How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

I know I shouldn’t, but I actually really like bacon. Anyone else??  I don’t eat it all the time because I know it is not the healthiest choice for me but every once in awhile when I am making a big weekend breakfast, a fun salad, soups, or this potato salad bacon is a must!  

One thing that has changed is that no matter what I am making bacon for I now always cook it in the oven.  I used to cook it on the stove top, just because that is how I saw it being done when I was growing up, but my husband taught me how they make it at the fire station and now I will never go back.  Instead of splashing grease all over my kitchen, and myself, I just pop it right in the oven!  It is so nice how it frees up my time so I can work on preparing other things. I love not having to  juggle the pancakes, eggs, and bacon when cooking breakfast.  So nice to cut one of those out!

Start by heating the oven to 400 degrees.  Line a large cookie sheet with foil and make sure it is securely wrapped round the sides of the pan, it makes for easy clean up later.  (I now only buy the heavy duty foil so I don’t risk it ripping and having grease leak all over the pan.  I buy the wide, or long rolls from Costco so I don’t have to worry about putting two sheets together because grease can leak through that way.)  Then place your bacon in strips across the cookie sheet.  

Then I put the pan right in the oven without letting it preheat all the way.  

Let it cook for about 15-20 minutes.  I give a range because I noticed that depending on what bacon I buy, thick cut verses thin, the time of when it is done can change.  I just set the timer for 15 minutes and then check it.  

That is it and so much less mess!  It comes out perfect and crispy every time!  I will often transfer the bacon to a plate with a paper towel on it to allow it to cool and soak up some of the grease.   Then you can eat it as is for breakfast, or snack, ha!, or chop it up for a recipe.  When the foil and grease are cool I just carefully ball it up and throw it all away.  I love how I don’t even have to wash the cookie sheet!  

So who is making bacon this weekend!!  

Here is your printable recipe!

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

 

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Cook time

15 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

Here is a way to make bacon with so much less mess!

Author: A Fireman's Wife

Ingredients

• 1 pack of bacon
• heavy duty foil
• large cookie sheet

Instructions

1. Turn the oven on to 400 degrees.
2. Line your cookie sheet with foil so it is wrapped securely around the sides of your pan.
3. Place your bacon in strips across the cookie sheet.
4. Without letting it preheat all the way place the cookie sheet right in the oven.
5. Cook for 15-20 minutes. Time will vary depending on thick cut verses thin cut bacon so just watch it after about 15 minutes.
6. Transfer the bacon to a plate with a paper towel on it to allow it to cool and soak up some of the grease.
7. Eat as is or chop it up for a recipe.

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