There’s no replacing the savory, salty crunch of bacon. Almost every dish can have this meat added to it in some way. It goes well with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
With that in mind, you may keep your freezer stocked with at least one package of bacon. Having frozen bacon on hand is helpful, but it leaves us with the question of how to cook frozen bacon.
We’ll talk about whether or not frozen bacon needs to be thawed before it can be cooked. We’ll also talk about some common ways to cook frozen bacon. Table of Contents.
Bacon lardons are a staple ingredient in many classic French dishes. These small diced cubes of bacon add a smoky, salty punch of flavor. What if you don’t have any bacon that has been thawed? Can you cook lardons from frozen?
The short answer is yes With a bit of prep, you can absolutely cook delicious crispy lardons using frozen bacon. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including
- The benefits of cooking frozen lardons
- How to separate and prepare frozen lardons for cooking
- Different methods for cooking frozen lardons
- Tips for getting perfect results every time
- How to store cooked frozen lardons
So read on to become a pro at cooking up bacon lardons straight from the freezer!
Why Cook Lardons from Frozen?
Cooking bacon lardons from frozen can be very convenient for a few reasons
-
Have bacon on hand at all times. If you keep some frozen lardons on hand, you can make salads, pasta, and soups whenever you want.
-
Longer shelf life: bacon that is frozen will stay frozen for 4 to 6 months, which is a lot longer than bacon that is kept in the fridge.
-
Texture and shape: Cooking from frozen can help lardons hold their shape and get crispy edges.
-
Quick cooking: Lardons cook up fast, meaning you can go from freezer to plate in under 30 minutes.
So if you want to save time and steps in the kitchen, cooking bacon lardons from frozen is the way to go!
Preparing Frozen Lardons for Cooking
Frozen lardons often clump together in a solid block, so you’ll need to separate them before cooking. Here are two easy methods:
Gently Break Apart
If the lardons are only lightly frozen, you may be able to gently break apart the cubes with your fingers or the back of a spoon. Work slowly to separate them.
Defrost Slightly
Run the frozen lardons under cool water for 1-2 minutes or microwave for 10-20 seconds to slightly defrost the outside. The lardons can then be more easily broken up.
Once the lardons are separated, pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Excess water will cause splattering when cooking.
How to Cook Bacon Lardons from Frozen
You can cook frozen lardons many ways, including in the skillet, oven, air fryer and microwave.
Skillet Method
This traditional stovetop method provides classic crispy lardons perfect for pasta carbonara, salads, soups and more.
You’ll need:
- Frozen lardons, separated
- Non-stick skillet
- Spatula
Instructions:
-
Heat skillet over medium heat and add lardons in a single layer.
-
Cook 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally, until browned and sizzling.
-
Transfer lardons to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Oven Method
The oven allows you to cook a large batch of lardons evenly. It also leaves your stovetop free for other cooking tasks.
You’ll need:
- Frozen lardons, separated
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Instructions:
-
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Arrange lardons in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until crispy.
-
Allow to cool slightly before use.
Air Fryer Method
The air fryer is great for getting super crispy, crunchy lardons without the mess and splatter of frying.
You’ll need:
- Frozen lardons, separated
- Air fryer
- Cooking spray (optional)
Instructions:
-
Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Spray basket with cooking spray if desired.
-
Add lardons to fryer basket in single layer.
-
Cook 8-10 minutes, shaking basket occasionally, until browned and sizzling.
Microwave Method
The microwave provides the quickest cooking time, making it ideal for small amounts or when you’re in a rush.
You’ll need:
- Frozen lardons, separated
- Microwave-safe plate
- Paper towel
Instructions:
-
Spread lardons on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer.
-
Cover with a paper towel and microwave on high 2-3 minutes.
-
Check and stir every minute until crisp.
-
Drain on paper towels before use.
Tips for Perfect Lardons Every Time
Follow these handy tips for delicious crispy bacon lardons when cooking from frozen:
-
Separate lardons fully so they cook evenly. Partially frozen clumps won’t get crispy.
-
Pat lardons very dry after defrosting to prevent splattering during cooking.
-
Use medium high heat and watch closely to prevent burning.
-
Cook in a single layer and flip frequently for even browning.
-
Adjust cook times based on your appliance and degree of doneness desired.
-
Blot grease after cooking but don’t over-dry. Lardons should glisten.
Storing and Reheating Cooked Frozen Lardons
Cooked frozen lardons will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. To reheat, cook in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through, 1-2 minutes.
You can also freeze any extra cooked lardons up to 3 months. To use frozen pre-cooked lardons, defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Get Creative with Frozen Lardons!
Now that you know frozen lardons can easily be cooked from frozen, get creative with ways to use them! Beyond salads, pasta and soups, try adding crispy frozen lardons to:
- Quiche
- Frittatas
- Breakfast tacos
- Baked potatoes
- Bruschetta
- Cheese boards
You can also wrap foods like seafood, chicken breasts or asparagus in partially frozen lardons before baking or grilling.
So next time you come across a recipe calling for bacon lardons, don’t let a lack of thawed bacon stop you. Just pull those frozen lardons from the freezer and cook up a storm!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook frozen lardons?
Cooking time will vary based on method, but plan for 50% longer than fresh lardons. Most recipes call for 6-15 minutes cook time depending on desired crispiness.
Should I thaw lardons before cooking?
You don’t need to thaw lardons before cooking. Cooking from frozen works well, just allow extra time.
What’s the best way to separate frozen lardons?
Gently break apart with fingers or defrost slightly under cool water or the microwave. Take care not to overheat.
Can you refreeze cooked frozen lardons?
Yes, cooked frozen lardons can be refrigerated 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost refrigerated lardons before reuse.
What ingredients pair well with bacon lardons?
Eggs, potatoes, cheese, seafood, chicken, pasta, green salads, and vegetables all pair deliciously with crispy, salty lardons.
So go ahead, grab those frozen lardons from the freezer and start cooking! With the help of this guide, you’ll be a pro at cooking up perfect crispy bacon lardons from frozen in your choice of appliance.
How to Thaw Frozen Bacon
It’s not necessary to thaw frozen bacon before cooking, but it can help you handle the strips more easily and cook them faster. When you want to make Oven Roasted Bacon Wrapped Asparagus or Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potatoes, you need to wrap bacon strips around other foods.
If you’re not in a rush, you can thaw bacon in the refrigerator. Close a frozen bacon package and put it in the fridge. The bacon will thaw over the course of the day. This method works great if you’re planning to cook a bacon-filled dish the next day.
That being said, if you want to eat your frozen bacon a few hours later, you’ll need to use faster defrosting methods.
One method is to place the sealed package of bacon in a bowl filled with cold water. Because the water speeds up the thawing process, a pound of bacon will be ready to cook in thirty minutes.
Another quick thawing method is using the defrost setting on your microwave. Before you begin thawing, remove the frozen bacon from the plastic packaging and set it on a plate. Since microwaves have different amounts of power, you should check on your bacon every minute. It should be ready in five minutes.
There are many ways to cook bacon after it has been frozen. You can use the stove, the air fryer, or the oven.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon
Bigger pieces of meat, like chicken breasts and pork butts, need to thaw before cooking. But bacon can go straight from the freezer to the stove. However, you will need to separate the individual strips of bacon before cooking.
If your strips are stuck together, try prying them apart with your hands or a fork. If this is too hard, you can run cold water over the bacon for a few minutes to make it a little less frozen.
After cutting frozen bacon into strips, you can cook them in any way you would cook thawed bacon. The only difference is that the strips will take a few minutes longer to cook.