Bacon Fried Rice is loaded with delicious smokey goodness. This is a great way to use up leftover rice, and it only takes 15 minutes to make, so it’s great for weeknights or even breakfast!
Bacon Fried Rice is a great way to spice up your fried rice. The bacon gives it a unique, smokey flavor that you can’t resist. Bacon Fried Rice pairs well with most stir-fries, but awesome enough to stand alone as the main dish.
This recipe can be made in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for a quick dinner during the week or even breakfast in the morning. What a delicious way to enjoy your bacon and eggs!.
You can use the cooked rice from last night’s takeout that you have in the fridge to make fried rice. Indeed, fried rice made from rice that has been in the fridge for a day or two tastes great. The rice gets a little drier in the fridge, which lets the grains separate in the wok so they can get the right amount of seasoning.
Take the rice out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. Wash your hands, then use your wet fingers to break apart the clumps in the rice.
We want fried rice today and can’t wait for the rice to sit in the fridge overnight. That’s okay, just cook the rice with about a cup less water than you would normally. When the rice is done, use chopsticks or a fork to fluff it up. Then, leave it alone until you’re ready to fry it.
One of my favorite features of fried rice is its versatility. This recipe is easy to change to fit your tastes. Just add more of your favorite vegetables or shrimp instead of chicken, pork, or beef.
Cooking bacon in a wok is a game-changer. This simple technique yields bacon that’s perfectly crispy and chewy at the same time. As someone who loves cooking bacon, I was pretty excited when I first tried making it in my wok. The results were amazing – way better than baking bacon in the oven or cooking it in a skillet.
In this article, I’ll share why you should cook bacon in a wok, how to do it properly, and some delicious recipe ideas. Keep reading to become a wok bacon master!
Why Cook Bacon in a Wok?
There are a few key reasons why a wok is the best vessel for cooking bacon
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Perfect Crispiness The shape and material of a wok allow the bacon to fry evenly This gives you a mix of crispy and chewy pieces without having to obsessively flip each slice
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Reduced Curling Bacon curls when one side overcooks before the other. With the wide surface of a wok both sides cook at the same rate. Less curling means fewer burnt edges.
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Built-In Drainage: A wok’s curved sides let grease drain off as the bacon fries. No need for extra racks or paper.
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Quick Cooking: A wok conducts heat very efficiently, slashing bacon cook time. You can go from raw to perfectly done bacon in just 5-7 minutes.
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Easy Clean-Up: Unlike baking sheets, a well-seasoned wok requires minimal scrubbing after cooking. The slick surface makes residue easy to wipe away.
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Maximum Flavor: That delicious bacon fat left in the wok is the perfect cooking oil for stir-fries. The smoky flavor adds so much depth.
Clearly, wok-cooking is the best technique if you want fast, easy, and tasty bacon. The only downside is you may end up eating more of it!
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Bacon in a Wok
Cooking bacon in a wok really couldn’t be simpler. Just follow these easy steps:
1. Select Your Bacon
Thicker, meatier bacon works best since it holds up well to stir-frying. I like thick-cut bacon, pork belly, or slab bacon. Regular sliced bacon is fine too. Just avoid flimsy breakfast bacon.
2. Prep the Wok
Heat your wok over high heat until smoking hot. The high temperature helps render the fat and crisp the bacon.
3. Add the Bacon
Carefully add the bacon slices in a single layer. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
4. Let Bacon Sizzle
Let the bacon sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes. Once the bottom firms up, use chopsticks or tongs to flip each slice.
5. Stir and Toss
After flipping once, use your wok spatula to stir-fry and toss the bacon until it’s as crispy as you like.
6. Drain and Serve
Use the wok’s shape to drain off excess grease before serving. Enjoy on sandwiches, salads, pizza and more!
It’s that simple. The whole process takes just 5-10 minutes start to finish. Way faster than the oven!
Wok Bacon Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for getting picture-perfect wok bacon every time:
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Use a flat-bottomed wok for stability. Round-bottom woks won’t work as well.
