For anyone who enjoys eating meat, they know that there isn’t a better smell than freshly cooked bacon.
Alongside that, bacon is a really versatile ingredient that is used in a variety of dishes. It adds great flavor and some extra texture to a meal.
However, everyone cooks their bacon differently. Therefore, in this article, we will be discussing how you can tell when your bacon is done. When has your bacon gone from chewy to crisp?
When Is Your Bacon Done?
Bacon is seen as cooked, when the meat has changed color. The color will change from pink to a brown color and the fat has had the time to render out.
It is up to you when you remove the bacon, some people prefer it more crispy, while others don’t mind that it’s a bit chewy. Usually, bacon should be served crisp.
Signs To Look For When Your Bacon Is Done
In a lot of homes, bacon is a staple part of their breakfast, and it comes from the belly of the pig.
When bacon is cooked properly, the fat should render out slowly and left being savory and smoky pieces of meat. Overall, bacon is a versatile piece of meat to prepare, to any cut of cut.
If you don’t cook bacon properly, then it will be inedible. Yet, if you overcook it, then the charcoal will become black and taste like charcoal.
Typically, most cured pork products are normally safe to be eaten without being cooked. However, bacon can produce and store bacteria.
Therefore, the bacon needs to be exposed to some form of heat, before it can be eaten. In addition, bacon that isn’t cooked is unpleasant to eat as it has a very rubbery texture.
It is up to you when you remove your bacon from the heat. For some people, they like to remove their bacon while it is still a bit chewy, and not fully crisp.
While other people prefer to leave their bacon on the heat until all the fat has rendered out and the bacon is fully crisp.
There is no right answer when your bacon is considered finished. It’s all down to personal performance, and whether you like your bacon a bit chewy or crisp.
However, there are ways to tell whether the bacon has been cooked properly.
Texture
The texture is quite important when it comes to bacon. You want it to have some form of crispness.
For those who enjoy their bacon, still a bit chewy, you still want the meat to have somebody.
This way it can still be lifted out of the pan, and doesn’t dangle over the edge of your spatula.
You could try the back of a spoon test, to avoid burning your fingers, to see if your bacon is down.
With this test, the bacon is still too soft, then you need to put it back into the pan to cook for a few more minutes.
When the bacon is almost done, then you should check it regularly, as bacon can burn really quickly due to the fat. In addition to that, you shouldn’t wait until your bacon feels really stiff.
Shape
As the bacon is cooking, the natural moisture within the bacon will start to evaporate.
This then causes the bacon to shrink slightly. Then the majority of the fat in the meat will melt away and render down.
During this process, you may notice the edges of the meat will start to curl away from the pan.
This is a normal thing to happen while cooking bacon. Once the meat has curled and turned a nice brown color, then the bacon is done.
Color
Just like with any other pork product, raw bacon has a light pink color, with lines of white fat running throughout it.
Then, as the bacon begins to cook, the meat will darken. In the end, your bacon will go from a light pink color to a deep brown color.
You need to be careful how dark you allow your bacon to go. The darker the color, the more bitter the flavor.
Moisture
Raw bacon will have a slime like texture, and will leave an unpleasant residue onto your hands. Compared to fully cooked bacon, it has a very dry texture.
Once your bacon is cooked, then allow them to drain onto some paper towels. This will make sure that your bacon remains crisp and doesn’t become soggy.
Using Meat Thermometers On Bacon
Generally, you can’t use a meat thermometer on bacon, as the meat is too thin to be able to get a good reading.
However, if your bacon is thicker than ½ an inch, then you may be able to use an instant-read thermometer.
Ideally, you want to cook your bacon until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit minimum.
How Can I Use Bacon in Smoked Chicken Recipes?
Bacon can add a savory and smoky flavor to scrumptious smoked chicken recipes. Try wrapping bacon around chicken breasts or thighs before smoking them for a delicious twist. You can also chop up crispy bacon and sprinkle it over smoked chicken salads or creamy casseroles for an added layer of flavor.
Different Way To Cook Bacon
Oven Method
Cooking your bacon in the oven is a really easy way to achieve really crisp and evenly cooked pieces of bacon. The only downside is that this method creates a lot more washing up.
To cook bacon in the oven, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lay your bacon on a wire rack.
