Make sure you have a rack in the … Remove the bacon from the oven and place the bacon slices on a plate lined with paper towels. The Chinese began salting pork belly as early as 1500 B.C., but it wasn’t until 1924 when Oscar Mayer patented the first packed, sliced bacon that it became a breakfast staple in almost every household in America. Frying bacon on the stovetop may seem like the simplest way to cook this favorite breakfast meat, but cooking bacon in the microwave is actually easier, and also creates far less mess than using a skillet. A lot of people swear by starting with a cold oven, and then setting the oven to 400°F at the same time you put the bacon in. Lightly spritz with cooking spray. Remove and set on a paper towel lined plate. Cover the bacon with another microwave-safe paper towel to prevent splattering. How long to put bacon in the oven depends on your desired texture: briefer for softer, longer for crisper. Strips can touch but should not overlap. How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave: 11 Steps (with Pictures) When cooked to desired doneness, transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towel, clean newspaper or a cut-up paper bag to absorb the excess grease. They soak up the grease as it cooks, allowing the bacon to crisp evenly and release from the pan. With this method, the bacon fat renders slowly and can result in evenly cooked bacon excellence. Discard or save for another use. Step 3: Microwave on High for 1 to 6 minutes, depending on how many slices of bacon you are cooking. Reheat it in the microwave or oven. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate and wipe the skillet clean. You can make a bunch of bacon at once when you cook it in the oven without making a big mess, but each piece still turns out crispy and delicious. The tried-and-true method to cooking bacon for breakfast is on the stove. Do you need to preheat the oven? Pin at @Butcher_Box! I like to check my bacon after 10–15 minutes of baking. Step 1: Place bacon strips in a cold skillet. Use a. That said, the bacon doesn't taste any greasier than other samples. Many bacon varieties in the U.S. are smoked with hickory, applewood or mesquite and pan-fried to be served with eggs and toast at breakfast. When to use this method: The microwave’s best for—you guessed it—quickly cooking a few strips at a time. Don’t rush it. Pour grease from skillet into heatproof dish until cool. Always start with a cold pan. Step 5: While the bacon is cooking, prepare your bacon landing area (a plate lined with paper towels). When the bacon is done, you transfer it to a paper towel–lined plate or platter to drain. However, microwave ovens … Cook on medium-low heat—you want to render a lot of the fat out of the bacon and this takes time. And even if you’d rather toss it, you should pause. Here are a few ways to soak up bacon grease without paper towels. Step 2: Place slices of bacon on top of paper towels. Since most pans don’t heat evenly, you should move the bacon to a different part of the pan when flipping it. Salty. Cooking time is hands-off, so you aren’t stuck at the stove, constantly watching the skillet and flipping pieces of bacon. It’s quick! When the skillet is hot, add bacon slices and press down to crisp. Crisp, but not too crisp; meaty, yet also snappy—perfect bacon strikes a savory balance between texture and taste. I do this for hamburgers too. "This makes cooking bacon simple! This is the safest way to dispose of bacon grease—trust us, your plumber thanks you. Pour bacon grease into a container through a strainer to remove the bacon bits, seal and store in your fridge. I cook uneven bacon at 350 degrees. Cooking Bacon in the Oven Preheat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). You can even freeze your leftover bacon fat! By flipping bacon and keeping a close eye on it, cooking bacon on the stove is an easy way to achieve perfectly crispy bacon. Step 1: Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels. When is it done: Depending on the thickness and how you like your bacon will depend on how long you cook it for. Though your first reaction to leftover bacon grease may be to throw it away, you should know that you can actually store and reuse it. Once done, place bacon on to a paper towel to absorb excess fat. Who can resist a slice (or two) of perfectly cooked bacon? 1. Unlike side bacon, Canadian bacon is pork loin cut from the back of a pig. Preheat oven to 400°F. … I use less paper towels too. You can also alternate layers of paper towels and cooked bacon pieces on your “landing area” plate. Cook time can vary depending on how thick your cuts of bacon are and how many pieces you place on the plate. Bacon as we know it best in the United States is often cured pork belly, otherwise known as “side bacon.” It’s characterized by long thick strips with streaks of fat. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, and lay out as many bacon strips as will fit snuggly without overlapping. It’s often spiced with pepper and various other seasonings. It can stay in there sealed for a few months. Make sure the strips don’t overlap. Place 2-3 paper towels in a microwave-safe dish. Drain. The paper towel then goes onto the baking sheet, which soaks up the grease. also makes his bacon in the oven, but instead of using parchment paper or tin foil, he uses good ol’ paper towels on the bottom of the pan. Sweeten up your day with these favorite brownie recipes. good for crispy bacon fans, nice flavors with no burning; cheap bacon had surprising sweet notes: 4 T1. If you're rendering the bacon fat, line a fine mesh sieve with a paper towel. In addition to being the most delicious, bacon is also one of the oldest cured meats in history. Leftover bacon can easily be stored in your refrigerator and freezer. Most of the methods I've seen posted on the web for microwaving bacon have problems. If you’re having people over for brunch, cooking bacon in the oven will free you up for any other last-minute preparations before your guests arrive. Bacon grease is not meant for your trash—you can use up leftovers at a later time in the kitchen. Leftovers: Oven-cooked bacon can be stored (in a baggie or airtight container) in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Flip immediately to get both sides. For years when I cook bacon, I have always placed the bacon on paper towels to soak up the bacon grease. For example, for one slice of bacon, cook for 30 seconds to one minute; for eight slices of bacon, cook four to six minutes. And we’re not exaggerating — a strip of bacon includes not one, not two, but six types of umami, the elusive “savory” flavor that makes human taste buds go totally bonkers. You can then use it again! If you’re cooking a full pound of bacon, you may need to work in batches or divide pieces between two pans to avoid overcrowding. Cooking bacon in the microwave is incredibly simple (and super speedy). Step 4: Remove bacon from heat and let drain on paper towels. Look out for the mistakes everybody makes when cooking bacon. Pancetta is cured pork belly that is common in Italy. Because it’s a different cut, Canadian bacon often resembles ham more than it does the smoked bacon you may be accustomed to eating at breakfast. It’s okay if pieces of bacon touch (because they’ll shrink during the cooking process as fat drips off), but they shouldn’t overlap. Read on for step-by-step instructions for each method: See what brand of bacon is best, according to Taste of Home staffers. Step 6: Clean up. Yes, you can. Remove and place on serving plate when it’s just a little underdone (bacon will carry-over cook a little). 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