How to Know if Bacon is Cooked: 5 Potent Ways

The aroma of cooked bacon is enough to entice anyone who enjoys having meat. Is there anything more delicious than perfectly cooked bacon?

Bacon slices and some cocktails are enough to drool your guests. However, when it comes to knowing whether the bacon is cooked, there are certain things that you can look for.

1. How do you know if it is a perfectly cooked bacon?

Cooking bacon is not difficult, but it is often confusing to understand when it is fully cooked. You can say that it is well-cooked bacon when the colour changes from pink to golden brown.

Also, a well-cooked bacon is crispy bacon. However, if you do not want your bacon crispy and want a more chewy bacon, you can eat partially cooked bacon.

When the edges start to curl because of heat and loss of moisture while cooking bacon, it is a good indicator that the bacon is done.

1.1. Level of Crispiness

When you are cooking bacon, you will have to notice its texture. A crispy bacon is the outcome when it’s perfectly cooked. However, the texture of your bacon slices also depends on your tastes and preferences.

Some people prefer a crispy golden brown bacon, while others want the bacon slices to be chewy.

You need to understand your preferences and adjust your cooking method accordingly. On average, bacon slices take around 20 minutes to 30 minutes to cook. You can check with a knife or a spoon to cut bacon to know if bacon is done.

If the texture is soft to slightly crispy, it’s still undercooked bacon. It is done if it is a firm, crispy bacon and golden brown.

1.2. Shape of a Bacon

You can tell when bacon is done by looking at the shape of it as well. When cooking bacon, you will notice that the raw bacon moisture will evaporate because of heat. As a result, the bacon strips will also start to shrink.

When the slices of bacon are cooked enough, you will notice the thick slices crimp away from the edges of the frying pan.

This means your cooking method is accurate, and the bacon is cooked properly. You will see the slice of bacon turning brown.

You can even cut bacon to make sure it’s cooked properly. You can flip the bacon, and if the thick bacon slices have turned brown, then well done. Your thick bacon slices are fully cooked, ready to eat, and served!

1.3. Moisture of the Bacon Strips

When cooking bacon, you will notice that raw bacon has a slimy residue. So, you need to continuously check on the moisture of the raw bacon when it’s getting cooked.

It is easy to tell when bacon is done by looking at its moisture; it has a slightly dry texture when cooked well.

You will know it’s undercooked bacon if it is slimy and soft. So, you can let the partially cooked bacon in the pan for some more time to lose its moisture completely.

You can remove the bacon strips from the pan and dry them with paper towels. After the bacon strips are dried with paper towels, you will see if they are properly crispy.

Following these steps, you can spare yourself from eating undercooked bacon.

1.4. You can Tell When Bacon is Done by its Color

While cooking bacon, you will see the colour of the bacon change, which will indicate when the bacon is cooked.

You need to cook it evenly so it’s neither undercooked nor overcooked bacon—the bacon colour changes from pink to light brown to reddish brown.

If you like your bacon firm and crisp, you can let it cook for some more time. However, be mindful if you see the colour getting dark brown or black. This indicates that it is burnt bacon. So, you must cook evenly to see if the bacon is cooked well.

1.5. Foaminess

You might notice that foam forms every time the bacon is cooked. This happens when hot air penetrates the bacon grease while the bacon cooks.

So, when you notice the foam, ensure the bacon is done on one side. You can flip the frying bacon to cook the other side well.

2. Can a Meat Thermometer Indicate if Bacon is Cooked?

You can use an instant meat thermometer to check if your bacon is done. There are steps that you should be thoughtful about while measuring. The bacon slices need to measure more than 1/2 inch thick. Otherwise, it won’t work for thin slices.

Also, the temperature adjustment should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. How Long Will the Bacon Take to Get Cooked Well?

There are certain ways to cook bacon properly. All the ways require different cooking methods and equipment; you can choose your convenient way to cook bacon out of the below-mentioned ways.

3.1. Bacon in the Oven

Bacon in the microwave is the finest way to cook. Firstly, the oven needs to be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the bacon on a wire rack or a baking dish in the oven. You can use an aluminum foil or baking sheet and let the bacon cook.

If the bacon slices are thinly cut, the cooking time will be around 10 minutes for it to get cooked.

However, if there are thick slices, the cooking time will be around 20 minutes. Make sure to invest in a rack that is specially designated for meat products.

This is important because the grease can leave a sticky residue on other racks, contaminating other baking products and resulting in food poisoning.

Your pan should have sides high enough to catch the rendering bacon grease.

There might be an issue if the pan sides are not high enough because the fat might drip into the heating element of your oven, which may result in a grease fire.

