Can You Boil Bacon in Soup? A Complete Guide

There are cranberry beans and bacon in this easy bean and bacon soup. It makes a quick dinner that you can eat all week.

I cook mostly with canned beans and have never cooked with dry beans before. I was so happy to learn that cranberry beans can be used in soup after only an hour of simmering. I chose to cook the beans slowly and then drain them before adding them to the soup with the rest of the ingredients.

Bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor kick to many soups and stews. But instead of frying it up first, can you simply toss raw bacon into the pot and let it cook in the soup? The short answer is yes, you can absolutely boil bacon right in the soup!

When properly executed, boiling bacon in soup is a simple, hands-off technique that infuses the broth with delicious flavor However, there are a few tips and tricks to boiling bacon perfectly so it comes out with just the right texture

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about boiling bacon in soup, including:

The benefits of boiling vs. frying bacon for soup
What types of bacon work best
How to monitor cook times for perfect texture
Flavor and health considerations
Step-by-step instructions and recipes

So grab your favorite soup pot let’s get boiling!

Why Boil Bacon in Soup?

There are a few advantages to boiling bacon directly in soup rather than frying it separately:

Maximizes flavor infusion – Boiling allows the bacon to release its smoky, salty flavor directly into the surrounding broth.

Easy hands-off cooking – No need to cook the bacon beforehand. Just add it to the soup and let it boil.

Fewer dishes – Skip dirtying an extra pan by frying. Boil the bacon in the same pot with the soup.

Better nutrition – Boiling renders out some of the fat before eating compared to frying.

So if you’re looking for an easy way to add bold bacon flavor to soup, boiling is a great option!

Best Bacon for Boiling in Soup

For the best results, opt for a good quality fresh bacon when boiling directly in soup. Here are the best varieties:

Slab bacon – The thick cut stays tender when boiled.
Thick sliced bacon – Holds its texture better than thin slices.
Artisanal smoked bacon – Imparts excellent smoky flavor to soups.
Nitrate-free bacon – Healthier option with same great taste.

Avoid super thin bacon slices as they can overcook and get leathery. For fully cooked bacon, simmer just to heat through and infuse flavor.

How Long to Boil Bacon in Soup

Boiling time can vary based on the bacon thickness, start temperature, and intensity of the boil.

For fresh raw bacon, allow 10-15 minutes of boiling to fully cook through. Thinner bacon will take less time.

For precooked bacon, simply simmer for 4-5 minutes just to warm it up and impart flavor.

To check for doneness, use tongs to remove a piece of bacon from the soup and cut into it. When fully cooked, it will be slightly firm but still tender. Adjust boiling times as needed.

Controlling Texture When Boiling

The boiling time directly impacts the final bacon texture. To achieve the right consistency, aim for:

5-8 minutes – For tender, chewy bacon – great in creamy soups.
10-15 minutes – Yields lightly crispy bacon with a little chew – ideal for most soups.
20+ minutes – Will create very crispy, crumbly bacon – nice crunch for heartier soups with veggies.

Stir the soup gently a few times as it boils to ensure even cooking. And remember to cut large bacon slabs into smaller 1-2 inch pieces so they cook evenly.

Healthy Bacon Boiling Tips

To lighten up soup loaded with boiled bacon, you can:

Use reduced sodium or nitrate-free bacon
Trim excess fat off the bacon before boiling
Remove some of the surface fat after cooking
Enjoy the bacon-infused soup in smaller portions

Boiling does render out more fat than frying, so it’s a healthier cooking method. But as a treat, bacon soup is best consumed in moderation.

Step-By-Step Boiling Instructions

Here is a simple walkthrough for boiling bacon in soup:

Prep the bacon by cutting it into 1-2 inch pieces if needed.
Add the bacon to the cold soup pot before heating up.
Turn heat to medium and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Boil for 10-15 minutes for raw bacon, 4-5 minutes for precooked.
Check tenderness periodically until done to your liking.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed after the bacon is cooked.
Top bowls of the finished soup with crumbled bacon for extra flavor!

