Master Crispy Microwave Bacon: Clean and Waste-Free

Revolutionize your morning routine with a mess-free method for cooking crispy bacon in the microwave! In just five minutes, you’ll achieve perfectly cooked bacon and simultaneously collect a container of “liquid gold”—pure, savory bacon grease—all without a single wasted paper towel. This innovative approach makes breakfast preparation incredibly efficient and clean.

Table of Contents

• Embrace the Convenience of Microwave Cooking!
• Why the Microwave is Your Best Bet for Bacon
• Sustainable Bacon: No Wasting Paper Towels!
• Discovering the Ultimate Microwave Cooking Bowls
• What Makes Anyday Microwave Dishes Stand Out?
• Achieving Perfect Bacon with Anyday Dishes
• How Long Does It Take to Microwave Bacon?
• No Microwave Oven? No Problem!
• Step-by-Step: How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
• How to Store Your Bacon Grease (Liquid Gold)
• More Delicious Microwave Recipes to Try
• Printer-Friendly Recipe Card: Crispy, Clean & No-Waste Microwave Bacon

Embrace the Convenience of Microwave Cooking!

Many home cooks approach microwave ovens with skepticism, often associating them solely with reheating leftovers. However, I am a firm believer in the power and safety of microwave cooking, especially for certain dishes. Microwaves offer a fast, safe, and incredibly efficient way to prepare meals without heating up your entire kitchen, a significant advantage, particularly during warmer months. While it’s true that not every food benefits from microwave preparation—just like an Instant Pot isn’t suitable for *all* culinary tasks—the microwave excels at cooking specific items quickly and effectively. And one of its most surprising triumphs? Perfectly crispy bacon!

Beyond its speed, microwave cooking helps preserve nutrients in many foods by reducing cooking times and the need for excessive water. For busy individuals or those looking to minimize their energy footprint, understanding the microwave’s capabilities can be a game-changer. It’s time to shed old preconceptions and discover how this humble appliance can simplify your cooking, starting with a breakfast favorite.

Why the Microwave is Your Best Bet for Bacon

The idea of microwaving bacon might seem counterintuitive to those accustomed to stovetop frying, but the results are truly remarkable. Bacon emerges from the microwave beautifully crisp, boasting a texture that rivals, if not surpasses, traditional methods. One of the most compelling reasons to choose this method is the incredible reduction in mess. Say goodbye to greasy splatters covering your stovetop, countertops, and even walls. The contained environment of a microwave dish keeps all the mess inside, making cleanup a breeze.

Furthermore, for those times when you only need a few slices of bacon—perhaps for a quick breakfast sandwich, to crumble over a salad, or as a side with eggs—the microwave offers unparalleled speed. It’s significantly faster than preheating an oven or waiting for a pan to heat up. This combination of speed, cleanliness, and superior crispiness makes the microwave the ultimate choice for preparing small batches of bacon. It’s an efficient solution that saves time and effort, letting you enjoy delicious bacon without the usual fuss.

Sustainable Bacon: No Wasting Paper Towels!

My teenage years were filled with after-school BLT sandwiches, a ritual that often involved microwaving bacon. Back then, my go-to method was layering bacon slices on a plastic plate, sandwiched between an enormous stack of paper towels, and nuking them until done. While effective for crisping, this approach generated a considerable amount of waste. The sheer volume of oil-soaked paper towels discarded after each cooking session was substantial and definitely not environmentally friendly.

Beyond the waste, there’s a significant health concern. Microwaving food in plastic containers can lead to chemicals leaching into your food, especially when exposed to high heat. This includes many conventional plastic microwave bacon racks, which, despite their convenience, pose potential health risks. Switching to glass containers eliminates this concern entirely. By choosing reusable glass over single-use paper towels and potentially harmful plastics, you’re not only reducing waste but also ensuring a healthier cooking process. This mindful shift allows you to cook bacon safely, cleanly, and sustainably, paving the way for a better way to enjoy this beloved breakfast staple. Plus, with the right container, you can effortlessly save that flavorful bacon grease, transforming waste into a culinary asset.

Discovering the Ultimate Microwave Cooking Bowls

Given my passion for efficient and healthy cooking, I’m always on the hunt for robust and effective glassware suitable for microwave use. My quest recently led me to an exceptional line of microwaveable containers that have genuinely transformed my cooking experience: Anyday bowls. My initial introduction to these innovative dishes came from Chef David Chang’s engaging Instagram posts, where he showcased how quickly and easily he prepared various dishes. His demonstrations immediately piqued my interest.

Intrigued, I purchased my first set of Anyday bowls and put them to the test. After successfully steam-cooking vegetables and chicken in the microwave with impressive results, I was completely won over. Their performance was so outstanding that I found myself becoming an enthusiastic advocate, purchasing sets not only for my own kitchen but also for my mom, sister, in-laws, and several friends. It’s rare to find a product that so seamlessly integrates into daily cooking, offering both convenience and quality.

As many of you know, when I discover a product that genuinely impresses me, I become a passionate evangelist. My fervent endorsements sometimes lead people to assume I’m a paid promoter for brands like the Instant Pot, but that’s simply not the case. My excitement is purely organic! I tend to get carried away when I find something truly excellent, which is why you can expect to hear me championing Anyday products from now on. While this isn’t a sponsored post, I am an affiliate, meaning if you choose to purchase these incredible bowls through this link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a product I genuinely believe in and use daily.

What Makes Anyday Microwave Dishes Stand Out?

