One of the most frustrating things about cooking bacon is seeing those nice wide strips shrink down to tiny little pieces. While a certain amount of shrinkage is inevitable when cooking bacon, there are some tricks you can use to minimize how much it shrinks. Follow this guide to learn how to cook bacon so it stays nice and meaty.
Why Bacon Shrinks
Before getting into solutions, let’s look at why bacon shrinks in the first place There are two main culprits
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Fat rendering – As bacon cooks, the fat melts and renders out, causing the bacon to get smaller More fatty bacon will shrink more
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Moisture loss – Most bacon is cured in water, which adds moisture. This moisture evaporates during cooking.
So to reduce shrinkage, the goal is to minimize moisture and fat loss when cooking.
Tips to Reduce Bacon Shrinkage
Here are 8 tips and tricks to cook bacon while reducing shrinkage:
1. Choose Quality Bacon
Higher quality bacon with the right meat-to-fat ratio will shrink less than low-quality brands pumped with extra fat and water. Look for thick-cut bacon from a trusted butcher.
2. Blot Excess Moisture
Before cooking, use paper towels to blot away any beads of water on the bacon. This removes some moisture that would otherwise evaporate.
3. Cook Low and Slow
Cooking at a lower temp (325°F) for a longer time allows fat to render slowly rather than a quick boil off.
4. Use a Bake Sheet
Cook bacon flat on a baking sheet, not balled up. This exposes more surface area for even cooking rather than creating hot spots.
5. Elevate on a Rack
Place bacon on a wire rack over a bake sheet. This allows air flow and fat dripping.
6. Weigh Bacon Down
Put another baking sheet on top of the bacon while it cooks to press it flat. This helps prevent the bacon from curling up.
7. Cook in Oven
Oven cooking is gentler and more even than frying. Bacon cooked in the oven stays flat and shrinks less.
8. Start with a Cold Pan
If pan frying, start with a cold pan. Gradually bringing up the temp gives fat time to render slowly.
Does Rinsing in Cold Water Work?
A popular “life hack” is rinsing bacon under cold water before cooking to reduce shrinkage. However, tests show this makes little difference.
Rinsing only wets the bacon, it doesn’t remove fat. And since tap water is warmer than refrigerator temp, it may even warm the bacon up. Rinsing can also wash off any added flavors.
So skip the rinse and follow the tips above for less shrinkage when cooking bacon.
How to Cook Bacon Perfectly
Follow these steps for perfectly cooked, minimally shrunken bacon every time:
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Start with quality thick-cut bacon at fridge temperature. Blot excess moisture with paper towels.
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place a wire rack on top.
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Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the rack without overlapping.
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Optional: Place another baking sheet directly on top of the bacon to weigh it down.
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Bake for 15-25 minutes until desired doneness. (Thicker bacon takes longer.)
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For chewier bacon, pour off grease after 15 minutes and return to oven.
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For pan frying, use medium-low heat and start with a cold pan.
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Drain bacon on paper towels before serving.
Preventing Bacon Shrinkage FAQs
Still have some questions about minimizing bacon shrinkage? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Does cooking bacon in the microwave prevent shrinkage?
No. Microwaved bacon often shrivels up and shrinks. Use the oven for best results.
Should you freeze raw bacon before cooking it?
Freezing can help minimize shrinkage, but thawing properly is key. Don’t thaw at room temp – keep it fridge temp.
Does baking bacon cause less shrinkage than frying?
Yes. The gentler heat of the oven results in less moisture loss and fat rendering.
Should you flip bacon while pan frying?
Flipping halfway through pan frying can help prevent cupping and shrinkage by cooking it evenly on both sides.
Does thick-cut bacon shrink less than regular sliced bacon?
Thick cut bacon does often shrink a little less since there’s less surface area for moisture to evaporate.
Can you reuse bacon grease after cooking?
Yes! Strain and save bacon grease in the fridge to use for cooking other foods.
Enjoy Your Bacon Without the Shrink
By choosing good quality bacon and following these tips on how to cook it properly, you can enjoy plump and meaty bacon slices with minimal frustrating shrinkage. Oven baking, lower temps, and pressing or weighing it down during cooking are key for cooked bacon that looks like it did in the package. Enjoy your bacon to the fullest with these shrink-reducing tricks.