How to Cook Bacon Ahead and Reheat It Perfectly Later

Bacon is a versatile ingredient that can add flavorful crunch and savory richness to so many dishes. However, frying up bacon for each meal can be time-consuming and messy. Luckily there are easy methods to cook bacon ahead in bulk and then simply reheat portions as needed.

With a few tips for proper cooking, cooling, storing, and reheating, you can enjoy perfect pre-made bacon anytime. Keep reading to learn how to cook and prep bacon in advance to save time, avoid daily frying hassles, and always have it ready to enjoy.

Benefits of Cooking Bacon Ahead

Pre-cooking bacon offers several advantages:

• Saves time – skipping daily cooking and only reheating as needed

• More convenient – ready whenever you need a few slices

• Cooks large batches – make enough for a crowd in one go

• Avoids mess of regular stovetop frying

• Adds to meals easily – crumble on salads, pasta, etc

• Lasts for storage – can be refrigerated or frozen

With the right prep and storage methods, pre-cooked bacon keeps its texture and taste for quick weekday breakfasts, salads, baked potatoes, sandwiches, and any recipe calling for bacon bits.

How to Cook Bacon for Later Use

To start, choose a pack of high-quality, thick-cut bacon. Thinner slices tend to overcook and burn faster. Thick chops hold up better for pre-cooking.

The oven provides an easy mess-free way to cook large batches of bacon evenly. Here are step-by-step oven-baking instructions:

Ingredients:

• 1-2 pounds bacon slab, sliced thick
• Rimmed baking sheets
• Parchment paper or foil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.

3. Arrange bacon slices in single layer on sheets without overlapping.

4. Bake 15-18 minutes, flip bacon, then bake 10 more minutes until desired crispness.

5. Remove from oven and transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plates to cool and drain.

6. Store cooled bacon in airtight containers refrigerated up to 1 week.

The exact oven time will depend on thickness and desired crispness. Cook less for chewier texture.

How to Freeze and Thaw Bacon

For extended storage, bacon can be frozen up to 2-3 months:

• Cool bacon completely after cooking.

• Place slices between parchment paper in a freezer bag or airtight container.

• Remove desired number of slices as needed.

• Thaw overnight in fridge or for quicker use, microwave 15 seconds.

Frozen pre-cooked bacon maintains its taste and texture excellently when thawed and reheated.

Tips for Reheating Bacon

Bacon can be quickly revived and crisped back up in several ways:

• Skillet – Cook briefly over medium-high, 1-2 minutes per side.

• Oven – Reheat on baking sheet at 375°F, 4-8 minutes.

• Microwave – 30 seconds to 1 minute on a microwave-safe plate.

• Toaster/broiler – Place in toaster oven or under broiler 1-2 minutes.

For best results, use medium-high dry heat to recrisp the bacon’s texture after refrigerating or freezing rather than boiling or steaming which can make it limp.

Serving and Using Pre-Cooked Bacon

Reheated pre-made bacon tastes delicious on its own or chopped/crumbled over these recipes:

• Breakfast dishes – Eggs, pancakes, hashbrowns

• Burgers, sandwiches, wraps

• Salads – BLT, wedge, spinach

• Baked potatoes – Fully loaded

• Soups – Potato, tomato, broccoli

• Pizza, pasta – Bacon bits

• Brussel sprouts, green beans – Sauted with bacon

• Dips and spreads – Bacon jam, creamy bacon dip

• Meat dishes – Bacon-wrapped chicken, shrimp, meatloaf

With ready-to-go cooked bacon in the fridge or freezer, it’s easy to incorporate into many meals.

Storing Leftover Raw Bacon

For saving unused raw bacon, refrigerate up to 7 days in the packaging or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil. To freeze, wrap well and store raw bacon up to 2 months. Defrost overnight before cooking.

Safety Tips

When cooking bacon ahead:

• Use leftover cooked bacon within 4 days refrigerated.

• Store frozen bacon no more than 2-3 months for best quality.

• Reheat fully to 165°F.

• Avoid letting cooked bacon sit out at room temp more than 2 hours.

Proper food handling preserves safety.

Convenient Pre-Cooked Bacon

With minimal effort, you can have a stash of ready-to-use crispy hot bacon on hand anytime. Prepping large oven-cooked batches and freezing portions lets you skip frying for each meal. Save yourself time while enjoying tasty bacon in dozens of dishes by cooking it ahead.