Bacon is a beloved breakfast food for many people. When cooked properly, bacon can be crispy and delicious. However, it’s easy to end up with bacon that curls up instead of laying flat in the pan or on your plate. Curling and buckling bacon is frustrating, but with a few tips you can learn how to fry bacon so it stays flat and cooks evenly.
Why Does Bacon Curl?
To understand how to keep bacon flat, it helps to know what causes it to curl in the first place. There are a few reasons that raw bacon slices may curl up as they cook:
The Protein Structure
Bacon contains muscles and fat from the pork belly. As the bacon cooks, the muscles constrict while the fat renders and shrinks. This causes the bacon to contract and deform into a curled shape. Leaner slices will curl more than fatty slices due to having less rendered fat.
Uneven Cooking
If parts of the bacon cook faster than others, it can cause the bacon to buckle and twist. This is especially common if the heat source is uneven. The slower-cooking areas contract at a different rate than the faster areas, resulting in bacon that looks like a twisted ribbon.
Moisture Loss
As bacon cooks, the moisture evaporates. Areas that dry out faster begin to curl and shrink. Fatty areas retain more moisture during cooking. The moisture gradient from edge to center can cause the bacon to curl up at the edges.
How to Fry Bacon Flat
Now that you know what makes bacon curl, here are tips for avoiding it:
Start with Good Quality, Thick Sliced Bacon
Look for bacon slices that are cut from 1/8 to 1⁄4 inches thick. Thinner slices curl more easily. Slices that are too thick may not cook through. Higher quality bacon with good marbling of fat will lay flatter as the fat renders.
Preheat the Pan Properly
Use a heavy skillet, ideally cast iron or stainless steel. Place it over low to medium-low heat and let it fully preheat for 3-5 minutes before adding the bacon. Avoid high heat, which causes faster moisture loss.
Lay Bacon Slices Evenly Flat
Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer without overlapping. Make sure the entire slice has good contact with the preheated pan to prevent buckling.
Weigh Bacon Down
Use a bacon press or another heavy, flat bottomed pan to weigh down the bacon as it cooks. The weight flattens the bacon to keep it from curling at the edges.
Cook Slowly
Fry over low to medium-low heat. Cooking the bacon slowly allows the fat to render gradually without a harsh moisture loss. Flip occasionally and continue weighing it down as it cooks.
Drain and Blot Excess Grease
Once the bacon reaches your desired doneness, transfer it to a paper towel lined plate. Gently blot both sides with more paper towels to soak up excess grease without damaging the flat shape.
Troubleshooting Bacon Curls
If you still end up with curly bacon, here are some steps to troubleshoot:
The pan may not have preheated fully or evenly. Allow more time for it to heat gradually next time.
The heat may have been too high. Cook over lower heat next time.
The bacon may have been too thin or lean. Try thicker cut or fattier bacon.
Overcrowding can cause curling. Allow plenty of space between each slice.
Not weighing the bacon down enough can lead to buckling. Press down firmly with a bacon press or heavy pan.
Cooking too long can dry out the edges. Remove bacon sooner next time.
Tips for Serving Flat Bacon
Once you’ve succeeded in frying flat, uniform bacon, keep it that way for serving with these tips:
Let cool slightly before handling.
Bacon is very fragile when hot and can buckle as it cools.
Drain on paper towels, not paper plates.
The papery surface helps wick away grease instead of allowing bacon to fry in its own fat.
Transfer to a wire rack if not eating right away.
This allows airflow under and over to keep it crisp without curling as it cools.
Place on plates gently.
Sliding bacon strips into place avoids ruffling them.
Bake extra flat strips.
Oven baking on a wire rack or pan lined with parchment minimizes handling.
How to Incorporate Flat Bacon Into Dishes
Crispy flat bacon isn’t just for breakfast. Use flat fried bacon to upgrade all kinds of savory dishes:
Sandwiches and Burgers
Lay flat bacon strips directly on sandwiches and burgers to add crunch without messing up the toppings.
Soup and Salad Toppers
Chop cooled flat bacon into crunchy bits for sprinkling on salads, baked potatoes, soups, and chili.
Macaroni and Cheese
Crumble crispy bacon into the cheese sauce or use as a garnish for the top.
Pizza
Top cheese pizza with irregular shards of crumbled bacon instead of curls.
Roasted Vegetables
Toss flat bacon bits with Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or cauliflower before roasting for a smoky, salty punch.
Potatoes
Garnish mashed, fried, or baked potatoes with chopped or crumbled flat bacon.
Cooking Perfectly Flat Bacon
Frying bacon flat takes a little finesse, but pays off in terms of evenly cooked and crispy results. Follow these best practices:
– Start with good quality thick cut bacon
– Preheat skillet gradually over low to medium-low heat
– Arrange bacon slices in a single layer without overlapping
– Weigh the bacon down as it cooks
– Fry slowly over low to medium-low heat
– Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease
– Handle gently and let cool before serving
With the right techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful flat bacon every time. Now go forth and fry!
Nutrition Information Per Serving
Here is the nutrition information for a serving of fried bacon made with 3 slices that are pan-fried (28g or 1 oz uncooked):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 81 |
| Fat | 5g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 379mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 6g |
As you can see, bacon is high in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol, so it should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. But when cooked properly into crispy flat slices, it can be enjoyed as an occasional treat at breakfast or on sandwiches, burgers, and other recipes.
Conclusion
Frying bacon flat takes a little extra care and the right technique. Start with thick quality bacon, use a heavy pan, preheat at medium-low, cook slowly, weigh it down, and drain well. Avoiding the common mistakes that make bacon curl requires controlling the temperature and moisture loss. Serving flat bacon lets you take advantage of its crispness on sandwiches and as crunchy garnishes. While it should be eaten in moderation, perfectly flat bacon is worth mastering as a special treat.