How to Reheat Bacon in Microwave for Crispy Results

Categorized as Microwave Cooking
how to reheat bacon in a microwave

Bacon is a breakfast staple as American as apple pie. Many enjoy bacon for breakfast or as part of a very important sandwich called the BLT. The problem arises when you have leftover bacon, you are hungry and need some crispy, delicious bacon ASAP!

Fortunately, there is a way to quickly reheat the bacon, so it tastes just like it did when you first cooked it.

Can You Reheat Bacon in the Microwave?

You can reheat bacon in the microwave. Bacon, in fact, is one of those foods that is reheated very well in the microwave. The bacon still comes out crispy and delicious, just as if you had just cooked it.

How To Reheat Bacon in the Microwave

What is a better way to start your day than with a crisp strip of bacon? For most, leftover bacon is not an issue because they are able to scarf it all down in one sitting.

However, there are many who cannot eat that much bacon when it’s freshly made and end up keeping leftovers in the fridge for later when they get hungry again.

  1. Prepare a microwave-safe plate and arrange the bacon strips on it.
  2. Cover the bacon with a paper towel or other microwave-safe covering.
  3. Microwave on high for about 20 – 60 seconds.
  4. Check the bacon for doneness and crispiness.
  5. Place the bacon on a new paper towel-covered plate to remove excess grease.

1. Place The Bacon Strips on a Microwave-Safe Plate

Place and arrange the bacon strips on a microwave-safe plate. Make sure to arrange them in a single layer, so no parts of the bacon are touching. This is necessary to ensure that the bacon heats evenly.

If you have a lot of bacon, it is better to place the bacon on another microwave-safe plate and continue microwaving in batches.

2. Cover with a Paper Towel

Cover the bacon with a paper towel to help absorb any moisture. This will prevent the bacon from becoming soggy and will ensure that it comes out crispy.

3. Microwave On High Until Crispy

The time that you microwave the bacon for depends on how much bacon you have and what type of microwave you have. Microwaves can vary in power. If your microwave is a higher wattage, it will cook faster than a lower wattage microwave. But as a general rule you want to microwave the bacon for for About 20 – 60 Seconds on High (80% – 100% Power).

Regardless of the wattage, you want to microwave the bacon on high heat as you want the bacon comes out crispy.

4. Make Sure The Bacon is Crispy to Your Liking

The fourth step is to take the bacon out of the microwave and check if it is crispy. If it isn’t, stick it back in for another 20 seconds or so.

5. Place it On a New Paper Towel-Covered Plate

The last step is to place the bacon on another paper towel-covered plate to remove any excess grease. Serve and enjoy your crispy bacon.

It’s that simple. Now there is no reason for leftover bacon to go to waste.

At What Temp Is Bacon Safe?

According to the USDA, bacon is safe to eat when reheated to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F or 62.8 degrees C. However it can be difficult to measure the internal temperature of bacon due to its thinness and so it is advised to cook or reheat until the bacon is crispy. (1)

While microwaving bacon is one of the easiest ways to reheat the leftovers, many other methods are available. In the oven and using a skillet pan are two other common ways of reheating bacon.

Here are brief instructions for each method.

How To Reheat Bacon Using a Skillet

If you crave piping hot bacon for your breakfast, using a skillet is definitely the way to go.

Here are the simple steps in reheating with a skillet:

  1. Set the stove to medium-high heat.
  2. Place a non-stick skillet on the stove and allow it to heat up.
  3. Place bacon strips in the pan and allow them to cook until crispy, about 1-2 minutes depending on how crispy you like your bacon.
  4. Flip the bacon over to cook the other side, about another minute or two.
  5. Remove bacon from the skillet and place on a paper towel-covered plate.
  6. Enjoy your delicious, hot bacon!

How To Reheat Bacon in the Oven

If you want to reheat a lot of bacon at once, for example, if you are having a party or have a large family gathering, then reheating in the oven is your best bet.

Here are the simple steps to reheat bacon using your oven:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Place bacon strips on a baking sheet and arrange them in a single layer.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil.
  4. Heat for 10 to 20 minutes until crispy.
  5. Check on your bacon periodically to make sure it is thoroughly heated.
  6. Remove from the oven and take off the aluminum foil.
  7. Place them on a platter covered with paper towels.
  8. Enjoy!

Can You Prepare Bacon the Night Before?

Bacon is one of those foods that can be prepared the night before and tastes just as good. It’s an easy solution if you want to wake up in the morning to a tasty breakfast with minimal prep time. It’s also a great solution if you have people over to your house for breakfast or brunch.

However, you need to know how to properly store your bacon to make sure it tastes good the next day.

How To Store Cooked Bacon

1. Store in the Fridge

The most common way to store bacon is to store it in the refrigerator. Bacon stored in the fridge can last up to 5 days. If you cook the bacon yourself, it’s best to refrigerate it as soon as possible.

According to some sources, it’s recommended to place bacon in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking it. This is the maximum time it can safely be left out and much less if the temperature outside is warm (no more than an hour) before bacteria starts to grow.

To store it in the refrigerator, all you have to do is place the bacon in an airtight container or a freezer bag and place it in the fridge. The key here is to seal the bacon tightly, so no air gets in. When you place it in the refrigerator, choose a shelf that is as far from the door as possible. This area tends to have a colder temperature, so your bacon will be colder and fresher there than on other shelves.

2. Store in the Freezer

The best way to store it in the freezer is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminized foil and then keep it in an airtight container before placing it in the freezer. Bacon stored in this way can last anywhere from 2 months to 3 months

As for store-bought bacon, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions for the best way to store it. But generally, the same advice applies, wrap it tightly, put it in an airtight container, and place it in the refrigerator or freezer.

If the original package is resealable, you can simply re-wrap it tightly when you store it.

When you’re ready to use the bacon, thaw it first before cooking or reheating.

Related: How to Cook Bacon in The Microwave

How Long Does Bacon Last

The table below provides a quick reference for the shelf life of bacon.

PantryFridge
Raw bacon (unopened)5 -7 days
Raw bacon (opened)5 – 7 days
Cooked bacon4 – 5 days
Precooked bacon (sold refrigerated, unopened)5 – 7 days
Precooked bacon (sold refrigerated, opened)4 – 5 days
Precooked bacon (sold unrefrigerated, unopened)1 – 2 weeks
Precooked bacon (sold unrefrigerated, opened) 4 – 5 days

How To Tell If Bacon Is Bad

You will certainly know if bacon has gone bad. It may develop a rancid smell. If you touch the bacon, it will be slimy if it has gone bad. The slimy texture is a sign of spoilage due to the growth of bacteria and mold in the meat — bacteria and mold will grow much faster when there’s moisture present, such as grease or fat in your bacon. And the color may change as well — the bacon may turn gray or dark brown.

If you notice any of these signs, throw it out without hesitation! You don’t want to take a chance of getting sick from spoiled bacon.

Conclusion

So can you reheat bacon in the microwave? Yes, you most certainly can. If you want to reheat your bacon, all you need to do is place the slices on a paper towel-covered plate and nuke it for about 20 – 60 seconds. 

By Rosie Elliott

I’m Rosie. I’m a professional chef with experience in Western, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisine. I’ve been cooking for over 15 years, and I have two daughters that keep me busy!