Bacon is a breakfast staple loved by many. Who doesn’t enjoy waking up to the irresistible aroma of sizzling bacon? But cooking bacon can sometimes be a hassle, with grease splattering everywhere and having to watch the bacon closely so it doesn’t burn. However, there’s an easy way to cook bacon to crispy perfection without any mess – in a pot!
Cooking bacon in a pot is a game changer. The pot contains the grease splatter so your stovetop stays clean. It allows you to cook a lot of bacon at once, perfect for feeding a crowd And it results in consistently crispy bacon every time. Once you try this method, you’ll never go back to cooking bacon in a skillet again!
Benefits of Cooking Bacon in a Pot
Here are some of the biggest benefits of cooking your bacon in a pot rather than a skillet
-
No splattering grease: The pot contains all the grease so you don’t get bacon splatters all over your stovetop or have to deal with a mess to clean up afterwards.
-
Cooks evenly: Bacon cooks more evenly when it’s in a pot with a lid and cooking liquid and steam around it. No more some undercooked and some burnt pieces.
-
Cooks a lot at once: You can cook a whole package of bacon at the same time in a pot, perfect for big breakfasts or brunches.
-
Saves time: It takes just 10-15 minutes start to finish. No need for constant monitoring and flipping like with skillet cooking.
-
Adds flavor: The bacon infuses the cooking liquid with smoky, salty, meaty flavor you can use for other recipes.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Bacon in a Pot
Anyone can cook bacon in a pot if they follow these easy steps:
What You’ll Need:
- 1 pound bacon
- Pot with lid (a 5-6 quart pot works well)
- Water
- Slotted spoon
- Plate lined with paper towels
Instructions:
-
Cut the bacon strips in half crosswise so they fit better in the pot.
-
Add 1-2 inches of water to the bottom of the pot (enough to cover the bottom) and place over high heat. Bring the water to a boil.
-
Once boiling, use tongs to add the bacon slices to the pot in a single layer. Work in batches if needed to not overcrowd.
-
Put the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to medium. Cook for 8-12 minutes, until the bacon is cooked through but still flexible.
-
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. This will drain any excess grease.
-
Pour the bacon grease into a heatproof container for storage and future use.
-
Enjoy your perfectly cooked, crispy bacon!
And that’s it! The steam created in the covered pot cooks the bacon through while the boiling water renders out the fat for crispy bacon every time.
Tips for Cooking Bacon in a Pot
-
Choose a heavy pot with a tight fitting lid to contain splatters. Any pot material (cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic, etc) will work.
-
Use enough water to cover the bottom of the pot, about 1-2 inches. Too much water will lead to soggy bacon.
-
Cut bacon strips in half so they lay flat in the pot. Whole strips may curl up on the edges.
-
Cook over medium heat once the water boils. High heat may burn the bacon.
-
Stir the bacon halfway through for even cooking.
-
Cook times will vary based on bacon thickness. Thicker cuts take longer.
-
Drain bacon on paper towels before serving. This absorbs excess grease.
-
Adjust cook times up or down to reach your perfect level of crispness.
-
Save that bacon grease! It’s great for cooking eggs, Brussels sprouts, potatoes and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to cooking bacon in a pot, chances are you have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common ones:
Why do you need the water?
The water is key for even cooking and crisping. It helps render the fat out of the bacon steadily, prevents burning or sticking, and creates steam to cook the bacon through.
Do I really need to use a pot and not a skillet?
Yes, for this method a pot is best. The deeper sides contain splatters while the lid traps steam for perfect cooking. A skillet would lead to a greasy stovetop mess.
What if all the water boils off before the bacon is done?
No worries, the bacon will continue to cook in the rendered bacon fat. You may need to reduce the heat slightly to prevent burning if the water fully evaporates before the cook time is up.
Can I cook bacon from frozen in a pot?
You sure can! Just add a few extra minutes to the cook time. The boiling water will help thaw and cook frozen bacon slices.
What should I do with the leftover bacon grease?
Strain it through a mesh sieve into a heatproof container. Then store it in the fridge for up to 6 months. Use it for cooking veggies, eggs, roast potatoes and more for extra flavor.
What if my bacon curls up in the pot?
If using whole slices, they may curl up on the edges when cooking. To prevent this, cut slices in half before adding to the pot so they lay flat.
My bacon is undercooked/overcooked. How can I fix it?
Adjust your cook time up or down by a few minutes until you achieve the perfect level of doneness for your preference. Thinner or thicker cuts will vary cook times.
Delicious Ways to Use Bacon Cooked in a Pot
Now that you know how easy it is to cook a bunch of bacon at once in a pot, let those creative bacon juices flow! Here are some delicious ways to use up all that perfectly crispy, flavored bacon:
-
BLT sandwiches – Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes and mayo or aioli pair perfectly with a pile of crunchy pot-cooked bacon. For an extra punch of flavor, use the reserved bacon fat instead of mayo or butter when toasting the bread!
-
Breakfast tacos – Chop up some bacon and pair it with scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa and avocado in a warm tortilla for a mouthwatering breakfast taco.
-
Loaded baked potatoes – Top baked russet potatoes with crispy bacon bits, cheddar cheese, sautéed onions and a dollop of sour cream.
-
Bacon mac and cheese – Toss crispy bacon into any mac and cheese recipe for the ultimate comfort food.
-
Cobb salad – Top lettuce with bacon, hard boiled eggs, avocado, tomato, chicken and blue cheese for a protein packed salad.
-
Bacon wrapped shrimp – Wrap large shrimp in bacon slices and bake or grill until the bacon is crisp.
-
Bacon onion jam – Caramelize onions in bacon fat then mix in chopped bacon for a sweet and savory jam perfect for burgers or sandwiches.
-
Bacon fat roasted vegetables – Roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, potatoes, or cauliflower in rendered bacon fat adds insane depth of flavor.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when you have perfectly cooked bacon ready to go thanks to cooking it in a pot. This game changing technique makes crispy bacon a breeze. Once you try it, you’ll never want to bother with skillet frying bacon again. So grab a pot, some bacon, and get cooking!
Step 3: Soaking the Bacon
The sink is cleaned, then filled with cold water. The bacon is soaked for at least 20 minutes before it is cooked. When bacon is properly cured, it tastes better with and without salt, but after being rinsed well, it doesn’t taste that salty when you eat it. I do the same with hams.
Step 4: Managing the Fat
I recommend putting newspaper around the stove and to put under the smaller pot with the steamer. The steamer is only for straining, and the newspaper is there to keep you from making a huge mess if you spill some. The newspaper around the stove also catches spittle, and generally makes cleanup easier in the long run. You just put the bacon in the steamer as it’s done, and the fat will drain into the pot. You can keep cooking. If you need to, pour the fat into glass jars with lids—no plastic here! Put the bacon in the roaster after it has mostly drained. While it drains, you can start the next wave.