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How does Rachel Ray cook bacon in the oven?

Cooking bacon in the oven is a great way to cook large batches of bacon easily and evenly. TV personality and celebrity chef Rachel Ray has a simple method for oven-baked bacon that turns out consistently crunchy, tasty bacon every time. Here’s an overview of how Rachel Ray cooks bacon in the oven.

Ingredients

To cook bacon in the oven like Rachel Ray, you just need two ingredients:

  • Bacon – Use regular sliced bacon, thick cut bacon, or bacon ends and pieces.
  • Aluminum foil

Oven Temperature

Preheat your oven to 400°F. This high heat helps the bacon cook up crispy.

Prep the Baking Sheet

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. The rimmed pan will catch any bacon grease drippings. The foil makes cleanup easy and helps promote even cooking.

Arrange the Bacon

Lay the bacon slices out on the foil-lined pan in a single layer, making sure the slices aren’t overlapping each other. Rachel recommends spacing the slices slightly apart to allow the bacon grease to drain off while cooking. This prevents the bacon from stewing in the grease and ensures it gets nicely browned and crispy.

Bake Time

Bake the bacon for 15-18 minutes. After about 10 minutes, check on the bacon and use tongs to gently flip each slice over. Then return the pan to the oven to finish cooking. This ensures the bacon cooks evenly. The bacon is done when it’s crispy and deep golden brown.

Drain and Blot

When the bacon is ready, remove it from the oven and transfer the slices to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and blot up excess grease. Let the bacon cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

Here are some extra tips from Rachel for perfectly cooked oven bacon:

  • If baking thick cut bacon, extend the cooking time to 18-20 minutes total.
  • For chewier bacon, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F.
  • For bacon that’s crispy throughout, bake thinner sliced bacon (regular cut).
  • Cut bacon slices in half to make them fit better on the baking sheet.
  • Double the foil on the pan to prevent burning, especially if baking bacon ends and pieces.

Flavor Variations

Rachel also recommends some easy flavor twist ideas:

  • Maple Bacon: Brush the raw bacon lightly with maple syrup before baking.
  • Spicy Bacon: Sprinkle the bacon lightly with cayenne pepper or chili powder before baking.
  • Brown Sugar Bacon: Sprinkle the bacon lightly with brown sugar before baking.
  • Pepper Bacon: Coarsely grind black pepper over the raw bacon before baking.

Cooking Bacon in Oven vs. Skillet

Baking bacon in the oven has some advantages over stovetop frying in a skillet:

  • Oven baking cooks the bacon more evenly.
  • It’s hands-off cooking that frees up the stovetop.
  • Large batches can bake at once.
  • Less splattering compared to pan-frying.
  • Bacon grease is contained for easier cleanup.

However, skillet cooking allows you to get some pieces crispier than others, while oven baking tends to make all pieces evenly crispy. So choose your method based on how much bacon you need to make and your bacon taste preferences.

How to Cook Bacon Perfectly

Whether you bake your bacon in the oven or fry it in a skillet, here are some tips for getting bacon just right:

  • Start with high quality, fresh bacon that hasn’t been frozen. This makes a big difference.
  • Remove the bacon from its packaging and pat dry before cooking. This promotes even crisping.
  • Cook over medium-high heat. Too low and the bacon won’t get crispy. Too high can burn it.
  • Flip the bacon halfway through cooking. This ensures even cooking on both sides.
  • Cook to your desired doneness. Rachel recommends just beyond the limp stage for a mix of chewy and crispy.
  • Blot cooked bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease.
  • Allow bacon grease to cool before disposing to prevent clogs.

How to Freeze and Store Bacon

Follow these tips for freezing uncooked bacon and storing leftover cooked bacon:

  • Freezing Raw Bacon: Wrap the unopened package well in plastic wrap and foil. This prevents freezer burn. Frozen bacon lasts up to 2 months.
  • Thawing Bacon: Refrigerator thawing is best to prevent bacterial growth. Thaw in fridge 24 hours before needed, keeping wrapped.
  • Cooked Bacon Storage: Store cooled, cooked bacon in airtight container in fridge up to 1 week. Freeze cooked bacon up to 1 month.

