From the way you're cooking it to the kind of pan you use and how hot that pan is, there are all kinds of ways you could be doing your favorite breakfast meat a huge disservice. Here's everything you're doing wrong with your bacon, and how to do it right.
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00:00Cooking bacon might seem simple, but small missteps can ruin this breakfast favorite.
00:04From the wrong pan to improper heat, there are plenty of ways to miss out on bacon perfection.
00:09Discover the common mistakes you're making and learn the tips to cook bacon just right
00:12every time.
00:13Hi there, thanks for joining me for a morning quickie.
00:16Busy mornings might tempt you to crank up the heat and toss cold bacon straight into
00:20a hot pan.
00:21While it'll cook, the result is often uneven, rubbery, or burnt bacon.
00:25Take an extra moment to heat your pan gradually and let the bacon warm slightly for tastier
00:29results.
00:30You'd assume the secret ingredient is love.
00:34It's actually bacon.
00:35When you throw cold bacon into a hot pan, the fat doesn't have enough time to melt,
00:39causing it to seize up and making the bacon chewy.
00:41To achieve crisp, tender bacon, begin by placing it in a cold pan on medium-low heat.
00:46This gradual process allows the fat to render properly, giving the bacon the perfect texture
00:51as it crisps up in its own fat.
00:53Patience is key for the best results.
00:55There is no better start to the day than eggs for breakfast.
01:00Except maybe eggs with a side of bacon.
01:04If your bacon isn't turning out perfectly crisp and instead is burning in spots, the
01:08issue might be with your pan.
01:09Not all cookware handles bacon the same way.
01:12Cast iron skillets are the top choice for bacon because their heavy bottom distributes
01:16heat evenly, preventing burnt edges.
01:18Unlike aluminum, which heats up too quickly and can create hot spots, cast iron provides
01:23steady heat throughout.
01:24Plus, every time you cook bacon in your skillet, the bacon fat helps season the pan, making
01:28it even better for future cooking.
01:30It's proof that bacon truly makes everything better.
01:33It'd be the perfect thing to be drinking a beer, taking your time.
01:36I don't know if you want to be doing that at 9.30 on a Saturday morning, but that's
01:40your call.
01:41It may sound unusual, but according to America's Test Kitchen, the secret to achieving perfectly
01:45crisp and tender bacon lies in water.
01:47Their method involves covering the bacon with water in a skillet over high heat.
01:51While high heat is typically avoided for bacon, the water helps maintain a low temperature,
01:56preventing the meat from drying out and keeping it tender.
01:58Once the water begins to boil, lower the heat to medium and simmer until the water evaporates.
02:03Then, reduce the heat to medium-low to finish cooking the bacon until it's perfectly browned.
02:08The result?
02:09Bacon that's juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside.
02:12And what you're left with is plump bacon that's pleasantly crisp and not tough or brittle.
02:18A bacon press is the secret to perfect bacon.
02:22According to one writer from GQ,
02:23"...the world is split into two halves, the bacon and the bacon eaters."
02:27When used alongside a cast-iron skillet, a simple cast-iron bacon press can drastically
02:32improve your breakfast bacon.
02:33The press ensures every inch of the bacon strip makes direct contact with the heat,
02:37eliminating those wavy, uneven spots that only cook through steam.
02:41As Josh Scherer from GQ explains,
02:43"...without the press, bacon ends up limp and steam-cooked, missing out on that crispy,
02:48flavorful fat and perfectly browned meat."
02:50By pressing the bacon down, you unlock that melt-in-your-mouth texture and achieve bacon
02:55with the ideal crispiness and golden-brown edges, making it the most irresistible bacon
02:59you've ever tasted.
03:01Microwaving bacon sparks debate, with Bon Appetit urging caution, while others defend
03:06its convenience.
03:07Some argue microwaving bacon results in a satisfactory outcome.
03:10To avoid disappointment, skip the paper towels.
03:13Instead, arrange bacon strips around the edge of a bowl, then set the bowl on a larger plate.
03:18Microwave until crispy, allowing the fat to drip into the bowl or onto the plate,
03:22keeping the bacon crisp.
03:31Microwaving bacon often gets mixed reviews, but with the right technique, it can yield
03:34a crisp result.
03:36Rather than using paper towels, try this method.
03:38Lay the bacon strips around the edge of a bowl and place the bowl on a larger plate.
03:42Microwave until the bacon crisps up.
03:44As it cooks, the fat will drip into the bowl or onto the plate, helping to maintain that
03:48desired crispness without sogginess.
03:50This simple trick ensures you get a satisfying, mess-free bacon experience.
03:55You're doing it all wrong.
03:58Cooking just one or two strips of bacon can also lead to poor results.
04:02According to Scott Vermeer from Prather Ranch Meat Company, with such a small amount, the
04:06fat doesn't render fast enough, leaving the pan dry.
04:09This means you'll end up with unevenly cooked, potentially burnt bacon.
