Bacon. The crispy, salty, breakfast (or any-time-of-day) staple. But who has time to stand over a stovetop, waiting for those strips to reach perfection? Microwave cooking offers a surprisingly effective and quick alternative. This guide will walk you through how to cook bacon in the microwave, achieving crispy results every time. Forget greasy messes and uneven cooking – this method is your new secret weapon for perfectly cooked bacon.
Why Microwave Bacon?
Let's be honest, sometimes convenience trumps tradition. Microwaving bacon offers several advantages:
- Speed: Much faster than stovetop or oven methods. Perfect for busy mornings.
- Ease: Minimal cleanup – no messy pans to scrub.
- Consistency: With the right technique, you can achieve even crispiness across all strips.
The Best Way to Cook Bacon in the Microwave: A Step-by-Step Guide
Forget those paper towel methods that often lead to soggy bacon! This technique uses a microwave-safe plate and a touch of water for perfectly crisp results.
What you'll need:
- Microwave-safe plate: Choose a plate larger than your bacon strips to allow for even cooking and airflow.
- Bacon: Your favorite cut and thickness.
- Paper towels: For blotting excess grease.
- Water: A small amount, approximately 1 tablespoon per 2-3 slices of bacon.
Instructions:
- Prepare your plate: Lay the bacon strips flat on the microwave-safe plate, slightly overlapping if necessary, but ensuring they aren't overcrowded. This is crucial for even cooking.
- Add water: Sprinkle a small amount of water onto the plate. This helps create steam, which cooks the bacon evenly and prevents it from becoming too dry.
- Microwave: Cook on high for 1-2 minutes per slice, checking frequently. Cooking time will vary based on your microwave's wattage and the thickness of your bacon. Thicker bacon will require longer cooking times.
- Check for doneness: The bacon should be crispy but not burnt. If it's not quite crispy enough, continue cooking in 30-second intervals until desired crispness is achieved.
- Drain grease: Remove the bacon from the microwave and carefully blot away excess grease with paper towels.
Tips for Perfect Microwave Bacon:
- Arrange for even cooking: Don't overcrowd the plate; ensure bacon is in a single layer for uniform crispness.
- Adjust cooking time: Microwaves vary in power. Start with shorter cooking times and adjust as needed to achieve your ideal level of crispiness.
- Don't overcook: Overcooked bacon will be hard and potentially burnt. Check frequently to avoid this.
- Experiment with thickness: Thicker-cut bacon will take longer to cook than thinner cuts.
Troubleshooting Common Microwave Bacon Problems
- Soggy Bacon: This usually means insufficient cooking time or too much water. Increase the cooking time and use less water next time.
- Unevenly Cooked Bacon: Overcrowding the plate is the likely culprit. Ensure bacon strips are in a single layer with space between them for even cooking.
- Burnt Bacon: This usually indicates that you’ve overcooked it. Reduce cooking time and check more frequently.
Beyond the Basics: Flavor Variations
Once you've mastered the basic technique, experiment with different flavors!
- Spicy Bacon: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the plate before microwaving.
- Maple Bacon: Drizzle a little maple syrup over the cooked bacon.
- Brown Sugar Bacon: Sprinkle brown sugar over the bacon before microwaving.
Now that you've learned how to cook bacon in the microwave, you can enjoy this breakfast favorite quickly and easily, any time of day! So ditch the stovetop and embrace the speed and convenience of microwave bacon. You won't regret it.
