Ah, bacon: a crispy, savory delicacy we can’t get enough of. The best way to cook it has been debated for a long time by foodies. We’re sure it’s the best breakfast meat of all them. Pan-frying is the old-school way to cook a few strips. You don’t have to watch it closely while it cooks, and the heat is more evenly distributed in an oven than in a pan, so the results are crisp all the way through. Baking it may be the new favorite.
Recently, one viral method that we’d never heard of before came across our Instagram feed: boiling. We were skeptical…though we couldn’t help but bite. Read on for the technique, our test and the results.
We first came across this hack in a viral video by Roice Bethel, the brains behind @noflakeysalt. Bethel starts the Instagram post, which has more than a million likes since June, by saying, “If you want perfectly crispy bacon, you need to boil it. I know that sounds like it wouldn’t work, but it does.” ”.
He says that bacon is made up of muscle (the dark part) and fat (the white part). Muscle cooks quickly, but fat takes longer to crisp up. He then places bacon strips in a cold pan and adds just enough water to cover them.
He says, “The water keeps the temperature from rising too high, which gives the fat time to render out.” “So, the meat and the fat finish cooking at the same time. When all the water is gone, the bacon is nice and crispy, the meat isn’t overcooked or burned, and the fat is just right. ”.
The comments are, understandably, divided. A lot of people who leave comments say they love baking bacon and that the oven always gives them great results with no trouble. Some, however, sing out in support of Bethel:
“Big momma neva added water & she cooked it right err time. Y’all can have this….”
We understand why Bethel did what he did, and the results looked great, but isn’t moisture the enemy of crispness? We tried this unusual method to see if it really works.
Crispy, salty, smoky bacon is the star of many breakfast tables. But cooking it in pools of hot grease isn’t exactly heart healthy. Could boiling bacon be a healthier alternative to frying it in a pan?
Boiling bacon has some potential benefits, but there are also downsides to consider. Let’s take a closer look at whether boiling bacon is truly better for you or not
How Does Boiling Bacon Work?
Boiling bacon involves submerging raw bacon strips in a pot of simmering water and cooking them until done As the water gently heats the bacon, the fat renders out into the water rather than sitting in the pan and becoming grease you either pour off or eat
This cooking method yields tender moist bacon without the constant risk of burning it like you have with skillet cooking. It takes longer than frying, but the process is fairly hands-off.
Potential Benefits of Boiled Bacon
At first glance, boiling bacon seems like it could offer some health advantages over high-heat frying. Here are a few of the touted benefits:
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Less fat absorption – Since the rendered fat steeps into the water rather than the bacon sitting in grease, you may absorb a bit less.
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Lower carcinogen risk – Frying bacon at high heat can produce carcinogens called nitrosamines. Boiling minimizes this risk.
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Tender texture – The moist heat helps keep the bacon tender rather than crisp.
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Easier cooking – With no need to carefully watch and flip the bacon in a skillet, boiling is more hands-off.
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Versatile uses – The tender texture of boiled bacon makes it ideal for recipes like salads, sandwiches, or wraps.
At first glance, boiling does appear to be a healthier and easier bacon cooking method. But there are also some downsides to keep in mind.
Potential Downsides of Boiled Bacon
While the perceived benefits of boiling bacon seem compelling, this cooking method does have some potential drawbacks as well:
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Less flavor – Boiling leaches out some of the signature smoky, salty, meaty bacon flavor into the water.
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No crispy texture – If you love crispy bacon, boiling gives you limp, soggy strips instead.
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Water disposal – You’ll need to properly dispose of the hot bacon-flavored water rather than reusing bacon grease.
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Incomplete cooking – If not boiled long enough, bacon can still contain harmful bacteria.
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Nutrient loss – Some vitamins and minerals may leach into the water.
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Fat intake still moderately high – While less fat absorption occurs compared to frying, boiled bacon still contains plenty of fat.
So boiling bacon does result in some tradeoffs compared to pan frying. You lose the signature taste, crispy texture, and some nutrients while still taking in a good amount of fat.
Is Boiled Bacon Healthier Than Fried?
Given the pros and cons, is boiling actually a healthier way to cook bacon? Here are some key considerations:
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Boiled bacon absorbs 2-5% less fat than pan-fried, so the calorie and fat savings are marginal.
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Nitrosamine formation drops 90% lower when boiling compared to high-heat frying. But lower-temp frying minimizes this too.
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Certain vitamins like niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 decline up to 40% more when boiling versus frying.
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Pesticide residues are 30% higher in boiled bacon since frying degrades more of these compounds.
So ultimately, boiling bacon doesn’t offer dramatically improved nutrition or health benefits compared to responsibly pan frying. You’ll ingest slightly less fat, but lose some nutrients and flavors in the process.
Tips for Boiling Bacon
If you want to give boiling bacon a try, keep these tips in mind:
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Use a thick-cut bacon with ample meat. Ultra-thin bacon will disintegrate.
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Keep the water at a gentle simmer, not a vigorous boil.
