Mastering the Art of Cooking Bacon in a Dutch Oven

As an avid dutch oven enthusiast and bacon lover I’ve experimented with various methods to cook bacon in my trusty dutch oven. While you can certainly pan fry or bake bacon, using a dutch oven opens up unique cooking possibilities.

In this article, I’ll share my tips and techniques for cooking crispy, flavorful bacon in a dutch oven. You’ll learn how to cook campfire bacon over coals along with baking it in the oven or on the stovetop. Let’s get cooking!

Why Cook Bacon in a Dutch Oven?

First let’s look at why a dutch oven is so well-suited for cooking bacon

• Can cook large batches easily – Perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd.

• Retains heat for uniform cooking – No hot or cold spots like a skillet.

• Extracts smoky flavors – Infuses bacon with delicious campfire or charcoal aromas.

• Cast iron seasoning – Builds up non-stick coating over time from rendered bacon fat.

• Versatile vessel – Cook on grill, stovetop, oven or over campfire coals.

The heavy duty construction and tight-fitting lid circulates heat for consistent results every time.

Tips for Preparing Your Dutch Oven

Proper prep is key to success. Follow these tips before cooking:

• Clean thoroughly after each use – Remove any stuck on bits; wash with mild soap and hot water.

• Dry completely – Moisture leads to rust; dry promptly after washing.

• Season the cast iron – Coat with a thin layer of oil and bake upside down for 1 hour at 350-400°F.

• Add a small amount of oil or butter – Prevents sticking; add just before the bacon.

Taking the time to care for your dutch oven allows it to achieve peak performance. Now let’s look at cooking methods.

Delicious Ways to Cook Bacon in a Dutch Oven

There are several excellent techniques for cooking bacon in a dutch oven:

Campfire Bacon

This method infuses the bacon with delicious smoky flavor.

• Place dutch oven over medium-high campfire coals.

• Add bacon and fry slowly while stirring occasionally until crispy.

• Remove with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.

Oven-Baked Bacon

For easy, hands-off cooking with less splatter.

• Preheat oven to 400°F.

• Line dutch oven with foil; add bacon in single layer.

• Bake 18-20 minutes until desired crispness.

• Remove with tongs to paper towel lined plate.

Stovetop Bacon

When you want to cook indoors on your range.

• Heat dutch oven on medium-high on stovetop.

• Fry bacon until almost done; add veggies and continue cooking.

• Reduce heat before adding eggs; stir frequently.

• Sprinkle cheese on top when eggs are nearly set.

Handy Tips for Dutch Oven Bacon Perfection

Follow these tips for the best possible results:

• Use medium-low heat – Prevents scorching or uneven cooking.

• Add lid to trap heat – Speeds cooking and infuses smoky flavor.

• Flip halfway through – Ensures both sides cook evenly.

• Place on parchment paper or cooling rack – Lets grease drain off.

• Monitor closely – Cast iron heats quickly; avoid burning.

• Drain excess grease – Removes oil for crisper bacon.

• Fully clean after cooking – Proper care prevents rust.

With the right prep and techniques, your dutch oven will yield incredible bacon every time. Now let’s look at some serving ideas.

Tasty Ways to Serve Dutch Oven Bacon

The possibilities are endless when it comes to enjoy dutch oven bacon:

• Breakfast sandwiches – Egg, cheese and bacon on an english muffin.

• Bacon cheeseburgers – With special sauce and fries.

• Bacon wrapped meatloaf – Top with ketchup glaze.

• BLT salad – Romaine, tomatoes, bacon and creamy dressing.

• Twice baked potatoes – Filled with bacon, cheddar and chives.

• Bacon and Brussels sprouts – Roasted together for a flavorful side.

• Bacon jalapeño poppers – Filled with cream cheese.

• Candied bacon – Coated with brown sugar and cayenne.

With the right skills, you can take your bacon game to the next level using your trusty dutch oven. Share your favorite dutch oven bacon recipes and serving ideas in the comments!