Skip to main content

Can You Make Better Bacon in Water?

Image
Donna Urso
What is the best way to cook crisp, tender bacon?

Today, let's investigate a new method for cooking bacon on the stove that I'm seeing suggested as a technique that will change your life.  It's frying your bacon in a pan with a small amount of water. 

Is cooking bacon with a bit of water in the pan a better way to make bacon?

How to Cook Bacon in Water

Bacon on a plate.

This is a simple, relatively fast way to make perfectly cooked bacon every time. Whether you are looking to impress your guests with a decadent breakfast or just want to enjoy a delicious bacon treat, this technique is the perfect solution.
Cooking bacon in a little water fits into my preferred "low and slow" stovetop method because the water helps to moderate the heat of the pan in the early stages of cooking.  This video shows how I usually cook bacon.

How I Cook Bacon and Eggs on the Stovetop


First, let's talk about the traditional methods of cooking bacon. The most common way, and the one I use most, is to fry the bacon in a pan on the stovetop. This method is quick and easy, but it can be messy and time-consuming, as you have to flip the bacon and watch it closely so it doesn't burn.

Another common method that many swear by, is to cook bacon in the oven. This is a great option if you are cooking a large amount of bacon, but it can take a long time and the results can be inconsistent. I find that between the oven preheating and the bacon cooking, this method takes more time than I have to cook bacon.

The Reasons to Cook Bacon with Water

This method is quick, and easy, and produces perfectly cooked bacon every time. The water helps to keep the bacon from burning and creates a consistent, crispy texture. You do need to watch it and flip the bacon, so the time it takes seems to be the same as the traditional method.

The water prevents the bacon from sticking to the pan, which can be a common issue when pan-frying. 

As the water heats and circulates throughout the pan, it prevents hot spots and uneven cooking.

It is also much cleaner and seems less messy than traditional pan-frying methods. The water helps to keep the grease from splattering all over your stove.

Cooking with water is ideal for busy people. Unlike oven-baking, which requires preheating and takes up to 20 minutes to cook, this method takes only 10-12 minutes from start to finish.

The Water Method Tips for Success

This method is simple:
Step 1: Get your pan ready. Choose a large, heavy-bottomed pan that can hold all of your bacon without crowding it. Choose a pan that heats evenly for the best results.

Step 2: Add water to the pan. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. The amount of water you need will depend on the size of your pan. 

Step 3: Add the bacon. Choose medium-thick bacon. Place the bacon strips in the pan and let the water come to a simmer. Let your bacon warm a bit for easier separation of your slices. 

Step 4: Cook the bacon. As the water simmers, the bacon will cook. You will see the bacon start to change color, brown, and become crispy. Turn the bacon for even browning.

Step 5: Drain the bacon. When the bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Video Comparison: Frying Bacon in Water vs Traditional Frying 


Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Bacon in Water

What is the best cut of bacon to use with this technique? 
Choose a medium thickness for your bacon. Thicker bacon will take longer to cook. A thinner cut of bacon may cook too quickly and become too crisp.

How long does it take to cook bacon in water?
The amount of time it takes to cook bacon in water will vary with the thickness of your bacon.  When cooking a few slices of bacon it will take less time than the oven method.

Should you try cooking your bacon with water? 
The water-based technique for cooking bacon on top of the stove works very well, as you can see in the video. It is quick, and easy, and produces perfectly cooked crispy bacon. 

What's My Recommendation?
While I found the water technique took the same time to cook the bacon as the traditional method, the grease in the pan spattered less and made less mess than the traditional pan-frying method.  This reason alone makes this a good way to prepare your delicious bacon. You should give it a try.

bacon how to cook bacon, best way to cook bacon
breakfast
American
Yield: 8
Author: Donna Urso
Bacon Cooked in Water

Bacon Cooked in Water

Cook time: 15 MinTotal time: 15 Min
This method of cooking bacon with water is relatively quick and less messy than traditional stovetop cooking.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Get your pan ready. Choose a large, heavy-bottomed pan that can hold all of your bacon without crowding it.
  2. Step 2: Add water to the pan. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. The amount of water you need will depend on the size of your pan.
  3. Step 3: Add the bacon. Place the bacon strips in the pan and let the water come to a simmer. Let your bacon warm a bit for easier separation of your slices.
  4. Step 4: Cook the bacon. As the water simmers, the bacon will cook. You will see the bacon start to change color, brown, and become crispy.
  5. Step 5: Drain the bacon. When the bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel to drain.

Similar Recipes

The Best Bacon and Eggs

©Just One Donna
Give this technique a try and see how it works for you.




Comments

Post a Comment

Talk to me. I welcome your comments. (These comments are strictly moderated. Spammers take note.)