04:12Definitely not ideal.
04:14The royal family may have strict food protocols, but when it comes to bacon, they can indulge.
04:19Former royal chef Darren McGrady revealed to Food & Wine that Prince Harry has particular
04:23preferences when it comes to bacon.
04:25After a Florida trip, the 8-year-old Harry taught McGrady how he liked his bacon cooked,
04:29offering some valuable insights that the chef still remembers.
04:32It was after the royal family came back from Walt Disney World, and I had cooked bacon
04:36for breakfast.
04:37We serve the same bacon you can get in the States, and I broil it just the same.
04:41But Prince Harry said to me,
04:42"'We had it in America at Disney World, and it's so crispy you can snap it.
04:46You have to broil it first, and then you have to put it in some paper towels and place it
04:50in the microwave for a minute.'
04:51And I thought, yeah, okay, thank you, you little brat, teaching me how to cook.
04:55But as soon as he was gone, I tried it, and I got this amazingly crispy bacon."
04:59McGrady admits he stuck with Prince Harry's method, ditching his old approach in favor
05:03of the broil-and-microwave technique.
05:05Prince Harry's influence wins again.
05:07I'm going to save our natural resources and respect our animal friends by becoming a vegetarian
05:13starting right now.
05:14Ooh, bacon!"
05:16While we'll always love classic bacon, occasionally changing things up can add a fun twist.
05:21Flavoring your own bacon is simpler than you might think.
05:23To start, cook your bacon in the oven for a hands-off approach that ensures even flavor
05:27distribution without constant flipping.
05:29Line a baking sheet with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
05:34Once the bacon is cooked and the fat drained, it's time to get creative with your flavors.
05:38Add a mix of maple syrup and chipotle chili powder for a sweet, smoky taste.
05:43Or experiment with sriracha, sesame oil, and honey for a spicy-sweet combination.
05:48If you're feeling adventurous, try roasted garlic bacon.
05:51The flavor possibilities are endless.
05:53"'Give me all the bacon and eggs you have, do you understand?'
06:03Given the irresistible flavor of bacon itself, the true gem that comes from cooking it is
06:07the grease.
06:08Bacon grease is a versatile kitchen secret you'll wonder how you lived without.
06:11It can be used to fry eggs, enhance salad dressings, or elevate soups, stews, cookies,
06:17and even caramels.
06:18Really, it's perfect for nearly any dish.
06:20While storing bacon grease may seem old-fashioned, there's a simple and safe way to keep it.
06:24Just strain it to remove any solids and store it in a sealed container in the fridge.
06:28The beauty of bacon grease is that it remains pliable even when cold, so it's always ready
06:32to enhance your cooking, or even spread on a warm slice of toast.
06:36"'That is a gorgeous piece of bacon."
06:38The only downside to bacon is the lingering aroma it leaves behind, but there are several
06:42ways to banish it.
06:44Start by using a splatter shield to minimize airborne grease that can cling to surfaces.
06:48Turn on your stove's exhaust fan or open windows to ventilate the area.
06:52After cooking, wipe down surfaces that may have been splattered, wash the dishes, and
06:56clean any towels used.
06:58If the smell still won't budge, a quick spritz of air freshener will do the trick, leaving
07:03your kitchen smelling fresh again.
07:04With these steps, the bacon scent will be gone, and you can enjoy the rest of your day
07:07bacon-free.
07:09Cooking bacon can create a lot of cleanup — splattering grease, heaps of paper towels,
07:13and pools of fat.
07:14But there's an easy solution — cook the entire package, or even two, at once.
07:18After the bacon cools, you can freeze it for later use, eliminating the need to cook every
07:22time.
07:23To freeze, make sure the bacon strips don't stick together.
07:25Lay parchment paper on a baking sheet and arrange the cooked strips without them touching.
07:29If you have a lot, add another layer of parchment and repeat the process.
07:33Place the tray in the freezer for three hours or overnight, until the bacon is fully frozen.
07:37Once done, transfer the strips to a zip-top bag and store in the freezer for up to one
07:42month.
07:43When you're ready to enjoy, just microwave the frozen bacon for about 30 seconds, and
07:47you'll have perfect bacon without the hassle of cooking each time.
07:50The bacon weave might seem like a quirky trend, but it's much more than just a novelty.
07:54This ingenious technique is a solution to several cooking challenges, like preventing
07:59dry meatloaf.
08:00A bacon weave transforms burgers by ensuring each bite is packed with rich, salty flavor,
08:05and it's a game-changer for dishes like BLTs, bacon-wrapped chicken, or even pork loin.
08:10It not only boosts flavor, but also helps retain moisture, keeping meats tender and
08:14juicy.
08:15And don't be intimidated — it's easy to make.
08:17Simply arrange full or half strips of bacon in a criss-cross pattern to form a square.
08:21Then bake until crisp, or use it to wrap around your favorite dish before cooking.
08:26Never add bacon.
08:27It ruins everything without bacon forever.