Are you looking for a new way to cook bacon that doesn’t involve a greasy stovetop or a smelly kitchen?
Look no further than your trusty outdoor grill!
But how do you cook bacon on the grill without causing a grease fire or making a mess?
The answer is simple: use foil.
In this article, we’ll show you how to cook bacon on the grill with foil, providing you with a delicious and easy-to-clean-up breakfast option.
So fire up the grill and get ready to impress your family and friends with your newfound bacon-grilling skills!
How To Cook Bacon On The Grill With Foil?
First, line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a cooling rack on top. This will ensure that the bacon cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the foil.
Next, place the bacon on the rack, making sure that no pieces are overlapping. This will allow the bacon to cook evenly and prevent any grease fires.
Now it’s time to place the baking sheet on the grill grate. Close the lid and cook for 12 minutes or until the bacon reaches your desired level of doneness.
Once the bacon is cooked, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
Alternatively, you can create a makeshift “pan” for your bacon by folding a double sheet of aluminum foil in half and creating a lip around the edges to catch any grease. Place this directly onto the grill grates and cook the bacon just like you would on the stove.
Another technique involves using indirect heat. Oil the grates and place the bacon directly on the grill, but not right over the fire. Cook until desired doneness is reached.
Why Grill Bacon With Foil?
Grilling bacon with aluminum foil has many benefits. First and foremost, it is a safe way to cook bacon on the grill without the risk of causing a grease fire. The foil acts as a barrier between the bacon and the open flame, preventing any grease from dripping onto the coals or flames.
Another advantage of using foil is that it makes cleanup a breeze. Once the bacon is cooked, simply remove the foil and allow the grease to cool before throwing it away. This eliminates the need to scrub down a dirty skillet or frying pan, making it a convenient option for those who want to spend more time enjoying their meal and less time cleaning up.
Using foil also allows for customization in terms of portion size. By folding a double sheet of foil to create a sturdy surface, you can create a cooking surface that is sized to your needs. This means that you can cook as much or as little bacon as you want without having to worry about using a skillet or frying pan that may be too small or too large for your needs.
Preparing The Grill And Foil For Bacon
Before you start cooking bacon on the grill with foil, it’s important to prepare your grill and foil properly.
First, make sure your grill is clean and free of any debris from previous cookouts. This will prevent any unwanted flavors from transferring to your bacon.
Next, preheat your grill to medium heat (350F-400F) or high heat (400F-450F) depending on your preference.
While the grill is heating up, prepare a double sheet of aluminum foil that is measured to hold the amount of bacon you want to grill. Fold up the edges of the foil to create a lip that will catch any grease that drips off the bacon.
Once the grill is hot, carefully transfer the foil sheet with the bacon onto the grill grates. Close the lid and let the bacon cook for 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the bacon to make sure it doesn’t burn or catch fire.
When you see bubbles forming on the bacon, it’s time to flip it over and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Use tongs or a spatula to flip the bacon carefully, as it may be hot and greasy.
Once the bacon is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the grill using tongs or a spatula and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
By following these steps, you can easily cook delicious and crispy bacon on your grill using aluminum foil. Just remember to always practice caution and safety when cooking with hot surfaces and grease.
Choosing The Right Bacon For Grilling
When it comes to grilling bacon, choosing the right type of bacon is important. Thick-cut bacon is ideal for grilling because it holds up better on the grill and won’t overcook as quickly as thin-sliced bacon.
You also want to look for bacon that has a good balance of fat and meat. Too much fat can cause flare-ups on the grill, while too little fat can result in dry and tough bacon.
If you’re looking for a smoky flavor, consider using a smoked bacon. Hickory and applewood are popular choices that add a delicious smoky flavor to the bacon.
It’s important to note that some types of bacon may cook faster than others, so keep an eye on the bacon while it’s on the grill to ensure that it doesn’t burn or overcook.
