Many people enjoy using a griddle to make breakfast, such as bacon and pancakes. There are many ways to get around bacon and prepare it. However, this article will focus on making one of the easiest and tastiest ways to make bacon using a griddle. Preparation is very important as this will determine the outcome. Cooking is no different.
You will require the following to cook bacon on a griddle:
Equipment and utensils
- Griddle
- Tongs
- Silicone or wooden spatula
- Plates
- Squirt bottle
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- Bacon strips
- Butter
- Seasoning of your choice
Before you begin, it is important to understand that every surface requires a seasoning process to ensure that your food is tastier. Seasoning is normally done using vegetable oil. Before you start cooking, it is recommended that you heat up your griddle and season it with a wide piece of bacon, preferably one that has more fat.
You need to heat up your griddle to under 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and allow it to rest for a minute for the temperature to stabilize. If you want to ascertain that your griddle is ready, use a squirt bottle and sprinkle some water on the surface of the griddle. If it evaporates quickly, you can start cooking your bacon.
Take a piece of bacon and season the griddle by rubbing it against the hot surface. Allow the excess fat to drip in the designated area, and lower the griddle temperature a bit. Your cooking temperature should range between 325 degrees Fahrenheit and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Method for Cooking
Cooking on a griddle is different compared to cooking using a grill or a pan. This is because it gives the freedom to maneuver without the fear of spilling or the bacon falling between the grates and into the fire.
Step 1
Use a tong to place the bacon strips side-by-side on the cooking surface of the griddle. Ensure that there is no strip that is over another one because that will cause uneven cooking or even overcooking. If you desire, you can also cut your strips in half.
Step 2
Set a timer of between 5 to 7 minutes. Note that you should use 5 minutes when you use higher temperatures (that is 375 degrees Fahrenheit) and 7 minutes when you use lower temperatures (that is 325 degrees Fahrenheit). You will notice that your bacon will shrink and will have a golden brown color on the edges of each strip. If this does not happen, then it means that your splits are too close and you ought to split them a bit further
Step 3
Use the tongs to turn over the bacon strips to the uncooked side. You should make sure that you maintain the space between them. Use a spatula to push the excess grease into the grease drip tray. Burnt grease will increase the chance of spoiling the taste, therefore, you need to be thorough. Use your timer and set similar intervals as step 2.
Step 4
When the second side starts to gain the golden color, you will notice that the bacon will shrink leaving more space on the griddle. If you want to season your bacon then this is the time. Sprinkle the choice of your seasoning on top of every bacon strip but do not overdo it. This is because bacon usually has its own unique flavour that you should not ruin.
Step 5
Your bacon will be ready once the two sides look alike. Do not let your bacon turn black or charred. However, if that happens, ensure that you remove the strip quickly. Use a paper towel and place it on a clean plate. Place the cooked bacon on top of the paper towel to allow it soak up all the extra fat that might stay attached. Avoid seasoning the bacon strips after they are done cooking.
Is oil necessary when cooking bacon?
You do not require to add extra oil to the pan when cooking bacon. Bacon is very fatty and thus it releases its own fat into the pan as it heats up. This fat is sufficient for cooking. Also, note that adding extra fat will prevent the bacon strips from crisping up.
What is the best temperature to cook bacon on a griddle?
It may look like using higher temperatures will help you attain a crispier strip of bacon, but this is not the case. As a matter of fact, cooking bacon at higher temperatures will cause it to go floppy. Additionally, the fat produced by the bacon as it cooks is likely to splatter from the pan when you use high temperatures, and this can cause burns or fire.
The best and ideal temperature when you are cooking bacon is medium or slightly above medium. That is anywhere between 325 degrees Fahrenheit and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should you cook bacon on a griddle?
You should ensure that your rasher cooks perfectly. Therefore, when you use a higher temperature, you should cook for 10 minutes and when you use lower heat you should cook for 15 minutes. Ensure that you turn your bacon frequently to have a crispy and even strip.
How do you know if your bacon is done?
With most types of meat, the best way to know that it is cooked properly is by inserting a food thermometer into the center of the meat. If the temperature is 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, then it means that your meat is cooked.
However, this might not be possible if you are using thin strips of bacon. Therefore, you will have to check it visually instead. If your bacon turns brown and it is slightly crispy, then it means that it is ready to eat. Also note that some strips may char before they are well cooked.
Final Thoughts
In the US as well as other parts of the world, cooked bacon is by far the most preferred breakfast. If you have a functioning griddle, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to enjoy golden delicious rashers. Cooks indicate that using a griddle to make bacon is healthier compared to when you are using a pan or a skillet because the excess fat is drained into the grease drip tray.
Hopefully, reading this article will help you know about cooking bacon using a griddle. You now understand how long you should cook bacon strips, the perfect temperature for bacon when using a griddle, if you need oil to cook bacon, and how to know when the bacon is done. Enjoy your griddling!
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