Getting your morning meal can be a messy affair. Let’s not lie – frozen bacon leaves you feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.
Your kitchen smells like burnt pork, your counter is covered with grease stains, and you have to clean up after yourself. Well, that’s no way to start your day.
Luckily for you, a microwave provides an easy solution for defrosting bacon without those nasty side effects.
Here’s how to defrost bacon in microwave.
Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels and place your frozen strips on top. Cover with another layer of paper towel to absorb fat, and press the defrost button on your microwave for five minutes. Flip your bacon strips at 1-minute intervals until fully thawed.
And voila! You have perfectly defrosted bacon ready for your breakfast sandwich.
In today’s post, we’ll go over these steps in great depth and offer tips for quickly defrosting bacon. We’ll also address some critical questions about defrosting bacon in a microwave.
Let’s get started.
Can You Defrost Bacon In The Microwave?
Nothing is worse than biting into a piece of bacon that’s still frozen in the middle. While you can defrost bacon on your countertop, it’s faster and more convenient to use your microwave. So, yes, it’s possible to thaw bacon in a microwave.
Defrosting is essential because it allows your bacon to cook evenly and get that delicious, crispy texture. Compared to other defrosting methods, using your microwave takes less time and energy.
If you cook your frozen bacon without defrosting it, it’s going to be chewy and tough. Your frozen bacon will release a lot of water, making it soggy instead of crispy.
So, if you want evenly cooked bacon with the perfect texture, make sure you defrost it properly before cooking.
Tips to Effectively Defrost Bacon in a Microwave
Everybody loves a good BLT, but sometimes you just don’t have time to wait for bacon to defrost. This is where your microwave comes in handy. Now to make sure that your bacon doesn’t come out soggy or rubbery, follow these tips:
- Do not defrost your bacon on its original packaging or paper. Most of these packages contain chemicals that can leach into your food which can cause serious health problems. Instead, use a microwave-safe plate or dish such as glass or ceramic.
- Place your bacon on a paper or kitchen towel-lined microwavable plate and cover with another layer of kitchen towels. The paper towels below will absorb excess fat while defrosting, keeping your bacon crispy. The one on top will prevent splatters from getting all over your microwave.
- Defrosting the whole package of bacon at once is not recommended as it will take too long and become rubbery. Instead, defrost only one or two slices at a time, depending on how much you need.
- Make sure your microwave’s defrost settings are set to the correct weight of your bacon. Your microwave will calculate the appropriate defrosting time and temperature for even thawing.
- If your microwave lacks defrost settings, you can set it to 5 minutes at 30% power and rotate your bacon every 1 minute to evenly defrost all sides.
- After defrosting, be sure to cook your bacon immediately. If not, wrap it tightly and store it in an airtight container or refrigerator for three days. Bacon if left out at room temperature for too long, bacon can cause bacteria growth, leading to food poisoning.
- Refreezing your bacon is not recommended as it can cause sogginess and make it lose its crispness. Moreover, it is against food safety regulations.
How Long To Defrost Bacon In Microwave?
It’s no longer a secret that microwaves are one of your best bets for defrosting bacon. But, how long does it take?
Generally, it will take about 5 minutes per pound of bacon to defrost in a microwave. For example, if you have 4 pounds of bacon, it will take 20 minutes (5 minutes per pound).
Most microwaves come with a Defrost setting that automatically gets activated when you set your microwave to defrost. So, when you press Defrost on your microwave and input the weight of your bacon, the time it will take to defrost thoroughly will automatically display.
And if you don’t have a defrost mode, you can use the low power setting on your microwave and check on it every couple of minutes until your food is done.
However, the time for your bacon to thoroughly defrost can also vary depending on a few factors.
- Microwave’s Wattage: Your bacon will defrost faster if your microwave’s wattage is higher. For example, a 1000-watt microwave will defrost bacon more quickly than a 600-watt one.
- The thickness of Your Bacon: The thicker your bacon is, the longer it will take to defrost. If you have thick-cut bacon, it will probably take longer than thin-cut bacon because there’s more surface area for heat to penetrate through.
- The Amount of Bacon: The more bacon you’re trying to defrost at once, the longer it will take for all of it to thoroughly defrost. For example, if you try to defrost 4 pounds of bacon at once, it might take twice as long as if you were only trying to defrost 2 pounds.
How to Thaw Bacon in Microwave: Step by Step
A microwave is one of the easiest and quickest ways to defrost bacon. If you’re pressed for time or simply don’t want to wait hours for your frozen bacon to thaw on its own, using a microwave can be an effective alternative.
Read below for instructions on how to defrost bacon in a microwave.
