Marianne Martinez
Bacon lovers, rejoice! You can indeed cook bacon in a crock pot. Slow cookers are ideal for making less expensive cuts of meat more tender and tasty, and that includes bacon. While some people prefer to crisp up their bacon before adding it to a slow cooker, it is possible to put raw bacon straight into your crock pot. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and the temperature of your slow cooker, but it usually takes around 3.5 hours to cook 8 strips of bacon on a high setting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crock-pot bacon recipe | 8 strips of thick-sliced bacon |
| Smoked, unsmoked, cured, or uncured bacon | |
| Cutting slices in half | |
| Preheat the crock pot to High | |
| Cooking time: 3.5 hours | |
| Drain on paper towels | |
| Variations: black pepper, red pepper flakes | |
| Leftover bacon | Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Bacon grease: Save it for future recipes
Bacon grease is packed with salty, smoky flavor and can be used to add a burst of umami to a number of dishes and recipes. It is a saturated fat, similar to butter, coconut oils, and other animal-derived fats, so it can be used as a substitute for any of those. However, bacon grease tends to have a clinging mouthfeel, so it is recommended to use a neutral oil like canola as the primary cooking fat and add just a bit of bacon fat for flavor.
There are many ways to use bacon grease in recipes. It can be used to add flavor to fried eggs, refried beans, roasted and sautéed vegetables, and vinaigrettes. Bacon grease can also be added to chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies, as bacon works well with a lot of other flavors, such as maple, chocolate, or vanilla. Additionally, bacon grease can be used to season cast iron or make bacon-infused cocktails. For example, it can be added to bourbon, shaken, and then frozen. The solidified fat can then be separated from the booze, leaving a smoky drink that can be consumed neat or used in cocktails.
When storing bacon grease for future use, it is important to keep it in a container with a tight-fitting lid, as most fats can absorb surrounding flavors and are susceptible to spoilage. Glass or metal containers are recommended over plastic to prevent the grease from picking up flavors and odors. It is also important to strain the grease to remove any bacon bits, as this will help it stay fresh longer and improve the taste of future dishes.
Bacon grease can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If stored in the refrigerator, it is recommended to use plastic wrap directly on top of the grease to block it from the air in the container. This will help to extend its shelf life. If stored in the freezer, it can be frozen in small portions using silicone molds or small jars, and then transferred to a zip-top freezer bag.
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Bacon prep: Cutting slices in half first makes them fit better
Bacon can be cooked in a crock pot, and it's an easy recipe. You'll need about eight strips of thick-sliced bacon, and you can use smoked, unsmoked, cured, or uncured bacon. Before you start, be sure to preheat your crock pot to high. This will give the bacon a nice, hot start.
When it comes to prepping the bacon, it's a good idea to cut the slices in half. This will make them fit better in the crock pot, especially if you're using a smaller slow cooker. You can use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut the bacon. Kitchen shears are especially good for this task as they can easily cut through the bacon without making a mess.
Cutting the bacon slices in half also has another benefit: it helps the bacon cook more evenly. The smaller pieces are easier to turn and rearrange in the crock pot, ensuring that all the strips brown nicely. You can use tongs to move the bacon strips around and to remove them from the crock pot when they're done.
If you want to add some extra flavor to your crock pot bacon, you can sprinkle it with spices. For example, try using freshly ground black pepper for pepper bacon or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. You can also save the bacon grease (also known as liquid gold!) and use it in other dishes to add flavor.
With this method, you can cook delicious crock pot bacon that's perfect for adding to meals or enjoying as a side dish. The total cooking time will depend on your crock pot and the thickness of your bacon, but it usually takes around 3.5 hours to cook bacon in a crock pot.
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Bacon texture: For crispy bacon, cook it in the oven first
Bacon can be cooked in a crock pot, but the texture will not be crispy. For crispy bacon, cook it in the oven first. To do this, lay the bacon on a cookie sheet and bake it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. This method keeps the stovetop splatter-free and ensures your bacon will be crispy. After baking, you can then place the bacon in the crock pot to keep it warm.
To cook bacon in a crock pot, first cut the bacon slices in half so they fit nicely in the pot. Use kitchen shears or a sharp knife for this. You can use smoked, unsmoked, cured, or uncured bacon, but thicker slices will hold up better in the crock pot. Preheat the crock pot to high and then place the raw bacon strips inside.
Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and how hot your slow cooker gets. On average, it takes about 3.5 hours to cook 8 strips of bacon on high. Check and rearrange the bacon every hour. When all the strips are browning, move the least cooked strips to the bottom of the crock pot so they come into contact with the hot surface.
When the bacon is done, remove the strips and drain them on a double layer of paper towels. You can sprinkle the hot bacon with freshly ground black pepper for pepper bacon, or with red pepper flakes for spicy bacon.
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Cooking time: Bacon is done in 3.5 hours, but this varies
Cooking bacon in a crock pot is a convenient way to prepare a large batch of this breakfast staple. The cooking time will depend on the unique characteristics of the bacon and the temperature settings of your crock pot. For example, thick-sliced bacon will take longer to cook than thin-sliced bacon. Additionally, the temperature settings on crock pots can vary, with some running hotter than others.
In general, cooking bacon in a crock pot typically takes around 3.5 hours. However, this time can vary depending on the specific factors mentioned above. To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to cut the bacon strips in half before placing them in the crock pot. This will allow for more uniform cooking and make it easier to rearrange the strips during the cooking process.
During the cooking process, it is important to keep an eye on the bacon and rearrange the strips as needed. After about an hour, replace the lid and continue cooking. When all the strips are browning, move the least cooked strips to the bottom of the crock pot so they can come into contact with the hot surface. If some strips are cooking faster than others, you can remove them to drain when they are done.
Once all the bacon strips are golden brown, use tongs to remove them from the crock pot and drain them on a double layer of paper towels. At this point, you can season the bacon to your liking. For pepper bacon, sprinkle the hot bacon with freshly ground black pepper. Alternatively, add some spice with red pepper flakes.
If you have any leftover crock pot bacon, which is unlikely but possible, you can store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. You can also freeze cooked bacon in freezer bags and simply rewarm or crisp it up in a skillet when needed.
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Storage: Refrigerate covered leftover bacon for up to 48 hours
Bacon cooked in a crock pot can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. To store, cover the leftover bacon or put it in a sealed container. You can also freeze the cooked bacon in freezer bags and rewarm or crisp it in a skillet when you're ready to eat it.
If you're not planning to eat the leftover bacon within 48 hours, it's best to freeze it as soon as possible to prevent spoilage. Frozen bacon can be stored for several months and reheated in a skillet or air fryer when needed.
When storing leftover bacon, it's important to ensure that it has cooled to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator or freezer. This helps maintain the quality and safety of the meat.
In addition to storing the cooked bacon, don't forget to save the bacon grease! Bacon grease, also known as "liquid gold," can be drained and stored for later use. Bacon grease adds flavour to various dishes and is a valuable byproduct of cooking bacon in a crock pot.
By following these storage instructions, you can safely enjoy your leftover crock pot bacon within 48 hours or extend its shelf life by freezing it for future meals.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook bacon in a crock pot.
You can use smoked, unsmoked, cured, or uncured bacon. Thicker slices are recommended as they hold up better in the crock pot.
Cut the bacon slices in half so they fit nicely in the crock pot. You can use kitchen shears or a sharp knife for this.
Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and the temperature of your crock pot. On average, it takes about 3.5 hours to cook 8 strips of bacon on high.
You can save the bacon grease and use it for cooking other dishes, such as green beans.
