How Long to Microwave Bacon
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Find out how long to microwave bacon, whether you’ve got regular or thick-cut bacon. Learn how to cook bacon using a microwave bacon cooker or just paper towels and a plate. It’s fast and produces delicious crispy bacon with almost no cleanup!
There are many reasons to cook bacon in the microwave. Maybe you only need a slice or two to crumble into a salad. Or you might have a busy schedule and not have time for fried or oven baked bacon.
Enter microwave bacon: it’s an easy, fast and safe method. The catch? You need to know how much cook time it needs so it doesn’t turn our rubbery or scorched! Well, we tested every type of bacon and microwave to produce guidelines to make it failproof.
Can You Cook Bacon in the Microwave?
Yes, and it’s one of the best ways to cook bacon. Some of the benefits include:
- Cooks faster: It’s ready in less time than oven and stovetop methods.
- Crispy: You can get nice, crispy bacon in the microwave (really!)
- Less mess: Bacon grease soaks into the paper towel, which you can discard for easy cleanup.
- Small quantities: The microwave is the easiest and fastest way to cook just a few slices.
Any downsides? It’s challenging to cook more than 6 slices at a time without a microwave cooker gadget, although I don’t recommend them (more on that below). Also, some people prefer the texture of oven baked bacon, although it’s really a matter of personal preference.
Paper Towel Method
There’s nothing to it. Simply line a large plate with a triple-layer of paper towels (using quality paper towels for proper absorption). Lay the bacon strips on the paper towels in a single layer with no overlap. Then cover with a double-layer of paper towel.
Microwave at full power to the low end of the cook times below. Once the cycle is finished, open the door to check doneness and crispiness. If you’d like it crispier, just microwave for 30-60 seconds more.
Remove the cooked bacon from the microwave and transfer to a serving plate. It may stick slightly to the paper towel, but it will come off when you peel gently.
Microwave Bacon Cooker Method
To use a microwave bacon cooker, just hang the strips on the rack or slide into the grooves according to the manufacturer’s directions. Then use the cooking times below.
This is a great way to microwave bacon without paper towels, although the inevitable splatter makes it a messier method.
How Long to Cook Bacon in Microwave
Here’s a cook time chart for regular bacon in the microwave on high power:
| How Long to Microwave Bacon | Regular Bacon (2 slices) | Regular Bacon (6 slices) |
| Standard Microwave 900-1000 watts | 3 to 4 minutes | 8 to 10 minutes |
| Powerful Microwave 1100-1200 watts | 2 to 3 minutes | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Small Microwave 600-800 watts | 4 to 5 minutes | 9 to 11 minutes |
Use the low end of the ranges above to get chewier bacon and the full time for crispier bacon.
For thick-cut bacon, it’s quite a different story. Use the following guidelines:
| How Long to Microwave Bacon | Thick-cut Bacon (2 slices) | Thick-cut Bacon (6 slices) |
| Standard Microwave 900-1000 watts | 4 to 5 minutes | 10 to 12 minutes |
| Powerful Microwave 1100-1200 watts | 3 to 4 minutes | 6 to 8 minutes |
| Small Microwave 600-800 watts | 5 to 6 minutes | 12 to 14 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get crispy bacon in the microwave?
Absolutely yes! Just make sure you cook it long enough to become crispy and remove to a separate plate to cool.
Can I cook a lot of bacon at once?
The microwave is not ideal to cook bacon for a crowd, as you’ll need to do it in batches of 5-7 slices. I recommend using a conventional oven instead.
Do I need a microwave tray?
A microwave tray is not required to microwave bacon, although it’s helpful if you wish to collect the grease for future use. Note that it does not produce better bacon per se.
Which microwave cooker is best?
There are a number of microwave cookers on the market, including ones that allow the bacon to hang vertically and others that position the strips lengthwise hasselback-style.
Read this post for a comparison of the gadgets available. I don’t recommend them due to the splatter they produce in your microwave.
How to Microwave Bacon Without Paper Towels?
If you don’t have paper towels or a microwave cooker, then it’s best to place the bacon strips directly onto a plate or hang on the edge of a bowl. Then cook according to the times above.
Just beware there will be significant splatter on the walls of your microwave to clean up afterwards. Otherwise, it works well!
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How to Microwave Bacon
Ingredients
- 2-6 slices bacon, regular or thick-cut
- paper towels
Instructions
- Line a large microwavable plate with a triple-layer of paper towels. Lay the bacon strips on top in a single layer without overlapping. Then cover them with a double layer of paper towels.
- Microwave on full power until they reach your desired doneness. In a standard , about 3-4 minutes for two slices
- for 3 to 4 minutes for crispy bacon, and 2 to 3 minutes for chewier bacon. Note that cooking times will vary by bacon thickness and microwave wattage (see note).
- Use kitchen tongs to transfer the bacon strips to a serving plate.
Equipment
Notes
- Paper towels: It’s important to use high-quality paper towels for this recipe. Avoid commercial or discount brands, which are less absorbent and can lead to sticking.
- Regular Bacon Cooking Times: Use the following guidelines:
| How Long to Microwave Bacon | Regular Bacon (2 slices) | Regular Bacon (6 slices) |
| Standard Microwave (900-1000 watts) | 3 to 4 minutes | 8 to 10 minutes |
| Powerful Microwave (1100-1200 watts) | 2 to 3 minutes | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Small Microwave (600-800 watts) | 4 to 5 minutes | 9 to 11 minutes |
- Thick-cut Bacon Cooking Times: Use the following guidelines:
| How Long to Microwave Bacon | Thick Bacon (2 slices) | Thick Bacon (6 slices) |
| Standard Microwave (900-1000 watts) | 4 to 5 minutes | 10 to 12 minutes |
| Powerful Microwave (1100-1200 watts) | 3 to 4 minutes | 6 to 8 minutes |
| Small Microwave (600-800 watts) | 5 to 6 minutes | 12 to 14 minutes |
- Storage: Leftover cooked bacon will last for 4-5 days in the refrigerator and up to one month in the freezer when stored in an airtight container.
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