What You Need
- A microwave-safe plate
- Frozen bacon strips
- Paper towels
- An oven mitt
Step 1: Line a Microwave-Safe Plate with Paper Towels
The bacon will release fat as it thaws, so you’ll want to line your plate with paper towels. This way, you can easily wipe off any excess fat before cooking. Lay down two or three sheets of paper towel on your plate and arrange them into an even layer.
Step 2: Take the frozen bacon out of the package and spread it out on paper towels
Remove your bacon strips from their packaging and arrange them on your prepared paper towels. If you’re thawing more than one package, separate each strip with an additional sheet of paper towel. You don’t want them to stick together as they defrost.
Step 3: Cover Your Bacon with another Paper Towel
On top of your bacon, place another sheet of paper towel. This will prevent splatters as your bacon thaws, making cleanup much more effortless.
Step 4: Place Your Bacon into Your Microwave and Defrost For 5-Minutes
Once everything is set up, place your plate of frozen bacon into the microwave. Find the defrost button and set it to run for five minutes for every pound of bacon you’re thawing.
If your microwave doesn’t have a defrost option, simply use its regular setting and adjust the power accordingly. In this case, for every 1 pound of bacon, use 30% power for five minutes.
Step 5: Rotate Your Bacon after Each Minute of Thawing
When your microwave beeps, it’s time to rotate your bacon. Remove it from your microwave and flip each strip over. You’ll want to check on your bacon and make sure it’s not sticking together. Return it to your microwave and defrost for another minute. Repeat until all of your bacon has thawed completely.
Final Step: Remove Your Bacon from Microwave and Cook Instantly
At last, your bacon is thawed and ready to cook. Please remove it from your microwave and discard any excess fat accumulated on your paper towels. Transfer your bacon to a frying pan or oven-safe dish and begin cooking immediately.
If you don’t plan on cooking your bacon right away, store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to three days.
Faqs on How to Defrost Bacon in Microwave
1. Is it safe to defrost bacon in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe. Microwaves come with defrost settings that thaw food safely and quickly. You can also defrost your bacon using the standard-setting on your microwave. Just make sure to nuke at 30% power for 5 minutes per pound of bacon. Once defrosted, cook your bacon instantly to prevent any bacterial growth.
2. Should I defrost bacon before cooking?
It is critical that you defrost bacon before cooking it. Frozen bacon will not cook evenly due to ice crystals and can result in undercooked meat. Moreover, it will take much longer to crisp up than bacon that has thawed first. Defrosting your bacon eliminates all these issues.
3. Can I cook bacon from frozen?
Although not recommended, it is possible to cook bacon from frozen. To do so, separate each slice of bacon to prevent sticking and fry on low heat. Gradually increase the temperature as bacon begins to thaw. Cook until desired crispness is reached.
However, note that cooking bacon from frozen will take longer and may result in unevenly cooked pieces.
4. How long should I microwave bacon?
Generally, it will take between 3 and 4 minutes to nuke bacon until the desired crispness is reached. However, other factors might affect your microwave’s cooking time.
For example, you should expect longer cook times if you have thick-cut bacon. Also, your microwave wattage may affect how long it takes for your bacon to defrost.
5. How do you take frozen bacon apart?
Add an inch of water to a frying pan, then heat your bacon on low heat. Gently flip the bacon periodically, and as the water gets warmer, the slices will start to loosen up.
Remove from heat when you can easily take each slice apart. Drain excess water, pat dry with paper towels, and cook in your favorite recipe.
6. How long does bacon last in the fridge?
When properly stored, sealed bacon can last for up to two weeks in your refrigerator. Unsealed but not cooked bacon a week while cooked one about three to four days. If you’re looking to store bacon longer than that, it’s best to freeze it.
7. Can you defrost bacon in hot water?
Yes, it’s possible to defrost bacon in hot water. It’s quick and easy. Put your strips of bacon in a zip-top bag, then immerse in hot water for about ten minutes. Drain the now cold water and add fresh hot water. Repeat as necessary until all of your bacon is defrosted.
8. Can bacon be air-fried?
Bacon can be air-fried, and it’s actually relatively easy. Just place strips of bacon on an air fryer basket and nuke at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes or until crispy. Ensure that your air fryer is clean to avoid any unwanted grease splatters.
Bottom Line
If you’re short on time and can’t wait for bacon to defrost on its own, you can use your microwave. The method is quick and relatively simple. Remember that microwaves tend to cook unevenly, so flip your strips halfway through cooking.
This method works best with thinner cuts of bacon. It’s best to separate slices before putting them in the microwave; lay each strip flat and place it between two pieces of parchment paper or waxed paper. This way, you drain away excess fat and don’t end up splattering grease all over your microwave. And that’s it.
So, if you follow our guide, you won’t have any trouble with soggy bacon. You might even use your microwave more often to make fast meals. Don’t worry: we won’t tell anyone.
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