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Get the wok ripping hot before adding bacon. This renders the fat quickly.
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Don’t overcrowd the wok. Cook bacon in small batches for even frying.
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Use metal tongs or chopsticks to flip. Plastic may melt from the heat.
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Adjust heat so bacon sizzles but doesn’t burn. Medium-high is usually ideal.
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Stir-fry the bacon at the end to crispen it up.
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Let bacon rest briefly after cooking. This helps it stay crispy after draining.
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Save that bacon grease for cooking other foods!
Follow those tips and you’ll have picture-perfect wok bacon every single time. It takes a little practice, but soon it’ll be a piece of cake.
Delicious Ways to Use Wok Bacon
Wok-cooked bacon truly shines in so many dishes. Here are just a few of my favorites:
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
Fry an egg in the leftover bacon grease. Top a toasted English muffin with the egg, bacon, melted cheese and your favorite condiments.
BLT Salad
Chop up the bacon and mix with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and a tangy dressing. The wok-cooked bacon gives great crispy bits.
Bacon Fried Rice
Stir-fry rice with bacon, veggies, soy sauce, sesame oil, and eggs. The smoky bacon flavor is out of this world.
Bacon Quiche
Line a pie crust with crisp bacon strips, then fill with a custard of eggs, cream, spinach, and cheese. Bake until just set.
Bacon Carbonara
Sauté onions and diced bacon in the bacon fat. Toss with cooked spaghetti, egg, Parmesan, and black pepper.
Candied Bacon
Toss just-cooked bacon in brown sugar or maple syrup. Bake at 400 degrees F until caramelized. Epic on salads and sandwiches.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when you have perfect wok bacon ready to go. It’s so versatile for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Bacon in a Wok
If you’re new to wok cooking, chances are you have some questions about this unconventional bacon technique. Here are answers to some of the most common FAQs:
Is any type of wok suitable for cooking bacon?
The best woks for bacon have flat bottoms for stability on the stove. Round-bottom woks are meant for open flame cooking. Stainless steel or carbon steel woks work well. Cast iron is OK but more prone to sticking. Non-stick woks are fine in a pinch.
Does the bacon stick to the wok?
It shouldn’t, as long as your wok is well-seasoned. A good patina prevents sticking. If your wok is newer, rub a little oil on before adding the bacon. Overcrowding also causes sticking, so work in small batches.
Is a wok better than the oven for cooking bacon?
Absolutely! Wok bacon cooks faster and yields a better mix of textures. Oven bacon requires constant vigilance and still ends up under-crisped or overcooked. A wok gives more control for perfect results every time.
Can you cook bacon from raw in a wok?
Yep, no pre-cooking needed! Just toss the raw bacon in cold and let the wok work its magic. Cooking from raw renders the fat properly and infuses maximum bacon flavor.
How much grease splatters when cooking bacon in a wok?
Surprisingly minimal! The wok shape contains sputters and spatters quite well. Just have a splatter guard or lid handy for the initial stage while the fat renders. The curved sides also make draining easy.
Is cooking bacon in a wok healthy?
While it won’t make bacon a health food, using a wok lets you cut back on added fats or oils. You also minimize burnt bits that can create carcinogens when overcooked. So it’s a bit healthier than skillet or oven methods.
Can you cook other foods in bacon grease after frying bacon?
Absolutely! In fact, this is one of the best perks of wok bacon. Just drain off some of the excess grease and then sauté veggies, eggs, rice, etc. The smoky bacon flavor adds so much.
Hopefully these answers help clarify any concerns about diving into wok bacon cooking. Don’t be intimidated – it’s a very simple and rewarding technique.
Ready to Become a Wok Bacon Master?
If you love bacon, using a wok to cook it is a total game-changer. This simple technique yields bacon that’s perfectly crisped with chewy bits in just minutes. Plus, you get bonus bacon grease for cooking other dishes.
