I Quizzed 6 Chefs on Perfect Bacon—Here’s Their Universal Tip

Moreover, tidying up afterwards becomes considerably simpler.

As I was growing up, I believed that bacon could only be prepared using a microwave. This is how my parents prefer to cook it: They place strips of bacon onto a plastic grate designed specifically for this purpose, cover them with a layer of paper towels, and then pop them into the microwave for about 4-5 minutes until they become nice and crisp.

This bacon isn't overly fatty compared to what you'd typically find at diners or cafes. However, after discovering superior methods for cooking bacon, I realized you can achieve top-notch quality from the coziness of your own kitchen without much hassle.

I believed the ideal method for cooking bacon was using the stovetop, specifically in a cast-iron skillet. This approach typically resulted in bacon that was crisp yet somewhat greasy, though often sporting some charred bits since achieving even cooking eluded me even when adopting a "low and slow" technique aimed at perfecting the texture.

It wasn’t until I stumbled upon a superior technique for preparing bacon. When I consulted professional chefs and culinary specialists, they all agreed that this approach yields the finest restaurant-caliber strips of bacon. Below is their endorsed method.

The Professional Chefs and Cooking Authorities I Consulted

  • Chef David Rose Executive Chef at Omaha Steaks
  • Chef Gigi Gaggero : Previously the Academic Director at Le Cordon Bleu North America and also an author Dining Drama: For Parents of Fussy Eatadoresbies
  • Chef Ashley Lonsdale Chef-in-Charge at Butcher Box
  • Chef Adonis Icalina Certified in Culinary Arts from the Metropolitan Occupational Science and Technology Institute and Founder of Carnivore Style
  • Grace Vallo : Founder of Tastefully Grace and media personality
  • Erica Thomas : Founder of Eating With Erica , who leads the Atlanta Supper Club and is writing an upcoming cookbook," Confidently Cooking

How Chefs Recommend Cooking Bacon, The Top Method Revealed

To cook bacon without getting your hands dirty or making a mess, every chef and culinary expert I consulted agreed: Baking bacon in the oven is the superior technique. .

It not only excels at cleaning up, but also ensures even cooking of the bacon, achieving that ideal crispiness without undercooked or burned sections typically seen with stove-top or microwave methods. Additionally, this method frees you up to work on other components of your dish, regardless if it’s a large quantity preparation. scrambled eggs or gathering components for making sandwiches, such as grilled cheese BLT or smashburgers .

Although various chefs have distinct methods for oven-cooking bacon, most suggest placing a rimmed baking sheet lined with either parchment paper or aluminum foil, followed by arranging the bacon strips in a single layer. Cook this setup at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or set the temperature to 375°F and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes instead. Keep in mind that the precise cooking duration can vary based on how thickly cut your bacon slices are.

Chef Rose recommends placing the slices on a plate covered with fresh paper towels to absorb the extra grease once the bacon is done cooking.

Chef Lonsdale suggests using a wire rack placed on a baking sheet to achieve evenly crispy bacon. Additionally, she advises retaining the bacon drippings that accumulate below. "During cooking, I make sure to drain and preserve the bacon fat halfway through," she says. "This leftover bacon fat can be used later on the stove-top to add more taste to nearly any dish you cook."

Chef Gaggero suggests using a nonstick cooking spray on the wire rack to facilitate cleaning when trying out this technique. He explains, "The primary purpose of this step is to prevent the bacon from adhering to the rack; however, its main advantage lies in simplifying the cleanup process. By employing this easy tactic, you save yourself the effort of scouring pots and pans afterward and ensure that the bacon cooks evenly as the hot air can flow around each slice perfectly."

Chef Icalina prepares candied bacon in the oven as a delightful indulgence. "It's a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that everyone loves," she explains. She begins with a combination of brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne pepper; the sugar infuses sweetness, whereas the cayenne introduces a subtle spiciness. After evenly coating the bacon slices in this mix, she lays them out on a baking tray. Once placed in the oven, the bacon becomes crisp and golden, with the sugar transforming into a luscious, caramelized syrup. This interplay between the saltiness of the bacon and the sugary glaze creates an irresistibly tasty dish.

Read the initial article on Simply Recipes .

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