How to Microwave Bacon

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Is it possible to microwave bacon and make a wonderful dish? Many people are making the effort to find the best way to cook bacon in the microwave, so here is the ultimate guide

How do you microwave bacon? Cooking bacon in the microwave is simple and straightforward. Line a microwave safe plate with paper towels and lay the bacon slices flat onto the paper towel. Microwave for 2 to 4 minutes or until the bacon reaches the desired doneness.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about microwaving bacon. This guide will include helpful tips, and even a few methods that you have never thought of before.

We have detailed steps for how to microwave bacon and also the best way to achieve the texture that you prefer. Let this guide become your go to source for everything you need to know about microwaving bacon.

Guide to Microwaving Bacon

Can you microwave bacon? Yes, you can cook bacon in a wide variety of ways. The most common method is using a microwave safe plate lined with paper towels, but some people swear by using a specialized bacon cooker.

Ultimately, the final choice is yours; based on the appliance wattage power level, number of slices, desired doneness and the tools in your kitchen. 

No matter what, if you have a microwave oven at home, then you can use it to cook bacon. 

This method helps you cook bacon quickly without making any compromise on taste, nutrition, and quality. In fact, microwaving is one of the best choices available to cook bacon today.

Is bacon healthy to eat?

You will be even surprised to know that bacon is fairly nutritious as it is loaded with caloric value that will keep your body filled with energy. 

For example, it’s a potent source of high-quality animal protein. In addition to it, bacon contains piles of vitamins including Vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B3, and B12.

What’s more, bacon has the RDA for both phosphorus and selenium. Bacon even contains decent amounts of other minerals like magnesium, zinc, potassium, and iron.

Please note that bacon is mainly derived from pork (although you can even microwave turkey bacon too). 

Pork is already enriched with many nutrients, vitamins, and protein. That’s why the nutrition profile of bacon features the above nutrients too.

The only problem with bacon is that it contains a lot of fat. For example, bacon has both saturated fat and cholesterol.

But, since the serving portion of bacon is fairly small, it won’t cause any major health issues as such.

If you are still not convinced, then you can mix it up with something healthy. For example, you can pair up crispy bacon recipes with vitamin C like orange or vegetable juice.

Also, you may pair it up with fruits and veggies. In this way, you can balance up the unhealthy contents of bacon with some healthy food options.

Is it safe to microwave bacon?

You can cook bacon in a frying pan, oven, or in a microwave. However, if you are on the lookout for a fast and easy method, look no farther than a microwave.

Further, the energy waves generated within the microwave make the cooking process safe and effective. If you follow the right procedure, then you don’t need to worry about any safety issues. 

Microwaving is a highly safe and reliable method to cook bacon. Additionally, there is an entire group of people that prefer microwaved bacon over any other cooking method!

Can you eat raw or undercooked bacon?

It is not wise to eat raw bacon even though it is cured and smoked. Due to the massive scale in which bacon is manufactured, there is no guarantee that the meat has been properly handled or smoked to a safe internal temperature. 

Eating raw or undercooked bacon can potentially make you sick. The best possible way to make sure that the bacon you are consuming is bacteria-free and safe to eat, it is recommended to fully cook before serving.

Undercooked bacon can make you highly vulnerable to a parasitic disease known as Trichinosis. The most common symptoms of this disease are abdominal discomfort, fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. 

If you don’t take immediate treatment, these symptoms may last for several months. 

So, eating raw or uncooked bacon is not really a risk worth taking. It is always advisable to microwave bacon properly so that it is fully cooked and you can stay protected against bacterial infections caused by eating raw pork.

How do you know when bacon is done in a microwave?

If you want to microwave bacon, the doneness is achieved when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. When it comes to deciding the cooking time, you must be mindful of a few factors that make an impact. 

Microwave wattage influences the cooking time as it refers to the power the microwave. The quantity of the meat you are cooking also makes an impact on the time, as the quantity increases the cooking time should also be increased.

Another important aspect is the thickness of the bacon. You can purchase bacon pieces with varying thicknesses from thinly sliced to extra thick, the cooking time gets longer as the thickness increases. 

The desired crispiness also affects the cooking time. If you want more crispy bacon, you need to spend more time microwaving.

Since all these factors affect the cooking time, you have to be very careful while microwaving bacon and deciding on when it is done. 

Is microwave bacon soft, chewy, or crispy?

The taste preferences of people always vary as some love chewy bacon, while others prefer soft or crispy pieces. With a clear focus on cooking time, you can decide whether you want soft, chewy, or crispy bacon. 

If you are cooking 6 bacon slices, you should line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels. The bacon must be laid flat on the paper towels without the pieces touching or overlapping each other. 

To reduce the potential mess from splatter, you can use an extra paper towel to cover the bacon. Microwave 2 minutes for chewy bacon, 3 minutes for soft bacon and 4 minutes for crispy bacon. 

Afterwards, you will have to check the meat to determine whether it is done. If you want extra crispy pieces, you can increase the cooking time by 1-minute increments to achieve the expected crispiness.

How long do you have to put bacon in the microwave? It doesn’t take much time to cook the bacon in the microwave. Each slice of bacon takes about 1 minute in an average to cook in the microwave. 

