• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hot Rod's Recipes
  • Browse Recipes
  • Videos
  • How-To
  • RV Park Reviews
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • RV Parks
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Videos
    • RV Parks
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » How-To

    How to Make Perfect Bacon - 3 Ways

    Published on September 20, 2019 - Updated on April 8, 2022 by Chef Rodney - Leave a Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

    372 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Here's 3 foolproof ways to make bacon. If you struggle making perfect bacon, try one of these easy methods. You won't regret it.
    bacon ready to eat

    We all love Bacon. Everything tastes better with Bacon right? I got a t-shirt that says it does. But what I have come to find out is that not everyone knows how to cook bacon properly. So I am now sharing with you How to Make Perfect Bacon - 3 Ways.

    There are probably more than 3 ways to cook bacon but I am going to focus on the 3 easiest ways: fry it, bake it and microwave it. Each method requires a different approach so I am going to share all three methods with you.

    I know that some like their bacon super crispy while others like their bacon on the "softer" side. It really depends on what you are using the bacon for. It will be up to you to experiment a bit with the times listed on the recipe card below to find what you are looking for but the cook times I am listing below is a great starting point.

    #1 - How to Bake Bacon

    Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Arrange Bacon on the baking sheet.
    Bake for 18 to 25 minutes at 400°F. You do not need to preheat the oven.

    raw bacon going into the oven
    Cooking Bacon 3 Ways
    bacon fresh out of the oven

    #2 - How to Microwave Bacon

    Cover a plate with paper towels and line up bacon strips. Cover with more paper towels and micro on high for approximately 60 seconds per strip. So if you plated 5 bacon strips then you will need to microwave for at least 5 minutes.

    raw bacon on papertowels

    #3 - How to Fry Bacon

    Place bacon strips in a cold skillet and cook on both sides over medium heat. If you need crumbled bacon, dice before frying.

    Cooking Bacon 3 Ways

    Show me how the Bacon turns out

    My favorite way of making bacon is frying it. I guess I am just old school. It can get a little messy but if you start cooking the bacon with a cold skillet you will get less splatter. Anyways, this is what the fried bacon looks like:

    Cooking Bacon 3 Ways

    The advantage of baking your bacon is it's less messy. Especially if you line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Once done baking the bacon, let the sheet cool and simply toss the parchment or foil in the trash. Here's what baked bacon looks like after 16 minutes in my oven:

    Cooking Bacon 3 Ways

    And probably my least favorite way of making bacon is in the microwave. Not that it tastes bad or anything but I am just not a fan of using the microwave for anything. Personal preference. Important to note that you need to microwave the bacon about 60 seconds for EACH bacon strip. This is what I got after roughly 6 minutes in the micro:

    Cooking Bacon 3 Ways

    Air Fryer Method

    I recently posted on how to make Bacon in the Air Fryer. I realize that some of you may not have an air fryer yet but for those who do, check out my Air Fryer Bacon 🥓 post.

    So now that you know How to Make Perfect Bacon - 3 Ways, check out all the recipes you can make with bacon or check out these great posts:

    • Air Fryer French Fries
    • Mexican Egg Rolls
    • Jalapeño Avocado Egg Rolls
    • How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
    • Eggs & Bacon Breakfast Burritos
    How to Make Perfect Bacon

    How to Make Perfect Bacon - 3 Ways

    Here's 3 foolproof ways to make bacon. If you struggle making perfect bacon, try one of these easy methods. You won't regret it.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Breakfast, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 473 kcal

    Equipment

    • Skillet
    • Baking Sheet
    • Microwave

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb Bacon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    How to Bake Bacon

    • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Arrange Bacon on the baking sheet.
      Cooking Bacon 3 Ways
    • Bake for 18 to 25 minutes at 400F. You do not need to preheat the oven.
      Cooking Bacon 3 Ways

    How to Microwave Bacon

    • Cover a plate with paper towels and line up bacon strips. Cover with more paper towels and micro on high for 60 seconds per strip.
      Cooking Bacon 3 Ways

    How to Fry Bacon

    • Place bacon strips in a cold skillet and fry on both sides over medium heat. If you need crumbled bacon, dice before frying
      Cooking Bacon 3 Ways

    Notes

    → 1 lb of bacon equals 12 to 16 slices if using thick cut and 16 to 20 slices if using thin cut bacon.
    → If you are wrapping bacon around other food, always use thin cut bacon
    → Always drain your cooked bacon on paper towels to absorb all the extra grease
    → Line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup

    Nutrition

    Calories: 473kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 14gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 751mgPotassium: 225mgVitamin A: 42IUCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    Reader Interactions

    leave comment and rating! Cancel reply

    We would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please choose a star rating. Thanks!

    Recipe Rating:




    Before a comment appears it needs to be approved by the site owner. Read our Comment Policy to see how your comment data is processed. Your email address will NOT be published.

    Primary Sidebar

    Chef Rodney Headshot

    Hi! I'm Rodney and welcome to my blog. I am a foodie and self-taught cook. After years of experimenting in the kitchen, I decided to share some of my favorite recipes with you. Read More →

    Trending Recipes

    • Copycat Chipotle Spicy Salsa
    • Guy's Donkey Sauce for Burgers
    • Cinnamon Donut Bread
    • Cinnamon Sugar Beaver Tails

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Recipes

    • Recipe Index
    • Copycat Recipes
    • Pressure Cooking
    • Celebrity Chef Recipes

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Recipe Disclaimer
    • Contact Us

    Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2022 Hot Rod's Recipes™