How Long Do I Boil Bacon For? A Guide to Perfectly Boiled Bacon

Bacon is a breakfast staple in many households. From bacon and eggs to BLTs, the salty cured pork just makes everything better. While most people fry or bake their bacon, boiling is an underrated cooking method. Boiling yields tender, flavorful bacon without the mess and splatter of frying. But many wonder – how long do I boil bacon for the best results?

The exact boil time can vary based on personal preference and bacon thickness. But following a few guidelines will help you achieve irresistible boiled bacon every time. Keep reading for tips on boil times, seasonings serving ideas and more!

Factors that Affect Boil Time

Several factors impact how long you need to boil bacon

• Bacon cut – Thicker sliced bacon takes longer to cook through Thin or regular sliced bacon cooks faster

• Desired texture – Do you want tender and flexible or crisp? The longer you boil, the softer the bacon becomes.

• Liquid used – Water boils faster than broth or cider. The liquid impacts total cook time.

• Altitude – Higher elevations require longer boil times due to lower boiling point.

• Personal taste – Some people prefer their bacon lightly boiled while others like it well-done.

Considering these variables, boil times can range from 8-20 minutes. Use the bacon packaging as a starting point, then tweak time to your preferences.

Step-by-Step Guide to Boiling Bacon

Follow these simple steps for foolproof boiled bacon:

1. Choose Thick-Cut Bacon

Thick sliced bacon holds up best to boiling. Look for slices at least 1/8 inch thick. Regular or thin sliced bacon can overcook and fall apart.

2. Prepare Boiling Liquid

Fill a skillet or pot with enough liquid to submerge the bacon. Water is simplest, but you can also use broth, cider, beer or wine. About 1-2 cups of liquid per 4 strips of bacon is sufficient.

3. Bring the Liquid to a Boil

Place the pot over high heat until the liquid starts bubbling rapidly. Use a lid to speed up the process.

4. Add the Bacon

Once boiling, use tongs to carefully add the bacon slices. Make sure they are fully submerged.

5. Reduce Heat and Simmer

Lower the heat to medium-low, just high enough to maintain a gentle simmer. Avoid a rolling boil which can make the bacon overly soft.

6. Flip Occasionally

Gently flip the bacon with tongs every 2-3 minutes as it simmers. This helps it cook evenly.

7. Check Doneness

Start testing doneness after about 8 minutes. Use tongs to remove a piece and check if it reached your desired texture.

8. Remove and Drain

When done, transfer the bacon with tongs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess liquid.

9. Pat Dry and Serve

Gently pat the boiled bacon with paper towels to soak up more moisture before eating.

How Long to Boil Thick, Thin or Regular Sliced Bacon

Here are some general guidelines for boil times based on cut:

• Thick-cut bacon – Simmer for 12-15 minutes for tender yet slightly chewy texture. Up to 20 minutes for very soft.

• Regular sliced bacon – Boil for 8-12 minutes until pliable but not falling apart.

• Thin-sliced bacon – Cook for just 5-8 minutes to prevent disintegration. It cooks quickly.

No matter what the thickness, always monitor doneness and adjust the timing as needed. Your personal taste preferences should dictate ideal boil time.

Tips for Perfectly Boiled Bacon Every Time

Follow these tips for irresistible boiled bacon with your preferred texture:

• Use a thermometer and boil until it reaches your desired internal temp. For a soft texture, cook to 145°F. For a lightly crisped texture, cook to 165°F.

• Add spices like peppercorns, bay leaves or garlic to the boiling liquid for extra flavor.

• Chill boiled bacon in an ice bath if using it in recipes that require crispy bits. This helps firm it up again.

• Pat boiled bacon very well with paper towels to remove excess moisture for crisper results.

• Don’t wipe off the white coagulated protein – it adds flavor as the bacon simmers.

• Fry or bake boiled bacon briefly if you want crispyness after softening it through boiling.

Delicious Ways to Use Boiled Bacon

The softened yet full-flavored texture of boiled bacon lends itself to multiple cooking applications:

• Salads – Crumble boiled bacon over leafy greens or wedge salads for a smoky topping.

• Soups – Add chopped boiled bacon to bean soups, potato soup or chowders.

• Eggs – Sprinkle crumbled boiled bacon into scrambled eggs or omelets.

• Sandwiches – Use boiled bacon on BLTs, club sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches and burgers.

• Wraps – Toss crumbled boiled bacon into wrap fillings along with veggies, cheese and chicken.

• Pasta – Mix chopped boiled bacon into pasta salads, mac and cheese or carbonara.

• Potatoes – Top baked potatoes with crumbled boiled bacon, cheese, and sour cream.

• Brussels sprouts – Toss halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil and boiled bacon pieces then roast.

Get creative with boiled bacon in your favorite dishes! The softened texture infuses recipes with a lovely smoky bacon flavor.

Can You Refrigerate or Freeze Leftover Boiled Bacon?

Absolutely! Properly stored, leftover boiled bacon keeps well to use later.

To refrigerate – Place boiled bacon pieces or strips in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-4 days.

To freeze – Lay boiled bacon in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Frozen boiled bacon keeps for 2-3 months.

Thaw frozen boiled bacon overnight in the fridge before using. Refrigerate thawed bacon for up to one week.

Common Questions about Boiling Bacon

If you’re new to boiling bacon, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Does boiled bacon taste the same as fried?

Boiled bacon has a more mellow, less salty flavor compared to fried. The texture is also softer. But it still provides that delicious bacon taste.

Can you boil bacon from raw?

Absolutely! In fact, boiling raw bacon is preferred to get the full flavor infusion into the liquid. Starting from raw also allows you to control doneness.

Should I boil bacon in salted or unsalted water?

Since bacon is already salty, boiling in unsalted water helps balance the flavors. Using low sodium broth also works well.

Is boiled bacon healthier than frying?

Boiling does render off some of the fat from bacon, so it can be a slightly healthier cooking method. However, both contain saturated fat and sodium.

What about boiling turkey or beef bacon?

You can boil turkey and beef bacon using the same method and timing guidelines. Just watch closely for doneness since they tend to cook faster.

The Takeaway on Boiling Bacon

Boiling bacon is an easy, splatter-free cooking method that results in tender, flavorful bacon perfect for multiple recipes. Follow the suggested time guidelines based on thickness, but always rely on your senses to determine ideal doneness. For best results, choose thick cuts, use unsalted liquid and simmer gently.

In just 10-20 minutes, you can have ready-to-eat boiled bacon or prepare it for use in soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas and more. So next time you’re cooking, give boiling a try for your bacon! Enjoy the benefits of this simple technique.