More Popular Posts

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

Donna Urso
In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect. All you really need for a great bacon and eggs breakfast is a good nonstick skillet and a good toaster . If you want to make your own bread fo
2 comments
Read more

How to Trap and Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Donna Urso
Fruit flies can be a huge annoyance at certain times of the year. What can you do to kill fruit flies? We've all been there wondering how to get rid of fruit flies.  Fruit flies in the kitchen.  Fruit flies in the bathroom.  Fruit flies buzzing around everywhere in your home.   It's a frustrating problem that happens to everyone at one time or another.  If you are a fresh fruit and produce lover you certainly know what I mean. How to Kill Fruit Flies with Two Ingredients Those pesky little buggers can often be brought into your home on the vegetables and fruit you buy. You don't have to tolerate the annoyance.  This homemade fruit fly trap is one I have been using for many years and it works every time. 
1 comment
Read more

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Donna Urso
Are you looking for the best whoopie pie recipe?  Whoopie pies are a quintessential New England dessert and a memorable treat from my childhood.   My mom would make them for us every once in a while.  Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies!  Yum! Today I'm sharing my recipe for the best-ever whoopie pies. The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe without Marshmallow Fluff Whoopie Pies Whoopie pies are soft round cookie-like cakes with a smooth cream filling sandwiched in the center. Debate rages about the whoopie pie's origin.  Some say these goodies originated in New England, others say they originated with the Amish.   There is also debate about what ingredients should be in the filling.  Many recipes include fillings made with Marshmallow Fluff or buttercream but neither is  traditional, in my opinion.  The whoopie pie of my childhood is a traditional Maine whoopie pie recipe, made with a cooked flour and milk mixture added to suga
6 comments
Read more

The Best Asian Dipping Sauce You'll Ever Taste

Donna Urso
If you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-make Asian dipping sauce perfect for sushi and dumplings, then you've come to the right place. This recipe for the best Asian dipping sauce is perfect for any time you want a  kick of delicious Asian flavor. An Asian Dipping Sauce for Sushi and Dumplings Try this if you are looking for a dipping sauce that is a little more flavorful than you typically get with your takeout order. You'll love it with dumplings, too!
2 comments
Read more

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

Donna Urso
One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can sure bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 
7 comments
Read more

Easy Chicken Parmesan-A Make Ahead Freezer Dinner

Donna Urso
Chicken Parmesan is a favorite dinner in the Just One Donna house because it is a delicious dish that can satisfy your cravings for Italian food. It's also easy to make at home with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry.  But what if you don't have time to cook on a busy weeknight? Don't worry, you can make Chicken Parmesan ahead of time and freeze it for later. I like to prepare Chicken Parmesan to have on hand in my freezer for those busy weeknights when we might be tempted to head to a restaurant instead of eating at home.  How to Make Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Busy Nights This post contains affiliate links.  I receive a small compensation when you shop using these links Easy Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Dinner Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chicken Pa
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Doctor Up Store-Bought Potato Salad

Donna Urso
Here's a potato salad time-saver for you just in time for summer cookouts. You'll love how you can transform grocery store potato salad so easily no matter whether you are hosting a BBQ or bringing a side dish for a summer barbecue. There's no judgment here. We don't always have the time to make a potato salad from scratch. Sometimes it is just easier to stop by your local grocery store to pick up a container of store-made potato salad. It's good. It's predictable.  It will do.  All it needs is a little doctoring. How to Make Store-Bought Potato Salad Better When you need a quick potato salad, and have no time to make one from scratch, that ordinary store-bought potato salad you have in your refrigerator can go from blah to amazing in just a few minutes with just a few ingredients. Yes, you can improve store-bought potato salad. How to Doctor Up Potato Salad to have a little more flavor? You're going to a potluck picnic or you are having
3 comments
Read more

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Donna Urso
Crunchy, spicy, and yummy are all words used to describe a good gingersnap cookie.   While my hands-down, favorite cookie is a gooey chocolate chip cookie I occasionally crave a spicy ginger snaps cookie or  this molasses cookie .  This old-fashioned gingersnap cookie is a winner.  It's easy to make and will be a favorite in your recipe rotation. Traditional Ginger Snaps Cookie Recipe ( This post contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase with these links.) Gingersnaps Cookies In the U.S., gingersnaps are usually drop cookies with lots of cracks on the surface.  That's exactly how I like them.  Those found in other countries may be thinner and sliced.  The Lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie, and the pepparkakor, from Sweden, are often cut into festive shapes.  My gingersnaps are round. Reasons You'll Love These Gingersnap Cookies These gingersnaps are tasty cookies at any time of the year.   Their spiciness is perfect as a holid
6 comments
Read more

Five Keys to Growing A Healthy Ficus Tree

Donna Urso
Have you ever wondered how a single Ficus benjamina tree could become a beloved part of your home for decades, thriving and growing alongside your family?  If you haven’t yet, you might consider the addition of this living, air-purifying companion in your home that not only beautifies your space but also stands the test of time.  You may know this tree as either a Ficus benjamina or a weeping fig.   I have loved growing a ficus tree in my home for 36 years. It’s remarkable that I've had this tree for so long.   How to Grow A Ficus Tree Inside for Decades When thinking about how I managed to keep this indoor ficus tree happy, healthy, and growing strong all these years it boiled down to five key Ficus benjamina plant care tips. Follow these tips and you can have a happy, healthy ficus tree in your home for many years, too.
20 comments
Read more