Cooking bacon can be a messy job. The top three ways to cook bacon include frying it in a skillet, baking it in an oven, and microwaving it. Each way has some advantages and disadvantages. The following will review how to cook bacon in the microwave and discuss some of the advantages.

Tip: You can look for bacon to go on sale and then freeze it. To thaw the bacon simply leave in your refrigerator overnight before you use it. Meijer, Walmart, Kroger, and other large food chains will sell a pound of name brand bacon for as little as $2. Center Cut and thick cut are more expensive and you typically only get 12 ounces per package. For thicker sliced bacon you can purchase bacon from a butcher or specialty shop.

What You Will Need

• Paper Towels
• Bacon
• Two Microwaveable Dinner Plates

Microwaving Bacon

Step 1: Cover each dinner plate with a triple layer of paper towels.

Step 2: Open the package of bacon and lay individual strips across the paper towel without over lapping the bacon strips. Place half of the package on each plate.

Step 3: Cover the bacon with another dual layer of paper towels.

Step 4: Place the plate with paper towels and bacon in the microwave.

Step 5: Cook on high for 4 to 5 minutes. Because the strength of microwaves differ, you may need to adjust the time accordingly.

Step 6: After you cook the bacon for 4 minutes check the bacon to see if it is done. Cook a few additional minutes and check again.

Step 7: When the bacon is done  cooking (crispy) immediately remove it from the paper towel and place on a clean plate for serving.

Step 8: Throw out the greasy paper towels and repeat the process with the second plate of bacon.

NOTE: Cooking a few pieces of bacon will take less time in the microwave. If you only cook 3 or 4 strips of bacon start with 2 minutes and add a minute checking for doneness until the bacon is crisp. If you cook the bacon for a greater amount of time from the start you are more likely to burn the bacon. Checking after a few minutes allows the bacon to cook more slowly with brief cool down periods and prevents burning.

Advantages of Microwaving Bacon

Frying bacon in a pan can be dangerous and messy. The bacon grease can pop and cause minor burns if you are not careful. The popping can also create a greasy mess on your stovetop and counter. Microwaving eliminates much of the mess associated with cooking bacon. The paper towels absorb the majority of the excess grease and can be easily thrown away. The microwave cooking method also helps to decrease the amount of grease you consume from the product. Not making this a healthy alternative, but it will save a few calories.

Disadvantages of Microwaving Bacon

The major drawback with microwaving bacon is the number of paper towels used in the process. If you use cheap paper towels then the bacon may stick if you do not remove it quickly and if you use higher quality towels such as Bounty then you will be paying slightly more to prepare your bacon.

Regardless of how you prepare your bacon it can be added to many recipes such as deviled eggs, bacon and egg pasta salad, chef salads, placed on sandwiches or hamburgers, breakfast, and many other creative ideas.

What is your favorite way to enjoy bacon? Is there a must have situation where you especially enjoy having crispy bacon? Feel free to start a discussion.