Bacon is a breakfast staple and can be enjoyed at any time of the day, but how you like it cooked is a matter of preference – and there’s one ingredient that can help you achieve the perfect crisp
Bacon, the ultimate comfort food, may not be the healthiest choice but it’s undeniably one of the most scrumptious.
There’s no better way to start your day than with a bacon sarnie or a hearty full English breakfast. But bacon isn’t just for brekkie – it can also add a delicious twist to lunch and dinner dishes.
The best part? It’s quick and easy to cook, so you won’t have to spend ages in the kitchen before you can dig in. Just toss a few rashers in a pan and wait for them to crisp up – simple as that. World’s easiest recipe.
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But much like steak, everyone has their own preference when it comes to how they like their bacon cooked. Some prefer it lightly cooked and slightly chewy, while others crave that delightful crisp and crunch.
For those who love their bacon crispy, food gurus have revealed a foolproof method to achieve perfectly crispy bacon every time – and all you need is one extra ingredient in your frying pan.
To get that crispy texture without burning your bacon to a brittle state, the secret lies in cooking the meat in water. Experts suggest adding just enough water to cover the bottom of your frying pan before adding your bacon strips, reports the Express.
The water not only stops the bacon from sticking to the pan, but as it heats up and circulates, it ensures an even cook and prevents the bacon from burning. It also keeps the cooking temperature low, helping the bacon retain its moisture and stay tender as the fat renders evenly.
America’s Test Kitchen reveals: “Sometimes the best techniques are the counterintuitive ones, and our simple stovetop method of cooking bacon in water is just that. It may sound weird, but it will produce crispy and tender bacon every time.”
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“The addition of water keeps the initial cooking temperature low and gentle, so the meat retains its moisture and stays tender as the fat renders. Plus, since the water helps render the fat, there will be significantly less splatter as your bacon finishes in the pan.”
It continues: “Also, by the time the water reaches its boiling point, the bacon fat is almost completely rendered. This will help keep the meat bacon from burning, since you now don’t have to wait for the fat to cook off like you would if you cooked it the traditional way, instead of in water. Now your bacon is tender and crisp, not dry and brittle.”
Not only does incorporating water make your bacon crispier, but it can deliver a more balanced flavour which is less salty. BENSA Bacon Lovers Society explains: “This method is a total game-changer. What you’ll get are beautifully crispy bacon strips that practically melt in your mouth.
“Cooking bacon with water helps render the fat gently and evenly, which means more tender bacon with no overcooked bits or burnt edges. Adding a little water to the pan also tones down the saltiness just a bit, so the bacon flavour really shines through.”