Dehydrating meat prolongs its shelf life, allowing you to rehydrate it later or enjoy as a dried food. Cooked bacon works well in a dehydrator and makes a protein-packed snack, salad topping or soup ingredient. Dehydrated bacon is also a good item to pack for extended hikes or camping trips. Look for a dehydrator at home supply stores.
To properly dry cooked bacon, an electric dehydrator is ideal. This product removes the moisture from the meat using electricity, which reduces the effort required to dry bacon. Use a skillet to cook the bacon and a fork for turning it. Before and while the bacon is drying, a roll of paper towels can be used to wipe off and soak up the grease. A plastic container or zip-top bag that doesn’t let air in is needed to store the dried bacon and keep it from going bad.
Before dehydrating bacon, cook the slices in a skillet until each is crisp and cooked through. Drain the bacon very well on paper towels. Fat that remains on the meat during dehydration may become rancid. Place the bacon strips in the drying tray of the dehydrator and put the tray into the machine. Cover it and turn the power on. Allow the bacon to dehydrate for about six to eight hours. Remove and store the dried bacon in a sealed container or bag.
Since there are different brands of dehydrators, it’s important to read the directions for the one you want to use before you start. Cooking times may be different depending on the brand. It’s best to use mesh sheets in your dehydrator to dry the bacon. Just put them in the drying trays. This helps drain the fat. Check the bacon every couple of hours. If needed, remove the lid and wipe any visible fat from the bacon before continuing the drying process. To create different flavors, try seasoning the bacon before drying it. Some things that go well with cooked bacon are cracked black pepper, maple syrup, and onion powder.
Drying cooked bacon reduces its weight and volume. One pound of cooked bacon typically results in only about 2 or 3 ounces of dried bacon. Choosing high-quality cuts of bacon produces better tasting dried bacon and less is lost due to fat content. Try using dried bacon as a seasoning for vegetable salads, bean soup or as a pizza topping.
Bacon is a kitchen staple for many. But have you thought about dehydrating bacon? Taking out the water can make bacon a crispy snack that stays fresh for a long time.
Dehydrating bacon is a great way to keep it fresh and make the smoky, salty flavor even stronger. This full guide will teach you how to dehydrate bacon the right way at home so that it stays crunchy and is easy to use.
Benefits of Dehydrating Bacon
Why consider dehydrating your bacon? Here are some of the biggest benefits:
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Extends shelf life – Dehydrated bacon can last for months stored properly, instead of just days for regular raw bacon.
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Boosts flavor—Taking away the water from bacon concentrates its savory taste for a fuller flavor.
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Reduces storage space – Dehydrated bacon takes up much less room than an equal amount of fresh bacon.
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Adds versatility – Use crumbled dehydrated bacon as a tasty topping for salads soups baked potatoes and more.
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Provides a crispy snack – Dehydrated bacon makes a salty, crispy chip-like snack that can be eaten by itself.
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Allows for bulk buying – Stock up on bacon when the price drops and dehydrate excess amounts.
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Improves food safety – Dehydration eliminates bacteria and molds more effectively than just cooking alone.
For bacon lovers, dehydrators offer an efficient way to make the most of your bacon by extending its lifespan and locking in that coveted bacon flavor.
How to Dehydrate Bacon in a Dehydrator
Using a food dehydrator is the easiest route for making crispy dehydrated bacon. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Start with Fully Cooked Bacon
To safely dehydrate bacon, it’s important to start with fully cooked and drained bacon.
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Cook the bacon using your preferred method until it’s fully browned and crispy. The oven or stove-top work equally well.
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Let the cooked bacon cool and drain on paper towels before dehydrating to remove excess fat.
Cooked and drained bacon helps the dehydration process go quickly and evenly.
2. Prepare the Dehydrator Trays
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Cover dehydrator trays with butcher paper or parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
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For easy fat removal, you can place cooking racks or mesh screens on top of the parchment paper.
3. Arrange the Cooked Bacon on Trays
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Lay the cooked bacon strips or chopped bacon pieces in a single layer, without overlapping, on the prepared trays.
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Make sure air can flow around each piece for even dehydrating.
4. Dehydrate at 140oF to 155oF
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Most dehydrators have a temperature setting in this ideal range for dehydrating meats like bacon.
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Higher temperatures can cause excess hardening and shriveling.
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Dehydrate for 6-8 hours, checking periodically until bacon reaches desired crispness.
5. Blot Fat During Dehydration
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After a few hours, use paper towels to blot fat that leaches out during dehydration.
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Wiping away excess fat helps the bacon dehydrate faster.
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Return bacon to dehydrator trays after blotting to finish dehydrating.
6. Check for Doneness
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Fully dehydrated bacon should be darkened in color, rigid, and brittle enough to snap when bent.
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If any moist spots remain, continue dehydrating until uniformly crispy.
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The crispier you dehydrate the bacon, the longer it will keep.
7. Cool, Store and Enjoy!
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Allow dehydrated bacon to cool completely before storage for maximum crunch..
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Store in airtight bags or jars out of direct sunlight.
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Enjoy as a crispy snack or use crushed as a flavorful topping for other foods.
Following this process will yield delicious dehydrated bacon crunchy enough to grind up and use anytime you need a blast of concentrated bacon flavor.
