How to Tell When Raw Bacon Is Cooked: 5 Easy Ways
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Bacon is done when it has reached your preferred level of crispness and the fat has rendered. Look for a browned color, crisp or firm texture, and visibly rendered fat. For the most reliable check, use a food thermometer to verify the internal temperature.
More than almost any other food, bacon is a top choice for BBQ aficionados. And much like steak, food connoisseurs also prefer a specific level of doneness for their bacon. And while everyone’s personal tastes do vary, the question remains: can you tell when raw bacon is cooked? What’s the best way to prepare bacon? Follow us as we explain the best ways to cook bacon!
Table of Contents
Bacon: From Raw to Cooked
Knowing when bacon is done is about more than watching the clock. Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the bacon, cooking method, heat level, and how crispy you like it. Instead, look for a combination of visual and texture changes as the bacon cooks.
Check the Color
Raw bacon is usually pink or reddish with white fat. As it cooks, the meat develops a deeper brown color while the fat becomes more translucent. For crispier bacon, you will generally see more browning around the edges and across the surface.
However, color alone does not tell you whether bacon is fully cooked. Because bacon is cured, it can retain some pink or reddish color even after cooking. Use color together with the other signs below rather than relying on it by itself.
Look at the Rendered Fat
As bacon cooks, the fat gradually melts and renders into the pan. You should see less opaque white fat in the slices and more liquid fat surrounding them.
Well-rendered fat is one of the clearest signs that bacon is nearing your preferred level of doneness. If the bacon is still soft and contains large areas of unrendered, white fat, it may need more time. Keep the heat moderate so the fat has time to render without burning the meat.
Check the Texture
Texture is one of the easiest ways to tell whether bacon is done, especially if you know how you like it.
For chewy bacon, the slices should be browned and cooked through but still somewhat flexible. For crispy bacon, the slices should feel firm and crisp, with little softness remaining. Keep in mind that bacon will continue to firm up slightly as it cools, so you can remove it from the heat just before it reaches your ideal texture.
READ: Is Everything Better With Bacon?
Look at the Shape
Bacon often curls, shrinks, or develops wavy edges as it cooks. This happens because the meat and fat contract at different rates as they heat.
While curling is a normal sign that the bacon is cooking, it should not be used as the only indication that it is done. A slice can curl before the fat has fully rendered, or it may remain relatively flat depending on how it is cut and cooked. Check its color, fat, and texture as well.
Check Internal Temperature of Bacon
The USDA recommends cooking bacon until reaches a safe internal temperature of 148°F (64°C). A food thermometer can provide an easy way to check bacon.
For thicker bacon or other foods cooked alongside your bacon, the TempPro TempSpike TP970 Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer can make temperature monitoring easier. Its truly wireless probe lets you monitor food temperature without leaving a probe wire hanging from the oven, grill, or smoker.
The TempPro TP970 features 600-ft Bluetooth range, real-time temperature monitoring, and temperature alerts through the app. You can set a target temperature and keep an eye on the cooking process without repeatedly opening the oven or standing next to the grill. It is especially useful when you are cooking bacon as part of a larger meal, such as alongside steak, burgers, roasts, or other thicker foods that require precise temperature monitoring.
For thin bacon, an instant-read meat thermometer is usually more practical than a leave-in probe. It gives you a quick reading without leaving a thermometer in the pan while the bacon cooks.
The Dangers of Uncooked Bacon
It’s very important to be able to tell when bacon is properly cooked. That’s because uncooked bacon presents a risk to your health that should be avoided at all costs. You should never cook raw bacon halfway and stop, only to cook it later after refrigeration. Interrupting the cooking process will encourage harmful bacteria to grow. After buying bacon from the store, be sure to take it home immediately. Refrigerate it as soon as you can at temperatures of 40°F (4°C) or below. Bacon can last for up to 7 days in the fridge, while it can keep up to 4 months in the freezer. To thaw frozen bacon safely, use one of these three methods:
- Fridge: Thaws very slowly over a long period of time; best for thawing overnight
- Cold Water: Thaws bacon slowly over a moderate period of time; be sure not to puncture the package seal
- Microwave: Thaws quickly in minutes
Under no circumstances should you thaw bacon on the counter. Do not let bacon sit at room temperature for extended periods of time. Once thawed, be sure to cook bacon immediately. If the bacon hasn’t completely thawed, it is still safe to cook (despite the splatter from the ice).
Best Ways to Cook Bacon
When preparing bacon for your next meal, use one of the following ways:
- Stovetop: Use a flat-bottomed pan (such as cast iron) and cook over medium-low heat in order to render the fat properly. Flip using tongs and relocate to another part of the pan.
- Oven: Cook bacon at 350˚F (177˚C) for 20-30 minutes on a baking pan.
- Microwave: Cook one minute for every strip, cooking a few strips at a time. Cover below and on top with paper towels.
