How To Reheat Bacon

If you’re a bacon lover, you know that there’s nothing better than a crispy strip of bacon straight from the frying pan. However, there are times when you have leftover bacon and want to enjoy it later. In such situations, it’s important to know how to reheat bacon properly to ensure that it retains its delicious flavor and texture. In this article, we will share some tips and tricks on how to reheat bacon to perfection, so you can enjoy it anytime you want. So, let’s get started!

What is Bacon

Bacon is a cured, smoked meat made from pork. It is usually made from the sides and belly of the pig. Bacon goes through a curing process where the meat is soaked in a saltwater solution, or brine, which helps preserve the meat and add flavor. After brining, the bacon is smoked to further preserve the meat and impart a smoky flavor. 

The streaks of fat in the bacon help it get crispy when cooked, usually by pan-frying or baking. Bacon is a very popular breakfast food, often served as a side dish with eggs, toast, or hash browns. However, bacon is also frequently used to add flavor and crispiness to dishes like burgers, salads, baked potatoes, and pasta. Bacon has a salty, umami, and subtly sweet flavor that enhances many savory foods. While bacon is high in saturated fat and salt, when consumed in moderation it can be part of a balanced diet.

Some common types of bacon include streaky bacon, pork belly bacon, back bacon, turkey bacon, and beef bacon. Bacon has been produced and enjoyed for many centuries and is an important part of many food cultures and cuisines around the world. Crispy, delicious bacon is always sure to please!

How to make Bacon?

To make bacon, you will need pork belly, kosher salt, brown sugar, and spices of your choice. You will also need a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to catch the drippings.

Start with a 1-pound piece of pork belly. Use a sharp knife to slice the belly into thinnish strips.

Make a cure by mixing 1/2 cup kosher salt, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, and any spices you want, like black pepper, chili powder, crushed red pepper, dried thyme, or maple syrup. Rub the cure evenly all over the pork belly strips. 

Place the strips on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate for at least 7 days, turning the strips every other day. This allows the cure to flavor and preserve the meat.

After 7 to 14 days, remove the strips from the cure and rinse them briefly under cold water. Pat completely dry with paper towels.

Set up a smoker from 170 F to 210 F. Add wood chips for the smoke. Or set up a charcoal grill for indirect medium-low heat. 

Arrange the strips on the wire rack over the baking sheet again and place them in the smoker. Smoke the bacon for 3 to 12 hours until the strips are deeply browned. The time will depend on the intensity of the smoke you want. Flip the strips over halfway through.

As an alternative, to bake the bacon, preheat the oven to 400 F. Arrange the strips on the wire rack on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, turning halfway, until browned and crisp.

Let the baked or smoked bacon strips cool slightly, then serve and enjoy! Bacon can be stored in an airtight container for 1 to 2 weeks. For longer shelf life, freeze up to 6 months.

Optional: for extra flavor, coat the strips in cracked black pepper, brown sugar, maple syrup, or your favorite spice rub before baking or smoking. Experiment with flavors and enjoy homemade bacon!

Can You Reheat Bacon?

Yes, you can reheat bacon. It’s a great way to enjoy leftover bacon and reduce food waste. However, it’s important to reheat bacon properly to ensure that it stays safe to eat and maintains its delicious flavor and texture.

When reheating bacon, you want to avoid overcooking it, which can make it tough and chewy. You also want to make sure that it’s heated all the way through to ensure that any bacteria that may have grown on it is destroyed.

There are several methods for reheating bacon, including using a microwave, oven, or frying pan. The best method for you will depend on your personal preference and the equipment you have available.

How to Reheat Bacon

There are several methods to reheat bacon, each with its pros and cons. Here are some popular methods:

How to reheat bacon in a skillet

Reheating bacon in a skillet is another popular method that can result in crispy and delicious bacon. Here’s how to do it:

Gather the bacon strips you want to reheat and a skillet, preferably cast iron. For best results, use bacon that has been cooked and not sitting out for more than 2 to 3 hours. Make sure your skillet is clean and dry.

Preheat the skillet over medium-low heat. Do not start with a hot skillet, otherwise, the bacon fat may splatter. As the skillet heats up, use tongs to separate the bacon strips.

Once the skillet is hot, use tongs to add some of the bacon strips to the skillet in a single layer, without overlapping. Do not add too many strips at a time, otherwise, they will not heat thoroughly. 

Let the bacon sizzle, stirring occasionally with the tongs, until the strips are steaming hot all the way through. This usually takes 2 to 3 minutes for standard-cut bacon. Thicker-cut bacon may take longer.

Use the tongs to transfer the heated bacon strips onto a paper towel-lined plate. Tilt the skillet and spoon excess bacon grease over the strips if needed. 

Repeat reheating the remaining bacon strips in batches until all are thoroughly reheated. Add the strips to the skillet in a single layer and watch closely, stirring frequently, as the skillet will be very hot.

Serve and enjoy your reheated bacon immediately. The bacon will stay warm for 5 to 10 minutes in the skillet but is best served promptly. Do not reheat the bacon a second time.

