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Best Way To Cook Bacon

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This is the Best Way To Cook Bacon for a nice and perfectly crispy bacon every time. Cooking bacon in the oven is a popular method, but this recipe guide will teach you the best and easiest way to get your bacon done without any splatters.

Sizzling pieces of bacon in a frying pan.
Best Way To Cook Bacon. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

My last visit to my mum was an eye-opening experience. She showed me the best way to cook bacon on the stove, and I couldn’t believe how easy and delicious it turned out. Watching her make perfectly crispy bacon with that rich, smoky flavor made me realize that the simplest methods are sometimes the best. I can’t wait to share these tips with you so you can enjoy bacon like my mum makes it.

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You have many options when cooking bacon, and my favorite is cooking bacon on the stove. 

Add it on top of your chicken crack casserole, or pair it with your breakfast toast with frittata with sausage or apricot preserves

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This method for cooking bacon is the best way to get perfectly cooked bacon for breakfast, sandwiches, or just as a snack. Here are the reasons why you will love this recipe:

  • Super Easy and Simple: Cooking bacon on the stovetop is straightforward and does not take too long. You can have crispy, delicious bacon ready in minutes.
  • Less Cleanup: Using a pan on the stove generally means less mess than using the oven or microwave. There is no need for extra trays, rimmed baking sheet pans, or racks to clean.
  • Control the Crispiness: If you cook your bacon on the stove, you can easily adjust the heat to get your bacon as crispy as you like. If you like chewy bacon, adjust the cooking time. It is all about your personal preference.

Cooking Bacon On The Stove

Cooking bacon on the stove top is my go-to method because it gives me the most control, where I can see the bacon as it cooks and adjust the heat as needed. Also, it is super easy to do, even in a rush. This is the method I will teach my kids in the future because it is the traditional way that many people first learn.

A close-up of a frying pan with cooked bacon, onion and a parsley garnish.
Cooked bacon, onion and a parsley.

Is Cooking Bacon In The Oven and Air Fryer Also Good?

Yes, cooking bacon in the oven or using an air fryer is also great, and both methods have their benefits. Oven bacon cooking is excellent for large batches, resulting in evenly cooked bacon with less splatter. At the same time, the air fryer method is quick and can make bacon extra crispy. Still, cooking on the stove remains my favorite because it is simple and convenient.

How To Make The Best Way To Cook Bacon Recipe

Let me show you how to quickly cook the best strips of bacon you will ever have. Follow these simple steps, and you are good to go. Let us start.

Kitchen Gadgets:

  • Pan for Frying: A good, heavy-bottomed pan cooks bacon evenly. Using a non-stick pan is also great.
  • Wooden Spatula: Use this to flip the bacon without scratching your pan.

Ingredients:

  • Bacon Slices: Prepare your bacon and cut it to your preferred thickness. Look for high-quality ones for the best taste. 
  • Spring Onion: Optional for extra flavor.

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR COOKING CRISPY BACON

First Step: Prepare Bacon

Prepare your bacon slices and pick the pan you will use for cooking.

A frying pan with uncooked bacon slices and water over an induction cooktop, promoting a method for cooking bacon. Text overlay reads "Best way to cook bacon. Clean eating - Real food - Whole food - Super food.
Uncooked bacon slices.

Second Step: Start Cooking

Heat the pan to the maximum and add all the bacon slices once burning. If your pan is not fully heated, the immediate reaction will not happen, and your bacon will not cook to a complete crispiness. Turn the bacon regularly using two wooden spatulas.

Raw pieces of bacon being stirred with wooden spatulas in a frying pan on a stove.
Raw pieces of bacon being cooked.

Third Step: Mix and Add Young Onions

Keep flipping the bacon to make sure every single piece is separated and it cooks evenly on both sides. Let it cook till the bacon turns brown and crispy.

Towards the end, you can add young spring onion bulbs to add more flavor.

Image split into two panels: 1) Raw chopped meat in a frying pan being stirred with wooden spatulas. 2) Cooked meat with halved radishes in the pan.
Raw bacon in a frying pan and cooked with onions.

TRICKS AND TIPS FOR EASY CLEANUP COOKING:

  • Paper towels: Prepare some paper towels to drain the excess bacon fat or oil from the pan. You can also place them onto the plate before the cooked bacon.
  • Flipping: For consistent crispiness, flip the bacon occasionally and ensure it is cooked on both sides. I like using wooden spatulas for flipping because they don’t damage any pan I use.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I Use a Cast Iron Skillet to Pan Fry My Bacon?

