The Secret to Making Perfect Bacon Without the Mess

For as long as I can remember, bacon has been a breakfast staple, but let’s be honest, cooking it can be messy. Grease splattering everywhere? No, thanks. I leave all the bacon cooking to my husband, Jake, who not only makes impressive latte art, but is also the master of cooking comfort food at home. That’s how he found a great trick for cooking perfect bacon without all the mess.

You know how they say if you ‘ree good at something, it becomes your task for life? Well, this is why I leave bacon cooking to Jake. I got tired of grease splattering everywhere across our kitchen and even on my face and skin. Jake had also run into these challenges in the past, so he eventually stopped pan-frying bacon—instead, he now uses the oven to bake the strips.

How To Cook Bacon Mess-Free

Jake’s foolproof method? First, he preheats the oven to 400°F with a rack in the center and lines a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Since bacon releases fat as it cooks in the oven, there’s no need to grease the foil.

Then, he lays the strips of bacon directly on the foil in one layer, giving each strip a little space on each side. He bakes the bacon until crispy, carefully flipping them halfway through the 15-minute cooking time.

Then, he removes the bacon from the oven and rests the crispy strips on a paper-towel-lined plate. As the bacon cools, the paper towel will absorb the extra grease. Once the oil in the baking sheet has cooled, Jake removes the aluminum foil.

Some people like to save bacon grease for other dishes, and you’re welcome to do so at this point in the process. Otherwise, wipe the excess oil off the baking sheet or quickly wash it and rinse with warm, soapy water.

Before cleaning up, Jake serves us the bacon with plain white rice, fried eggs, and a side of nattō. It’s a humble yet satisfying meal that keeps us fueled all day. Sometimes, to my chagrin and semi-dismay, my family (especially our 11-year-old) seems to enjoy these simple dishes that Jake whips up more than the elaborate dinners I spend hours preparing.

Additional Tips for Baking Bacon

Going to give this oven method a try? Here are a few additional helpful tips.

• You can also air fry bacon in an air fryer basket without lining the appliance with aluminum foil. The grease will drip into the tray that collects the oil.

• If baking the traditional way, you can swap out the aluminum foil with parchment paper.

• We use Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked No Sugar Uncured Bacon.
  

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