For the most evenly reheated results, use medium or higher heat, add the strips in a single layer, continue stirring, and check frequently. Be very careful removing strips from the hot skillet to avoid splattering grease. Reheating in a skillet provides the most crispy results compared to microwaves or ovens.

Alternatively, you can also reheat bacon in the oven at 400 F for 6 to 8 minutes, watching closely, or in short 30-second bursts in the microwave.

How to reheat bacon in the oven/toaster oven

Reheating bacon in the oven or toaster oven is another popular method that can result in crispy and evenly heated bacon. Here’s how to do it:

Gather the cooked bacon strips you want to reheat. Make sure the strips have been properly stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag and are not sitting out for more than 2 to 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 400 F or set your toaster oven to the ‘Toast’ setting at medium-high. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange a wire rack over the top. This will catch the bacon drippings as the bacon reheats.

Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack without overlapping. Do not overcrowd the strips. For easier handling, use kitchen tongs to place and turn the strips. 

Place the baking sheet with the rack and bacon in the preheated oven or toaster oven. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, checking on the bacon and turning the strips over halfway through, until the bacon is hot and steaming all the way through.

Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to transfer the reheated bacon strips onto paper towel-lined plates to drain excess grease. Serve and enjoy immediately.

The exact reheating time will depend on the cut and thickness of your bacon as well as your oven. Start checking on the bacon at 6 minutes to avoid overcooking. For extra crispy bacon, increase oven temperature to 425 F and watch closely. 

Do not reheat the bacon for a second time. Reheating in the oven will make the bacon warm all the way through but will not have the same crispy results as reheating in a skillet. However, the oven does provide a hands-off approach and reduces splattering. 

For easier cleanup of bacon grease, line the baking sheet with foil. Be very careful removing the hot baking sheet from the oven as the wire rack handles will be extremely hot. Let the baking sheet cool completely once done before discarding the foil.

How to reheat bacon under the broiler

Reheating bacon under the broiler is a quick and easy method that can result in crispy, delicious bacon. Here’s how to do it:

Gather the cooked bacon strips you want to reheat. Make sure the strips have been properly stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag and are not sitting out for more than 2 to 3 hours.

Place the oven rack in the upper part of the oven about 4 to 6 inches below the broiler element. Turn on the oven broiler to preheat. 

Line a rimmed broiler-safe baking sheet or pan with foil and arrange a wire rack over the top. This will catch the bacon drippings as the bacon reheats under the broiler.

Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack without overlapping. Do not overcrowd the strips. For easier handling, use kitchen tongs to place and turn the strips. 

Carefully place the baking sheet under the preheated broiler. Broil the bacon, watching very closely, for 3 to 5 minutes until the strips start to sizzle and brown at the edges, then use tongs to flip the strips over. 

Continue boiling for 2 to 3 more minutes until the bacon is hot all the way through and crisp to your liking. The exact time will depend on your broiler and cut of bacon. Watch the bacon extremely closely to avoid burning.

Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the broiler. Use tongs to transfer the reheated bacon strips onto paper towel-lined plates to drain excess grease. Serve immediately.

Do not reheat the bacon for a second time. Reheating under the broiler will produce the crispiest results but requires close attention to avoid burning the bacon. Be extremely cautious when handling the wire rack and baking sheet once done as they will be very hot. 

Let the baking sheet cool completely once done before discarding the foil. Enjoy your crispy reheated bacon!

How to reheat bacon in the microwave

Reheating bacon in the microwave is a quick and easy method that can save you time and effort. Here’s how to do it:

Gather the cooked bacon strips you want to reheat. Make sure the strips have been properly stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag and are not sitting out for more than 2 to 3 hours. 

Line a microwave-safe plate with 1-2 paper towels. Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on top without overlapping.

Place the plate with the bacon in your microwave. Microwave in short 30-second bursts, checking on the bacon after each interval. Flip the strips over halfway through. 

For standard cut bacon strips, it usually takes 1 to 2 minutes total cooking time to reheat thoroughly, depending on your microwave wattage. Thicker-cut bacon may take longer. The bacon is ready when it’s hot all the way through and steaming. 

Use kitchen tongs to transfer the reheated bacon strips onto fresh paper towel-lined plates. Let the bacon stand for 1 minute, then serve and enjoy immediately. 

Do not reheat the bacon for a second time. Reheating in the microwave will warm the bacon through but will not produce crispy results like reheating in the oven or skillet. However, the microwave is a quick hands-free method for reheating bacon.   

Be extremely cautious removing the bacon from the microwave as the plate will be very hot. The bacon grease on the paper towels may also splatter, so stand away from the microwave door when reheating. 

For easier cleanup, consider using a microwave bacon tray or rack over a plate to elevate the strips. Discard the grease-soaked paper towels once done and let the plate cool before handling.

