How to Cook Bacon
How to Cook Bacon in the oven! My favorite method is to bake it in the oven for less mess and it’s so easy to make a large batch all at once.
Bacon, oh how I love bacon. I guess that comes as no surprise to anyone who comes around regularly. If you haven’t tried baking bacon, you have to try it. It’s so easy and it is my go to method these days.
Disclosure: I am a proud ambassador for Petit Jean Meats. I grew up loving this fine company and am so happy to spread the word about their great products. I received products for recipe development purposes but I was not compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Miss in the Kitchen possible.
Petit Jean Meats Bacon is my absolute favorite and the best part is you can have it delivered right to your doorstep. Let me tell you, it is a very exciting day at my house when we get bacon deliveries.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven:
I just line a big baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper and layer the bacon over it. I have used foil when I’m out of parchment paper, but I much prefer the parchment paper.
Bake the bacon for about 20 minutes and you have crispy, crunchy, perfectly cooked bacon.
It’s so easy and I love that I can make a huge batch for the whole family. No more standing over the skillet getting the you-know-what popped out of me from the grease.
Drain the bacon on a paper towel lined plate until ready to serve.
How to Store Bacon Grease:
Now this next step is very important. Carefully drain the drippings into a mason jar. This stuff is like liquid gold. Every good southern kitchen has a mason jar of bacon drippings or bacon grease as I so fondly call it.
Bacon drippings can be stored in a mason jar at room temperature, in the refrigerator or freezer.
Bacon drippings are great to have on hand to make cream gravy for breakfast or Chicken Fried Steak Bites. I also love to brown my favorite Beer Braised Pot Roast, this Bacon Fat Rubbed Pork Loin. Not to mention making fried potatoes. Liquid gold I tell you.
My new favorite thing to do with bacon drippings is to make Bacon Croutons. Seriously, they are the best thing I’ve ever tasted!
I made a fabulous Kicked Up Chef’s Salad for Petit Jean Eats blog and the Bacon Croutons absolutely stole the show. Be sure to head on over and check out the recipe. It will be your new favorite summer salad.
Be sure to try this super easy method of cooking bacon and don’t forget to save the bacon drippings!
Bacon is great for any meal of the day. My favorite might be along side a big plate of chocolate gravy and buttermilk biscuits! We also love these BLT Grilled Cheese sandwiches for a quick and easy dinner.
Delicious Bacon Recipes to Try:
- Chicken Fried Bacon
- Bacon White Cheddar Pasta
- Loaded Potato Skins
- Bacon Egg and Cheese Egg Rolls
- Bacon Cheese Burger Twice Baked Potatoes
- Apple Butter and Bacon Stuffed Waffles
If you love this Recipe as much as I do, please leave a comment and a five star review, and be sure to help me share on Pinterest!
How to Make Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound of Petit Jean Bacon
- parchment paper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Layer bacon in a single layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until bacon is crisp and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towel lined plate.
- Reserve bacon drippings in a mason jar and refrigerate for other uses.
Video
Nutrition
Hello
I was wondering if I was to cook “thick sliced ” bacon should I still back on 400 for 20 minutes ?
Hi Linda, depending on your oven, you might have to bake just a bit longer. I would check about every 2-3 minutes at 20 minutes. I hope this helps.
~Miss
If I cook the Bacon in the oven ahead of time, what is the best way to reheat it for my family CHRISTmas breakfast.
How about turkey bacon? Would the process differ?
Hi Kerrie, It would work just the same. Turkey bacon tends to be thinner, so you might check it at 15 minutes.
~Miss
I have been cooking mine like this for years. The best part of it is that I really don’t get that bacon smell throughout the house. I’m not sure why, but I won’t cook my bacon any other way!
You had me at bacon…these step by step instructions were so helpful!
I’ve always wondered how to cook bacon in the oven. This morning I made this recipe for my family and it was SO easy! I was able to cook the bacon while getting my kids ready for school. I will use this method over and over!