How Long Should You Cook Thick Sliced Bacon in the Oven?

Cooking thick sliced bacon in the oven is one of the easiest ways to make crispy, delicious bacon at home. But knowing exactly how long to cook thick cut bacon can be tricky. Undercook it and your bacon will be limp and floppy. Cook it too long and your bacon will be dry and burnt. So what is the perfect oven baked bacon cooking time? Keep reading for tips on how long to cook thick sliced bacon in the oven for crispy, mouthwatering results every time.

What is Considered Thick Sliced Bacon?

First, let’s define what is meant by “thick sliced bacon.” Bacon slice thickness is measured in ounces per slice. Standard thin sliced bacon is around 0.7 ounces per slice. Thick sliced bacon is 0.9 ounces or more per slice. Basically, thick cut bacon is about 30% thicker than regular sliced bacon.

Some common thick sliced bacon brands are

• Wright Brand Thick Sliced Bacon – 1 oz per slice
• Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked Thick Cut Bacon – 1 oz per slice
• Hormel Black Label Thick Cut Bacon – 1.1 oz per slice
• Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Thick Sliced Bacon – 0.9 oz per slice

So if you see “thick cut” or “thick sliced” on the bacon packaging, it means the bacon is around 1 oz or more per slice. This thicker, meatier bacon needs a little extra oven time compared to thin bacon.

How Long to Cook Thick Cut Bacon in the Oven

Cooking times can vary a bit depending on how thick your thick cut bacon is and how crispy you like your bacon But in general, thick sliced bacon takes 15-25 minutes in a 400°F oven

Here are some more specific oven baked thick bacon cooking times based on slice thickness:

• 0.9 oz bacon slices – Cook for 15-18 minutes
• 1 oz bacon slices – Cook for 18-20 minutes
• 1.1 oz bacon slices – Cook for 20-25 minutes

To ensure even cooking, make sure the bacon slices aren’t overlapping each other on the baking sheet. Arrange them in a single layer with a little space between each slice.

Oven Baked Thick Bacon Tips

Follow these tips for perfectly crispy, oven-baked thick cut bacon every time:

• Use a rimmed baking sheet – This prevents the bacon grease from dripping off the pan as it cooks. Line the pan with foil for easy cleanup.

• Elevate the bacon on a rack – Placing a wire cooling rack on the baking sheet allows the bacon grease to drip down below the bacon as it cooks. This keeps the bacon from sitting in grease and prevents it from baking up limp.

• Bake at 400°F – This high heat helps render out the fat and crisps up the bacon nicely.

• Don’t preheat – Put the bacon straight into a cold oven, then turn the oven on. This gives the fat longer to render slowly before the pan gets hot.

• Cook to your preferred doneness – For soft bacon, cook just until browned. For crispy bacon, cook a few minutes longer until dark brown and slightly crisped.

• Blot grease after baking – After cooking, transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Blotting absorbs excess grease for crisper bacon.

• Save the bacon grease! – Let the grease cool in the baking pan, then store it in the fridge or freezer. Use it for cooking later on.

How Long Does Cooked Bacon Last?

Like any cooked meat, baked bacon is perishable and needs to be stored properly to maximize freshness and shelf life. Here’s how long cooked bacon lasts:

• Room temperature: 2 hours
• Refrigerator: 5-7 days
• Freezer: 1-2 months

To extend the shelf life, refrigerate or freeze any leftover baked bacon within 2 hours of cooking. Store cooked bacon pieces in a sealed container to prevent them from drying out in the fridge or freezer.

Reheat leftover bacon in the microwave or a skillet until hot and sizzling before eating. Don’t keep reheating bacon over and over again—reheat it just once for food safety.

More Ways to Cook Bacon

While baking it in the oven is hands-down the easiest route, here are a few other ways to cook up delicious bacon:

• On the stovetop: Fry bacon in a skillet on the stove over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned and crispy. The classic method!

• In the microwave: Place bacon between paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Cook on High in 30 second intervals until done.

• On the grill: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat. Cook the bacon over direct heat, flipping occasionally, until crisp.

• In the air fryer: Arrange bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway through.