There are millions of searches done on the Internet each day. Many of them have something to do with bacon! Pictures of dogs eating bacon instantly go viral. Bacon science facts are everywhere. Some argue that bacon goes with anything, there is bacon ice cream for example. Is bacon one of those foods that, like magic dust sprinkled all over the kitchen, makes every dish better?
Whether you get a bacon
Most bacon lovers have a preference for the way their bacon is cooked. Some prefer a chewier, softer piece, still a bit flabby and flopping around. Others prefer a crisp, crust-like bacon that crumbles when you bite into it. Color can be a perfect indicator to regardless of your preference.
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, you may have stopped reading this article at this point. We hope you didn’t, because fake bacon has its own color scheme. Click here to learn more.
Crispy bacon is delicious, but sometimes you just want those chewy, tender strips of porky goodness. If you’re tired of getting bacon that’s too crispy when dining out, this guide will help you order bacon cooked just the way you like it every time.
The Problem With Ordering Bacon At Restaurants
Trying to order bacon with your preferred level of crispiness can be frustrating Busy cooks often don’t have time to cater to special requests. Many restaurants also have a standard cooking method that produces uniform, crispy bacon When your order comes out overdone, it can really put a damper on your meal.
The issue lies in effectively communicating your preferences to the kitchen. Simply asking for “not too crispy” bacon can be too vague. Cooks may interpret that differently than you intend. Without specific guidance, you’re likely to end up with disappointing strips.
How To Order Bacon That’s Cooked Just Right
Luckily, there are some simple tricks to get tender, chewy bacon when eating out. Here are the secrets to ordering bacon with your ideal texture
Be Specific
Rather than just saying you want your bacon not too crispy, be explicit For example, request that your bacon be cooked
- On slightly above medium heat
- For at least 5 minutes
- Until no longer pink, but still tender
Giving clear cooking instructions like this makes it more likely your order will come out as you envisioned.
Ask For Thicker Slices
Thicker sliced bacon takes longer to crisp up. Ordering thick-cut bacon buys your bacon more time to cook through without turning overly brown and crispy.
Tell Them To Take Their Time
Let your server know you don’t mind waiting a few extra minutes for properly cooked bacon. Give the kitchen permission to take their time perfecting your order.
Check The Bacon’s Appearance
When your bacon arrives, do a quick visual inspection. Perfectly cooked, tender bacon will have:
- Most of the white fat rendered out
- Just thin streaks of fat remaining
- Dark, mahogany-colored meat
Request Bacon Fried In Water
For ultimate tenderness, ask for your bacon to be fried in a little water. The water prevents the bacon from crisping up too quickly.
Cook It Yourself
Some restaurants will serve you strips of raw bacon to cook yourself on a hot skillet at your table. Opt for this method whenever possible to DIY your bacon texture.
Tips For Cooking Tender Bacon At Home
You don’t have to resign yourself to only eating tender bacon when dining out. With a few simple techniques, you can make non-crispy bacon at home too:
Slow Cook It
Fry your bacon slices over low to medium-low heat. Be patient and let it cook slowly so the fat has time to render without over-browning the meat.
Bake It
Baking bacon in the oven allows you to cook up large batches easily. Place bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 12-20 minutes.
Parboil Before Frying
Bring a pot of water to a boil, add your bacon slices, and blanch them for 1-2 minutes. This partially cooks them so they don’t crisp up as quickly when fried.
Add Water To The Pan
Pour just enough water in your frying pan to cover the bottom before adding bacon. The water creates steam that stops the bacon from crisping.
Cook Low And Slow
Fry your bacon over low heat for long enough to render the fat without crisping the meat, 10-15 minutes. Stir frequently and remove pieces once they’re browned but still tender.
Enjoying Perfectly Cooked Bacon Every Time
Crispy bacon might be the default, but chewy, tender strips have their place too. With the right ordering techniques and cooking methods, you can enjoy non-crispy bacon made just how you like it anytime. Be specific when ordering out and take your time cooking it yourself. In no time, you’ll be biting into beautifully cooked bacon with the ideal tender texture you crave.
Bring Home the Bacon and Check the Color in the Pan
Some might say that the best color for bacon is the one you can’t see because it’s already in your mouth, but let’s take our time looking at the colors while we smell the bacon. The color of bacon right out of the package ranges from white to pale and darker pinks.
A quick peek of the bacon underneath the Munsell 7.5R Chart reveals all the variety of colors.
From raw to cooked enough to be safe, for those who like a more chewy bacon experience.
A view with the Munsell 7.5R color chart.
Taking a look at the bacon fat with the White Page.
Moving on to crispy bacon. Notice how the fat shifts to yellow hues and the meaty parts turn browner.
With the Munsell 7.5R chart.
For those that like things really well done.
You could say this one is “off the charts.”
Bacon alternatives are made from many different combinations of ingredients, typically soy as the common denominator.
The fake bacon strips when they are uncooked. Still using the 7.5R chart.
Chewy, cooked fake bacon. Notice not much shift in color.
Crispy fake bacon. Darker around the edges but fairly consistent in color in the center.
A Bacon Code Just for You
Professionals who work with food color standards reference the Munsell system. Cooking can be a great opportunity to sharpen your color notation skills. We think it’s time for you and your bacon to reach this professional level! While you’re making this Epic Meal Time bacon tree, learn more about the Munsell color tree. The Munsell system can match every little difference in the color of bacon as it cooks to the right color. Give it a try yourself. And if you are looking for other food matching opportunities, see the blog on turkey color.
How to Cook Bacon So It’s Crispy, Tender, and the Most Perfect Ever
FAQ
How to order soft bacon?
How to make bacon not too crispy?
Can you eat not crispy bacon?
Does bacon have to be crispy to eat?
Can Bacon be fully cooked if it is not crispy?
Bacon can be fully cooked even if it’s not crispy. As long as the meat is cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, it is safe to eat. Bacon cooked more slowly over lower heat will remain flexible when fully cooked versus getting crispy when cooked over high heat.
Can you cook bacon in water if you don’t like crispy bacon?
If you don’t like crispy bacon (we forgive you), here’s a simple trick for getting perfectly chewy, evenly cooked strips every time. Cook bacon in water. If you’ve never tried this technique before, stay with us. It’s not as weird as it sounds.
Is it safe to eat bacon over high heat?
As long as the meat is cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, it is safe to eat. Bacon cooked more slowly over lower heat will remain flexible when fully cooked versus getting crispy when cooked over high heat. Let’s look further into how to tell if your bacon is done and how to prepare it so it is more chewy than crispy!
How do you know if Bacon is cooked?
To be fully cooked, bacon must be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be hard to measure because the meat is too thin to insert a meat thermometer. Because of this, the appearance of the meat is used to determine if it is done. Related Content: So the next logical question… What Does Cooked Bacon Look Like?