Crispy, savory bacon is a breakfast staple loved by many. Though you can cook bacon in the oven or microwave, cooking it in a skillet on the stovetop yields the best results.
Stovetop bacon comes out perfectly crispy and full of flavor. With just a few simple tools and ingredients, you can learn how to fry up bacon on the stove for breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, and more.
This easy stovetop method will show you how to cook bacon on the stove so it's crunchy outside while being chewy and tender inside.
So read on to learn the simple process of making perfect frying bacon in a skillet on your stove in just minutes.
Why You Cook Bacon On The Stove?
Cooking bacon on the stovetop has several advantages over other cooking methods. Stovetop cooking allows for better temperature control, which is key to properly rendering out the fat and achieving crispy bacon without burning.
On the stove, you can closely monitor each slice and adjust the timing and flipping as needed. This level of individual attention is harder to achieve in the quick-heating environment of an oven.
Stovetop cooking also uses less energy since you can cook just the number of bacon slices you need rather than heating the whole oven. A bonus is that stovetop cooking allows you to infuse extra flavors into the bacon by sautéing aromatics in the rendered fat.
Necessary Equipment
Here is the list of necessary equipment needed for this recipe,
- Heavy skillet or cast iron pan
- Bacon
- Paper towels
- Tongs
Step-By-Step Cooking Process
1. Preparation:
Ensure you have all the necessary cooking equipment: a heavy, oven-safe skillet or cast iron pan, high-quality thick-cut bacon, paper towels or paper plates, and cooking tongs. Turn your exhaust fan on to help clear away smoke and smell.
2. Selecting The Bacon:
Choose bacon slices roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick for the best results. Thicker slices will crisp up nicely without overcooking. Stay away from thin or cheap bacon, which burns quickly. Pick high-quality bacon for maximum flavor.
3. Heating The Skillet:
Place your heavy skillet or pan on the stove over medium heat. Allow it to preheat for 2-3 minutes until hot but not smoking. Line the pan with paper towels to help absorb excess bacon grease during cooking.
4. Arranging Bacon Strips:
Once the skillet is hot, use tongs to carefully lay the bacon strips in a single layer in the pan. Space the strips apart so they have room to crisp up. Depending on the pan size, you may need to fry the bacon in batches.
5. Cooking And Flipping:
Let the bacon fry undisturbed for 2-3 minutes before flipping. Fry the other side for another 2-3 minutes. The bacon in pan should begin sizzling immediately, and the fat will disappear. Flip the strips occasionally for even browning. Adjust heat as needed if it is cooking too fast or slow.
6. Adjusting Heat:
Lower the heat slightly if the bacon begins to blacken or cook unevenly. If it takes too long to brown, increase the heat. The right cooking temp should produce steady sizzling.
7. Monitoring And Testing:
Keep a close eye on the bacon in pan as it cooks. Once the slices turn golden brown, use tongs to lift one and check its texture. Well-done bacon should be crisp but still have a bit of chewiness, not hard or brittle.
8. Removing And Draining:
When the bacon on the stove reaches the desired doneness, transfer it from the pan to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess grease. Be careful of hot grease splatters.
9. Dabbing Excess Grease:
Once on the plate, gently blot the top of the bacon with fresh paper towels to soak up more grease for a crispier texture.
10. Serving And Enjoying:
Serve the hot, fresh bacon immediately for the perfect crispy texture.
Tips And Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for cooking bacon on the stove:
- Cook over medium to medium-low heat to prevent burning. Cooking at too high a temperature will quickly blacken and burn the bacon before the fat renders out. A lower, controlled heat allows the bacon to fry gradually without scorching.
- Rotate the bacon strips while cooking to promote even crisping. Using tongs, flip each slice every few minutes so they brown evenly on all sides.
- Fry bacon in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Too many slices lower the temperature and lead to greasy, limp bacon.
- Let bacon rest after cooking to allow it to finish crisping up. The residual heat will continue to crisp the bacon as it cools slightly off the heat.
- Save the leftover bacon grease in a heat-proof container. The flavored fat adds a delicious taste when used to cook other foods like eggs, Brussels sprouts, or baked potatoes.
Bacon Serving Suggestions
Breakfast Bacon Tacos
For a tasty breakfast taco, place crispy bacon in warmed corn tortillas, scrambled eggs, cheese, and pico de gallo.
Bacon Cheeseburger
Top grilled burgers with melted cheddar cheese and several slices of stovetop bacon for a juicy bacon cheeseburger.
Wedge Salad
Break stovetop bacon into chunks to use as a crunchy topping on crisp iceberg wedge salads drizzled with blue cheese dressing.
Bacon &'' Brussels Sprouts
Sauté crispy bacon pieces with roasted Brussels sprouts for a sweet, salty side dish.
How To Store And Reheat Leftover Bacon?
Any leftover bacon from stovetop cooking should be cooled completely before storing it later. Place the cooked bacon in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag. Refrigerate for 3-5 days maximum.
For longer freezer storage, wrap bacon in parchment paper and place it in layers in a sealed freezer bag or container. Frozen, properly stored bacon will be kept for 1-2 months.
To reheat, lay bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate and microwave in 30-second intervals until heated. You can also reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the oven at 375°F for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Final Words
Cooking delicious crispy bacon at home is easy with the right stovetop technique. Follow the steps to achieve bacon with the perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy centers. Master this essential cooking skill for a breakfast staple you want to enjoy anytime.
