Benton’s bacon is not your average grocery-store bacon. It’s a carefully crafted, dry-cured, and hickory-smoked pork belly that has been impressing chefs and home cooks alike for decades.
But cooking this highly-cured bacon requires a different approach than what you might be used to. In this article, we’ll explore the best techniques for cooking Benton’s bacon to perfection, so you can savor every bite of its smoky, savory goodness.
From the right pan to the correct level of heat, we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook Benton’s bacon like a pro.
So grab a cast-iron skillet and get ready to learn how to cook the best bacon of your life.
How To Cook Benton’s Bacon?
First things first, when cooking Benton’s bacon, it’s important to remember that it should not be fried to a crisp. The bacon should be able to bend without breaking, so avoid overcooking it.
To start, choose an appropriate pan. A heavy-bottomed cast iron pan is ideal for even heat distribution and ensuring your bacon cooks evenly. Avoid using a sauté pan, as this can result in chewy bacon.
Next, start with low heat and cook the bacon slowly. This is especially important for thin strips of bacon. Don’t crowd the pan, and drain the fat off as it renders into a heat-resistant dish. This will help crisp up the bacon and also give you bacon fat for future cooking projects.
When the bacon looks about half cooked, remove it from the skillet and drain it on a paper towel. Remember that highly-cured bacon takes about half as long to cook as regular grocery-store bacon.
Finally, place your finished bacon on a drying rack instead of paper towels. This will allow you to save the bacon fat for future use in dishes like fried rice, sautéed vegetables, or cooked eggs.
Why Benton’s Bacon Is Different From Regular Bacon
Benton’s bacon is different from regular bacon in many ways. First and foremost, Benton’s bacon is made using only natural ingredients, without any added nitrates or nitrites. This means that the bacon is not only healthier, but also has a more intense and natural flavor.
Additionally, Benton’s bacon is made using old-style pig breeds like Berkshire, Tamworth, and Duroc. These breeds are known for their high-quality meat, which is more flavorful and tender than the meat from industrial pig breeds.
Another key difference is the curing process. While regular grocery-store bacon is often cured in just a few hours using chemicals, Benton’s bacon is cured for at least 10 days using a mixture of salt and brown sugar. This slow curing process allows the bacon to develop a rich and complex flavor.
Finally, Benton’s bacon is smoked using an intense hickory flavor from small wood-burning stoves. This gives the bacon a unique smoky taste that sets it apart from regular bacon.
Choosing The Right Pan For Cooking Benton’s Bacon
When it comes to cooking Benton’s bacon, choosing the right pan is crucial. As mentioned earlier, a heavy-bottomed cast iron pan is the ideal choice for even heat distribution and ensuring your bacon cooks evenly. This type of pan can handle high temperatures and will help crisp up the bacon.
Avoid using a sauté pan when cooking Benton’s bacon, as this can result in chewy bacon. It’s also important to choose a pan with a lot of surface area, as this will prevent overcrowding and ensure that the bacon cooks evenly.
If you’re looking for a large bacon cooking pan that will give you great results, consider investing in a Wilton Non-Stick Bacon Pan. This pan has a unique design that allows the bacon to cook evenly and stay flat, resulting in perfectly crispy bacon every time.
Remember that starting with low heat and cooking the bacon slowly is key. Avoid overcooking the bacon, as it should be able to bend without breaking. When the bacon looks about half cooked, remove it from the skillet and drain it on a paper towel.
By following these tips and choosing the right pan for cooking Benton’s bacon, you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly crispy and delicious bacon every time.
Preparing Benton’s Bacon For Cooking
Before cooking Benton’s bacon, it’s important to keep in mind that this bacon should not be overcooked. The bacon should be able to bend without breaking, so avoid frying it to a crisp.
To start, choose an appropriate pan. A heavy-bottomed cast iron pan is ideal for even heat distribution and ensuring that your bacon cooks evenly. Avoid using a sauté pan, as this can result in chewy bacon.
Next, it’s recommended to start cooking the bacon in a cold skillet. This will help render the fat and result in crispier bacon without the risk of burning. It’s also important to cook the bacon slowly, especially for thin strips of bacon. Don’t overcrowd the pan and drain the fat off as it renders into a heat-resistant dish. This will help crisp up the bacon and also give you bacon fat for future cooking projects.
When the bacon looks about half cooked, remove it from the skillet and drain it on a paper towel. Remember that highly-cured bacon takes about half as long to cook as regular grocery-store bacon.
Finally, place your finished bacon on a drying rack instead of paper towels. This will allow you to save the bacon fat for future use in dishes like fried rice, sautéed vegetables, or cooked eggs.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that you’re cooking Benton’s bacon to perfection and enjoying it just as Allan Benton intended.
Cooking Techniques For Perfect Benton’s Bacon
When it comes to cooking Benton’s bacon, there are a few key techniques to keep in mind for the perfect result. First, it’s important to choose the right pan. A heavy-bottomed cast iron pan is ideal for even heat distribution and ensuring that your bacon cooks evenly. Avoid using a sauté pan, which can result in chewy bacon.
Starting with low heat is also crucial when cooking Benton’s bacon. This is especially important for thin strips of bacon. Don’t crowd the pan, and drain the fat off as it renders into a heat-resistant dish. This will help crisp up the bacon and also give you bacon fat for future cooking projects.
One important thing to keep in mind is that highly-cured bacon takes about half as long to cook as regular grocery-store bacon. So, when your Benton’s bacon looks about half cooked, it’s time to remove it from the skillet and drain it on a paper towel.
Finally, it’s important to place your finished bacon on a drying rack instead of paper towels. This will allow you to save the bacon fat for future use in dishes like fried rice, sautéed vegetables, or cooked eggs. By following these techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly cooked Benton’s bacon every time.
Serving And Enjoying Your Perfectly Cooked Benton’s Bacon
Once your Benton’s bacon is perfectly cooked, it’s time to serve and enjoy it. One popular way to serve bacon is with breakfast, alongside eggs and toast. However, there are many other creative ways to enjoy this delicious treat.
One option is to use the bacon as a topping for salads or sandwiches. The salty, smoky flavor of Benton’s bacon pairs well with fresh greens and crisp vegetables. You can also crumble the bacon onto a baked potato or use it as a garnish for soup.
Another way to enjoy Benton’s bacon is as a snack on its own. Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces and serve it with toothpicks for easy snacking. You can also dip the bacon in melted chocolate for a sweet and savory treat.
No matter how you choose to serve your Benton’s bacon, be sure to savor every bite. This artisanal product is made with care and attention to detail, and its rich, complex flavor is worth savoring.