Everything is better with bacon.

While some would argue, they are few to the many who idolize the crisp and smoky flavor that bacon imparts. It enhances almost any meal that we include it in and complements some of our favorite dishes including breakfast sandwiches, hamburgers, and pizza.

Not to mention, it’s extremely versatile! You can eat it by itself, as a side, or as a topping. There is no stopping the lengths that we can achieve with bacon. Some may even say it’s a perfect food.

And while cooking bacon isn’t rocket science, there are some tips to ensure your cooking experience is both easy and delicious. Perhaps you’ve run into some snags along the way. Maybe you burn the bacon all too often, or you find the end result undesirable and greasy. Whatever your reason, the tips we’ve gathered today will take your bacon game right to the next level.

1) Start with a cold pan

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Contrary to basic cooking knowledge, bacon should be started in a cold pan. Many recipes dictate that you heat your pan up before you begin cooking, but bacon is the opposite. Before you turn on the heat, lay the strips out in the pan. Bacon is a fatty cut of meat and you want the fat to render slowly. If you throw it in a hot pan it will most likely seize up and cook to flabby imperfection. Instead, cook bacon low and slow for a shatteringly crisp result.

2) Drain the bacon when it’s finished cooking

This doesn’t mean throw it into a colander in the sink, but it does mean that you should remove the bacon from the fat it has cooked in. You don’t want your finished product to be greasy and unappetizing. We suggest lining a plate with paper towels and removing the bacon to the plate once it’s done. Likewise, blot the top of the bacon with a paper towel to remove any residual fat.

3) Cook it in the oven

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If you’re looking for the easiest and cleanest way to cook bacon, look no further! Baking your bacon yields excellent results with much less effort. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Arrange your bacon slices on a wire rack and place the rack over a sheet pan to catch the drippings. Bake for around 10-15 minutes, to your desired degree of doneness.

4) Save the drippings

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If you want a readily flavorful addition to any future meals, don’t pass on the bacon fat! This is a real secret weapon in the kitchen. Next time you cook bacon, save the fat by pouring through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar or airtight dish. Store it in the refrigerator to add a nice savory, smoky flavor to your next dish.

5) Candy your bacon

Are you ready for the real treat? Why not candy your bacon! Sweet and salty is an irresistible flavor combination just waiting to assault your tastebuds. The method is simple and you will have an incredible snack in no time. After you’ve removed the cooked bacon from a skillet, leave a couple of tablespoons of fat, and add about a 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Turn the heat back up and whisk the sugar into the fat. Then, add the bacon back into the pan and coat each side for a minute each. Remove again and drain as you would normally.

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Sources: Cooktop Cove, The Kitchn, Southern Living