There is nothing better than being awakened by the smell of bacon. Bacon is a versatile ingredient that you can cook in many ways. The most traditional choice is to brown it in a pan, but you can also cook it in the oven or microwave if you have little time available. Watch out for the boiling fat as you cook and let the bacon drain onto the paper towels before biting into it.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Fry the Bacon in a Pan
Step 1. Remove the bacon from the refrigerator 5-6 minutes before cooking
Allowing it to reach room temperature will facilitate faster, more even cooking. Take it out of the fridge 5-6 minutes before you start cooking and let it cool on the kitchen worktop.
If you put cold bacon in the hot pan it will burn because it won't be able to release its fat properly
Step 2. Arrange the bacon slices in the cold pan or grill
Line them up so they don't overlap, leaving some space between each slice to encourage even cooking. In the case of large diners, brown the bacon several times. To prevent burning, it is better to fill the pan than to cook only a few slices at a time.
It is preferable to use a non-stick or cast iron pan or grill, but you can use any pan if necessary
Step 3. Heat the bacon over medium heat until it starts to sizzle
The pan will gradually heat up and after a few minutes the bacon will begin to release its fat which will replace the oil or butter for cooking. Wait for the bacon to sizzle and crackle.
Step 4. Cook the bacon slices for 10-12 minutes
When the bacon starts to sizzle you can start the kitchen timer. Let it brown undisturbed in the pan until it becomes crisp and begins to curl.
Suggestion:
uses a steel splash guard to protect the body and hob from splashes of hot fat. You can buy it at the grocery store, kitchenware stores, or online.
Step 5. Flip the bacon slices and let them brown for another 7-8 minutes so they become crispy on both sides
Flip the bacon slices over the pan using the kitchen tongs, then let them cook undisturbed until crispy enough.
- If you want the bacon to keep its slightly chewy texture, cook it for 6-7 minutes.
- If, on the other hand, you like it extremely crunchy, let it cook for 9-10 minutes.
Step 6. Transfer the bacon slices to a paper towel lined plate
Remove them from the pan using kitchen tongs and drain them on a large plate lined with several sheets of absorbent paper. Let the bacon rest for a few minutes before serving it to the table. You can also pat it gently with paper to absorb excess fat.
The bacon will cool slightly, as well as drain the fat, so you don't run the risk of getting burned
Method 2 of 4: Bake Bacon in the Traditional Oven
Step 1. Turn on the oven to 200 ° C and let it heat up
Place a single shelf in the center of the oven so that the heat can spread evenly.
Remove the bacon from the refrigerator immediately after turning on the oven to give it time to reach room temperature
Step 2. Line a baking sheet with foil
Line both the bottom and sides of the baking sheet to avoid getting it dirty.
Use a pan with high sides to prevent the grease from escaping and igniting
Step 3. Arrange the bacon slices in the pan neatly
They must adhere perfectly to the bottom of the pan and must not touch each other. Line them up neatly to facilitate faster, more even cooking.
The bacon slices will shrink as they cook, so you can also place them very close together; the important thing is that they do not overlap
Step 4. Cook the bacon in the hot oven for 15-20 minutes
Place the pan in the oven and immediately close the oven door. There is no need to turn the bacon slices halfway through cooking. At the end of the time they will be cooked to perfection and, unlike when you cook them in a pan, they will not be curled.
If you like it super crunchy, let it cook for 20-22 minutes
Step 5. Transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels
Remove the baking sheet and transfer the bacon slices to a plate lined with several layers of kitchen paper. Let it drain the excess fat for a few minutes before eating it.
- Do not let it cool inside the pan, or it will continue to cook due to residual heat and could burn itself.
- Allowing excess fat to drain helps to keep the bacon crunchy as well as making it lighter.
Method 3 of 4: Cook Bacon in the Microwave
Step 1. Line a microwave-safe dish with 3-4 layers of paper towels
The paper has the important task of absorbing the fat released by the bacon as it cooks. If you put it directly on the plate, it would absorb its own fat and become excessively greasy and chewy.
Step 2. Arrange the bacon slices on the plate and cover them with another 1-2 layers of absorbent paper
The slices don't have to overlap each other, but you can line them up so they're very close together. Cover them with one or two sheets of paper, being careful not to crush them. The upper layers of paper are used to prevent hot fat from splashing and dirtying the oven.
Step 3. Cook the bacon on high power, calculating one minute for each slice
Put the dish in the microwave and set the power and timer. To give an example, if you want to cook 4 slices of bacon, you need to set 4 minutes of cooking. You don't need to turn them halfway through cooking, so you can prepare eggs or set the table in the meantime.
Step 4. Extend cooking at 30 second intervals until the bacon is crispy enough
Check if it's ready and, if necessary, let it cook again by setting the microwave to 30-second intervals. You have to consider that it will continue to cook for a few seconds even once it has been removed from the oven, so it is best to stop cooking a few moments before it is ready according to your taste.
Step 5. Transfer the bacon to a clean plate and allow it to cool slightly
You have to move it to another plate right away to prevent it from sticking to the paper as it cools. Transfer it using kitchen tongs without giving it time to drain onto the paper. Let it cool for a few minutes before eating it.
The paper towel will have absorbed the excess fat released by the bacon during cooking, so there is no need to let it drain again
Method 4 of 4: Variations to the Classic Recipe
Step 1. Marinate the bacon in maple syrup like they love to do in the state of Vermont
Place the bacon slices in a bowl and top them with 100% pure maple syrup. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cooking the bacon using your preferred method.
During cooking, the sugars contained in the maple syrup will caramelize and become sticky. It may take a little extra effort to wash cooking surfaces, but it's worth a try
Step 2. Season the bacon with brown sugar before cooking
Take it out of the refrigerator and wait for it to reach room temperature. Then massage the slices on both sides with the brown sugar and wait 4-5 minutes before cooking them using one of the methods described.
Step 3. Cook the bacon in a pan with the addition of 1-2 tablespoons of water if you wish to crumble it once cooked
Place the bacon slices in the cold pan and add the water before turning on the stove. The water will evaporate as it cooks, making the bacon even more crunchy than usual, so you'll be able to crumble it very easily if you want to sprinkle it on salads, baked potatoes or stews.
Advice
- If the bacon feels too chewy, let it cook a little longer.
- Don't lose sight of bacon while it's in the oven or pan as it cooks very quickly.
Warnings
- Let the pan cool before washing to prevent warping.
- Do not touch the hot bacon slices with your fingers, use the kitchen tongs to turn them or transfer them to the plate.
