A Step-by-Step Guide to Cutting Bacon Crosswise for Even Cooking

To cook bacon until it’s perfectly crispy and meaty, you need to cut it right so it cooks evenly. For the best texture and flavor, cut bacon across, or perpendicular to the long muscle fibers. This guide will teach you how to cut bacon crosswise, why it’s better than cutting it lengthwise, and how to cook perfect crispy bacon every time.

Why Cut Bacon Crosswise?

Cutting bacon crosswise provides several advantages over slicing lengthwise with the muscle fibers

• Muscle fibers that are shorter: cutting the muscle fibers across the grain makes them shorter, which helps them cook faster and more evenly.

• Tender texture – Shorter fibers mean the bacon is less chewy and more tender when cooked.

• Faster, even cooking – Without long intact muscle fibers, crosswise bacon doesn’t curl and cooks consistently from end to end.

• Ideal for carbonara – Smaller pieces cling better to pasta in a carbonara dish and get coated in sauce.

• Crispier results – The many edges on crosswise slices means more surface area gets perfectly crisp.

• Better fat rendering – With more exposed fat, it renders out more completely during cooking.

Crosswise is clearly the best way to cut bacon for optimal enjoyment and cooking performance

Step-By-Step Guide to Cutting Bacon Crosswise

Follow these simple steps for perfect crosswise bacon slices every time:

1. Start with a Good Quality Pork Belly

Select a high quality, well-marbled pork belly that is roughly rectangular in shape. Avoid bellies with an irregular shape that will be difficult to slice evenly.

2. Place on a Cutting Board Horizontally

Lay the pork belly flat on a cutting board with the longest side parallel to the front edge of the board so the muscle fibers run left to right.

3. Slice Perpendicular to Muscle Fibers

Holding your knife perpendicular to the muscle fibers, carefully slice down through the pork belly to create strips, rotating the belly sideways as needed to cut more slices.

4. Cut to Desired Thickness

Continue slicing the bacon crosswise into strips of your desired thickness, between 1/8 to 1/4 inches is ideal. For pasta, approximately 1/2 inch cubes work well.

5. Separate Slices and Prepare to Cook

Separate the bacon slices and prepare to cook them by patting dry with paper towels. They are now ready for fried or oven baked bacon deliciousness!

Tips for Cooking Perfect Crosswise Bacon

Now that you’ve expertly sliced your bacon crosswise, follow these tips for cooking it to crispy perfection:

• Use a skillet – Fry bacon in a heavy skillet over medium heat to prevent burning.

• Cook low and slow – Keep heat lower to render fat slowly and cook evenly.

• Drain fat – Pour off excess grease as it accumulates to prevent sogginess.

• Turn frequently – Flip bacon strips often so all sides get evenly crisped.

• Blot grease – Remove bacon to paper towels to blot excess grease before serving.

• Don’t overcook – Stop cooking just before it gets brittle to retain some chewiness.

• Watch thin slices – Thinner cut bacon can overcook quickly so watch it closely.

Crosswise vs. Lengthwise Cuts for Other Foods

Crosswise and lengthwise slicing direction affects more than just bacon:

Vegetables – Lengthwise cuts make long uniform strips. Crosswise makes rounded slices.

Fruits – Lengthwise slices make spears or planks. Crosswise makes circular slices.

Meat – Cutting against the grain keeps meat tender. With the grain makes chewy strips.

Fish – delicate fillets are often cut crosswise into medallions which hold together better.

Consider fiber direction when cutting any food, not just bacon. Match the cut to how you plan to cook and serve the ingredients.

Common Questions about Cutting Bacon Crosswise

Is it better to cut bacon thick or thin?

Thinner bacon slices cook faster and more evenly. Thick bacon takes longer and may undercook in the center. About 1/8 inch slices are ideal.

Should I use a special bacon knife?

A long serrated knife works well, but any sharp chef’s knife can slice bacon crosswise. Just be cautious of slippery grease.

Is crosswise the same as against the grain?

Yes, cutting “across the grain” of the meat fibers is the same as crosswise slicing through them rather than lengthwise with them.

How small should I cut bacon for carbonara?

For carbonara, cut bacon into approximately 1/2 inch pieces or cubes to mix small crispy bits throughout the pasta.

What if my bacon curls when I fry it?

Curling happens when bacon is cut lengthwise with the muscle fibers left intact. Be sure to slice properly crosswise to keep slices flat.

Master Crosswise Bacon Slicing for Success

With the right technique, you can be a pro at slicing bacon crosswise for tender texture and even cooking. Follow the grain of the meat to make proper perpendicular cuts. Fry over gentle heat to achieve the perfect balance of crispy and chewy. Then enjoy your expertly cooked bacon on its own or mixed into favorite recipes like carbonara.