Bacon
Bacon strips in the shape of the name Kevin, for Kevin Bacon.
Fun fact: my Kevin Bacon number is TWO! In college I was an extra in a show called “Touched by an Angel” starring Della Reese. Della Reese was later in a movie called “Beauty Shop” with Kevin Bacon. Hence, I am only two degrees from Kevin Bacon.
So, in honor of my short-lived television career, let’s take a minute to talk about something you actually want to know about: cooking bacon. We’re going to look at four different ways to cook bacon so you can have this perfectly salty and flavorful ingredient at the ready whenever you need it. Bacon can be used as a main ingredient in BLTs, as a side with eggs or pancakes, and as an addition to soups, baked potatoes, quiches, frittatas, salads, and really, almost anything.
OVEN BAKED BACON
This method is perfect for those times you need to make a lot of bacon all at once. A quick mid-week meal of BLTs or brunch for a crowd is simple work when using the oven. There’s minimal mess and cleanup with this method, plus you don’t need to flip the bacon, so it doesn’t require a lot of tending to. Here’s how to do it:
PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 400 degrees
Place parchment paper or aluminum foil on a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet) and place bacon strips onto the pan, taking care that they don’t overlap or touch. (For crispier bacon you can place an oven safe wire rack on top of the paper or foil and lay the bacon pieces on the rack.)
Cook for 14-18 minutes until bacon reaches desired level of crispiness.
Transfer bacon to a wire cooling rack or paper towel covered plate.
BACON IN A SKILLET
For when you just want a few pieces of bacon, a skillet is a good option that doesn’t require extra specialty equipment. Just a skillet and a pair of good tongs will do the trick (I prefer silicone tipped tongs for this). The main issue with this method is that there will be a lot of bacon grease that splatters in your kitchen. Be sure to wear an apron to protect your clothes! A splatter screen can help to control the mess.
Place bacon slices in a cold skillet and set over medium heat. Turn bacon pieces occasionally and cook for 10-15 minutes, until bacon reaches desired crispiness. There’s no need to add extra fat, the rendered bacon supplies plenty of fat so that it doesn’t stick to the pan. Remove cooked bacon from pan and place on a wire cooling rack or plate covered with paper towels to cool.
AIR FRYER BACON
This simple method is quick and easy and delivers nice crispy bacon. It’s perfect for those times when you just want a few slices, and it’s not as messy as making it in a skillet. Place bacon strips on air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until desired crispiness is achieved. Remove from air fryer and place on wire rack or paper towel covered plate to cool.
MICROWAVE BACON
I know, a microwave is not a very sophisticated way to cook. In fact, those are generally mutually exclusive statements, but just hear me out. When you just need a few pieces of bacon with almost no mess, this is the perfect way to go. It requires a special piece of equipment to keep the splatter in and help the bacon get nice and crispy. I have the Joie Piggy Microwave Bacon Tray, and it’s great. Place 1-5 pieces of bacon in the tray, put the lid on and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per slice of bacon. It’s a simple, fast, and effective way to quickly add a bacon-y punch of flavor to anything. The splatter stays inside and the tray is dishwasher safe making cleanup a breeze.
FOR ALL METHODS, DON’T FORGET TO SAVE THE BACON DRIPPINGS!
Bacon grease is a great way to add flavor to almost anything. Use it as your primary fat for cooking eggs or when you sauté onions to add to soups or roasts. It adds an extra dimension of flavor.
To save the bacon drippings, allow to cool slightly after cooking and then pour through a fine metal sieve into a jar or crock. Store in the refrigerator for several months.