Breakfast basics

How to Cook Bacon

Two reliable ways to get crisp, evenly cooked bacon, plus a quick guide to cooking toast to go with it.

Pan: 8–12 min
Oven: 15–25 min at 400°F / 200°C
Toast: 2–4 min

Two ways to cook bacon

In a pan

  1. Lay slices in a cold skillet, slightly overlapping at most.
  2. Heat to medium-low. Starting cold helps the fat render slowly.
  3. Turn every few minutes for 8–12 minutes, until browned and crisp to your liking.
  4. Drain on paper towels.

In the oven

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet.
  2. Arrange slices in a single layer.
  3. Bake 15–20 minutes (up to 25 for thick-cut), checking near the end.
  4. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Tip: The oven suits a crowd because there is no splatter and no flipping. Let used fat cool before discarding it; never pour it down the drain.

How to cook toast

Toaster

Use a medium setting first, around 2–4 minutes, and adjust for thickness and bread type.

Pan

Butter both sides and cook over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.

Oven

Place slices on a rack at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes per side, or use the broiler and watch closely.

Serving ideas