Are you tired of cooking bacon on a greasy stovetop or in a messy oven? Look no further than your trusty Dutch oven!
This versatile piece of cookware can be used to cook bacon in a variety of ways, whether you’re camping in the great outdoors or cooking in your own kitchen.
From crispy campfire bacon to perfectly baked oven bacon, the Dutch oven has got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore different methods for cooking bacon in a Dutch oven and provide tips for achieving the perfect results every time.
So grab your Dutch oven and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Bacon In A Dutch Oven?
Method 1: Campfire Bacon
To cook bacon over a campfire in a Dutch oven, start by preparing your fire or grill for medium-high heat using charcoal briquettes or large wood chips.
Next, cook the bacon in the Dutch oven until it’s crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain it on paper towels. Discard the drippings, but reserve 2 tablespoons in the pan.
Carefully press potatoes onto the bottom and sides of the Dutch oven. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, and pepper sauce (if desired) until blended. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and sprinkle with cooked bacon and cheese.
Cover the Dutch oven and place it directly on top of 16-18 briquettes when they’re covered with white ash. Use long-handled tongs to place 16-18 briquettes on the pan cover. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the eggs are completely set and cheese is melted.
Method 2: Oven-Baked Bacon
To cook bacon in a Dutch oven in your oven, preheat it to 400 F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lay the bacon on top of the foil in a single layer. For extra crispy bacon, fit a metal, oven-safe baking cooling rack on top of the foil-lined sheet pan.
Bake until golden brown or to your desired taste (about 18 minutes). Using tongs, move the perfectly oven-baked bacon to a paper-towel-lined platter.
Method 3: Stovetop Bacon
To cook bacon in a Dutch oven on your stovetop, start by heating up your Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Fry the bacon until it’s almost fully cooked before stirring in onions and continuing to cook until they’re slightly softened.
Add spinach and continue cooking until it’s wilted before stirring in tomatoes and continuing to cook until they just begin to soften. Reduce the heat to low before adding eggs.
Continually stir as they cook, working your way around the entire bottom of the pan so nothing sticks. When the eggs are almost set, sprinkle cheese over the bacon and egg mixture before covering with the Dutch oven’s lid and continuing cooking until the cheese is gooey and melted.
Why Cook Bacon In A Dutch Oven?
Cooking bacon in a Dutch oven has several advantages over other methods. Firstly, it allows for a larger quantity of bacon to be cooked at once, making it ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prepping. Secondly, the Dutch oven’s heavy lid helps to evenly distribute heat and prevent splattering, resulting in perfectly cooked bacon every time.
Additionally, cooking bacon in a Dutch oven can help to season the pot, as the bacon fat helps to build up a non-stick coating over time. This makes it easier to cook other dishes in the Dutch oven without worrying about food sticking or burning.
Lastly, cooking bacon in a Dutch oven is versatile and can be done over a campfire, on the stovetop, or in the oven. This makes it a convenient option for any cooking situation and allows for flexibility in meal planning.
Preparing Your Dutch Oven For Bacon
Before cooking bacon in your Dutch oven, it’s important to properly prepare it. The first step is to clean and season your Dutch oven. This will help prevent the bacon from sticking and ensure an even cook.
To clean your Dutch oven, start by scraping off any chunks or bits with a plastic scraper. Then, wipe out any leftover oil with a paper towel. If needed, use warm water and a mild soap to clean the Dutch oven. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
To season your Dutch oven, rub a thin layer of vegetable oil or shortening all over the inside and outside of the oven. Place it upside down in your oven or over your campfire and heat it at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour. This will help build up a protective layer of seasoning that will prevent rust and improve the flavor of your food.
Once your Dutch oven is clean and seasoned, you’re ready to cook bacon. Depending on the method you choose, you may need to add a small amount of oil or butter to the bottom of the Dutch oven to prevent sticking.
If you’re cooking bacon over a campfire, be sure to use charcoal briquettes or large wood chips that are evenly distributed for consistent heat. If you’re cooking bacon in your oven, preheat it to 400 F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or fit it with a metal, oven-safe baking cooling rack for extra crispy bacon.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to monitor the bacon closely to prevent burning. Once the bacon is cooked to your desired crispiness, remove it from the Dutch oven with tongs or a slotted spoon and drain it on paper towels before serving.