So, if you are cooking 6 slices of bacon in the microwave, keep it for 4 to 6 minutes in high heat for a crispy and delicious crunch.

Is it better to microwave bacon?

As mentioned above, microwaving helps you cook bacon rapidly and safely. What about the quality of the end result? 

A microwave helps you make top-quality, healthy bacon. You must realize the fact that the cooking method guarantees maximum nutrient retention by heating food with more control only for a minimal period of time. 

Promoting even cooking at once, the microwave energy waves safeguard the nutrients efficiently. A fact of the matter is that if you want to make the cooking fast and retain the nutrients efficiently, you can microwave bacon for a better quality end result.

Microwaving bacon demands only a short cooking time. It is very hard to find an easier method to cook just a couple of slices faster. 

When you microwave bacon, you can get the bacon crispy easily, or you can leave it chewy or soft. Any type of mess can be avoided by covering the bowl in a microwave, therefore cleanup is a breeze. 

If something wrong happens, cleaning a microwave becomes an effortless task. If you have paper towels and a microwave safe plate, then you really don’t need any special equipment for microwaving bacon at home.

Defrosting Bacon in a Microwave

Can you defrost bacon in the microwave? Yes, it is easy to defrost bacon in the microwave. Thawing is must be done because frozen bacon will not cook evenly and takes much longer to cook when heated directly from the freezer. 

A microwave is a handy appliance that can thaw foods with ease. So, how do you defrost bacon in a microwave?

Weight determines the amount of time that it will take to defrost the bacon. Modern microwaves has built in functions that will calculate the time once the weight has been inputed.

In general, it take about 5 minutes to defrost every pound of bacon in a microwave. In the end, the bacon texture will not change at all.

Reheating Bacon in a Microwave

Can you heat up bacon in the microwave? Bacon can be heated in a microwave with absolute ease. If you have leftovers, you can reheat without worrying about any complexity. 

One of the best things about reheating bacon in the microwave is that it reheats extremely fast. So, don’t worry about popping out a couple of extra slices and warming them back up in a microwave oven. 

Place the bacon slices on a microwave safe plate lined with paper towels and reheat the bacon to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Microwave for 20 seconds to make them soft, of 40 seconds to make them crispy and delicious. 

Adjust the timing based on the number of slices and the wattage level of your microwave. The rewarmed bacon will offer a fresh taste and satisfy your craving in a hurry.

How Do You Make Bacon In The Microwave

Characterized as one of the most important meals for the day, breakfast has to be something that can help you to have a good start and get the day rolling in the right direction. As we all know, breakfast must be healthy and wholesome, not necessarily bland or tasteless. 

Including bacon in your breakfast is surely a good way to add some deliciousness as well as the essential nutrients to your meal. It contains a good source of protein, fat and fiber. 

You can cook the bacon quite fast in the microwave! And we are going to detail the best ways to make bacon in the microwave. 

Don’t worry as we are here to help you with all the important information and queries that you need to know. Whether you need oil to cook bacon or you can microwave it with water, we will help you with all these answers.

Do you need oil to cook bacon in the microwave?

No, there is no need for oil while cooking bacon in a microwave. This is because the bacon can render fat and release its own grease when it is being cooked. 

Additionally, bacon can be more crispy without oil as well as being quite healthy when the fat is melted out of the meat. As a result, it is an integral food item frequently eaten in many dishes.

Can you cook bacon in the microwave with water?

Generally, water is added while cooking the bacon to make it slightly chewy. Also, the water helps strips of bacon hold their shape in a better way. 

You can try to make bacon in the microwave by adding water, but you cannot use the paper towel then. 

Use a microwave proof dish that is shallow and long enough to lay the bacon inside, this pyrex dish works perfectly. Cover the bacon with an inch of water and microwave for 2 minutes or until the water begins to boil.

Can you cook bacon in the microwave without paper towels?

Yes, you can cook the bacon in the microwave without the use of paper. However, this requires a bit of ingenuity and increased potential for a microwave mess.

You have to lay a microwaveable plate in the microwave, and then place a microwave safe bowl upside down on top of plate. Drape the bacon strips on this bowl and microwave until desired texture is reached. 

The unhealthy and excess grease will flow away from the bacon, directly on the plate, keeping the bacon crispy. There is potential for splatter inside the microwave, so you will want to wipe the inside of the appliance afterwards.

What is the best microwave bacon cooker?

Though some people may find it weird to cook bacon in the microwave, to be honest, many people do it on a regular basis. With lifestyles getting busier and more hectic, people want convenience and efficiency in the kitchen as well. 

Selecting the right microwave bacon cooker can help you to make bacon easily in no time at all. Also, you do not have to keep an eye on the bacon over the stovetop to avoid overcooking or burning it. 

The microwave has made it easier as you have to set the timing and it will be done on its own. Once it is finished cooking, it will also turn off automatically avoiding any mishap or burning. 

Also, it is great for making healthier bacon because the fat melts off and is trapped in the drip tray. 

