How long to cook bacon in the microwave depends mostly on your preference, crispy or chewy, but either way you’re looking at just a few minutes with nothing but a plate and some paper towels. There’s no skillet to scrub, no grease popping across your stovetop, and no standing over a pan while everything else on your breakfast or lunch waits. This method works for four slices or a full package, cooked in batches, so it holds up for a quiet family breakfast or a table full of company just the same.
We had friends pop over unannounced not long ago with a basket full of fresh tomatoes from their garden, and I wanted to sit and visit instead of disappearing into the kitchen, so I pulled out the microwave method and had bacon ready for BLT sandwiches in a few minutes flat, no skillet, no standing at the stove while they waited at the table. I was honestly a little surprised how well it turned out, crisp enough to hold its own between two slices of bread, and it’s been my go-to for sandwiches ever since.
Ingredients Needed for How Long to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Bacon: You’ll need 8 ounces, one standard package of medium-thickness slices, which gives you 4 servings. Thickness matters more than you’d think here; thinner slices cook and shrink fast, while thicker cuts hold their shape a little longer, so keep an eye on whichever kind you grab. If you’d rather use turkey bacon, it microwaves in about a minute a slice, though my how to cook turkey bacon method with the maple glaze is worth trying too.
How Long to Cook Bacon in the Microwave, Step by Step
This is about as low effort as bacon gets, just a plate, some paper towels, and a few minutes of patience.
Tip: I learned this the hard way with a batch of narrow slices. They shrank fast in the microwave and were nearly burnt before the full 4 minutes were up, so always check at the 3-minute mark no matter what; bacon thickness and microwave wattage both vary enough that “4 minutes” isn’t a guarantee, it’s just a starting point.
Crispy or Chewy, How to Cook It Your Way
That’s really the heart of how long to cook bacon in the microwave; it changes depending on which side you’re on. In our house, we’ve got strong opinions on both sides, crispy bacon people and chewy bacon people, and everybody defends their side like it’s a hill worth dying on.
- For crispy, follow the timing above and don’t be afraid to let it go the full time, checking at 3 minutes and giving it another minute if it needs it.
- For chewy, start with just 2 minutes for four slices, check it, and add up to 1 more minute if it needs it. Just make sure it’s fully cooked through before you call it done.
- Thinner slices will crisp up faster than you expect, sometimes in closer to 3 minutes flat, so don’t walk away and assume the clock is the same for every cut of bacon you bring home.
However you like it, it’s just as good on a breakfast plate next to some homemade pork sausage as it is piled onto a sandwich.
Make Ahead Tips for How Long to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
Once you’ve got the basics of how to cook bacon in the microwave down, this is one of those recipes that’s genuinely easier when you get ahead of it.
- Cook a batch earlier in the day, or even the day before, and keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- It reheats in the microwave for 15 seconds or in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes until it’s warm and crisp again. I like having a batch ready in the fridge when company shows up, and I’d rather be sitting with them than still working on breakfast.
- Cooked bacon also freezes well if you want to stock up ahead. Lay the slices in a single layer with parchment between them in a freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to a month.
- There’s no need to thaw it first either; straight from the freezer, place the slices between paper towels and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, adding 10 seconds at a time until it’s hot and crisp again. And if you like to keep the freezer stocked with breakfast meats, these freezer-friendly turkey sausage patties freeze just as well.
- If you’re feeding a bigger group, just repeat the cooking batches, four slices at a time, until you’ve got enough for everyone. This bacon is also a natural side for something like my creamy biscuit and gravy breakfast bake when company’s coming.
Questions about How Long to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
Yes, as long as it reaches at least 165°F and you’re using microwave-safe materials, it’s completely safe. A microwave-safe plate and plain paper towels are all you need. There’s no special equipment required. Just keep an eye on it since microwave times vary by wattage and bacon thickness.
It depends on your microwave’s power. As a general guide, 600 watts takes about 5 to 6 minutes, 800 watts takes about 4 to 5 minutes, 1000 watts takes about 3 to 4 minutes, and 1200 watts takes about 3 minutes. Always check at the 3-minute mark and add time in short bursts from there.
This usually happens if you wait too long to remove it after cooking. I’ve learned to pull it off right away; if I get distracted for even a minute, it starts sticking as the grease sets. Moving it to a clean plate right away solves this every time.
You can use parchment paper instead, but it won’t soak up the grease the way paper towels do, so the bacon tends to stick more and comes out softer instead of crisp. If crispness matters to you, paper towels are the better choice here; parchment is really more of a backup option.
How Long to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Bacon, 1 package, 8 medium-thickness slices
Instructions
Prepare the Bacon
- Place two paper towels on a microwave-safe dinner plate.
- If the bacon strips are too long for your plate, cut them in half with kitchen scissors or a knife.8 ounces Bacon
- Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the paper towels. The slices can be close but should not overlap.
- Place 2 more layers of paper towels on top of the bacon to prevent splattering.
Microwave the Bacon
- Microwave on high until cooked, checking at 3 minutes. In a 1000-watt microwave, this usually takes about 4 minutes total
- Carefully lift the top paper towel and check for doneness.
- If you want crispier bacon, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until done. Remember: bacon will crisp up a bit more as it cools.
- Move the cooked bacon to a clean plate immediately to prevent sticking. If it’s too greasy, pat gently with a clean paper towel to remove extra fat.
- Repeat with the remaining four slices using fresh paper towels.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
- Room Temperature: no longer than 2 hours
- Fridge: airtight container up to 4 days
- Freezer: parchment between slices in a freezer bag, up to 1 month
- Reheat (from fridge): microwave on a paper towel-lined plate for 15 seconds, or bake at 350°F for 5 minutes until warm and crisp
- Reheat (from frozen): no need to thaw; place slices between paper towels and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, adding 10 seconds at a time until hot and crisp
Equipment
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Please consider Leaving a Review!Hospitality with Bacon in the Microwave
Some of the best hospitality moments aren’t planned at all; they show up on your porch with a basket of garden tomatoes and no warning, and what you do next is just get the bacon going in the microwave so you can sit down and actually visit instead of standing over a skillet. That’s the whole heart of a Garden Fresh Dinner, keeping things simple enough that the food gets out of the way and the people at your table don’t. Slice up those tomatoes while the bacon cooks, pull out whatever bread you’ve got, and let a BLT be the whole meal. Nobody needs a spread to feel cared for. I think about Romans 12:13 a lot in moments like that, the part about sharing with those in need and pursuing hospitality, and honestly it’s rarely the fancy dinners that stick with people; it’s the ones where you dropped everything just to sit with them. So next time someone shows up unannounced, don’t panic about what’s in the fridge. Just get the bacon in the microwave and let the conversation be the main course.