How to Fry Bacon on The Stove

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Learn how to cook bacon on the stove in just minutes. Using a non-stick frying pan or skillet, you can achieve crispy bacon perfection. This is the best cooking method for good-tasting bacon.

A plate of crispy bacon with bread and eggs. — How to Fry Bacon on The Stove. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Simple yet flavorful, bacon is loved by most kids, especially mine. As a mom, this is a lifesaver and a no-hassle food to prepare and cook. Breakfast is enjoyed whenever I make bacon, and I am assured that everyone is full in the mornings before taking on their day.

The Making of Bacon

Bacon is made from pork belly. It is cured to preserve and gives flavor to the meat. The preservation process requires the meat to be soaked in a brine containing salt, sugar, and other spices, depending on the maker’s preferences.

Bacon in the Oven, Stovetop Bacon, and Bacon in an Air Fryer

There are different ways to cook bacon, and each has its advantages. Cooking bacon in an oven is ideal when you are cooking in big batches. A baking sheet or sheet pan is required and requires a lot of cleanup when using an oven for cooking bacon.

Stovetop Bacon or bacon in a pan allows you to have control over the cooking process. This method is best for small-portion cooking. Air-fried bacon is a healthier way of cooking because it has less grease and can be done in minutes.

Best Bacon Slices

The main factor to consider when choosing the best bacon slices should be the cut of the meat. Thick-cut bacon holds so much flavor. Regular-cut bacon has the right size or portion; it is still meaty and juicy. Thin-sliced bacon is a good option for certain recipes that require bacon toppings; it is also faster to cook.

A close-up of crispy bacon, fresh basil leaves, slices of tomato, a black olive, and leafy greens. — A close-up of crispy bacon.

Easy Instructions for Creating Fried Bacon on the Stove

Must-Have Tools for Your Kitchen

Skillet: Best cookware to cook the bacon. A cast iron skillet does not make the bacon stick to the pan.
Wooden Ladle: Use a wooden spoon to avoid scratching the pan when cooking in a skillet or non-stick pan.

Key Ingredients

Bacon: Choose the best-quality bacon strips for a flavorful meal.
Spring Onion (optional): Adding spring onion is optional. It gives a sweet flavor that complements a savory dish like bacon.

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Detailed Directions for Cooking Bacon on the Stove

One: Prepare Ingredients

Prepare your bacon slices. Have your skillet and stove ready over medium heat. If you are going to use spring onions, clean them fully and prepare on the side.

Close-up of uncooked bacon strips in a frying pan with text above that reads, "Small Batch Cooking - Cooking for Two - Small Portions - Single Servings: How to Fry Bacon. — Ingredients for frying bacon on the stove.

Two: Fry Bacon

Heat your skillet fully. That is an important step to bind the flavors in. Put the bacon in the pan and arrange it into a single layer so it won’t stick to each other. Cook the bacon until brown and crispy. To remove excess grease, use paper towels.

Two images showing the process of cooking chicken in a pan. In the first image, raw chicken is being placed into the pan. In the second image, the chicken is being stirred and cooked. — Cooking bacon in a pan.

Three: Garnish Fried Bacon

When you are satisfied with the doneness, add spring onion as garnish. You can also add any other fresh veggies instead of inions.

A frying pan containing browned pieces of meat and small whole onions being cooked. — A frying pan with cooked bacon.

Pro Tips for Best Results

Amount of Bacon: Do not add too much bacon to the pan because it will make them soggy. It is okay to cook bacon in batches.
Oiling: There’s no need to oil your skillet or frying pan, bacon will cook from its own rendered fat and will come out crispy.
Line Plate with Paper Towel: After cooking and taking it out from the heat, line your plate with a paper towel. This allows the remaining grease to absorb into the paper towel and makes the bacon crispier.

A frying pan contains cooked bacon and green onions, some parts appear slightly charred. The handle of the pan is visible, positioned over a stone-covered surface. — Frying pan with cooked bacon.

Common Questions Answered

What are the Perfect Pairings for Fried Bacon?

Bacon is popular for being a breakfast food but it is not only limited to that. Eggs, pancakes, waffles, toasts, and hashbrowns are the classic pair for bacon. You can also add bacon bits to pastas, mac and cheese, and salads, this helps boost the flavors of these dishes.

What is the Proper Storage for Fried Bacon?

Before storing the fried bacon, make sure it is completely cooled. Store cooled bacon in an airtight container in your refrigerator.

A plate of cooked bacon with yellow sauce, cherry tomatoes, basil, and a cucumber slice. — A plate of cooked bacon.

How to Freeze Fried Bacon?

You can freeze bacon for up to 3 months. Place the bacon in a single layer when storing in the freezer to avoid sticking into each other.

Additional Easy Small-Portion Recipes You’ll Love

For other recipes that are easy, simple, and have just the right portions, check out our recipe on How to Make Apricot Jam and How To Make Almond Meal.

Pin This Recipe for Later

A frying pan with cooked bacon pieces and small whole onions. Text on the image reads "Food for one or two: How to fry bacon. Small batch cooking: Cooking for two-small portions. — A frying pan with cooked bacon.

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