Using a microwave is a quick and efficient way to defrost bacon and other frozen foods if you’re in a hurry. You just simply put your pieces of bacon in the microwave and set it on the defrost setting and you will have defrosted bacon in no time. How long does it take?
The length of time for bacon to defrost in the microwave really depends on the weight of the meat. To defrost a pound of bacon usually takes about 5-10 minutes on the defrosting setting or on a low temperature.
This problem can be solved if you measure your bacon using a kitchen scale; that way, you will know for certain how much time your bacon needs to defrost completely.
If you want to find out more about how to defrost all types of frozen bacon in the microwave then please keep on reading the rest of the article.
How Long To Defrost Bacon In Microwave
You can defrost any type of bacon you would want. Whether that is raw bacon, bacon pieces, already cooked bacon, you can do it all in the microwave. How long to defrost bacon in microwave? It actually really depends on the weight of the bacon itself. For a pound of bacon, it usually takes no more than 5-8 minutes. Now, here is how to properly defrost bacon in the microwave quickly, just in time for dinner.
Instructions For Defrosting Bacon In The Microwave
- First things first, always measure the piece of frozen meat before defrosting it. The weight of the bacon measures the time that’s spent on defrosting. So, if you’re in a hurry, try defrosting small amounts of bacon.
- I recommend defrosting only one type of bacon in the microwave. For example, defrost only raw bacon or cooked bacon pieces; don’t mix them together.
- Separate your bacon pieces with a sharp knife or another kitchen utensil if they’re stuck together and place a paper towel on top to absorb any leftover moisture. Bacon can be really greasy and moist.
- Use the defrosting setting when defrosting anything in the microwave. If you happen to not have a defrosting setting on your microwave, lower the power to 30 percent so you don’t accidentally cook the outside of the bacon and leave the center still frozen and raw. I mean, who likes grayish-looking bacon anyways?
- Microwave the bacon in a microwave-safe container for 5 minutes and always check the progress. If your bacon needs a little more time, go ahead and pop it back for another 3 minutes.
- You may flip the bacon in-between microwaving time to let it completely defrost.
- After your bacon has been completely thawed, you should cook it immediately as it prevents being exposed to harmful bacteria.
- The same defrosting process goes for streaky bacon aka Panchetta or any other type of bacon around the world.
- Once your bacon is thawed, you may cook it on medium-high heat to get crispy bacon as result.
[Related Article: 5 Best Bacon Cooker And Buying Guide In 2021]
How Do You Freeze Bacon?
Many people have no idea how to freeze bacon and I admit, I never really had the need to freeze bacon since every time I take it home from the grocery store, it disappears in no more than 2 days.
But, some people love to buy their food in bulk(not me) and they have to freeze their meats or other perishable products. So, organized people, this one’s for you.
Freezing Uncooked Bacon
- The best time to freeze your bacon is either immediately after buying it or 2 days after. Raw bacon is a perishable product and can only last in the fridge for a couple of days.
- You may put individual bacon streaks in their own individual ziplock bags or use one for all of them, separating them with a paper towel.
- Using an air-tight container is also manageable for freezing bacon or even better, you can use its original packaging if you haven’t opened it yet.
- Freezing raw bacon in its original packaging works best because it prevents air to get inside.
- The last step is to simply find a place to put your bacon in the freezer and use it in a time span of 6 months.
Freezing Already Cooked Bacon
- Freezing pre-cooked bacon is really no different than freezing raw bacon.
- Before freezing it, I like to remove the leftover grease from the frying or the backing process.
- Use a ziplock bag or an airtight container to prevent your strips of bacon to get a freeze burn.
- You can use multiple ziplock bags and add one portion of cooked bacon in each bag so when you’re in need of bacon for only one portion you don’t have to defrost a whole batch of it. Previously defrosted products can not and should not be frozen again.
Other Ways To Defrost Bacon If You Don’t Have A Microwave In Your Home
A lot of people don’t use microwaves because they don’t believe it’s safe and that is completely fine. There are lots of other ways you can reheat or defrost frozen food. Let’s review them.
The Refrigerator Method
This method is by far the safest method to defrost your bacon or any other type of meat and it completely and evenly defrosts your frozen food. Defrosting your frozen bacon using the refrigerator method prevents any bacteria growth and leaves the bacon looking fresh and pink, not gray and dull.
Leaving perishable products like meat, cheese, milk, etc, at room temperature is not the right way to go, especially if the products have been opened before. That’s why defrosting bacon in the refrigerator is the right way to go.
That is, of course, if you have enough time on your hands. The method is simple, simply just take your bacon out of the refrigerator, transfer it to an airtight container or its original packaging and leave it for 24 hours.
