How to Cook Bacon for a BLT

Published on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, by CHOW Video Team / Edit Post

How to Cook Bacon for a BLT

Bacon that’s intended for a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich needs to be cooked differently than bacon intended for other destinations, says Scott Kveton, founder of Bacn.com. He argues that height and texture are better achieved by cooking a pan full of messy bacon. He demonstrates the proper way to cook bacon for a BLT in this CHOW Tip.

CHOW Tips are the shared wisdom of our community. If you’ve figured out some piece of food, drink, or cooking wisdom that you’d like to share on video (and you can be in San Francisco), email Meredith Arthur and tell us what you’ve got in mind.

ALLCHOW Tip
POST A COMMENT |8 Comments

COMMENT

  • Hey Saddleoflamb,

    Bacon is great in the oven as you mention for breakfast or if you have to cook a lot of it at once. Check out this other video I did specifically about that:

    http://www.chow.com/stories/11742

    And if you followed this video, you'd see the reason for cooking it in the skillet was to get funny shaped bacon that sits nicely on a piece of bread. You don't want a bunch of thin...+READ

    Hey Saddleoflamb,

    Bacon is great in the oven as you mention for breakfast or if you have to cook a lot of it at once. Check out this other video I did specifically about that:

    http://www.chow.com/stories/11742

    And if you followed this video, you'd see the reason for cooking it in the skillet was to get funny shaped bacon that sits nicely on a piece of bread. You don't want a bunch of thin slices of flat bacon on your BLT ... you want it piled high.

    As for the ultimate burger, that definitely wasn't me.-COLLAPSE

  • Cooking bacon in a skillet is ridiculous unless you are either camping or live on the Ponderosa outdoors.........bacon should be layered on a sheet pan and baked in the oven ............it cooks uniformily, consistantly, and maintains its shape......you are deep fat fying bacon when you cook it in a skillet on the stove......inconsistant , under/overcooked.......this is what your...+READ

    Cooking bacon in a skillet is ridiculous unless you are either camping or live on the Ponderosa outdoors.........bacon should be layered on a sheet pan and baked in the oven ............it cooks uniformily, consistantly, and maintains its shape......you are deep fat fying bacon when you cook it in a skillet on the stove......inconsistant , under/overcooked.......this is what your grandmother/mother did depending on your age, because they were taught this way from their hausfrau mother/grandmother........anybody who has ever cooked for a living would never cook cook bacon in a fry pan/skillet.........unless they had to.....because of the lack of an oven......... if memeory serves Scott is the same ignoramous who discussed the ultimate burger........abomanation-COLLAPSE

  • Note: the bacon in this video turned out black because of the type of bacon that we used. It wasn't over cooked, crispy or burnt tasting at all. Its Beeler's Uncured Garlic Pepper bacon and it basically will change your life wrt BLT's once you've had it.

  • Cooking bacon in the oven on a rack is good, but for curly shape the best way to cook it that I have found is to cook it in deep bacon grease on the cooktop at low to medium temperture to avoid popping. It cooks evenly but you must watch it for the correct degree of doneness. Save drippings from previous cookings to accumulate a large quantity of grease. If you want straight bacon using the wire...+READ

    Cooking bacon in the oven on a rack is good, but for curly shape the best way to cook it that I have found is to cook it in deep bacon grease on the cooktop at low to medium temperture to avoid popping. It cooks evenly but you must watch it for the correct degree of doneness. Save drippings from previous cookings to accumulate a large quantity of grease. If you want straight bacon using the wire rack in the oven is best. My opinion only! I drain the fat on a wire rack with newspaper underneath. Easy disposal. Thin bacon works best for BLT. Instead of frying the bread, I grill it with a little bacon grease with the bacon on it and add the LT afterward. Add your favorite cheese for variety. I like colby jack cheese. Also, sometimes I use Miracle Whip instead of mayonaise for a more zesty taste.-COLLAPSE

  • Wow, I would think this is a great way to do the BLT, but after considering beeje11's idea, I'm sold on that. My problem is that the cooktop in my rental house is one of those induction type, which SUCKS! I think the oven and foil ball method is the way to go. Going to try it this week.

  • This is ridiculous. The bacon in the video is burned to a crisp. When you crowd the pan like that, you can never cook bacon evenly. If you want bacon with height and texture, do what a food stylist would do. Roll up some pieces of foil on a sheet pan and and lay the bacon over them, then bake it in the oven. It will cook evenly, and you will get the wavy texture you're looking for.

  • I have had many a BLT in my time but these two tips were a big revelation for me. What an advancement in BLT technology. Bravo!
    -Jessica Schupak
    www.whatssheeatingnow.com

  • Black bacon? No thanks.