- Air Fryer: Cook bacon in an air fryer at 350˚F for 7 to 9 minutes, longer for a crispier texture.
How do you tell if bacon is done? You can use a TempPro smart meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of bacon during cooking. When the bacon is fully cooked, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess oil. Pour grease into a heat-proof receptacle for later use or discarding.
Bacon Recipes
Hungry for bacon? Incorporate this versatile ingredient in your next meal using these recipes:
- Steak Bacon Ranch Sandwich
- Smoked Shotgun Shells
- Bacon-Wrapped Armadillo Eggs
- Bacon-Wrapped Onion Ring Burgers
FAQs about Cooking Bacon
How Do You Know When Bacon Is Done?
Bacon is done when the fat has rendered, the meat has browned, and the texture has reached your preferred level of crispness. If you like chewy bacon, you can remove it while it is still slightly soft and flexible. For crisp bacon, cook it longer until the slices feel firm and the edges are crisp. Because bacon is cured, color alone is not a reliable way to judge whether it is fully cooked. For the most reliable safety check, use a food thermometer when practical.
Can Bacon Be Pink When It Is Cooked?
Yes. Cooked bacon can still have a pink or reddish color, and that does not necessarily mean it is undercooked. Bacon is cured with ingredients such as salt and nitrite, which help give cured meat its characteristic pink color. USDA notes that bacon can remain pink even after reaching a safe temperature. Instead of judging doneness by color alone, look at the overall appearance, rendered fat, and texture, and use a food thermometer when possible.
What Temperature Should Bacon Be Cooked To?
Bacon is thin and difficult to measure accurately with a thermometer, so there is not a simple temperature target that works as well as it does for thicker cuts of meat. USDA recommends cooking bacon completely rather than partially cooking it and finishing it later. Since bacon's thickness and cooking method vary, follow the package directions and cook until it reaches the desired texture. If you use a thermometer, insert the probe carefully into the thicker portion of the bacon for the best possible reading.
How Long Does Bacon Take to Cook?
Bacon usually takes about 8 to 12 minutes on the stovetop or around 15 to 20 minutes in the oven, but cooking time can vary. Thick-cut bacon generally takes longer than regular-cut bacon, while higher heat can shorten the cooking time but also increase the risk of burning. The amount of bacon, starting temperature, cooking method, and how crisp you want it all affect the final cooking time. Instead of relying on the clock alone, check the bacon as it cooks and remove it when it reaches your preferred texture.
How Do You Know When Thick-Cut Bacon Is Done?
Thick-cut bacon is done when the fat has rendered and the meat has developed the texture you want, from tender and chewy to crisp. Because it contains more meat and fat than regular bacon, it generally needs more time to cook. Watch for browned edges, rendered fat, and a firmer texture rather than relying on color alone. If the bacon is browning quickly but still feels soft and has a lot of unrendered fat, lower the heat and give it more time to cook through.
Should Bacon Be Crispy or Chewy?
That depends on your preference and how you plan to serve it. Chewy bacon is softer and more flexible, with some rendered fat remaining in the slice. Crispy bacon is firmer, more brittle, and has more of its fat rendered out. Neither texture is automatically better. For breakfast sandwiches or burgers, many people prefer bacon with crisp edges but enough flexibility to bite through easily. For salads and toppings, extra-crispy bacon can provide more crunch. Cook bacon until it reaches the texture you enjoy.
Why Does Bacon Curl When It Cooks?
Bacon curls because the meat and fat shrink at different rates as they heat. As the fat renders and the muscle fibers contract, the slice can buckle, twist, or curl. The shape can also be affected by the thickness of the bacon and how it is cut. Curling is a normal part of cooking and does not necessarily mean the bacon is done. If you want flatter slices, cooking bacon with a weight or using an oven method can help reduce curling.
Can You Overcook Bacon?
Yes. Bacon can go from crisp and browned to dark, dry, and burnt if it stays on the heat too long. Overcooked bacon may have a bitter or overly smoky flavor, while too much fat can render out and leave the meat dry and brittle. To avoid overcooking, start checking the bacon before you think it is finished and remove it when it reaches your preferred level of crispness. Remember that the bacon will remain hot after it comes off the heat, so it can continue to firm up slightly as it cools.
Final Thoughts
No matter how you like your bacon, always use the safe way to cook bacon. As one of the most appealing ingredients for BBQ lovers, bacon is a great food that needs to be enjoyed responsibly.
How do you know bacon is done? Are you in the market for a meat thermometer? Choose TempPro thermometers for the best in bacon temperature monitoring! TempPro offers a wide selection of meat thermometers such as the TempPro TP970, a Bluetooth-equipped wireless product that allows you to monitor food temperatures from up to 600 feet away! Browse our entire collection of best-selling thermometers on TempPro Online Store!
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