The biggest mistakes people make when cooking bacon
Bacon is loved by many. Getting it just right though can sometimes be a problem. In some cases, the bacon is undercooked or cooked too much. Fortunately, you can avoid some common mistakes by keeping the following tips in mind the next time you cook bacon.
1. Use an iron skillet
When cooking your bacon, the best pan to use is an iron skillet. While a little old fashioned, an iron skillet won’t burn the edges of your bacon like an aluminum pan would. This is because heavy-duty cookware like an iron skillet can retain heat better, which conducts the heat more evenly.
2. Put your bacon in a cold pan
If you cook bacon on your stovetop, start by placing your bacon in a cold pan. Also, when heating your bacon, place it on the medium-low heat setting. This allows the fat to render properly as it warms up. This in turn will give the bacon a much better taste.
3. Give your bacon room to breathe
When cooking your bacon in a pan, make sure to spread it out, leaving about 1-inch of space between each strip. This gives each piece of bacon room to breathe and reach its full potential. The reasoning behind giving your bacon a little wriggle room is to allow the fat to render and crisp up, giving your bacon that perfect taste you love.
4. Use water when cooking your bacon
Another innovative idea is to use water when cooking your bacon. When using this method, cover your bacon with water and turn the heat up to high. The water actually cools the bacon down while cooking, making it plump and crisp. Otherwise, your bacon could turn out brittle and tough.
Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium and continue simmering until all of the water is gone. Once the water is gone, reduce the heat to medium-low, continuing to cook the bacon until it is brown.
5. Use a bacon press
If you have never heard of a bacon press, you have now. A bacon press is designed to cook every inch of your bacon. Working in conjunction with a cast-iron skillet, a bacon press presses the bacon out, allowing its whole length to cook. Otherwise, you are just using steam to cook those wavey parts.
6. Cook your bacon in the oven
Another cooking method is not to use the stovetop at all, but to place your bacon in the oven. Using a rimmed baking sheet, line your pieces of bacon up and then simply place them in the oven to cook. Best of all, there is no flipping required, making grease burns a thing of the past.
Place the pan and the bacon in an oven pre-heated to 425 degrees. Cook the bacon for about 20 minutes until crisp. Finish by draining the bacon on paper towels.
By using one of the methods above, you can have perfectly cooked bacon in no time. For more on these cooking tips, check out the video below.
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