 minutes longer in my oven) so I prefer 400ºF.
- Candied bacon: If you want to try candied bacon, sprinkle some brown sugar over the strips before baking in the oven.
- Save the grease: If you wish to use the bacon grease for cooking, let it cool for about 15 minutes, drain it into a glass jar and save it in the fridge.
- Storage: Transfer the cooled bacon strips to a covered container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can be frozen for 1 to 2 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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