Popular Ways to Use Bacon

Beyond eating it alone, bacon makes a tasty addition to all kinds of recipes. Here are some favorite ways to enjoy bacon:

  • Crumble on salads or soups
  • Mix into dips and spreads
  • Top baked potatoes
  • Wrap around steak, chicken, or other meats
  • Include in omelets, quiches, frittatas
  • Toss with pasta, green beans, brussels sprouts
  • Mix into burger patties
  • Use in sandwiches, wraps, and tacos
  • Bake into casseroles and egg bakes
  • Sprinkle over pizza

Nutrition Facts for Bacon

Here is the nutrition information for a serving of pan-fried bacon made from slice pork belly according to the USDA:

Nutrient Amount
Calories 43
Fat 3.5g
Saturated Fat 1.3g
Sodium 190mg

As you can see, bacon is high in sodium and saturated fat. The fat and sodium amounts can add up quickly, especially when eating multiple slices. For a healthier diet, bacon is best enjoyed in moderation.

Is Turkey Bacon Healthier Than Regular Bacon?

Turkey bacon is often considered a healthier alternative to pork bacon. But is it really better for you? Here’s a comparison of the nutrition facts:

Nutrient (per serving) Turkey Bacon Pork Bacon
Calories 40 43
Total Fat 1.5g 3.5g
Saturated Fat 0.5g 1.3g
Sodium 360mg 190mg

While turkey bacon is slightly leaner when it comes to fat and calories, it contains almost twice as much sodium as pork bacon. So turkey bacon may not necessarily be a healthier choice.

Ways to Make Bacon Healthier

If you want to enjoy bacon as part of a healthy diet, here are some tips:

  • Opt for uncured turkey or pork bacon to reduce sodium intake.
  • Choose center-cut bacon, which is leaner than regular sliced bacon.
  • Limit portion size to 1-2 slices max per serving.
  • Cook on a rack to allow fat to drip off instead of cooking in it.
  • Blot cooked bacon well on paper towels to remove excess grease.
  • Avoid eating bacon every day. Enjoy it in moderation as a treat.

Bacon Safety Tips

When handling raw bacon, be sure to follow these important safety guidelines:

  • Wash hands and cooking surfaces after handling raw bacon to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Cook bacon thoroughly until crispy to kill any bacteria.
  • Don’t leave cooked bacon at room temperature more than 2 hours before refrigerating.
  • Store uncooked bacon on the bottom shelf of the fridge to prevent juices from dripping.
  • Discard bacon that smells bad or has turned gray or green.

Common Bacon Questions

Why does bacon shrink when cooked?

Bacon shrinks quite a bit when cooked because the fat renders out and the water evaporates, decreasing the size. Cooking at high heat speeds up fat rendering, causing more shrinkage. Thicker cut bacon shrinks less than thin cut.

Why is bacon so salty?

Bacon contains sodium from both the pork as well as the salt added during curing and processing. The curing process helps preserve the meat and gives bacon its signature salty, smoky flavor. Look for low-sodium or uncured bacon to reduce salt intake.

Is bacon already cooked?

No, regular raw bacon still needs to be cooked before eating. The curing and smoking process to make bacon preserves the meat but does not fully cook it. Bacon should always be cooked until crispy to kill bacteria and make it safe to eat.

Can you eat bacon raw?

It’s not recommended. Eating raw bacon can expose you to harmful bacteria like Salmonella. Cooking it thoroughly until crispy kills bacteria and makes it safe to consume.

Conclusion

Rachel Ray’s method of oven-baked bacon delivers consistently crispy, delicious results every time. By preheating the oven to 400°F, lining a baking sheet with foil, spacing out the bacon slices, and rotating halfway through, you can achieve bacon perfection with minimal fuss. While it does have some sodium and saturated fat, enjoying quality bacon in moderation can absolutely be part of a balanced diet. Follow proper food safety when cooking bacon, allow it to fully cool before storing, and incorporate it into your favorite recipes to add smoky, salty flavor.