Cooking bacon in the oven is one of the easiest ways to cook it. There is no grease spattering everywhere. Plus, it's simple to make. Once you try it this way, you won't return to your traditional methods.
This bacon is delicious, added in soups, salads, or sandwiched between a biscuit, and served with a fried or scrambled egg.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
If you have extra time, bring the bacon to room temperature before cooking for about 15 minutes; this helps it cook more evenly (like steak). Line a 13 x 18-inch rimmed baking sheet with wide heavy-duty aluminum foil so that there is some overhang on all sides; this prevents the grease from getting onto the baking sheet. Then cover with a sheet of parchment paper; this is optional but makes cleaning up a breeze-layout as many bacon strips as will fit without overlapping.
(If desired, you can fit the baking sheet with an oven-safe cooling rack to allow extra grease to drain away while the bacon cooks; feel free to skip the rack.) Season with cracked black pepper, brown sugar, or chipotle chili powder if desired.
Place the bacon on the middle rack of a cold oven that has not been pre-heated, set the temperature to 400 degrees, and bake until browned and starts to ripple for about 20 minutes; cooking time depends on the thickness of the bacon and how you like it cooked; start checking doneness at the 15-minute mark.
Watch it closely toward the end so it does not burn. Next, remove the baking sheet from the oven and use tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined platter; let drain and cool. To save the bacon grease, carefully pour it into a heat-safe container.
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Recipe
Bacon in the Oven
Ingredients
- 12 bacon slices , preferably center-cut.
Instructions
- If you have extra time, bring the bacon to room temperature before cooking for about 15 minutes; this helps it cook more evenly (like steak). Line a 13 x 18-inch rimmed baking sheet with wide heavy-duty wide aluminum foil so that there is some overhang on all sides; this prevents the grease from getting onto the baking sheet. Then cover with a sheet of parchment paper; this is optional but makes cleaning up a breeze.
- Layout as many bacon strips as will fit without overlapping. (If desired, you can fit the baking sheet with an oven-safe cooling rack to allow extra grease to drain away while the bacon cooks; feel free to skip the rack.) Season with cracked black pepper, brown sugar, or chipotle chili powder if desired.
- Place the bacon on the middle rack of a cold oven that has not been pre-heated, set the temperature to 400 degrees, and bake until browned and starts to ripple for about 20 minutes; cooking time depends on the thickness of the bacon and how you like it cooked; start checking doneness at the 15-minute mark.
- Watch it closely towards the end so it does not burn. Next, remove the baking sheet from the oven and use tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined platter; let drain and cool. To save the bacon grease, carefully pour it into a heat-safe container.
Notes
- Store cooked bacon in a sealed ziplock bag or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until it is crisp for about 5 minutes, in a preheated 400 degrees Fahrenheit oven, in the microwave on a paper towel for 30-45 seconds, or even in the or broil for a few minutes per side until crisp.
- If you save bacon grease after cooking, it can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 6 months or frozen for up to 9 months before going rancid.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.
