Bacon is a beloved food that many people enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, cooking bacon can be a messy and time-consuming task.
If you’re tired of dealing with splattering grease and unevenly cooked bacon, an electric skillet might be the solution you’ve been looking for.
In this article, we’ll show you how to cook bacon in an electric skillet, step-by-step. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this guide will help you achieve perfectly crispy and delicious bacon every time.
So, let’s get started!
How To Cook Bacon In Electric Skillet?
Step 1: Preheat Your Electric Skillet
Before you start cooking your bacon, preheat your electric skillet to a low to medium temperature of approximately 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that your bacon cooks evenly without burning on one side.
Step 2: Place Bacon Strips on the Skillet
Once your skillet is preheated, place the bacon strips on the skillet surface side-by-side using tongs. Avoid putting the slices of bacon strips over one another as this might cause them to overcook or cook unevenly.
Step 3: Let the Bacon Cook
Let the bacon cook over the skillet for about 5 to 7 minutes. After some time, you’ll notice that the bacon strips start to shrink, and their edges will start to turn into a golden brown color.
Step 4: Flip the Bacon Strips
Using tongs, flip the bacon strips over onto the uncooked side, ensuring you maintain a space between them. Use a spatula to push the extra grease into the disposal tray through the hole. Remember, burnt grease tends to spoil the taste of the bacon, so be thorough.
Step 5: Season Your Bacon
Once both sides of your bacon strips start to get that golden-brown color, start seasoning your bacon. Sprinkle some pepper or spices on top of the strips, but don’t overdo it.
Step 6: Check for Doneness
When you note both sides are starting to look the same by color and shape, your bacon is done. If the sides turn charred or black, remove them immediately.
Step 7: Drain and Serve
Put paper towels on a clean plate and place the cooked bacon strips on them. The paper towel soaks up all the extra fat that might have remained on the bacon. Once drained, serve and enjoy!
Preparing The Electric Skillet
Before cooking bacon in an electric skillet, it’s important to prepare the skillet properly. First, start by preheating the skillet to a low to medium temperature of approximately 325 degrees Fahrenheit. You don’t need to heat up the skillet before adding the bacon. By placing the bacon on a cold skillet to start, you will allow the fat to slowly start to render. This will prevent the bacon from sticking and ensure that it cooks more evenly.
Once the skillet is preheated, place the bacon strips on the skillet surface side-by-side using tongs. It’s important to avoid putting the slices of bacon strips over one another as this might cause them to overcook or cook unevenly.
Let the bacon cook over the skillet for about 5 to 7 minutes. After some time, you’ll notice that the bacon strips start to shrink, and their edges will start to turn into a golden brown color. Using tongs, flip the bacon strips over onto the uncooked side, ensuring you maintain a space between them.
Once both sides of your bacon strips start to get that golden-brown color, start seasoning your bacon. Sprinkle some pepper or spices on top of the strips, but don’t overdo it. When you note both sides are starting to look the same by color and shape, your bacon is done. If the sides turn charred or black, remove them immediately.
Finally, put paper towels on a clean plate and place the cooked bacon strips on them. The paper towel soaks up all the extra fat that might have remained on the bacon. Once drained, serve and enjoy!
Choosing The Right Bacon
When it comes to cooking bacon in an electric skillet, choosing the right type of bacon is crucial. The thickness of the bacon and the amount of fat it contains can significantly impact the cooking process and the final result.
Thick-cut bacon is ideal for cooking in an electric skillet as it takes longer to cook, allowing the fat to render slowly and evenly. This results in a crispy exterior and a tender interior. Thin-cut bacon, on the other hand, tends to cook quickly and can easily become overcooked and burnt.
It’s also important to consider the amount of fat in the bacon. Bacon with a higher fat content will produce more grease when cooked, which can lead to splattering and uneven cooking. Look for bacon with a moderate amount of fat to ensure a more controlled cooking process.
When selecting bacon for your electric skillet, consider purchasing high-quality, uncured bacon that is free from added nitrates and preservatives. This not only ensures a healthier option but also results in a better-tasting final product.
Setting The Temperature
Setting the temperature for cooking bacon on an electric skillet is crucial to achieving the perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness. It’s important to note that while high heat may seem like a good idea, it can cause the bacon to burn and become floppy. A medium to slightly above medium temperature is ideal, with a range between 325-375 degrees Fahrenheit.
To start, preheat your electric skillet to a low to medium temperature of approximately 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow the bacon fat to slowly render and prevent sticking. As you cook, you may need to adjust the heat depending on how quickly your particular skillet heats up. It’s best to start with a lower temperature and increase as needed to achieve your desired results.
When cooking bacon on an electric skillet, it’s essential to monitor the heat and adjust as necessary. Cooking at too high of a temperature can result in burnt or unevenly cooked bacon, while cooking at too low of a temperature can cause the bacon to become soggy and unappetizing.
Placing The Bacon In The Skillet
When placing the bacon in the electric skillet, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s important to start with a cold skillet. This allows the fat to slowly start to render and prevents the bacon from sticking to the skillet. Secondly, avoid overcrowding the skillet by placing the bacon strips side-by-side with some space between them. This ensures that the bacon cooks evenly on both sides and prevents it from overcooking or cooking unevenly. Finally, use tongs to flip the bacon strips over onto the uncooked side and use a spatula to push the extra grease into the disposal tray through the hole. By following these steps, you can ensure that your bacon cooks evenly and has that perfect golden-brown color that we all love.
Flipping And Adjusting The Bacon
Flipping and adjusting the bacon is a crucial part of cooking it in an electric skillet. To ensure that the bacon cooks evenly, flip it over every 5 minutes using tongs. When you flip the bacon, make sure you maintain a space between the strips to avoid them sticking together.
While flipping the bacon, use a spatula to push the extra grease into the disposal tray through the hole. This helps to prevent the bacon from getting burnt and ensures it retains its taste.
If you notice that some bacon strips are cooking faster than others, adjust their position on the skillet. Move the strips that are cooking faster to the cooler parts of the skillet and vice versa.
Remember to season your bacon once both sides start to get that golden-brown color. You can sprinkle some pepper or spices on top of the strips, but be careful not to overdo it.
Finally, check for doneness by observing the color and shape of both sides of your bacon strips. Once they start to look similar, your bacon is ready. If any side turns charred or black, remove it immediately.
By following these steps and flipping and adjusting your bacon as needed, you’ll be able to cook delicious and evenly cooked bacon in your electric skillet every time.
Removing And Draining The Bacon
After your bacon is cooked to perfection, it’s essential to remove and drain the excess fat. This will ensure that your bacon stays crispy and delicious.
Step 1: Remove the Bacon
Using tongs, remove the bacon strips from the electric skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. Be careful not to overlap the bacon strips as this may cause them to become soggy.
Step 2: Drain the Excess Fat
There are a few ways to drain the excess fat from your bacon. One way is to use a slotted spatula to lift the bacon strips from the skillet, allowing the excess fat to drip back into the skillet. Another way is to use a double pan with slits in the top layer, allowing the grease to fall down into the pan below. If you have an electric griddle that drains excess fat, this is also an excellent option.
Step 3: Save the Bacon Fat
Bacon fat is a valuable ingredient in cooking, so don’t throw it away. You can save it in a container and use it later to fry eggs or vegetables for extra flavor.
Step 4: Serve or Store
Once your bacon is drained of excess fat, you can serve it immediately or store it in the fridge for later use. Bacon can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
By following these simple steps, you can cook and drain your bacon like a pro on your electric skillet. Enjoy your delicious and crispy bacon!
