You won’t have to wait for the bacon to thaw out if you know how to cook it from frozen. There are better ways to do it than the microwave. I also talk about the best ways to thaw bacon.
Everybody loves bacon, right? It can take the most simple dishes and make them feel rich and indulgent. The only time you should eat bacon is in the morning. I love it on burgers, in sandwiches, and even when I wrap other proteins in bacon, like this pork tenderloin.
I buy a lot of bacon when it’s on sale and then freeze it, which is a problem. Or, I only want a few pieces for breakfast and put the rest in a freezer bag to use later. I’ve learned how to cook chicken breasts, shrimp, and fish from frozen, so why not bacon?.
There are different ways to cook or thaw frozen bacon, and some work better with some foods than others. Let me tell you what I learned.
Do You Really Need to Thaw Bacon Before Cooking It?
Few smells are more mouthwatering than sizzling bacon in the morning. But what if you wake up craving that smoky, salty goodness only to find your bacon is frozen solid? Is it safe to just toss frozen bacon right into the pan? Or do you need to take the time to properly thaw it first?
In this article, we’ll explore the pros, cons, and methods for cooking bacon straight from the freezer. You may be surprised to learn that going frozen to pan is not only possible, but can actually be the best way to cook bacon in certain scenarios!
Why Thaw Bacon Before Cooking?
Typically, thawing meat before cooking is recommended for a few key reasons:
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Improves texture – Thawed bacon will be crisper than cooking frozen Freezing causes ice crystals to form which damages the cell structure.
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Cooks more evenly – Frozen sections take longer to cook leading to inconsistent doneness.
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Prevents bacterial growth – Lengthy frozen storage can allow dangerous bacteria to accumulate.
So in an ideal world, you’d move frozen bacon to the fridge to thaw overnight before cooking. This slow thawing helps minimize damage to the meat’s texture. And it ensures the bacon cooks evenly and destroys any bacteria accumulated during freezing.
But what if you wake up wanting bacon immediately? Is it really okay to just toss the frozen stuff right into a hot pan?
The Surprising Answer: Yes!
Contrary to popular belief, you absolutely can safely cook bacon straight from the freezer. In fact, some chefs insist it’s actually the best way to cook bacon for certain uses. Here’s why it works:
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Bacon is cured – The salting and smoking process helps inhibit bacterial growth. Fresh raw pork poses higher safety risks when cooked from frozen.
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Bacon freezes quickly – Thin bacon slices freeze solid rapidly. Cooking from frozen takes just a few minutes longer.
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Pre-cut for even thawing – Bacon is pre-sliced into thin, evenly-sized strips that will thaw at the same rate.
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Low food safety risk – Cooking kills any bacteria present. The quick thaw and cook time ensures this.
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Delicious crispy texture – Frozen bacon fat sears into the meat, helping it crisp up beautifully.
So while thawing first remains ideal, you can absolutely cook bacon safely direct from the freezer. Next, let’s look at the best cooking methods to use.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Bacon
If you want to skip thawing and cook bacon straight from the freezer, follow these tips:
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Use a cold pan – Putting frozen bacon into a hot pan risks sticking. Start with a cold pan and let it heat up gradually.
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Preheat gently – Heat the pan over medium-low, letting the bacon thaw as the pan heats. This prevents sticking and curling.
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Cook low and slow – Keep the heat low, cooking the bacon gently once thawed. This crisps it without overcooking.
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Drain fat – Pour off excess fat during cooking to prevent frying the bacon rather than crisping it.
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Cook in batches – Avoid overcrowding the pan, which causes bacon to steam versus crisp.
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Blot grease – Blot cooked bacon with paper towels to soak up excess grease.
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Watch closely – Check frequently and remove done pieces as they finish cooking.
With the right techniques, you can absolutely achieve delicious crispy bacon cooked directly from frozen!
Best Ways to Thaw Bacon
While cooking bacon frozen works, thawing first remains ideal if you have the time. Here are the best thawing methods:
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Refrigerator: Place frozen bacon in the fridge in its packaging. Takes 8-12 hours for 1 pound.
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Cold water: Submerge bagged bacon in cold tap water, changing water every 30 mins. Defrosts 1 lb. in 1-2 hours.
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Hot water: Place bacon (in packaging) in hot tap water. Drain and refresh hot water every 10 mins. Defrosts 1 lb. in 10-20 minutes. Use immediately after thawing.
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Microwave: Set on defrost or 30% power. Check and flip bacon every few minutes. Use immediately.
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Skillet: Place frozen bacon in a cold skillet. Cook over medium-low, turning bacon as it thaws.
Skip thawing in warm environments, which encourages bacterial growth. And never thaw bacon at room temperature or in hot water for extended periods of time.
Storing Thawed Bacon
Once thawed, bacon will last:
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1-2 days in the fridge
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6-12 months in the freezer (wrap airtight)
For maximum food safety and quality, cook thawed bacon within 1-2 days. It can be refrozen, but texture will suffer.
