Guide to bacon

What is bacon?

I’m sure you all know what bacon is, it is after all the most popular pork product, being enjoyed by thousands of us across the nation. Who could resist the sizzling sound of frying bacon and the mouth-watering smell that soon follows.

But where does bacon come from, and what makes it different from say, gammon or other cuts of ham? Well bacon is typically sourced from the side of the pig, specifically the fatty sides of the belly. However, when you buy back bacon, this cut will have been procured from the pig’s back.

It can be purchased smoked or unsmoked, thinly cut or thick cut. Either way, it comes packed with an intense pork flavour due to the fatty nature of the cut. Some say that bacon is unhealthy, but it can and should be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. After all, who can resist the sizzle?

How to cook bacon

There are plenty of ways to cook bacon, from the traditional frying pan or grill to the oven and air fryer. The best method depends on how you like your bacon and how many rashers you are cooking - see below for the most commonly-used methods:

How to cook bacon in a pan

Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add the bacon rashers in a single layer. You generally won’t need to add oil, as the bacon will release its own fat as it cooks.

Cook for around 2-4 minutes on each side, turning until the bacon is cooked through and as crisp as you like it. Thicker rashers may need a little longer.

How to cook bacon in the air fryer

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve crispy rashers. Arrange the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure the rashers do not overlap.

As a guide, cook at around 180-200°C until cooked through and crisp, checking regularly towards the end. Air fryers vary, so timings may need adjusting depending on your appliance and the thickness of the bacon.

How long to cook bacon in the air fryer

Back bacon can typically take around 4-8 minutes, while streaky bacon may take around 6-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. If cooking in batches, later batches may cook slightly faster once the air fryer is fully heated.

How to cook bacon in the oven

Preheat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan and arrange the bacon rashers in a single layer on a baking tray. Cook for around 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon reaches your preferred level of crispiness.

Cooking bacon in the oven is particularly handy when preparing a larger batch, as you can cook several rashers at once without standing over the pan.

Can you cook bacon from frozen?

It is best to check the cooking and storage instructions on the packaging before cooking bacon from frozen. If the rashers are frozen together and cannot be separated easily, allow them to defrost safely in the fridge first before cooking.

Once defrosted, cook the bacon thoroughly using your preferred method and follow any product-specific instructions provided.

Bacon from Campbells Prime Meat

We have several quality bacon products available to order online, smoked and unsmoked bacon, Virginia Cure streaky bacon, and 1kg of smoked bacon lardons.