What is the biggest mistake people make when cooking bacon?

I'm just wondering if there's some obvious things I never learned NOT to do.

Adam Wickman
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17 Comments

Susan R.
Susan R. March 3, 2019
I cook bacon on a dinner sized plate covered with a paper towel top and bottom in the microwave 3min.30 seconds on high for 5 slices. Works for me. No mess, no fuss. My microwave is 1200 watts, adjust accordingly.
 
LeBec F.
LeBec F. February 28, 2019
p.s. the greatest environmental problem with fried bacon- is that the teeny fat motes travel FAR away from the kitchen. even when we bake it, we open a window and close the kitchen door.
 
What's M.
What's M. February 26, 2019
People preheat the oven! You have to put it in a cold oven and then turn the heat on.
 
Chris
Chris July 22, 2018
Not draining it!
 
Sam
Sam July 22, 2018
The biggest mistake is throwing bacon grease away. I filter it through a cheesecloth & store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep forever and is fantastic for eggs, fried potatoes, cornbread & other savory applications. Just remember that it is salty & it will impart off-flavors if used incorrectly (such as sweets).
 
barbara N.
barbara N. July 22, 2018
Makes the best fried eggs.
 
LeBec F.
LeBec F. February 28, 2019
I do agree;like joyce chen, in the '50's, said about MSG, "Bacon fat makes everything taste better." yes, some sweets too: apple pie; "fried apples"; maple popovers and more...
I changed to BAKING bacon [single layer; no underliner; 350 degrees ~20-30 minutes] . when done; pull/squinch the bacon up to one end of the pan, and put a rolled-up potholder or other tool- under the bacon end. let bacon cool while all fat slides down the slope and solidifies. scrape up fat with metal pancake spatula. No gross saturated paper or foil to deal with.
But it is important to keep a number of things in mind about bacon (I'm a Southerner-by-birth, so how could I not be a bacon addict?): look at the iconic " impoverished Southerner " female physique. tubs of bacon fat make for walking tubs of bacon fat.
and the horrific salt content of bacon can adversely and seriously affect the healthiest of humans. i.e. the water retention caused by so much salt--makes the walking tub even tubbier. [yes, been there; been that]. given my addiction, the best thing I ever did was to use CRUMBLES of it only.
hope you see this as helpful and not too much of a rant.
 
SMSF
SMSF July 16, 2018
The biggest mistake is not making enough : )
 
Danielle C.
Danielle C. February 28, 2019
you are CORRECT!
 
PHIL
PHIL July 16, 2018
I have found in the oven on a rack is the best way like Berry Baby mentioned. It is consistent and you don't have to stand over a hot pan to make sure it doesn't burn. You can get something else done while it is cooking.
 
Gammy
Gammy July 15, 2018
I would add, if cooking bacon on a stove top, cook at a med-low temp, not high. It will splatter grease less and you can control the doneness more easily.
 

Voted the Best Reply!

BerryBaby
BerryBaby July 15, 2018
I make bacon in the oven on a rack placed over a baking sheet lined with foil at 375 degrees. Keeps the bacon from curling and not cook in the grease. Need to turn it after 5 minutes and then keep an eye on it
to desired doneness. Drain bacon on paper towels.
 
Smaug
Smaug July 15, 2018
I'd vote that cooking it to some stranger's taste is the biggest mistake, but I'd argue that for anything you cook. On the more specific side, I'd avoid doing it under the broiler, particularly in a non draining pan, as it will probably catch fire.
 
Dan A.
Dan A. July 15, 2018
I've heard things over the years about bacon grease and keeping the grease away, is that true?
 
Smaug
Smaug July 15, 2018
Well, you want to keep it away from an open flame because it's flammable. I've never tried it on a grill, but people are always grilling bacon wrapped hot dogs and the like. I would hesitate to speculate on their motives, but the flame would occur farther down among the coals and with luck be part of the cooking process. Cooking it in a skillet on the stovetop the grease is your friend; I'm assuming you're not eating bacon for health purposes.
 
BerryBaby
BerryBaby July 14, 2018
Depends on your preference. Some like done where it's limp, others enjoy it crispy. If you don't make it the way people prefer it, that's the mistake.
 
Randi T.
Randi T. July 14, 2018
Really?
 
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