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You can cook bacon without a broiler in a skillet, a conventional oven, or a microwave. Use a skillet for a modest batch and hands-on control, the oven for a larger batch, or the microwave for a few strips. The right timing depends on the bacon’s thickness, your appliance, and how crisp you like it.
Choose the method that fits your batch
| Method | Best fit | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional oven | A larger batch | Requires little attention once the pan is in the oven; a rimmed baking sheet is needed. |
| Skillet on the stove | A modest batch—Food Network describes about 6–8 slices at a time | Offers hands-on control, but you will need to watch and turn the bacon. |
| Microwave | A few strips | Quick and simple, though timing varies with microwave wattage and cooking can be uneven. |
These are practical differences, not guarantees of identical results. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service identifies a skillet or pan, a conventional oven, and a microwave as the three main ways to cook bacon (USDA FSIS: Bacon and Food Safety).
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Cook bacon in a conventional oven
Set up the pan
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and arrange the bacon in a single layer, without overlapping.
- If you have an oven-safe rack that fits inside the sheet, you can set it over the foil and arrange the bacon on the rack. The rack is optional; it can let rendered fat drain away.
- Put the pan in a cold oven, then set the temperature to 400°F.
Check for your preferred crispness
Food Network’s cold-oven guides estimate about 20 minutes including preheating in its guide updated February 5, 2026, and 25–35 minutes in another guide. Treat those as estimates, not fixed cooking times: bacon thickness and oven performance vary. Check as it cooks and take it out when it reaches the texture you want. Transfer the strips with tongs; the pan and rendered fat are hot (Food Network: How To Cook Bacon in the Oven So It’s Perfectly Crisp; Food Network: How to Cook Bacon).
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Cook bacon in a skillet
- Lay the bacon in a cold skillet in a single layer, without overlapping.
- Turn the heat to medium.
- Cook, turning the strips as needed, until they reach your preferred crispness.
- Transfer them to paper towels to drain.
Food Network estimates 8–12 minutes for its skillet method, but the USDA notes that cooking time depends on the bacon’s type and thickness, the heat, and the desired crispness. Stay nearby and use the bacon’s appearance and texture to judge doneness rather than treating the estimate as a timer (USDA FSIS: Bacon and Food Safety; Food Network: How to Cook Bacon).
#1 Best Overall
- Microwave Bacon Cooking Method: Cooks bacon in minutes above the fat, not in it, allowing grease to drip away during cooking
- Reduced Fat Content: Reduces fat up to 35% compared to skillet-prepared bacon by allowing excess grease to drain away
- Easy Clean-Up Design: A paper towel draped over bacon strips controls splatter during cooking for minimal mess
- Dishwasher Safe Construction: Convenient cleaning with dishwasher safe materials for hassle-free maintenance after use
- Compact Storage Design: Easy to take apart and neatly store away with drip bars that nest in the dish and secure with storage tab
Cook a few strips in a microwave
- Line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels.
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer and cover it with more paper towels.
- Microwave on high, checking as it cooks, until it reaches the texture you want.
Food Network gives 4–6 minutes on high as an estimate for its method. Microwave wattage, power, and appliance efficiency affect cooking time, and microwave cooking can be uneven. Follow the package or recipe directions where available, and check the bacon rather than relying on the estimate alone (Food Network: How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave; USDA FSIS: Cooking with Microwave Ovens).
Handle raw and cooked bacon safely
- Cook raw pork bacon completely before eating. Do not brown or partially cook it, refrigerate it, and finish cooking later.
- Keep raw bacon refrigerated at 40°F or below and use it within seven days, or freeze it.
- Cured bacon can remain pink because of curing agents. The USDA cautions that it is difficult to measure the temperature of a thin slice; do not use color alone as a doneness test. Cook bacon until crisp if you want to be sure it has reached a safe temperature.
These handling recommendations come from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Make magic in your microwave with this durable and functional tray, which is BPA and melamine free
- The ribbed surface elevates bacon above grease while cooking and the lid keeps spatters contained
- Ideal for bacon, sausage and more
- Before initial use and after subsequent uses, hand wash with warm, soapy water. Not recommended for dishwasher use.
- Made in USA
Rank #4
- 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 - 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱: The Ceramic Bacon Tray with Lid delivers evenly cooked, crispy bacon every time. The raised ridges on the Bacon Rack allow fat to drain away, leaving your bacon crispy and delicious. Ideal for any bacon lover
- 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 - 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: This 11 inch round Bacon Baking Rack is safe for Microwave, Oven, and Dishwasher(DO NOT put the lid in the dishwasher). Use it as a Bacon Dish, Meat Rack, or even a Bacon Plate for serving right from the rack
- 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 - 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 & 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Crafted from high-quality white Ceramic, this Bacon Maker not only looks great but resists stains and odors. It's a sturdy Baking Rack you can rely on for years to come
- 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗱 - 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 & 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: The included cover keeps splatter contained while cooking. IMPORTANT: Keep lid under 100°C (212°F) for less than 5 minutes to avoid deformation
- 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 - 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: After enjoying your bacon, simply place the Ceramic Bacon Tray, Bacon Rack in the dishwasher for effortless cleanup. No more greasy messes or scrubbing. The lid should be hand washed only and is not recommended for dishwasher use
Rank #3
- Large size microwaveable bacon tray: Quickly cook your bacon with the PrepSolutions Microwavable Bacon Grill. The large size tray fits between 7 and 9 pieces of bacon and cooks crispy bacon for your enjoyment. The tray measures 11.88" x 10.00" x 1.88".
- Keep your microwave clean with the anti-splatter cover: The vented cover prevents grease from splattering, keeping your microwave clean during cooking. The recessed handle on the cover helps to easily lift the lid on and off.
- Perfect fit for all home kitchens: Perfect for apartment living and home kitchens, the microwave bacon cooker provides a quick alternative to frying or baking bacon by cooking bacon strips in the microwave rather than standing over a stove. Provide breakfast for the whole family or even a crispy burger topping for lunch or dinner in minutes.
- Provides crispy and healthier results: This kitchen appliance provides healthier results for those looking to find better-for-you options. The grooved tray provides spaces for grease to drip away from the bacon leaving crispy and less fatty bacon.
- Dishwasher safe for easy clean-up: Clean up is even quicker with this tray. It's dishwasher safe and BPA Free for your convenience.
Rank #2
- CRISPY BAKING SHEET SET: Ensure crisp results every time in the oven. This 15 x 10.5-inch nonstick baking pan and wire rack is great for crisping bacon, chicken, wings, fries, chips, and much more
- RAISED WIRE BAKING RACK: This cookware pan keeps your food elevated from grease and has a rim inside the pan to hold the rack in place. It can also be used on its own for glazing, drying, or cooling baked goods. Rack is oven-safe to 410 degrees Fahrenheit
- NON-STICK COOKING SHEET: This sheet pan evenly distributes heat for thorough baking with a PFOA-free nonstick coating to provide excellent release. It is a GoodCook exclusive formula that performs better than other single-coat systems. Baking sheet is oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- MADE WITH DURABLE CARBON STEEL: This cooking pan is made with heavy-duty carbon steel to effectively resist warping and offer delicious baking for years of use. It is versatile to use the pieces together, on their own, or inside and outside the oven
- DISHWASHER SAFE: Both the cooking sheet and the baking rack are dishwasher-safe to make clean-up a breeze
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