Then place this rack onto a baking dish or sheet pan to catch all the fat. Otherwise, the fat could fall into the heating element of your oven and cause a fire.
Put the tray into the oven and keep an eye on your bacon, and remove once it reaches your preferred liking.
With regular cut bacon, it will only take around 12 minutes to cook. Although, if the slices are quite thick, then they may have to stay in the oven for a minimum of 20 minutes.
If you like your bacon really crispy, then you can leave them in the oven for an extra couple of minutes longer than suggested.
Remember to flip your bacon halfway through. This ensures that both sides of the meat are exposed to the heat and cooked evenly.
Once cooked, remove from the oven and allow to dry on a paper towel for a minute before serving.
Stovetop Method
The stovetop method is a very common and popular method, because you have much more control.
Place the strips of bacon onto a cold pan or skillet. You want the bacon to be in one layer on the bottom of the pan, otherwise the edges of the meat won’t cook properly.
Then you can put the pan onto a medium heat and the bacon. Every couple of minutes, use tongs to flip the bacon over, until it is cooked. The cooking time will vary, due to the thickness of your bacon.
It can take around 7 to 12 minutes to cook.
Grill Method
Grilling your bacon helps to give the bacon a really smokey flavor.
Begin by setting your grill to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For a charcoal grill, build a medium to hot fire and for a gas grill set it to medium to high.
Then get your hands on a sturdy cast iron skillet and put it onto the cooking grate. Allow the skillet to heat up and then place your bacon onto the skillet.
Close the life of the grill and let the bacon cook for between 7 and 10 minutes. This will depend on the thickness of your bacon.
After this time, lift the lid and flip the bacon using your tongs. Then, you can carry on cooking your bacon until it is cooked to your liking.
Once they are cooked, allow them to drain for up to 2 minutes on a paper towel so that they remain crispy.
You don’t have to use a skillet for this method, you can create a two zone fire and place the back straight onto the cooking grate on the cooler side.
You shouldn’t place them onto the hot side, as the bacon will just burn.
On the cooler side, you will cook the bacon for 2 to 3 minutes, and turn them a couple of times to avoid them burning.
Or try using a wire rack on your grill. The wire rack is a similar method to the oven method, but you are using your grill instead.
Put your wire rack on the cooking grate with the bacon already arranged on it and close your grills let. Then switch the heat off and allow the bacon to cook for around 2 minutes.
The bacon should be nice and crisp once you open the lid.
Microwave Method
The microwave method should be used as a last resort or if you don’t have much time. However, we wouldn’t recommend that you use this method very regularly.
On a microwave safe plate, create a triple layer using a paper towel. Then place your stripes of bacon on top of the paper towels.
However, try to make sure that none of the edges are overlapping each other. Then you can microwave the bacon for between 3 and 6 minutes.
Halfway through, check on your bacon to see how it is doing. Then you can adjust your timings for how crispy you like your bacon to be done.
How Do You Prepare Canadian Bacon?
Canadian bacon is a really popular choice of bacon that comes from the loin area of a pig.
Hence, this type of bacon is much leaner when compared to bacon that comes from the belly of a pig.
Therefore, it also requires that you use a different cooking method, as there is less fat to render down.
For Canadian bacon, over a medium heat, place a tablespoon of oil in a skillet.
Be prepared to add more oil to the pan as you cook, but this will spend how much bacon you are cooking.
If your bacon has not been pre-cut for you, then with a shark knife you will need to curve your slices. It is up to you whether you cut thin or thick slices from the roll.
Once the bacon is cut, then you can add them to the pan and cook for 5 minutes.
Halfway through, you will need to flip the slides of bacon over, to make sure both sides become crispy. Once cooked, place the cooked bacon onto paper towels and let them drain for to
Minutes. Then you can serve the bacon with grilled pineapple and eggs.
Conclusion
When it comes to bacon, there are a lot of ways to cook it. Yet, deciding when your bacon is done, you must keep your eyes on your bacon.
It is really easy for bacon to overcook and become black and bitter.
We have given you all the tips on what to look out for to tell when your bacon is cooked.
However, when it comes to the doneness of bacon, it is down to personal preference.
Some people like it still a bit chewy, while others like it really crisp. The crisper you want your bacon, then the longer you should leave it to cook.
We hope you have enjoyed this article, and now know how to tell when your bacon is done.