How to Dehydrate Bacon in the Oven
Don’t have a dehydrator? You can still dehydrate bacon in your oven with similar results:
1. Cook the Bacon Completely
Just like with dehydrator preparations, oven-dehydrated bacon should start fully cooked.
2. Preheat Oven to 200°F
Use the oven’s lowest temperature setting, ideally around 200°F. Higher heat risks over-hardening.
3. Place Bacon on Wire Racks
Arrange cooked bacon on oven racks or wire cooling racks set atop parchment lined baking sheets.
4. Dehydrate for 8-12 Hours
The low oven temperature needs ample time to fully dehydrate the bacon. Check regularly after 8 hours.
5. Blot Fat Periodically
Carefully remove trays and blot fat from bacon with paper towels during dehydration.
6. Check for Crispness
Fully dried oven bacon will be deep mahogany in color and brittle. If still moist, continue drying.
7. Cool and Store
Let oven dried bacon cool completely before storage for maximum crunch retention.
With patience, you can achieve excellent dehydrated bacon in a standard oven. Just be ready for a lengthier process taking up to 12 hours or more.
Tips for Successful Bacon Dehydration
Follow these tips for getting the best results when making your own crispy dehydrated bacon:
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Choose leaner bacon – Less fatty bacon dehydrates more evenly. Center-cut or turkey bacon work well.
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Cut in consistent sizes – Uniform sizing leads to even drying. Aim for 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch pieces.
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Rotate trays mid-dehydration – Switch up tray placement to ensure uniform drying.
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Fully pre-cook – Bacon must be fully cooked before dehydrating for food safety.
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Drain fat diligently – Removing leached fat during dehydration prevents fatty finished bacon.
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Dehydrate thoroughly – Bacon should be brittle and deep mahogany brown when fully dehydrated.
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Use promptly or store properly – Eat within 2 weeks, or seal tightly in freezer for up to 6 months.
Follow these tips and you’ll be rewarded with scrumptious crispy dehydrated bacon every time.
Testing Doneness of Dehydrated Bacon
Here are some ways to test when your bacon is fully dehydrated and ready for crunchy enjoyment:
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Color check – Bacon should be shrunken and darkened to a deep red-brown hue when fully dehydrated.
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Texture test – Properly dried bacon will be hardened and brittle enough that pieces snap when bent.
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Taste test – Fully dehydrated bacon will be intensely flavored with a satisfying crunch when you bite into a piece.
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No moist spots – Inspect closely and continue drying if you notice any sections that still look moist.
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Cool down check – Bacon that softens significantly when cooling is not fully dehydrated. Crispness should remain after cooling.
Using these simple tests will help ensure your dehydrated bacon has achieved the proper level of crunchy doneness for long lasting enjoyment.
How to Store Dehydrated Bacon
To keep homemade dehydrated bacon fresh as long as possible:
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Allow to fully cool before storage. Warm bacon will sweat and soften.
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Keep in airtight containers like mason jars or resealable plastic bags.
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Store in a cool, dark place away from heat, moisture and sunlight.
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Refrigeration can extend shelf life for up to 4 weeks.
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For storage up to 6 months, place sealed bacon bags or jars in freezer.
With proper storage conditions, dehydrated bacon can maintain optimal freshness and texture for future use.
Creative Ways to Use Dehydrated Bacon
Dehydrated bacon is delightfully versatile. Here are some creative ways to enjoy those crispy, crumbled bacon bits:
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Bacon bits on baked potatoes – For an easy upgrade to classic loaded potato skins.
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Crunch on salads and soups – Sprinkle on some crispy texture and seasoning.
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Seasoning for brassicas – Toss with Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, etc. before roasting.
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Flavoring for roasted nuts – Toss crunchy bacon bits with almonds, pecans or walnuts before roasting.
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Topping for mac and cheese – For an instant dose of bacon flavor.
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Bacon bits for snacking – Straight from the jar for a satisfying salty, crispy, on-the-go snack.
With so many possibilities, your homemade dehydrated bacon is sure to get used up quickly!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dehydrating Bacon
How long does dehydrated bacon last?
Stored properly in airtight containers out of sunlight, dehydrated bacon can last 2-4 weeks at room temperature or up to 6 months frozen.
What’s the best way to rehydrate dehydrated bacon?
You can briefly microwave crumbled pieces in 30 second bursts, or soak in hot water for 10-20 minutes until pliable. Pan frying also re-crisps. But it’s best used dried.
Is dehydrated bacon safe to eat?
Yes, as long as it’s fully cooked before dehydrating, stored properly, and consumed before mold appears, it is safe to eat dried bacon.
Can you dehydrate bacon without cooking it first?
No, raw bacon must be fully cooked before dehydrating for both food safety and even dehydration. Skipping cooking risks illness.
How long does it take to dehydrate bacon?
Using a dehydrator, expect 6-8 hours. In the oven at 200°F, drying time may be 8-12 hours. Times vary based on oven/dehydrator models.
Satisfy Your Bacon Fix Anytime
With the ability to make your own crispy dehydrated bacon at home, you can enjoy the convenience of bacon bits anytime. Dehydrating allows you to stock up on bacon when the prices are best. And you can take your signature homemade bacon flavoring with you by keeping zip-top bags stashed in your purse or backpack for a quick, tasty snack. So fire up your dehydrator or oven and make some extra crispy bacon today!