Grilling The Bacon With Foil: Step-by-step Instructions
If you choose to use foil to cook your bacon on the grill, follow these step-by-step instructions:
1. Begin by prepping your grill and preheating it on high heat or to 400°F.
2. Take a double sheet of aluminum foil that is double the surface area you need for the bacon and fold it in half to create a sturdy aluminum foil surface.
3. Take the sides of this sheet and fold them about half an inch from the edge, creating a lip that runs the perimeter of the aluminum foil sheet. Finally, fold in the corners so the grease from the bacon will not drip out of the aluminum foil.
4. Place this directly onto the grill grates and use it as a makeshift “pan” for your bacon.
5. Place the bacon strips on the foil in a single layer, making sure that no pieces are overlapping.
6. Once the grill is hot, transfer the foil sheet to the grill carefully. Close the lid and let the bacon cook for 8 minutes.
7. As soon as the bacon strips start to bubble, it’s time to flip them and cook for 5 minutes more.
8. Finally, remove the grilled bacon into a dish lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
By following these simple steps, you can easily cook bacon on your grill without worrying about grease fires or cleaning up a mess afterwards.
Tips For Perfect Bacon Every Time
Cooking bacon on the grill with foil is a great way to achieve crispy and evenly cooked bacon. However, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you make perfect bacon every time:
1. Watch the bacon closely: Every grill is different, so keep a close eye on the bacon the first time you cook it on the grill. You may need to adjust the cooking time a couple of minutes in either direction. Pull the bacon off right when it turns golden brown.
2. Use a cooling rack: Placing a cooling rack on top of the foil-lined baking sheet allows the bacon to cook evenly and prevents it from sticking to the foil.
3. Don’t overlap the bacon: Overlapping bacon slices can result in uneven cooking and prevent the bacon from getting crispy.
4. Create a makeshift “pan”: If you don’t have a baking sheet with a rim, you can create a makeshift “pan” for your bacon by folding a double sheet of aluminum foil in half and creating a lip around the edges to catch any grease.
5. Use indirect heat: Another technique involves using indirect heat. Oil the grates and place the bacon directly on the grill, but not right over the fire. This will prevent any flare-ups and allow for even cooking.
6. Experiment with different seasonings: While bacon is delicious on its own, feel free to experiment with different seasonings such as fresh cracked pepper, brown sugar, or maple syrup.
7. Save the bacon grease: Saving the bacon grease is always a good idea! It is packed with flavor and can be used anywhere you would use butter or oil to pan-fry. To do so, allow it to cool completely, transfer it to a glass jar, and store it in the refrigerator.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your bacon turns out perfectly crispy and delicious every time you cook it on the grill with foil.
Cleaning Up After Grilling Bacon With Foil
Cooking bacon on the grill with aluminum foil is a great way to keep your kitchen clean and free of bacon splatter and smell. But what about cleanup? The good news is that cleaning up after grilling bacon with foil is a breeze.
First, allow the foil to cool down before removing it from the grill. Once it’s cool, simply ball up the foil and discard it. There’s no need to worry about cleaning a skillet or frying pan.
If there is any leftover grease or residue on the grill grates, you can use the same ball of foil to scrape it off. Rub the ball of foil up and down and in-between the grates until all of the residue is gone.
For a deeper clean, you can use aluminum foil to clean your grill in its entirety. First, remove the grill cover and inspect both above and below the grates for any stuck-on debris. Cut off the gas supply to ensure safety, put on protective gloves, and ball up a bit of foil to start scrubbing away any easy-to-remove bits.
Next, tear off enough aluminum foil to cover the top of your grill grates. Turn on the gas for the grill, set it on high, close the top, and keep the grill on for about 20 to 25 minutes. This will allow for any baked-on grime to burn off. Finally, brush off any leftover debris and scrub once again with a ball of foil.
With these easy steps, you can enjoy perfectly cooked bacon on the grill with minimal cleanup afterwards.