How to reheat bacon in an air fryer

Reheating bacon in an air fryer is another quick and easy method that can result in crispy, delicious bacon. Here’s how to do it:

Gather the cooked bacon strips you want to reheat. Make sure the strips have been properly stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag and are not sitting out for more than 2 to 3 hours. 

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or coat it with a little melted bacon grease. This will prevent the bacon from sticking as it reheats.

Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Do not overcrowd the basket. For easier handling, use kitchen tongs to place and turn the strips.

Close the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400 F. The cooking time will depend on how crispy you like your bacon. For slightly warmed bacon, set the time to 3 to 4 minutes. For crispy bacon, set the time to 6 to 8 minutes. 

Shake the basket once or twice during cooking to ensure even reheating. Open the air fryer basket after the initial cooking time to check on the bacon. Carefully flip each strip over. 

Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes more until the bacon is steaming hot and heated through. For extra crispy bacon, crisp it for 2 to 3 minutes more, watching closely to avoid burning. The total cooking time should not exceed 10 minutes. 

Carefully remove the air fryer basket once done. Use tongs to transfer the reheated bacon strips onto paper towel-lined plates to drain excess grease. Serve and enjoy immediately. 

Do not reheat the bacon for a second time. Reheating in the air fryer will make the bacon hot all the way through and also provide crispy results due to the circulating hot air. Be very cautious handling the bacon as the strips and basket will be extremely hot. 

Discard any leftover bacon grease from the air fryer basket after it has cooled completely.

Important Tips and Reminders when Reheating Bacon

Here are some important tips and reminders when reheating bacon:

Use bacon that was properly cooked and stored. Only reheat bacon that has been fully cooked and properly refrigerated for no more than 2-3 hours. Do not reheat bacon that has been left at room temperature.

Do not reheat bacon more than once. Bacon can be safely reheated only once. Reheating for a second time may increase the risk of foodborne illness. Either eat reheated bacon promptly or discard it.

Reheat bacon thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145 F or 165 F for at least 15 seconds. This kills any potentially harmful bacteria and ensures the bacon is safe to eat. The reheating method used determines the proper internal temperature.

Watch bacon closely while reheating. No matter the method – skillet, oven, microwave, or air fryer, reheated bacon can easily burn if overcooked. Keep a close eye on the bacon and check frequently.

Let bacon stand for 1 to 2 minutes after reheating before eating. This will allow the temperature to distribute thoroughly and the bacon will remain hot once served.

Be extremely cautious handling hot bacon and any reheating equipment. Bacon strips, skillets, air fryer baskets, and plates will all retain a lot of heat and the bacon grease may splatter. Proper oven mitts and caution must be used to avoid burns. 

For food safety, do not leave reheated bacon sitting out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Bacteria grow rapidly at unsafe food temperatures. Promptly refrigerate or discard any leftover reheated bacon. 

Use proper ventilation when reheating bacon. Reheating bacon, especially in the oven, skillet, or under the broiler will produce a lot of smoke and splattering grease. Make sure you have proper ventilation like an exhaust fan.

Consider lining your reheating equipment for easy cleanup. Place wire racks over foil-lined baking sheets or trays, use nonstick plates and always clean your reheating equipment thoroughly after use to avoid grease fires.

How to store bacon

Storing bacon properly is important to maintain its quality and prevent spoilage. Here are some tips for storing bacon:

Always refrigerate uncooked bacon within 2 hours of purchasing or opening the package. Uncooked bacon should be used within 1 week.

Unopened vacuum-sealed packages of bacon can last up to 14 days in the refrigerator. Once opened, use within 7 days. Freezer packages of bacon can last 6 to 12 months in the freezer.

For opened bacon, tightly wrap the remaining strips in aluminum foil, or plastic wrap, or place them in an airtight ziplock bag or container before refrigerating. This prevents air exposure that can cause the bacon to oxidize and go rancid.

Separate thick-cut bacon strips to allow even refrigeration. Make sure raw bacon is placed on a plate or tray to catch excess moisture and prevent cross-contamination with other foods before cooking.

Raw bacon can be frozen for longer-term storage. Seal the bacon using heavy-duty freezer bags, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil. Properly wrapped, frozen bacon can last 6 to 12 months in the freezer. 

When ready to use, simply thaw the frozen bacon overnight in the refrigerator before cooking as usual. Do not thaw bacon on the counter at room temperature.

Cooked bacon should be refrigerated as soon as possible after cooking. Place bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Pat off grease excess before storing.

Refrigerate cooked bacon within 2 hours of making. Properly stored in an airtight container or sealed ziplock bag, cooked bacon will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Bacon may be frozen for up to 3 months when wrapped properly in moisture-proof packagings like ziplock freezer bags or plastic wrap. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or eating. 

Always use thawed and reheated bacon promptly. Do not re-freeze. For best quality, eat cooked bacon within 4 days. Reheated bacon should be eaten immediately. 

When in doubt, throw it out. If the bacon has been left at room temperature for over 2 hours or has a foul odor, it is best discarded. It is not worth the risk of foodborne illness. Always practice good food handling and safety with raw and cooked bacon.

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