There are times when you need to make a dish quickly for a potluck, get dinner on the table, or just have a strong craving but the protein you planned to use is still frozen. Other times, you need to let it defrost. But when it comes to bacon, you don’t need to wait until it’s completely thawed before using it. No matter what method you like, you can cook frozen bacon. It can be baked on a sheet pan in the oven, fried in a skillet, or made crispy in an air fryer.
If you stored your bacon with the slices separated, you can just grab what you need and proceed. However, if you threw the entire package in the freezer, you now have an unwieldy frozen block. You can use a thin metal spatula or a butter knife to help separate the slices. If you want to eat the bacon in small pieces, you can cut off what you need by cutting along the short side of the rectangle of frozen bacon. That way, you can cut off a small piece of bacon from each one and store the rest.
Bacon is a breakfast staple in many households. The smoky, salty pork slices pair perfectly with eggs, pancakes, and more. What if you wake up hungry for bacon but the package is still frozen? Can you cook bacon straight from the freezer, or does it need to be thawed first?
The good news is that you can cook frozen bacon if you know what you’re doing. Here are some ideas on how to fry, bake, and microwave bacon that you just got out of the freezer. Let’s get cooking!.
Is It Safe to Cook Frozen Bacon?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to cook bacon directly from frozen. The USDA confirms that frozen meats like bacon can be safely cooked from frozen as long as they are cooked to the proper internal temperature.
For bacon, cooking until crispy and browned ensures any bacteria are killed off. Just be sure to allow a couple extra minutes of cook time compared to fresh bacon.
So don’t worry if you discover your bacon stash is frozen. You can still enjoy that savory breakfast without having to wait for it to thaw!
Tips for Cooking Frozen Bacon Slices
Here are some tips for cooking frozen bacon slices to crispy perfection
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Separate slices if stuck together. Pry apart with hands or a fork if needed.
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Place in cold pan and heat to medium.Frozen bacon can stick if pan is too hot.
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Increase heat once bacon starts sizzling. Fry until desired doneness is reached.
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Cook a few minutes longer than fresh bacon. Frozen meat takes longer.
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Drain on paper towels. The frozen moisture can make bacon greasier.
With just a bit of extra time and care, you can cook frozen bacon slices to be just as delicious as fresh.
How to Fry Frozen Bacon
Frying is the most common bacon cooking method. Here’s how to pan-fry frozen bacon:
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Try separating bacon strips first if frozen together in a block.
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Place bacon in a cold frying pan. Turn heat to medium-low.
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Once bacon starts sizzling, increase heat to medium.
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Flip bacon every 2-3 minutes until it reaches desired crispness.
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Drain on paper towels before serving.
The key is starting with a cold pan and preheating slowly. This helps prevent sticking issues. Then turn up the heat for even crisping.
Baking Frozen Bacon in the Oven
Baking creates evenly cooked bacon with less splattering. To bake frozen bacon:
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Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
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Arrange frozen bacon slices in a single layer on the sheet.
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Bake at 400°F for 12-18 minutes, until crispy.
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Rotate sheet and flip bacon halfway through for even cooking.
The gentle oven heat thaws and crisps the bacon gradually without overcooking. Baking multiple sheets at once is easy for big batches too.
Microwaving Frozen Bacon
Microwaving allows fast defrosting and cooking:
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Place frozen bacon on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels.
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Microwave at 50% power in 1-2 minute intervals until thawed.
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Increase to full power and cook until bacon reaches desired crispness, about 1 minute per slice.
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Drain on fresh paper towels. Freeze any uncooked bacon for later.
Adjust cook times as needed based on your microwave wattage and bacon amounts. Just keep a close eye to avoid overcooking.
Tips for Cooking a Block of Frozen Bacon
Sometimes bacon freezes into a solid block. Here are tips for cooking frozen bacon blocks:
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Try microwaving on defrost or low power to loosen slices.
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Warm the block in a pan on low heat to separate slices as they thaw.
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Fry or bake slices immediately after separating for best results.
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If needed, return partially cooked slices to the pan or oven to finish cooking.
With some patience, you can still achieve delicious results even from a frozen bacon brick!
Can You Freeze and Recook Bacon?
Freezing cooked bacon for later is absolutely safe and doable. To freeze bacon:
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Cool cooked bacon completely so moisture doesn’t form ice crystals.
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Place slices in a single layer between parchment sheets in a sealed container or bag.
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Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat frozen cooked bacon:
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Bake frozen slices straight from freezer at 400°F for 5-10 minutes until hot and crispy.
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Microwave individual slices for 30 seconds, or until warm.
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Fry over medium heat just until heated through, 1-2 minutes per side.
Storing already-cooked bacon in the freezer is very handy for quick breakfasts and more!
Serving Up Frozen Bacon Dishes
With frozen bacon, you can still enjoy all your favorite bacon-y breakfasts and treats:
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Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches – Fried eggs with bacon and cheese on an English muffin or biscuit
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BLT Salad – Crispy bacon bits, lettuce, tomato and dressing
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Baked Potato Soup – Bacon pieces lend smoky flavor to creamy potato soup
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Candied Bacon – Baked with brown sugar and spices for a sweet and savory snack
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Bacon and Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Crispy bacon complements roasted veggie flavor
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Bacon Cheeseburger – Top your favorite burger with fried frozen bacon
So go ahead and cook up that frozen bacon! With a little finesse, you can enjoy delicious bacon dishes without having to wait for it to thaw.
Frequency of Entities:
bacon: 51
frozen: 22
cook: 8
freeze: 4
slices: 4
thaw: 3
crispy: 3
fry: 3
baking: 2
microwaving: 2
defrost: 2
heating: 1
reheating: 1
sandwiches: 1
salad: 1
soup: 1
candied: 1
roasted: 1
burger: 1
Thawing bacon improperly is a food safety issue
If you thought thawing bacon before cooking was necessary, you might have been tempted to run it under hot water or leave it out on the kitchen counter, but these methods are actually significant food safety mistakes. According to the USDA, safe thawing methods for bacon include using cold water, the refrigerator, or the microwaves defrost setting. The refrigerator method is the easiest, but also the slowest. The cold water method is quicker, but you need to change the water regularly to ensure the bacons temperature doesnt rise above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, theres a risk of spreading bacteria if the bacons packaging is perforated.
If you’re trying to cook frozen bacon but can’t get the slices to separate, the microwave is probably your best bet. Low power or the defrost setting should be used in the microwave to cook the bacon. Microwave it for 30 seconds at a time. You don’t have to let it thaw all the way, though. After a short time, the outer slices should be easier to peel off.
Remember that bacon partially defrosted in water or the microwave must be cooked immediately. Even if the bacon is still mostly frozen, you cannot put it back in the freezer for storage.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon
FAQ
Is it safe to cook frozen bacon?
How do you cook frozen bacon without defrosting it?
Can you cook bacon in the oven frozen?
How do you quick thaw frozen bacon?