Bacon is the tastiest way to start off your morning since it is so simple to cook, but it can quickly become a soggy and burned mess if you are not making it properly. It is common to add oil or butter to bacon recipes, but this can actually prevent the bacon from cooking evenly, as the meat is naturally fatty and needs to render during the cooking process.
Adding any cooking fat can drown out the bacon’s natural flavour and make it overly heavy, so it will not crisp up properly, and leave you with floppy strips of meat that are difficult to chew. Instead, Donna Urso, a cook and founder of Just One Donna, has shared that you really do not need to buy anything to cook bacon, as it tastes so much better when you use just a little bit of water.
Donna said, “This method is quick, easy, and produces perfectly cooked bacon every time. The water helps to keep the bacon from burning and creates a consistent, crispy texture.”
It might sound strange, but frying bacon in water helps it cook more evenly, as the heat from the steam allows the white fatty parts of the meat to melt slowly.
When you add oil or butter, the fat cooks too quickly, which can leave you with charred, burned edges while the centre remains undercooked and chewy.
Using water ensures that every part of the bacon cooks evenly, reducing the chances of it shrinking or curling up, which often happens due to too much grease in the pan.
Water-frying also makes the bacon crispier, as it cooks gently in its own fat, and it is also less stressful, since you do not have to worry about hot oil splatters while cooking.
How to make much tastier bacon
You will need:
- A large, heavy pan
- Bacon strips
- A splash of water
Method:
To begin, lay the bacon strips down on a cold pan. You need a big pan that can hold all the bacon without overcrowding it, so the strips cook at the same time.
Then, simply pour enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat to medium, and let the water simmer for a few minutes.
As the water evaporates, the bacon will cook to become a beautiful golden brown. Flip it once the bottom of the meat begins to change colour.
Once your bacon looks crispy, turn the stove off and place the meat on a paper towel to drain any excess water.
Your bacon should now have a satisfyingly crisp texture with the perfect balance of smoky and salty flavour, without the added oil or butter that can leave it floppy and bland.