Even though this process takes so much time and I know that usually, people want to defrost food as quickly as possible because they forgot to do it the night before but hey, it works perfectly if you’re not in a hurry.
If you’re not planning on using the whole, defrosted piece of bacon for only one meal, don’t worry, you can leave the now fresh bacon in the fridge for up to a week.
Cold Water Method
Another safe way to defrost frozen bacon is to use the cold water method. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “wouldn’t frozen bacon defrost so slow if you just thaw it using cold water?”
The answer is well, kinda but it is a completely safe and recommended way to defrost any type of meat. Take your frozen bacon, put it in a plastic zip-lock bag to make sure no water actually comes near the bacon, fill a bowl of cold tap water, and leave the zip-lock bag in the cold water bath to complete the thawing process.
The defrosting time really depends on the weight of the bacon but I can assure you that it does defrost quicker than the refrigerator method.
After an appropriate amount of time has passed and your bacon is defrosted(usually 20 minutes per pound), remove the slices of bacon from the bag, remove the excess juices, and pat the bacon with some paper kitchen towel to remove some of the moisture.
The cold water method prevents bacterial growth and does not contaminate your living area with bacteria. I recommend using this method on raw bacon only, not cooked, leftover bacon.
The Warm Water Method
The warm water method is pretty much the same but with the usage of warm or hot water. I recommend using warm water as using hot or boiled water can make your frozen bacon look very grey and unpleasing, not the baby pink color that bacon usually has.
As mentioned before, pack your bacon in a zip lock bag that is waterproof. Take a wide bowl and fill it halfway with warm water.
Do not overfill the bowl as the volume doubles when you put your ziplock bag in the water and the water can easily overflow and make a mess everywhere.
Place the bacon inside the water bowl and leave it to thaw for 5 minutes. Check to see if your bacon is defrosted in 5 minutes and if not, simply just leave it for a longer time.
Defrosting Bacon In The Oven
This is another option for you to choose if you do not own a microwave or you’re just trying to be more environmental. Defrosting your bacon in the oven is totally possible and very easy.
Preheat your oven to reach low to medium heat, take your frozen bacon off the packaging and place it on a baking tray that’s been linked with some baking paper. Wrap the bacon in some aluminum foil.
After your oven has been properly heated, you can go ahead and put it in the oven to defrost. Leave it in the oven for five minutes and unwrap it to check the progress.
If it needs more time, leave it uncovered for a little bit longer. Your bacon should be completely thawed for no more than 10 minutes.
Defrosting Bacon On A Frying Pan
A lot of us don’t have time to sit around and wait for our bacon to be defrosted the natural way, and some of us don’t like using microwaves. So, what can you do when your favorite breakfast essential isn’t ready to go?
You can defrost it right on the pan without no problems. Line a regular frying pan with some aluminum foil to stop the bacon from actually cooking from the outside and being raw on the inside and add your slices of bacon on top.
Flip the bacon slices for them to defrost more quickly and evenly, and there you have it, a perfectly good way to defrost bacon when you just don’t know what else to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe To Defrost Bacon In The Microwave
Yes. It is safe to defrost your frozen bacon using a microwave. Simply just take your piece of bacon, remove any plastic packaging, transfer it into a microwave-safe dish, and microwave it on the defrost setting for five minutes.
Check on it occasionally. If the bacon is still frozen after the time has passed, give it another 3 minutes in the microwave.
How Do You Defrost Bacon Quickly
If you have a microwave in your home then using it to defrost bacon is the quickest way you can do it. But, if you don’t, you can simply just use the cold water method.
Letting your bacon defrost using the cold water method will thaw it in less than 30 minutes. Place your bacon in a ziplock bag and leave it to sit in a cold water bath. You will have defrosted bacon in 20 minutes.
How Long To Defrost Bacon In Fridge
Bacon can be defrosted in the refrigerator for 12-14 hours. So, take the bacon out of the freezer and leave it overnight in the refrigerator on a plate. You can use it the day after or leave it in the fridge for a week.
How To Cook Frozen Bacon
You can defrost your bacon on a frying pan or a skillet just before cooking with it. Cooking frozen food isn’t a great idea.
Defrosting all your meat before you cook it will assure you that the whole meat will be cooked through completely and won’t stay frozen in the middle.
Can Bacon Be Air Fried
Yes. You can fry your bacon using an air fryer but the bacon won’t be as crispy as when you fry it in a pan or a skillet.
Otherwise, yes, if you’re trying to not use as much oil in your cooking, then using an air fryer is the perfect solution for this.
Make sure to set the right temperature for when you’re cooking your bacon because it can get soggy and not even a tiny bit crispy.