How to Grill Bacon

Name: How to Grill Bacon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 lb. center-cut bacon (thick sliced)

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Bacon is a favorite food of many and is great to eat at any time: breakfast, lunch and dinner. But have you ever tried grilling it? It turns out that by grilling the bacon, it can make it crispier and healthier.

The grill pan keeps bacon from sticking or falling through the grates, the indirect cooking method won’t produce a burnt bacon strip, the excess grease drips away, and the final result has an extra smoky flavor and delightful crispness. Here are some tips and information on how to grill bacon.

Crispy bacon on a black board, fresh tomatoes and knife on the side.

Table of Contents

Bacon Grilling Tips

The first tip on how to grill bacon is to preheat the gas grill and while that is happening, let your bacon sit at room temperature, for approximately 10 minutes. This will help to cook the bacon more evenly and take less time. Choose center-cut bacon if you can find it because it is more lean, which is better for grilling.

Be aware of how many pieces of bacon you put in the grill pan. Layering the bacon will not cook the bacon evenly and you may have pieces that are undercooked or raw. When you put the bacon in the grill pan, keep the strips a couple inches apart.

The excess grease can drip into the flames and cause massive flare ups as well as catch the bacon strips on fire. This is why we cook the bacon over indirect heat. Make sure to stay by the grill to keep a check on the temperature, doneness or any possible flare ups.

If you are unfamiliar with what a grill pan is, it is a metal pan with holes and sometimes handles. It makes cleaning easier and the bacon won’t stick to the gas grill.

The indirect heat in this recipe will help to avoid excessive amounts of combusted carbon on your bacon. Combusted carbon comes from cooking meat at a high heat. While a small amount is usually fine, a large amount can be harmful to the body.

PRO TIP: Clean up the grill well afterwards so that you aren’t leaving it greasy for your next cook!

How Long Does it Take to Grill Bacon?

How long it takes to grill bacon can depend on the thickness, the exact temperature inside your grill and how crispy you like it. It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes based on all of those factors. For this recipe at medium-high heat, it takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes per side. Keep an eye on the bacon and take it off the grill once it looks crispy on both sides and fully cooked.

Step 1: Prep Ingredients & Equipment

You will need 1 lb. of center-cut (leaner) thick sliced bacon. This is about 4 servings. You will also need a grill pan or mat and an outdoor grill.

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Once it reaches that temperature, turn off half of the burners to create an indirect cooking area.

Step 2: Grill the Bacon

Place bacon strips on a grill mat or grill pan and then onto the grill on the indirect heat side (no flame underneath). Close the lid and grill the bacon until golden and crispy (about 10 to 15 minutes per side). Keep an eye on it to check for doneness.

Step 3: Remove Excess Grease

Take the bacon off the grill and remove excess grease with paper towels.

Step 4: Serve the Bacon

Crispy bacon on a black board, fresh tomatoes and knife on the side, pail of cilantro in the background.

Serve and enjoy!

Are you a fan of this grilled bacon? Let us know in the comments and please share the recipe!