Freezing Bacon for Later
To stock up on bacon when it’s on sale or freeze leftovers:
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Wrap original package well and freeze as-is for ease.
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Or, make your own freezer pack by wrapping slices individually in plastic wrap or freezer paper before bagging. This allows grabbing just a few slices at a time!
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For portioning, separate stacks of 2-3 slices and wrap individually.
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Exclude as much air as possible and use freezer bags or containers.
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Label with freeze date and use within 2-3 months for best quality.
With proper freezing and thawing methods, you can enjoy delicious crisp bacon for months!
The Takeaway
While thawing frozen bacon in the refrigerator overnight is ideal, you can absolutely cook bacon safely direct from the freezer. Use gentle, low heat and cook slowly. Drain fat as it thaws and melts to prevent frying. Thaw and cook frozen bacon the same day for food safety.
With the right techniques, cooking or thawing bacon from frozen can be easy and safe. So go ahead and enjoy those frozen bacon reserves anytime the craving strikes! No need to wait when the freezer holds this salty, smoky treat ready for quick cooking.
The Best Method for Freezing Bacon
You can just put a sealed package of bacon in the freezer if you want to. It will make it last a long time. Then you’ll use one of the thawing methods below. It gets tricky when you want to freeze bacon so that you can only take out a few slices at a time. If you’ve frozen it as a full package, it’s impossible to just get a bit off. This is the way to freeze bacon so that you can take out one or two slices at a time. This is seriously my favorite way to freeze bacon!.
The Best Method For Thawing Bacon Quickly: In Hot Water
If you’re wanting whole strips of bacon, the best way to evenly and quickly thaw it is to submerge bacon that is still in packaging or in a zip-top bag in hot tap water. You heard that right. HOT tap water. It used to be frowned upon to defrost meat in hot water. However, recent studies have found that this is safe if done following certain guidelines.
To begin, this method can only be used for small pieces of meat that can quickly defrost in hot water. For example, this is a great way to defrost frozen steaks, chicken breasts, thighs, and packages of about 1 pound of ground meat. Bigger pieces of meat will thaw too slowly, so they will stay in the hot water for too long. That is when bacteria will start to form at dangerous rates.
Second, the maximum amount of time that raw frozen meat should be in hot water is 30 minutes. Longer than that allows the meat to start building bacteria too quickly.
Finally, and this is very important, meat that has been defrosted in this way should be fully cooked right away so that any bacteria that has started to grow is killed.
Finally, drain the water and add more hot water a few times to keep it hot and help the meat defrost quickly. Without the ice cubes, the frozen bacon will cool it down too quickly, so it will need to be in the water for too long.
For bacon, a single 16 oz. Fill your sink almost all the way to the top with hot tap water. This will defrost bacon that is still in its original packaging or in a sealed zip-top bag. Then add the package of bacon. After about 10 minutes, drain the water and add new hot water. The bacon will probably be defrosted 10 minutes later. If not, pour out the water again, add fresh hot water, and let the bacon sit for no more than 10 minutes.
Do I have to thaw frozen bacon before cooking?
Can you cook bacon after thawing?
And as with the previous method, cook it immediately after thawing. You may have put bacon out on the countertop to thaw from frozen, believing that it will defrost by dinnertime or overnight for tomorrow’s breakfast. But be warned — the USDA recommends avoiding this method, as defrosting at room temperature is unsafe and can lead to contamination.
Can you cook thawed Bacon in a microwave?
Be sure to cook the thawed bacon immediately when using this method. If you don’t have an hour to wait, the microwave is your best bet. If your microwave has a “defrost” button, use this setting and flip the bacon every 1-2 minutes until thawed enough to cook. Be sure to use a microwave-safe plate and a safe covering for the meat.
Can you eat thawed bacon if it’s frozen?
Don’t worry about frozen bacon’s expiration date. As long as it was fresh when it was frozen, it will be safe to eat. Remove moisture from melted frost by dabbing your thawed bacon with a paper towel before cooking or frying. When thawing bacon in cold water, do not let it get exposed to air or water.
How do you thaw frozen Bacon?
If you need frozen bacon ready in a hurry but don’t need it immediately, try the cold water thawing method in the sink. First, make sure the bacon is sealed tightly in either its original packaging or something like a zip-top bag or cling wrap, with no leaks.
Can You defrost Bacon before cooking?
Never defrost bacon on the kitchen counter or at room temperature. It’s best to plan for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. After defrosting bacon by this method, it will be safe in the refrigerator for 7 days before cooking. If you decide not to use the bacon during this time, you can safely refreeze it without cooking it first.
Can you cook bacon from frozen?
It is safe to cook bacon from the frozen state. The three main ways to cook bacon are in a skillet or pan on the stove, in a conventional oven or in the microwave. The length of time to cook bacon depends upon the type and thickness of the bacon, the heat used and the desired crispness. To what temperature should bacon be cooked?