After cooking, allow the Dutch oven to cool completely before cleaning it again. Scrape off any leftover bits and wipe out any excess oil with a paper towel. Remember to always clean and re-season your Dutch oven after each use for best results.
Campfire Bacon: Cooking Bacon In A Dutch Oven Over An Open Flame
If you’re looking for a unique and delicious way to cook bacon over an open flame, try using a Dutch oven. This method is perfect for camping trips or backyard cookouts where you have access to a fire pit or grill.
To start, preheat your Dutch oven over the fire for about 5 minutes. Then, add your bacon and cook it slowly with low heat until it’s crispy. Once the bacon is done, remove it from the Dutch oven and set it aside.
Next, add some coconut oil to the Dutch oven and let it melt. Add grated sweet potatoes and put the lid on the Dutch oven. Place 10 briquettes on top of the lid and let it cook for 15 minutes. Check and stir the sweet potatoes, and continue cooking until they’re almost fully cooked.
When the sweet potatoes are almost done, separate them into piles and make a hole in the middle of each pile. Crack an egg into each hole and break the yolk. Put the lid back on and add 4-6 more briquettes. Let it cook for about 5 minutes or until the eggs are fully cooked.
Serve with your campfire bacon for a delicious and satisfying meal. This method is perfect for those who love camping or spending time outdoors, as it allows you to cook a hearty breakfast over an open flame without much fuss or hassle.
Oven Bacon: Baking Bacon In A Dutch Oven
If you’re looking for a hands-off approach to cooking bacon in a Dutch oven, then oven-baked bacon is the perfect method for you. To start, preheat your oven to 400 F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Next, lay the bacon on top of the foil in a single layer. For extra crispy bacon, you can fit a metal, oven-safe baking cooling rack on top of the foil-lined sheet pan. This will allow the bacon to cook evenly and allow excess grease to drip off.
Bake the bacon until it’s golden brown or to your desired taste (about 18 minutes). Once it’s done, use tongs to move the perfectly oven-baked bacon to a paper-towel-lined platter. This will help drain off any excess oil and keep the bacon crispy.
One great advantage of baking bacon in a Dutch oven is that it’s easy and produces excellent results. It’s possibly the only method you’ll use to cook bacon once you try it! Plus, you can reserve the oil in the skillet for another use, making it a more sustainable option.
Stovetop Bacon: Frying Bacon In A Dutch Oven
Cooking bacon in a Dutch oven on your stovetop is a great way to enjoy crispy and evenly cooked bacon without the mess. To get started, preheat your Dutch oven to medium-high heat.
Once the oven is heated, add the bacon to the pot and fry until it’s almost fully cooked. Then, stir in some onions and continue cooking until they are slightly softened.
Next, add some spinach and cook until it’s wilted before stirring in some tomatoes and continuing to cook until they just begin to soften. Reduce the heat to low before adding eggs.
Continually stir the eggs as they cook, working your way around the entire bottom of the pan so that nothing sticks. When the eggs are almost set, sprinkle some cheese over the bacon and egg mixture before covering with the Dutch oven’s lid and continuing cooking until the cheese is gooey and melted.
This method of cooking bacon in a Dutch oven on your stovetop is perfect for those who prefer to cook indoors or don’t have access to an outdoor grill or campfire. It’s also a great way to make a delicious breakfast for a crowd without having to stand at the stove flipping bacon.
Tips For Perfectly Cooked Dutch Oven Bacon
Cooking bacon in a Dutch oven can be a bit tricky, but with a few tips, you can achieve perfectly cooked bacon every time. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Use a heavy Dutch oven: A heavy Dutch oven will distribute heat evenly and prevent hot spots, resulting in perfectly cooked bacon.
2. Use low heat: Cooking bacon over low heat will prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the Dutch oven. It will also allow the bacon to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in crispy and delicious bacon.
3. Use a lid: Using a lid will help trap the heat and smoke inside the Dutch oven, resulting in bacon that’s full of flavor and aroma.
4. Use parchment paper or a cooling rack: Placing parchment paper or a cooling rack on top of the bacon will help absorb excess grease and prevent the bacon from sticking to the bottom of the Dutch oven.
5. Flip the bacon: Flipping the bacon halfway through cooking will ensure that both sides are evenly cooked and crispy.
6. Drain excess grease: After cooking, drain excess grease from the Dutch oven to prevent greasy and soggy bacon.
By following these tips, you can cook perfectly crispy and delicious bacon in your Dutch oven every time.
