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A white plate with crispy cooked bacon strips sits on a gray charger plate, next to a white and black checkered kitchen towel.

How Long to Cook Bacon in the Microwave

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How long to cook bacon in the microwave for perfectly crispy strips, no skillet needed. This simple method uses paper towels to soak up grease and gives you evenly cooked bacon in minutes, whether you're feeding your family or cooking bacon in the microwave for a quick lunch with unexpected guests.
Course Breakfast, Lunch
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat
Keyword chewy, crispy, microwave, quick
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 9 minutes
Servings 4 8 slices total, 2 per serving
Calories 236
Author Gina Dickson

Equipment

  • Microwave-safe plate or dish
  • White papertowels
  • Kitchen scissors (optional)

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
    A pair of scissors is cutting through the middle of a sealed package of hickory smoked classic cut bacon on a white background.
  • Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the paper towels. The slices can be close but should not overlap.
    Several raw bacon strips are arranged on a paper towel inside a clear glass baking dish, with another paper towel partially covering the bacon. The setup is on a white surface.
  • 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.
    Five crispy cooked bacon strips rest on a white paper towel inside a clear rectangular glass baking dish, with some grease spots visible on the paper towel.
  • 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.

Notes

For chewy bacon: microwave 4 slices for 2 minutes, check, and add up to 1 more minute as needed. Just make sure it's fully cooked before serving.
Storage and Reheating:
  • 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

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving of 2 pieces | Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 375mg | Potassium: 112mg | Vitamin A: 21IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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