Bacon is salt-cured pork made from parts of the pig such as the belly, back, collar, or loin. Essentially anywhere that has high-fat content. Bacon is usually fatty which provides most of the flavor. Most times, the meat is soaked in a solution of salt, nitrates, and other times sugar. Nitrate serves as a preservative agent to retard acidity from the meat and also preserves the color.
There are several methods used in the preparation of bacon, but one of the easiest ways many people never consider is grilling.
Can Bacon Be Grilled?
Yes! It can, in fact, grilled bacon is one of the best bacon as it cooks quickly and evenly and it gives the strip a whole new savory taste and a better aroma with crispy edges. Flare-ups from the fat dripping into hot coal make the bacon strips smoky, delicious, and of course crispy.
Ways to cook bacon on the grill
1. Cooking directly on the grill grates
This method implies placing bacon directly on a hot grill grate over low heat when using a gas grill to prevent the bacon strips from getting burnt without cooking evenly and placing indirectly while using a charcoal grill. Bacon is grilled with the lid closed to keep the strips tender and juicy.
Cooking bacon directly on the grill will take a longer time than preheating before grilling. So, be watchful to avoid eating strips of undercooked golden bacon.
2. Grilling bacon using aluminum foil
This method is used when a griddle or skillet is not available. An aluminum foil is used to form a ridge which is placed on the grill afterward, the bacon strips are laid on it and allowed to cook for 5-10 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of the bacon and temperature of the grill. Importantly, be sure to lay the bacon strips only when the foil sheets have been placed on the grill. Otherwise, the strip will weigh down the sheets resulting in an irregular shape.
3. Preheating on a skillet before grilling
This is one of the best ways to grill bacon as the griddle or cast-iron skillet will provide an evenly heated surface for the strips to frizzle for about 2-3 minutes at intervals for each side before flipping the bacon using a heavy metal spatula. Further, allow bacon strips to cool off and drain excess grease using a paper towel.
This method prevents flare-ups and it’s less messy
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How long does it take to grill bacon?
The time taken for bacon to grill properly depends on the thickness of the bacon, the temperature of the grill, and the method of grilling applied. Most people enjoy crispy bacon than rubbery bacon or perfect golden bacon. However, 10-30 minutes on each side is enough to achieve either result.
Is grilling bacon better than frying?
Grilled bacon is tastier than fried bacon as it gives the bacon a woody and smoky taste, though pan-frying is easier and faster it doesn’t really impact the bacon with the taste that comes from grilling. However, it comes down to preference, while some enjoy the flare-up from grilling, others simply go for the crispy crust that comes with frying.
Importance of grilling bacon
Grilling bacon doesn’t only impact a smoky taste to the strips but also reduces the excess amount of fat as it cooks off while grilling. Also, compared to other methods which leave the pan messy and sticky, grilling is much easier and less messy.
What other ways can bacon be cooked?
- Pan Frying
- Broiling
- Baking
- Micro-waving
- Air Frying