Yes, you can use a cast iron skillet for pan-frying bacon because it heats evenly and holds heat well. I use it most of the time, and it always helps me have that extra-crispy bacon. Also, skillet pans add a nice flavor to bacon.

Just remember to fully preheat the skillet before adding the bacon. Be careful because cast iron can get very hot.

A black skillet with cooked bacon, red and white pearl onions, and a sprig of fresh parsley.
Stove cooked bacon.

Will I Need Parchment Paper For This Cooking Method?

No, parchment paper is not needed when cooking bacon on the stove. Just use a good pan, and you are all set. These are only required when you are using the oven method, and you are cooking a large amount of bacon. It helps prevent dripping directly onto the tray or oven.

Is Bacon Grease Okay For Clean Eating?

When it comes to clean eating, bacon grease is not so advisable, but you can use it in small amounts to add a delicious flavor to other dishes. Just remember to be careful and not to use too much. Like any fat, it is best to use it in moderation.

What to Serve With Perfectly Cooked Bacon?

There are many ways to serve your bacon besides having it with pancakes or waffles.  I am here to give you more ideas.

Serve your fresh and crispy bacon with your breakfast protein bread slices, or top it with your freshly baked brioche french toast casserole. I love having it with oven-baked cauliflower rice because it adds a delicious flavor to a recipe.

I also like adding bacon bits on top of my soups, like clear vegetable soup, to add more flavor and crispy texture.

A frying pan with sizzling bacon and fresh green onions.
A frying pan with sizzling bacon.
How Do I Store Crispy Bacon?

To store leftover bacon, let it cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for longer storage. Just reheat it in a pan or microwave before serving again.

More Quick and Easy Recipes

For quick and easy ideas, check out these recipes you love making at home. Dehydrate your vegetables and make homemade dehydrated cucumbers and radish chips for a healthy snack instead of potato chips.

Our air fryer popcorn chicken recipe is also made easy and delicious, the same as this five-spice chicken recipe. Enjoy these bites with buffalo ranch sauce and baked buffalo chicken dip on the side.

Pin For Later

A skillet cooking bacon pieces with whole green onions. The text at the top says "Clean Eating Presents Best Way to Cook Bacon." The bottom includes the website "bestcleaneating.com".
Cooking bacon pieces.

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A frying pan with slices of cooked bacon and fresh green onions.

Best Way To Cook Bacon

Zuzana Paar
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This is the Best Way To Cook Bacon for a nice and perfectly crispy bacon every time. Cooking bacon in the oven is a popular method, but this recipe guide will teach you the best and easiest way to get your bacon done without any splatters.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American, International
Servings 4 Portions
Calories 7 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

  • 20 Slices Bacon
  • 18 Pieces Spring Onions

Video

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Instructions
 

  • Prepare your bacon slices and pick the pan you will use for cooking.
  • Heat the pan to the maximum and add all the bacon slices once burning. If your pan is not fully heated, the immediate reaction will not happen, and your bacon will not cook to a complete crispiness. Turn the bacon regularly using two wooden spatulas.
  • Keep flipping the bacon to make sure every single piece is separated and it cooks evenly on both sides. Let it cook till the bacon turns brown and crispy. Towards the end, you can add young spring onion bulbs to add more flavor.

Notes

  • Paper towels: Prepare some paper towels to drain the excess bacon fat or oil from the pan. You can also place them onto the plate before the cooked bacon.
  • Flipping: For consistent crispiness, flip the bacon occasionally and ensure it is cooked on both sides. I like using wooden spatulas for flipping because they don’t damage any pan I use.

Nutrition

Serving: 5PiecesCalories: 7kcalCarbohydrates: 0.3gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 101mgPotassium: 12mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 45IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.1mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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Bread recipes

As usually bacon is served with bread, I am attaching some great bread recipes for you to try.

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By Zuzana Paar on September 1st, 2024
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About Zuzana Paar

Zuzana is the creative force and mastermind behind this scrumptious clean eating heaven. She will guide you on this delicious journey as a content creator, recipe developer, food writer, movie maker, blogger, and photographer. With her diverse skills she is dedicated to sharing delicious, healthy recipes and helpful tips with readers.

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3 Comments on “Best Way To Cook Bacon”

  1. I just can’t stand cooking bacon on the stove top. It’s so messy, gets grease everywhere, hangs in the air. I do mine in the oven, have perfected it to the perfect crispness and honestly anyone can take it out at the perfect point, 375 on convection bake, two trays at once, so I can cook a pound at once on a rack in a cookie tray, turned after 10 minutes make crispy chewy bacon. Watch if using thinner bacon. Then run the over self clean and there’s not mess out in my kitchen and lots left over for salads or sandwiches later.

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