How to Broil Bacon

Discover a whole new way to cook bacon—Broiled Bacon in the Oven—that takes out the fuss and the muss but leaves in the crisp!

Let’s talk bacon. There is, after all, a lot to talk about given the myriad types of bacon, and the number of ways you can cook it and eat it. While I’ve usually fried it in a pan on the stove, I’ve recently been exploring different methods for ease and health in mind. One particular method that I wasn’t even aware of until a friend told me about it is this one: broiled bacon!

It involves exactly what you would expect: strips of bacon done in a pan and heated through in the oven. It’s a clean and simple method that results in crispy bacon every time! It doesn’t require any additional oil or fat and lets you focus on the rest of your breakfast. Sure, you have options—Air Fryer Bacon and Turkey Bacon, to name just a couple—but you should really try out the broiler and see how it compares. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how easy bacon can be.

Is Broiled Bacon Healthy?

Bacon is high in protein, but it’s also high in fat and sodium, so it’s not something you’ll want to eat on the regular; however, broiling it is a healthier method of cooking, as it requires no additional grease/oil. It’s suitable for low-carb, gluten-free, keto, and paleo (provided the bacon is uncured and nitrate-free) diets.

How Many Types of Bacon Are There?

First, the meat. You can use pork (the traditional choice), turkey, or chicken. These last two are healthier, though many bacon purists don’t consider them “real” bacon. There is also back bacon, Canadian bacon, and peameal bacon, which is where it gets confusing. Back bacon is sliced ham taken from the back of the pig. Americans call this Canadian bacon. Canadians, however, call Canadian bacon “peameal bacon,” which is back bacon lined with peameal. There are other varieties out there but as far as North American breakfasts are concerned, these are the ones you’ll encounter most frequently.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. bacon, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat the oven to 400°F (i.e., the ‘Broil’ setting). Line an oven tray with aluminum foil.

Cook

Spread the bacon slices out in a single layer. Place the tray in the oven and cook the bacon for 10 minutes. Flip the strips and continue to cook for 2 minutes.

Absorb

Remove the bacon strips from the tray. Place them on a plate lined with paper towel to absorb the excess fat from the bacon.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Perfectly Broil Bacon

• The oven indeed needs to be that hot if you want to end up with crispy bacon.
• Don’t forget the aluminum lining; it protects your tray and cuts down on cleanup time.
• Don’t overcrowd the tray or your bacon may not cook evenly.
• If your strips are on the thick side, consider cooking them for a few minutes more.
• All ovens are different. For your first time using this recipe, keep a close eye on your bacon to ensure it doesn’t burn. Conversely, don’t be surprised if your bacon needs a few more minutes under the grill.

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

Bacon works with breakfast and brunch, as part of a sandwich at lunch, and alongside other foods to make an appetizer. For instance, boot up the air fryer and make Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus. Or wrap some Chicken Thighs and serve it for dinner. You can also start your day with Healthy Paleo Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash With Bacon and end your day with Bacon Beer Cupcakes!

How To Prep And Store Broiled Bacon

Let the bacon cool completely then store in an airtight container or resealable Ziploc bag. It should keep for about a week in the fridge. You can also freeze the bacon for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge then reheat it in the oven or microwave. If you decide to freeze the bacon, you may want to reserve those strips for sandwiches and salads (i.e., where they are a topping, not the main ingredient) as their texture may have changed.