3.2. Stovetop Cooking Bacon

If you want to cook bacon on a stovetop, you need to be very attentive during the cooking process. Cooking on the stovetop will give you good control over the cooking time.

If you prefer chewy bacon, this method is perfect for you. It takes 10-15 minutes for bacon to get cooked properly.

All you need is a cold skillet to cook bacon, which is required to ensure the positioning of the bacon strips.

You must place the bacon in a single layer; otherwise, the edges will not get cooked evenly. It may take around 15 minutes to cook well if the strips are thick.

The proper way to cook bacon on a stovetop is to cook them over low to medium heat. You can take the help of tongs to flip bacon slices every 2-3 minutes. Be sure to do it until you like its texture.

After it’s done, you can use paper towels to drain the excess fat from the smoked bacon.

3.3. On the Grill

One of the best ways to cook bacon is on the grill. This way, you can enjoy cooking outdoors, especially if you have arranged a party.

This method of cooking also saves your stovetop from the grease of bacon. You only need a solid cast iron skillet to place the strips on.

You can fire up the grill, and the temperature needs to be set to 400 degrees. It may take around 15 minutes to get cooked if the slices are thick.

If you use a charcoal grill to cook bacon, let the temperature be medium to fire. In case you are using a gas grill, use medium-high fire.

4. Types of Bacon

4.1. American Bacon

This is a well-known bacon worldwide. It is made from pig belly and a mixture of salt, nitrates, and sugar. It is often smoked, giving it a distinctive flavour.

4.2. Canadian Bacon

It is also known as peameal bacon, generally leaner than American bacon. It is wet-cured and has a milder, slightly sweet flavour.

4.3. Pancetta

This bacon is used in a variety of Italian dishes. It is made from the belly of pork. Its seasoning is done with various spices like garlic, fennel, and black pepper.

4.4. Guanciale

Another Italian specialty is guanciale, salted and seasoned with black pepper and sometimes chilli flakes. It’s often used in classic Roman dishes like pasta all amatriciana and spaghetti carbonara.

4.5. Slab Bacon

This type of bacon is sold in large, uncut blocks, allowing for custom slicing. It is often used in restaurants and delis where the thickness of the cut can be adjusted to suit different recipes.

4.6. Turkey Bacon

It is a good alternative to traditional pork bacon. It is prepared from ground turkey mixed with various seasonings, formed into strips, and cooked. It should be a good preference for people looking for a lower-fat bacon option.

4.7.Lamb Bacon

Made from the belly of a lamb, this type of bacon offers a distinct, robust flavour compared to traditional pork bacon. It is generally prized for its unique taste.

4.8. Duck Bacon

Duck bacon is made from the duck breast and offers a rich, gamey flavour. Many people choose these to experiment with different types of bacon.

4.9. Beef Bacon

This bacon is made from the beef belly or other cuts and offers a distinct flavour compared to pork. It’s a common alternative for those who don’t consume pork for religious or dietary reasons.

5. How to Prepare Canadian Bacon?

Canadian bacon is a cured pork meat product originating from the loin area of a pig. It is leaner compared to the bacon made from pork belly.

It is not made from pork belly, so it requires a different cooking process than a pork belly.

You have to start by heating olive oil in a small amount over a skillet. Be sure that you put the heat on medium flame. You might keep adding more olive oil to the frying pan, depending on how much it will require.

You can cut thin slices with a knife if the streaky bacon is not pre-cut. Some people also prefer having thicker slices of Canadian bacon. You can take the help of tongs to transfer the slices to the cooking pan.

Once you are done cooking the slices for around 5 minutes, you can flip them halfway to ensure both sides are getting cooked. Leave the frying bacon on the heat for a minute or two so that it gets nicer and crispier.

After they are cooked, you can drain them for around 2-3 minutes. They can be served with eggs, grilled fruits, or veggies.

Closing Thoughts

There you go, now you know how to know if bacon is cooked perfectly or not!

If you have guests at a cocktail party and want to treat them to a bacon feast, you should ensure that the bacon gets perfectly cooked; otherwise, it can lead to health issues.

If you have cooked bacon before but failed every time and are not looking forward to making the same mistake again, then you can go through the above steps to ensure perfectly cooked, delicious bacon.

FAQs

1. Is it safe to consume partially cooked bacon?

It is not safe to eat bacon raw or partially cooked because it harbours bacteria and parasites that will lead to food poisoning.

2. Is bacon supposed to be soft or hard?

Raw bacon has a slimy texture. However, when bacon is cooked, it needs to be soft yet firm to the touch.

3. Can I put oil while having bacon?

That is solely your decision. It is not mandatory to add oil as bacon releases its fat to get cooked in.

Last Updated on February 6, 2024 by Gourvi Gupta