There are millions of searches done on the Internet each day. Many of them have something to do with bacon! Pictures of dogs eating bacon instantly go viral. Bacon science facts are everywhere. Some argue that bacon goes with anything, there is bacon ice cream for example. Is bacon one of those foods that, like magic dust sprinkled all over the kitchen, makes every dish better?
Whether you get a bacon
Most bacon lovers have a preference for the way their bacon is cooked. Some prefer a chewier, softer piece, still a bit flabby and flopping around. Others prefer a crisp, crust-like bacon that crumbles when you bite into it. Color can be a perfect indicator to regardless of your preference.
If you are a vegan or vegetarian, you may have stopped reading this article at this point. We hope you didn’t, because fake bacon has its own color scheme. Click here to learn more.
Crispy bacon certainly has its devotees There’s no denying the delicious appeal of those shatteringly crisp cooked strips But if you’re in the camp that prefers your bacon on the tender and chewy side, ordering it out can be hit or miss. More often than not, you end up with a plate of carbonized crunchy bits rather than the tender meaty bacon of your dreams.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! With a few simple tricks, you can order bacon from any restaurant or diner that comes out perfectly chewy and never crispy
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The best words to use when ordering chewy bacon
- Extra steps to request while ordering
- How to order bacon as part of other dishes
- Tips for sending back bacon that comes out wrong
- What to do if the restaurant just can’t get it right
Plus plenty of tips to get your chewy bacon order just right every time. Let’s dive in!
Use Specific Descriptors When Ordering
To make sure your order comes out right use very explicit terms when ordering to convey that you want chewy and pliable bacon not crispy or crunchy. Here are good phrases to use
- “I’d like my bacon cooked chewy, not too crisp.”
- “Please make my bacon extra limp and not at all crispy.”
- “I want my bacon thoroughly cooked but still nice and pliable, not brittle.”
- “Can I get the bacon well-done but still tender, not crunchy?”
Avoid wishy-washy terms like “not too crispy” or the kitchen may still make it quite crisp in their view. Be very explicit in requesting “chewy” and “limp.”
Request Thick-Cut Bacon
Thinner bacon tends to overcook into brittle crispness much faster. When ordering, specifically request thick-cut or thick-sliced bacon which will remain tender and chewy even when well-done.
If you don’t know the bacon thickness, just request “thick-cut” as a safe bet.
Order Bacon as an Extra Ingredient
When bacon is an added ingredient rather than the main dish, chewiness is more likely. For example, requesting chewy bacon on a burger or breakfast sandwich, chopped into a salad, or in an omelette.
The other ingredients help protect the bacon from overcooking to a crisp.
Ask for It to Be Cooked Low and Slow
While ordering, you can also request that your bacon is cooked slowly over low heat. This helps render the fat thoroughly while avoiding crisping up the meat too much.
Phrases like “low and slow” or “gentle heat” can help convey how you want it cooked.
Send Back Bacon That’s Too Crisp
If your chewy bacon order comes out too crispy:
- Politely point out it’s too crisp and you requested chewy.
- Ask very nicely if they’d please re-make it with more tenderness.
- Thank them for re-cooking it correctly for you.
Stay friendly and understanding – mistakes happen.
Consider Other Breakfast Meats
If you try all the tips but the restaurant just can’t seem to get chewy bacon right, consider ordering a different breakfast meat instead. Sausage, ham, or Canadian bacon may come closer to the tender and chewy texture you crave.
How to Cook Chewy Bacon at Home
When cooking bacon yourself at home, you have full control to get the exact chewy texture you love.
-
Choose a thick-cut bacon, at least 1/8 inch slices.
-
Cook over medium-low heat in a skillet.
-
Frequently flip with tongs while cooking.
-
Pull from heat before crisping.
-
Bake in oven at a low 300°F.
-
Add a bit of water to the skillet.
Get Perfectly Chewy Bacon Every Time
Crispy bacon may be the default, but with the right ordering techniques, you can request bacon out at any restaurant or diner that comes out exactly like you love it – perfectly chewy and tender every time.
The key is being explicit up front, using very clear vocabulary like “limp” and “chewy.” Don’t be shy about sending it back if they over-crisp your order. With the right approach, you can ensure moist, tender bacon that never dries out or burns. Give these tips a try for bacon bliss!
Bring Home the Bacon and Check the Color in the Pan
Some might say that the best color for bacon is the one you can’t see because it’s already in your mouth, but let’s take our time looking at the colors while we smell the bacon. The color of bacon right out of the package ranges from white to pale and darker pinks.
A quick peek of the bacon underneath the Munsell 7.5R Chart reveals all the variety of colors.
From raw to cooked enough to be safe, for those who like a more chewy bacon experience.
A view with the Munsell 7.5R color chart.
Taking a look at the bacon fat with the White Page.
Moving on to crispy bacon. Notice how the fat shifts to yellow hues and the meaty parts turn browner.
With the Munsell 7.5R chart.
For those that like things really well done.
You could say this one is “off the charts.”
Bacon alternatives are made from many different combinations of ingredients, typically soy as the common denominator.
The fake bacon strips when they are uncooked. Still using the 7.5R chart.
Chewy, cooked fake bacon. Notice not much shift in color.
Crispy fake bacon. Darker around the edges but fairly consistent in color in the center.
A Bacon Code Just for You
Professionals who work with food color standards reference the Munsell system. Cooking can be a great opportunity to sharpen your color notation skills. We think it’s time for you and your bacon to reach this professional level! While you’re making this Epic Meal Time bacon tree, learn more about the Munsell color tree. The Munsell system can match every little difference in the color of bacon as it cooks to the right color. Give it a try yourself. And if you are looking for other food matching opportunities, see the blog on turkey color.