Steaming: The Secret To Soft, Pre-Cooked Bacon?

Cooking bacon is a hotly debated topic, with many people having a preferred method. One way to make bacon softer is to steam it. This can be done in a steam oven or on a stovetop. Steaming bacon is said to make it ultra-crisp without any additional fat, while still retaining moisture and giving a tender texture. However, it's important to note that steaming may not be the best method for very thin bacon slices, as they can cook away to almost nothing.

Steaming pre-cooked bacon in a kettle

Step 1: Prepare the Kettle

Fill your kettle with water and turn it on to boil. While you wait for the water to boil, you can start preparing the bacon. Take your pre-cooked bacon out of the fridge and separate the slices. If you have slab bacon, cut it into slices about 1/4-inch thick.

Step 2: Prepare the Bacon

Line a heat-resistant bowl or the kettle itself with a piece of baking paper. Place the bacon slices in the bowl/kettle, ensuring they are in a single layer with no overlap. If you are using a bowl, you can simply place it in the kettle once the water has boiled.

Step 3: Steam the Bacon

Once the water in the kettle has boiled, carefully pour it into the oven or kettle, depending on your setup. Close the lid and let the bacon steam for about 5 minutes. You can adjust the time depending on how soft you like your bacon. Just be careful not to over-steam it, as it can become too soft and lose its texture.

Step 4: Serve the Bacon

After steaming, carefully remove the bacon from the kettle or bowl and serve it immediately. You can enjoy soft and tender bacon slices in your BLTs or any other dish you prefer.

Tips and Variations:

• If you want to add some flavour to your bacon, you can season the slices with freshly ground black pepper before steaming.
• For crispy bacon, you can pan-fry or oven-bake the slices after steaming.
• If you prefer your bacon on the softer side but still want some crispy bits, you can try sous-vide bacon, but this requires special equipment.
• Thick-cut bacon will generally give you a softer interior compared to thin slices.

So, the next time you're looking for a quick and easy way to heat up your pre-cooked bacon and make it softer, give steaming in a kettle a try!

Reheating pre-cooked bacon in the oven with water

Steaming precooked bacon is a great way to make it softer. If you're looking for a way to reheat precooked bacon in the oven and achieve a similar soft texture, try adding water. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, it's important to let your bacon come to room temperature before reheating it. This helps ensure even heating and reduces the drying out of the meat. Take your pre-cooked bacon out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to reheat it.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). While the oven is preheating, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil. You can also use a cooling rack placed on top of the baking sheet if you want to prevent the bacon from sitting in its melted fat.

Lightly crumple a piece of foil and place it on the baking sheet or cooling rack. The crumpled foil will help elevate the bacon, improving air circulation and preventing the bacon from becoming soggy.

Arrange the pre-cooked bacon slices on the foil or cooling rack, ensuring they don't overlap. This allows for even heating. Sprinkle a small amount of water onto the bacon slices. The water will create steam in the oven, helping to soften the bacon as it reheats.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and heat the bacon for 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on the bacon to prevent overheating and drying out. The exact heating time will depend on the thickness of the bacon slices and your desired level of crispness.

Once the bacon is heated through and softened, remove it from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy your softened, reheated bacon!

Tips for Soft and Tender Bacon:

• When cooking bacon initially, consider baking it in the oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes. This method results in softer bacon, and you can always crisp it up later in a pan if desired.
• If you prefer softer bacon, avoid cooking it for too long. Once the bacon is heated through and has reached your desired level of doneness, it's ready to eat.
• Thicker-cut bacon tends to have a softer interior, so opt for thicker slices if you're aiming for a softer texture.
• For the ultimate in soft and crispy bacon, try the sous-vide method (although this requires special equipment).

Reheating pre-cooked bacon in the microwave

Steaming precooked bacon is an effective way to make it softer. One way to do this is to use a kettle to steam the bacon for five minutes. This method will result in soft, tender, and flavourful bacon.

If you're looking to reheat precooked bacon in the microwave, there are several ways to do so. The microwave is considered the best and quickest way to reheat bacon, but you will have to limit the number of bacon pieces at a time. Here are some tips:

• Use a microwave-safe plate.
• Line the plate with two layers of paper towels to absorb excess fat and moisture.
• Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer with no overlapping or crowding.
• Cover the plate with another sheet of paper towels to reduce splatter and make cleanup easier.
• Microwave for short bursts, checking frequently to prevent overcooking. 10 to 20-second intervals work best.
• Continue microwaving until the bacon reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as recommended by the USDA food safety guidelines.
• Transfer the hot bacon to a clean sheet of paper towel to drain the excess fat.
• Allow the bacon to cool for one minute before serving. It will become extra crunchy as it cools.

If you frequently reheat bacon in the microwave, consider investing in a microwave bacon cooker, which features a drip tray that cooks the bacon evenly and catches the grease.

Soaking pre-cooked bacon in hot water

Steaming precooked bacon can make it softer, but it will also reduce its saltiness. To steam precooked bacon, you can place it in a kettle with water for five minutes. This method will result in softer, tender, and flavourful bacon.

Now, if you are looking for ways to soften pre-cooked bacon by soaking it in hot water, there are a few methods you can try:

• Blanching: This method involves placing the bacon in a saucepan of cold water, bringing it to a boil, and then simmering for 5-8 minutes. After simmering, the bacon is then transferred to cold water and patted dry with paper towels. This method is said to remove the salt and smoky flavour from the bacon.
• Boiling: You can also try boiling the bacon in water for 10 minutes to reduce the salt content. This method is used in French cuisine when making choucroute garnie (braised sauerkraut with meat). However, boiling for too long can make the bacon less crispy and flaky.
• Soaking: Soaking the bacon in water for several hours can also help to reduce the salt content. This method is often used for larger chunks of bacon, which are then sliced after soaking.

It is important to note that these methods of soaking or boiling bacon may affect the texture and flavour of the bacon, making it less crispy and flaky. Additionally, the salt in bacon is impregnated into the meat during the curing process, so removing it completely may be difficult. If you are looking for a crispier texture, you may want to try pan-frying or oven-baking the bacon instead.

Sautéing pre-cooked bacon in a pan

To sauté pre-cooked bacon, you will need a frying pan, preferably non-stick, and some tongs or a spatula. You can use a basic frying pan, but if you have one, a cast-iron skillet is a great choice as some come with raised ridges that allow the fat to drip through and away from the bacon.

First, lay your pre-cooked bacon strips in the pan, making sure they are not overlapping. Turn the burner on low heat. You do not need to add any oil as the bacon will release its fat as it heats up.

Keep flipping and turning the bacon so that it browns evenly. The amount of time you spend cooking the bacon will depend on your desired texture. For floppy bacon, you will want to cook it for less time, around 2-3 minutes on each side. For crispy bacon, cook for 4-5 minutes on each side.

Once your bacon is done to your liking, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to rest and soak up any excess grease.

Enjoy your sautéed pre-cooked bacon!

Frequently asked questions