So, if you are here to find the best microwave bacon cooker, then this microwavable bacon grill is our favorite. It is made with BPA-free materials, comes with a microwaveable lid, has a capacity to cook 6 slices, and the grooved trays are easy to clean.

Unique Ways to Cook Bacon in Microwave

Cooking techniques differ, and making bacon in the microwave is no exception. There are some alternative ways to cook bacon in a microwave that vary from the standard paper towel method instructions. 

Choose the right one for you based upon convenience, personal taste preference, and available equipment. Whatever might be the method employed, there are specific guidelines to follow when making a healthy and delicious dish.

How to use a microwave bacon cooker?

A bacon cooker is not an indispensable tool to cook bacon in a microwave. Nevertheless, this type of cooker makes the cooking process a lot more efficient and effortless. 

It allows you to cook an increased quantity of bacon without you worrying about any chaos. A bacon cooker also puts forward a way to cook more evenly compared to other microwaving methods.

When it comes to using a microwave cooker, you need to arrange each piece in the cooker tray. For holding the bacon intact while microwaving, stick wood skewers through each end of the strip. 

If you want to reduce or eliminate the inconvenience associated with grease splatter, the whole tray can be covered using a paper towel, however this is an optional thing.

How to use microwave bacon rack?

If you use a microwave bacon rack, you can lower the time needed for cooking bacon. Further, this method provides a reduced greasy outcome. 

Making the preparation of bacon extremely easy, bacon racks live up to your expectations and deliver surfier results. 

A bacon rack uses a vertical position instead of a horizontal one. It places each bacon piece above the grease during the cooking process so the fat melts away from each strip.

This practical, sophisticated design guarantees even heat distribution. You can achieve the desired texture and flavor easily with the help of bacon racks. 

The cooking process can be completed within a matter of minutes. You don’t need to worry about washing any pan after cooking as bacon racks are designed for safe dishwasher use reduces your workload admirably. 

With a single rack, you can make around 12 bacon pieces simultaneously. The cooking capacity can be doubled by using two racks at the same time.

How to use microwave bacon tray?

A bacon tray comes with built in grooves to disperse the grease away from the bacon. You can also find a vented cover that helps you reduce the mess by keeping the splatter contained within the gear. 

As one of the simplest ways to microwave bacon, a bacon tray makes the cooking process effortless and enjoyable.

Can you cook bacon in the microwave without paper towels?

Yes, you can cook the bacon in the microwave without the use of paper. However, this requires a bit of ingenuity and increased potential for a microwave mess.

You have to lay a microwaveable plate in the microwave, and then place a microwave safe bowl upside down on top of plate. Drape the bacon strips on this bowl and microwave until desired texture is reached. 

The unhealthy and excess grease will flow away from the bacon, directly on the plate, keeping the bacon crispy. There is potential for splatter inside the microwave, so you will want to wipe the inside of the appliance afterwards.

How to cook bacon in a microwave without paper towels?

If you don’t use paper towels, you can make use of an interesting method to microwave bacon. 

A microwave-safe bowl should be turned upside down and set on top of a microwavable plate. Then, arrange the bacon draped over the bowl. 

The next step is to microwave one minute per each slice, so 4 slices should take about 4 minutes. 

A majority of the fatty grease will run down the side of the bowl onto the plate. When you cook bacon in a microwave without using paper towels, you can make delicious and healthy pieces that are extra crispy.

Done side about this method is that the bacon tends to spit grease onto the inside of the microwave. If you address the issue right away, it is fairly easy to wipe clean.

How to cook bacon in the microwave with water?

Water is used to make extra chewy bacon. Cook the bacon in boiling hot water for an extra chewy texture.

For this method, you want to use a microwave safe dish that is at least the same length of the bacon and more than 3” tall. Lay the bacon into the dish and cover with 1 inch of water.

Microwave on high for 2 or until the water is boiling hot. The bacon will be extra chewy and will fulfill the texture you are looking for.

How to cook bacon in the microwave with parchment paper?

You have to lay parchment paper on a microwave-safe plate. Then, thick-cut bacon pieces must be placed onto the paper and use another piece of parchment to cover the bacon before putting the dish into a microwave oven. 

Keep the power on High and cook for 2-4 minutes. The next step is to check the crispness and doneness of the bacon to make sure it meets your expectations. 

If necessary, microwave for 30 seconds increments until you get the desired texture and taste.

Microwaving Bacon: Final Thoughts

Many people microwave bacon nowadays to enjoy healthy and tasty dishes. You don’t need to worry about spending a lot of time and effort to cook when you chose this method. 

There is no need for any special equipment while microwaving bacon. It can always be considered as a safe and simple method that makes the task a lot easier and convenient. 

The key is to follow the right method of approach and you can make soft, chewy, or crispy bacon, each depending on your personal taste preferences. All you need to do is to adjust the cooking time to get the desired taste and texture.

If you are exploring alternative ways to cook bacon in a microwave, you can use a bacon cooker, cooking racks, and cooking trays. There is also parchment paper, boiling water and an upside down bowl.

It is always advisable to follow the manufacturers guidelines and instructions to make the cooking process result-oriented. Microwaving bacon helps you save time and a lot of effort without making any compromise on quality and taste.