Following this recipe for How to Cook Bacon in the Oven will make it melt in your mouth every time. There are a few tricks to baking bacon just right, but once you learn them, you’ll never make it any other way.
Black Forest bacon is a delicious German-style bacon that is brined smoked over pine wood, and coated in a signature mix of spices. With its robust smoky flavor, slightly sweet taste and tender yet meaty texture, it’s no wonder why this specialty bacon has become so popular. But cooking Black Forest bacon properly is key to bringing out its unique flavor profile. Follow this simple guide to learn foolproof methods for preparing perfect Black Forest bacon every time.
Choosing the Right Cooking Method
There are several ways to cook Black Forest bacon, with baking and pan-frying being the most common.
Baking is a hands-off, mess-free approach ideal for cooking large batches Simply preheat your oven to 400°F, line a sheet pan with parchment, lay bacon slices in a single layer, and bake 10 minutes. Lower heat to 300°F and cook 10 more minutes Baked bacon comes out uniformly crispy and cooked through.
Pan-frying allows more control and imbues smoky flavor. Place cold bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat and cook 8-10 minutes per side until crispness is achieved, lowering heat if browning too quickly. Drain on paper towels. Frying yields delicious results but requires more attention.
Other less-common cooking methods like grilling, microwaving, and low-temp simmering are options too but may produce inferior texture or flavor.
Baking Black Forest Bacon to Crispy Perfection
Baking is the easiest route to crispy, evenly cooked Black Forest bacon with zero mess. Simply:
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Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the sheet without overlapping.
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Bake for 10 minutes, then lower heat to 300°F and bake 10 more minutes.
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Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess grease.
The initial high heat helps render fat and crisps up the bacon, then the lower temp finishes cooking it through without burning. Baked bacon boasts crispness on par with frying, without the splatter.
Pan-Frying Black Forest Bacon for Maximum Flavor
While baking is great for easy crispy bacon, frying on the stovetop unlocks the most smoky, rich flavor. To pan-fry:
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Place cold bacon strips in a heavy skillet or pan over medium heat.
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Cook 8-10 minutes per side, flipping occasionally with tongs, until bacon reaches desired crispness.
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Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.
The lower, gradual render of the fat allows the bacon’s signature flavors to fully develop without scorching it. Be sure to cook both sides evenly. Fried Black Forest bacon is ideal for breakfast, BLTs, and more.
Grilling for Extra Smoky Flavor
Grilling infuses scrumptious smoky essence into Black Forest bacon. Simply preheat grill to medium-high and cook bacon 2-3 minutes per side. For subtler smoke, add soaked wood chips to the grill and cook bacon indirectly for 5-7 minutes per side. Grilled Black Forest bacon makes killer sandwiches, salads, and appetizers.
Microwave Method for Quick Cooking
In a pinch, Black Forest bacon can be quickly microwaved:
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Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels and arrange bacon slices in a single layer.
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Microwave on high 2-3 minutes until bacon looks almost done.
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Rearrange slices and microwave 1 minute more, checking frequently.
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Drain on fresh paper towels.
While fast, microwaved bacon lacks the flavor and texture of other cooking methods. Only use this method for quick weeknight meals or breakfasts.
Achieving the Perfect Texture
More than anything, properly cooking Black Forest bacon comes down to nailing the ideal texture, whether you prefer it chewy or super crisp.
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For chewy bacon, fry over medium-low heat until just opaque and pliable.
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For crispness, bake at a high temp or fry longer over higher heat until dark brown and brittle.
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For tender yet crispy bacon, opt for pan-frying and watch closely to avoid overcooking.
No matter how you cook it, keep a close eye on Black Forest bacon to prevent burning or undercooking. With the right technique, you’ll achieve bacon perfection every time.
Cooking Tips for Black Forest Bacon
Follow these tips for flawless Black Forest bacon using any cooking method:
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Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture and flavor.
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Cook bacon in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
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Preheat ovens and pans before cooking.
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Flip bacon halfway through cooking.
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Drain bacon well on paper towels.
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Let pan-fried bacon rest 1-2 minutes after cooking.
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Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
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Cook bacon until it reaches your desired level of crispness.
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Refrigerate leftover cooked bacon and enjoy within a week.
Incredible Black Forest Bacon Dishes to Try
Once you’ve mastered cooking Black Forest bacon, try using it in these amazing recipes:
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Black Forest Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches
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Black Forest Bacon Wrapped Scallops
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German Potato Salad with Black Forest Bacon
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Black Forest Bacon, Apple, and Brussels Sprouts Pizza
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Black Forest Bacon Onion Jam
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Black Forest Bacon Chopped Salad
With its signature wood-smoked flavor and spice-encrusted exterior, Black Forest bacon adds incredible depth and crunch to any dish. Follow this foolproof cooking guide for crispy, meaty, perfectly executed Black Forest bacon every time.
Why this recipe works:
I’ve cooked bacon every possible way. In the microwave, on the stove, and I’ve even made air fryer bacon. I still like cooking bacon ends and pieces on the stove better, but this is by far the best way to cook sliced bacon for two easy reasons.
- There won’t be any mess because you only need a tool to flip the bacon. Also, there’s no messy greasy splatter to deal with.
- Always cooked just right: There’s a way to get bacon that’s cooked just right: flat slices with all the fat rendered out and chewy pieces that melt in your mouth. Keep reading to learn the secret!.
- I really like the USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan for a sheet pan. The heavy-duty aluminum steel that it’s made of keeps it from warping in the oven. To cook the bacon evenly, you need a good pan like this one.
- Paper for writing: The Kirkland Paper I buy at Costco is great for writing. You only need to make sure that the parchment paper is big enough so that one sheet can cover the whole baking pan, up the sides as well.
- Two tools: tongs or a small spatula? I use a Pampered Chef mini spatula most of the time to flip the bacon, but tongs work better.
No mess to deal with.
If you bake bacon in the oven, the grease won’t splash around and get all over the place. You can also easily throw away the grease or save it for another recipe.
- To reuse bacon grease, take the cooked bacon out of the hot grease and pour the hot grease into a mason jar. You can do this by lifting the parchment paper. On the other hand, you can wait for the grease to cool and harden, then use a spatula to scrape it off and put it in a jar.
- Bacon grease should never be poured down the sink because it can clog the pipes. If you don’t want to use the extra bacon grease, just let it cool on the parchment paper and harden. After that, it’s easy to take everything off the baking sheet and throw it away.
When I’m done, I just stick the baking sheet back in the cupboard because it’s still clean!