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Allow 10-15 minutes for thick-cut bacon, less time for thinner slices.
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Drain the cooked bacon on paper towels before serving to remove excess moisture.
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Add herbs and spices to the water for more flavor infused into the bacon as it cooks.
Healthier Ways to Cook Bacon
While boiling bacon isn’t necessarily healthier than frying, you can still take steps to make normally fried bacon a bit better for you:
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Opt for uncured bacon without added nitrites.
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Cook at medium-low heat to avoid burning the bacon.
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Lay bacon strips on a rack rather than directly in the grease.
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Coat the pan with olive oil instead of using bacon grease.
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Blot cooked bacon with paper towels to soak up excess grease.
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Incorporate bacon into recipes like omelets and salads rather than eating it alone.
So Is Boiling Bacon Healthy? The Bottom Line…
Boiling bacon does offer a few potential perks like less fat absorption and nitrosamine formation compared to high-heat frying. However, you lose some of bacon’s signature texture, taste, and nutrients in the process.
Overall, boiling bacon is no magic bullet for a healthy breakfast. Responsibly pan-frying bacon at reasonable temperatures or incorporating it into balanced recipes are likely better options than simply boiling your bacon.
If you do opt to boil bacon, allow it to cook sufficiently to kill bacteria but avoid overcooking it. Pairing it with vegetables, eggs, or whole grains can offset some of the fat and sodium as well.
At the end of the day, most cooking methods make bacon a high-fat, high-sodium food. So no matter which way you cook it, be sure to enjoy those crispy, savory strips in moderation as part of an overall nutritious diet.
How We Tested the Hack
We followed Bethel’s instructions to a T. We put four cheap strips of thick-cut bacon in a big, cold skillet and then added just enough water to cover the bacon. The man didn’t say how hot to make it, so we set it to medium and waited for the water to begin to bubble.
We did the same thing he does and kept doing it as the water started to evaporate. He flips the bacon many times before it even starts to brown. (It fully evaporated after about 15 minutes. Once the water was gone, we kept cooking the bacon for another 27 minutes, or until the strips looked crispy all the way through. We cooked them for three more minutes just to be safe. We finally transferred the strips to a paper towel-lined paper plate to drain and cool.
The results were surprisingly delicious. The bacon was cooked all the way through and was crispy all over. The fatty parts were a little softer than the meaty parts, but not so much that they were chewy. Many people had said they thought the water would make the bacon taste less good, so we were surprised by how good it was.
That being said, the process is kind of…unappetizing to watch. The fat separates and floats around in the water before it renders. When the cloudy, fat-infused water is almost gone, you can hear the bacon really begin to sizzle. Once the water is gone, it’s business as usual. The bacon didn’t spat out hot grease, and the water made it easy to scrape off the bits that stuck to the pan when we were done. If the whole bubbling-pan-of-fat-and-smoke thing intimidates you, boiling may just become your favorite method for cooking bacon. ).
The main con? It took 30 minutes from start to finish. Depending on how thick the bacon is, baking takes 10 to 20 minutes. Pan-frying takes 10 to 12 minutes. In the end, boiling is more time-consuming, but arguably less stressful and foolproof for beginners. If you’re cooking for a crowd, baking is easiest. For breakfast in a hurry, pan-frying is definitely your best bet.
But still…that was pretty cool. Science, right?
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. She used to work as a bartender and barista, and since 2016, she’s been writing about all things tasty for Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine, and Taste Talks. There, she writes recipes, reviews restaurants, and looks into food trends. She eats popcorn for dinner and posts about it on Instagram (@cookingwithpire) when she’s not testing TikTok’s newest hit recipe.
How to Cook Bacon So It’s Crispy, Tender, and the Most Perfect Ever
FAQ
Is boiling bacon good for you?
What is the healthiest way to cook bacon?
Can you boil bacon and eat it?
How long should you boil bacon for?
Is boiled bacon healthy?
While boiled bacon is a delicious treat, it’s important to note that it is not a health food. The boiling process does not remove all of the bacon’s fat, and it still contains a significant amount of saturated fat. Consume boiled bacon in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
How long do you boil Bacon?
Boil for 10-15 Minutes: Boil the bacon for 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches your desired doneness. For crispy bacon, boil for a longer period. 5. Remove and Drain: Remove the bacon from the water and drain on paper towels. Pat dry to remove excess moisture.
What is boiled bacon used for?
The water used to boil bacon, known as bacon broth, can be a delicious addition to various recipes. It can be used as a base for soups, stews, or even as a flavorful liquid to cook vegetables, beans, or rice in. The bacon-infused broth adds a savory depth of flavor to any dish. What are some popular dishes that use boiled bacon?
Why is boiled bacon better than frying?
Unique texture: Boiling bacon gives it a softer texture compared to frying or baking. It becomes tender and easy to bite into. Enhanced flavor: Boiling the bacon infuses it with the flavors of the liquid you use, resulting in a deliciously seasoned end product. Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly boiled bacon: