There is no better way to start a morning than with the smell of sizzling of bacon in the kitchen. Or, maybe you’re trying to create your own BLTs, add bacon to burgers, or chop it up in a salad. There are so many ways to enjoy it!
But first, you need to know how to cook smoked bacon to perfection to enjoy its unique flavor and delightful texture. We’re here to help!
Rather than showing you how to smoke bacon from scratch, we’ll walk you through cooking pre-smoked bacon, which is a far quicker way to enjoy this meaty treat. So, the first step is to buy smoked bacon online at Mahogany Smoked Meats.
This way, you can simply warm it using your method of choice - the oven, stovetop, microwave, or even an air fryer. It takes just a few moments and trust us, you’ll be back for more once you take that first bite! Place your order today and taste the difference yourself.
Do You Have to Cook Smoked Bacon?
Let’s make on thing clear first: do you have to cook smoked bacon? It all depends on the specific bacon you’ve purchased.
When you shop at Mahogany Smoked Meats, no - you do not have to cook it, you’re just warming it up to enjoy. We’ve completely smoked the bacon already and it is fully cooked.
But, many store-bought varieties are simply cold smoked to impart a rich, smoky flavor. In this process, the bacon is exposed to smoke at temperatures well below the cooking range, usually between 68°F and 86°F.
So, you should always check the packaging or consult with the producer if you're unsure whether the bacon has been fully cooked during smoking.
Labels will often indicate whether the bacon is fully cooked or needs further preparation. If in doubt, it's always safer to cook the bacon before eating. Food safety is not something you want to take lightly.
For the sake of this article going forward, we’re going to assume you have a pre-smoked bacon variety like that available here at Mahogany Smoked Meats. If you’re looking for tips on how to actually smoke bacon, you’re in the wrong place!
How to Cook Smoked Bacon
Now, let’s get into how to cook smoked bacon to perfection every single time. It’s really easy when you’re starting on the right foot at Mahogany Smoked Meats!
Pre-Cooking Preparations
If your pre-smoked bacon is frozen, put it in the fridge before you go to bed the night before you want to cook it. This way, it’s thawed by the time you wake up. Then, take it out of the fridge and let it come a bit closer to room temperature, as this will allow for more even cooking.
You can pat your bacon dry if it’s particularly moist or greasy to help achieve better browning and crispiness during cooking.
Since the bacon you’re cooking is already slow-smoked to perfection, there’s really no need to add any additional ingredients - it’s just a matter of choosing a cooking method.
Oven Method
This is the most hands-off approach as you can pre-heat your oven and let it do all the hard work while you prepare other dishes, like eggs or toast or slice up some fresh fruit.
Here’s a quick overview of the best practices for this method:
- Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Use parchment paper or aluminum foil to line a baking sheet to make cleanup easier and prevent the bacon from sticking.
- Lay the bacon slices flat on the baking sheet without overlapping for even cooking.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook the bacon for 15-20 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you want it. Start checking around the 15-minute mark.
- Once cooked, remove the bacon from the oven and place the slices on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Serve immediately or use in your favorite recipes.
Stovetop Method
The more traditional way to prepare bacon is on the stovetop, letting it sizzle in its own juices and fill the air with its smoky goodness. This approach gives you more control over the smoking process, too. Here’s how to do it:
- Use a large skillet or frying pan and set it over medium heat. No oil is needed, as the bacon will render its fat.
- Place the bacon slices in the pan, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Allow the bacon to cook slowly, turning occasionally with tongs. This method allows you to monitor the doneness more closely and adjust the heat as needed. You can more easily control the crispiness of the bacon this way.
- It usually takes 8-12 minutes to cook bacon on the stovetop, depending on the thickness.
- Once the bacon reaches your desired crispness, remove it from the pan and drain on paper towels before serving.
Microwave Method
While it’s not our favorite method, the microwave is definitely the fastest and most convenient way to cook pre-smoked bacon. Just be aware you might not get the same level of crispiness you would in the oven or on the stove. Nevertheless, here’s how to do it:
- Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels.
- Place the bacon slices on the plate in a single layer. Cover them with another layer of paper towels to absorb excess grease. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a mess to clean up inside the microwave.
- Microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave and the thickness of the bacon. Check after 4 minutes and add more time as needed.
- Let the bacon sit for a minute to crisp up before serving.
Air Fryer Method
Last but certainly not least, there’s the air fryer method. We love this revolutionary appliance for everything from air fryer beef jerky to pork chops, and it works exceptionally well for bacon too! Here’s how to cook smoked bacon in the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C)
- Place the bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Air fry the bacon for 8-10 minutes. Check halfway through and rearrange the slices if necessary. Adjust the time depending on your preferred level of crispiness.
- Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels before serving.
Enhancing the Flavor of Smoked Bacon
There you have it, just about everything you need to know to cook your pre-smoked bacon to perfection. No matter which method you choose, though, we want to offer a few tips on enhancing the flavor and putting your own unique twist on the end result:
- Add a Sweet Glaze: Brush the bacon with maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar during the last few minutes of cooking for a sweet, caramelized finish.
- Spice It Up: Sprinkle cayenne pepper, black pepper, or paprika on the bacon before cooking to add a kick of heat.
- Herbs and Seasonings: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can be added to the cooking process for a more complex flavor profile.
- Infused Oils: Drizzle a bit of garlic-infused or truffle oil over the bacon before cooking for an extra layer of flavor.
But remember, if you’re getting your pre-smoked bacon from Mahogany Smoked Meats, you don’t have to worry about any of this! We’ve done all the hard work for you so you can simply warm and enjoy. So, why not try it yourself?
Cooking Smoked Bacon is Quick and Easy When You Shop at Mahogany Smoked Meats!
Since 1922 we’ve made it our life’s work to create the tastiest, most unique smoked meats the world has ever tried. While a lot has changed over the last century, we still use the same time-honored approach of slow-smoking meats in a deep pit with mahogany logs.
This is what separates our meats from the other smokehouses in the nation, as nobody else uses mahogany. But, it’s also our commitment to quality. We select the thickest cuts of premium bacon so that we’re starting with the right foundation.
You can choose from a variety of styles, from our classic sliced bacon to a half slab of bacon if you’re looking for a larger surplus. We also have bacon ends and pieces that are absolutely perfect for adding to your favorite recipes! You can even buy Canadian bacon online.
But beyond bacon, you can find everything from beef jerky online to Thanksgiving classics. Here are some of our most popular categories:
- Buy smoked turkey online
- Buy smoked bone-in ham online
- Buy smoked boneless ham online
- Buy smoked sausages online
- Buy smoked pork chops online
Across all our meats you’ll enjoy our satisfaction guarantee, which is really simple - if we don’t meet your expectations for taste, we’ll make it right. So, what do you have to lose? Taste the difference a century of tradition makes today.
Closing Thoughts on How to Cook Smoked Bacon
As you can see, learning how to cook smoked bacon can be incredibly quick and easy with the right approach. You have many methods at your disposal, from the oven to the stove, the microwave, and even the air fryer.
Each has its pros and cons, but we prefer the classic approach of the oven because it allows you to work on other dishes simultaneously, whether you’re cooking up some eggs or preparing some pancakes.
You can learn more about how to smoke ham steaks, reheating a smoked turkey, how long is smoked turkey good for, how to reheat pork chops, how long to cook boneless ham per pound, how to cook a bone-in smoked ham, how to smoke beef jerky, and more in our blog.
Otherwise, the only thing left to do is stock up on the most delicious, easy-to-cook pre-smoked bacon at Mahogany Smoked Meats. After all, the best bacon starts with high-quality meat, which is what we have in store for you.
Don’t settle for ordinary - experience gourmet smoked bacon delivered straight to your door by shopping with us today!