And that’s all there is to it – let the boiling do the work for you. Now onto some delicious soup recipes to try this technique with.

Best Soup Recipes for Boiled Bacon

The smoky savoriness of bacon complements many soups. Here are some top-rated options:

Broccoli Cheese Soup – Bacon adds a crunchy contrast.
Chicken Noodle Soup – Infuse classic comfort food with bacon’s signature taste.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup – Bacon is perfect alongside potatoes and cheese.
French Onion Soup – Further enhance the rich broth with boiled bacon bits.
Cauliflower Soup – Cut the creaminess with crispy boiled bacon.

Don’t limit yourself though – the possibilities are endless for bacon-boosted soups!

Get the Most from Your Bacon

To summarize, here are a few key tips for maximizing bacon’s flavor in boiled soups:

Use good quality fresh sliced bacon for the best results
Cut bacon into smaller 1-2 inch pieces before adding to the soup
For raw bacon, boil for 10-15 minutes then adjust time as needed
Try different boiling times to get the perfect chewy or crispy bacon texture
Look for ways to enhance nutrition like using nitrate-free bacon
Round out the flavor of any soup by topping with extra crumbled bits of boiled bacon

So don’t be afraid to toss some raw bacon right into your next simmering pot of soup. Just follow this boil-friendly guidance for mouthwatering bacon flavor in every spoonful!

can you boil bacon in soup

How to make this Easy Bean and Bacon Soup:

This soup is a breeze. It takes about an hour and fifteen minutes all together, but most of that time is spent waiting for the beans to cook all the way through. You have plenty of time to go play Animal Crossing or think about the meaning of life!.

All you’ll do is simmer the beans first. Next, you’ll render the fat from the bacon and then you’ll cook the vegetables. This recipe uses onion, garlic, and carrots but you can get creative with the vegetables. Try adding sweet potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, or butternut squash.

You could also add parsnips or turnips for more of a bite in the soup. If. you want to get your greens, stir in some spinach or arugula at the end of cooking!.

Looking for more soup recipes? Check my archives!

Have you tried this recipe? If so, please rate it below and tell me how you liked it. If you take a picture of it, tag me on Instagram so I can show it off in my feed.

can you boil bacon in soup

Dr. Ken Berry’s method of cooking bacon in a pot and what we discovered. #carnivore #animalbased

How do you make bacon soup?

Begin this easy soup by browning thick cut bacon slices until crisp. Remove the bacon and most of the grease and in the same pan sauté carrots, onions, and celery until they soften a bit. Add garlic and a couple tablespoons of tomato paste, and cook, stirring a minute more. Add broth, beans, bay leaves, and thyme and simmer the soup.

How long does it take to cook bacon in soup?

Stir in broth, potatoes, and cayenne pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cheese, heating just until melted; do not boil. Chop bacon and add to soup. Season with salt and serve hot.

How do you make beans and bacon soup?

Bean and Bacon Soup (canned or dry beans!) Smoky bacon and creamy white beans are combined in this familiar homestyle bean and bacon soup. So flavorful and easy to make. In a large heavy bottomed pan, cook the bacon over medium heat. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat.

Can you use precooked Bacon to make soup?

To cut down on prep time, you can use precooked bacon. You will need 1 cup to equal one pound of fresh bacon. If using precooked bacon, use a few tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the vegetables. You can puree the soup in a food processor or blender if you don’t have an immersion blender. Reduce the amount of water for a thicker soup.

How do you cook a chicken soup with bacon grease?

To the hot bacon grease, add the onions, carrots and celery. Cook over medium heat until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Stir in the chicken broth and beans. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a bubble then reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 1 hour.

How do you boil Bacon?

Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly boiled bacon: Choose the right bacon: Opt for thick-cut bacon slices, which will hold up better during the boiling process. Prepare the liquid: Fill a pot with enough water or broth to fully submerge the bacon. Bring to a boil: Place the pot over high heat and bring the liquid to a rolling boil.