Bacon is one of the most beloved breakfast foods in the country. While not renowned for
its health benefits, fans of the fried meat feel that its rich, savory flavor makes it
more than worth the indulgence. And the salty cured pork isn't just reserved for the mornings
— it is a popular addition to all kinds of meals, from a side dish to a topping on
burgers and salads to the main event in a sandwich like a BLT. In fact, it seems pretty
likely that many bacon fans would add it to just about any meal if they could.
However, there is one thing that makes bacon less than perfect: the preparation process.
Some find the strips can be difficult to cook evenly, with some pieces coming out more chewy
while others are more crispy.
Furthermore, strips do not often lay flat inside a sandwich, which can make it difficult
to distribute all the deliciousness evenly. The different pieces can also sometimes spill
out when one goes to take a bite, leaving a disappointing bacon-less hole in a sandwich
or burger. Fortunately, there's an easy solution for this bacon conundrum.
To avoid uneven bacon and subpar sandwiches, some cooks recommend preparing the bacon in
a specific way to prevent spillage and ensure all the bacon pieces are cooked evenly. What
is that? Some swear that weaving the strips together and placing them in the oven is actually
the best way to cook bacon. Layering the bacon like this and then baking it not only helps
the meat cook thoroughly and evenly on all sides, it is also the best shape for evenly
distributing it across every bite of your sandwich.
Although frying bacon may be the more traditional way of cooking it, true bacon aficionados
know there is much more to cooking bacon than simply tossing the strips in the frying pan.
But, whether you choose to use a skillet or not, do not put the bacon straight from the
refrigerator onto the frying pan. Allowing the strips to rest and soften before cooking
will allow the meat to cook more evenly and perfectly.
"Mmmmm….. bacon!"
However, if you do decide to skip the pan in favor of the oven rack, there are still
a few important things to note. Bacon cooks best when it is laying flat, and an easy way
to make that happen is to lay the strips out evenly and then cover them with a rack to
ensure they remain flat throughout the cooking process.
While bacon can always be prepared in the microwave for a faster cooking time, a waffle
maker can also come in handy if you are in a pinch and you still want the same even,
crispy result that you would achieve in a regular oven. When it comes to cooking bacon,
the waffle iron works in much the same way as a conventional oven. Simply lay the strips
flat, allow them to cook until crispy on both sides, and voilà.
There are endless hacks out there to help home chefs achieve that delicious, perfectly
cooked strip of bacon, but honestly? All bacon is amazing.
"Kevin Bacon here. You know me from the 6 Degrees of, well, me. But it's time to expand."
Those who prefer less grease can cook their strips on an incline, allowing the excess
fat to drip off. But of course, the ultimate bacon cooking hack, no matter which device
you choose to cook it on, is weaving the strips together.
Many fans of this method insist that once you give the weaving method a try, you won't
go back. The trick to achieving a perfect weave is to first lay the strips against each
other vertically on a baking sheet, with the fatty sides all facing the same way. Then
flip every other strip in half, and lay another piece of bacon perpendicular to it before
flipping it back down.
Then, do the same to the alternate column, and repeat, laying interlacing perpendicular
strips across all the bacon columns. Finally, put the bacon weave in the oven and let it
bake for about 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, although times may vary. Once
the meat is thoroughly cooked, simply take it out and enjoy your perfectly cooked square
of bacon.
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