You might be wondering, what exactly elevates Anyday microwave bowls above other options on the market? Let me share the distinct features that make them truly exceptional and a worthwhile addition to any kitchen:

• Premium Construction: Both the bowls and their lids are crafted from borosilicate glass. This material is renowned for its exceptional durability and superior heat resistance, capable of withstanding extreme temperature changes without cracking, unlike regular glass. This makes them incredibly versatile for cooking, storing, and reheating.
• Innovative Silicone-Sealed Lids: The lids feature a platinum-grade silicone rim, creating an airtight and leakproof seal. This ensures food stays fresh and prevents spills. A clever silicone knob on the lid can be effortlessly pulled up to create a vent during microwaving. This crucial design element allows steam to escape safely, preventing pressure buildup and ensuring your food cooks evenly and doesn’t “explode” from steam, making for safer and more effective cooking.
• Unmatched Versatility: Anyday bowls are designed for ultimate convenience. They are completely dishwasher-safe for effortless cleanup, freezer-safe for long-term food storage, and even oven-safe, expanding their utility beyond just microwave cooking. This means you can seamlessly transition from cooking to storing leftovers to cleaning, all with the same set of durable dishes.
• Microwave-Safe Metal Components: One of the most surprising and innovative features is the stainless metal band on the edge of the lid. Contrary to common belief about metal in microwaves, this design is perfectly safe. The metal is specially engineered with rounded edges, preventing the arcing or sparking that occurs with sharp-edged metal objects in a microwave. This thoughtful detail truly sets Anyday apart, offering peace of mind and enhanced functionality.

These features collectively make Anyday dishes a robust, reliable, and incredibly user-friendly solution for modern kitchen needs, especially for those who rely on their microwave for quick, quality meals.

Achieving Perfect Bacon with Anyday Dishes

While I use my Anyday bowls for a wide array of dishes, cooking bacon in them has become one of my absolute favorite applications. The sheer brilliance of using an Anyday bowl for bacon lies in its design, which effectively contains all the inevitable splatter. This means no more messy cleanup after enjoying your breakfast! Even better, the contained environment allows you to easily collect and save the rendered bacon grease, a valuable culinary byproduct often referred to as “liquid gold,” which would otherwise be absorbed by paper towels or splattered away.

For cooking up to four slices of bacon—an ideal amount for a breakfast for two—the large shallow Anyday dish is my go-to choice. It provides ample space for the bacon to cook evenly without overcrowding. My only minor wish was for even larger or more rectangular options to accommodate greater quantities, which would be perfect for larger families or meal prepping.

UPDATE! I’m thrilled to share that Anyday has listened to feedback! They now offer a Large Square Anyday Dish, which is absolutely perfect for cooking more slices of crispy bacon with ease. This expanded option addresses my previous desire and makes cooking for a crowd or preparing more bacon for various recipes even more convenient.

If you’re eager to experience the game-changing convenience and quality of these microwave bowls for yourself, you can easily order your own set of Anyday dishes by clicking here. You won’t regret adding these versatile tools to your kitchen arsenal!

How Long Does It Take to Microwave Bacon?

The precise cooking time for microwave bacon can vary based on a few key factors: the wattage of your microwave oven, the thickness of the bacon slices, and the total number of slices you’re cooking simultaneously. Generally, you can expect each slice to take approximately 60 to 90 seconds. It’s worth noting that thinner-cut bacon typically crisps up more effectively and quicker than its thick-cut counterparts.

For a standard 1000-watt microwave, cooking four slices of thin-cut bacon usually requires about 4 minutes and 30 seconds. A smart strategy is to initially underestimate the cooking time slightly—for example, starting with 4 minutes for four slices. From there, you can continue cooking in 30-second increments until the bacon reaches a point where it’s just a tiny bit *less* done than your preferred crispiness. This is crucial because bacon will continue to crisp up for a short period after you remove it from the microwave due to residual heat.

If you’re working with thick-cut bacon, adjust your starting time to about 5 minutes, then proceed with the same 30-second incremental cooking until you achieve your desired level of crispness. Remember that every microwave oven has its unique quirks and power levels, so a small amount of experimentation during your first attempt will help you dial in the perfect timing for consistently delicious, crispy bacon.

No Microwave Oven? No Problem!

While this article focuses on the undeniable advantages of microwave bacon, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone owns a microwave or prefers to use one. If you find yourself without a microwave oven, or if you simply prefer traditional methods, there are excellent alternatives for cooking bacon to perfection.

You can always opt for the classic stovetop fry method, which yields beautifully crispy bacon, albeit with the potential for more cleanup due to grease splatters. Alternatively, baking bacon in the oven is another fantastic option, especially when you’re preparing a larger quantity for a crowd. In fact, for those occasions when I need to cook a substantial amount of bacon, I often revert to my preferred oven method. This allows for even cooking and minimizes hands-on time, freeing you up to focus on other aspects of your meal preparation. So, regardless of your kitchen setup, crispy bacon is always within reach!

Step-by-Step: How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave

Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly crispy bacon with minimal fuss and maximum flavor, ensuring a clean kitchen every time:

1. Prepare Your Container: Begin by arranging four slices of bacon in a single layer within a microwave-safe glass container. For best results and even cooking, avoid overlapping the slices.

2. Cover and Vent: Securely place the lid on the container. If you’re using an Anyday bowl, remember to vent it by pulling up the center knob, which allows steam to escape safely during cooking. If you’re using a different microwave-safe glass container without a built-in vent, you can simply place a microwave-safe glass plate directly on top of the bowl to act as a loose cover, preventing splatter while allowing steam release.

3. Initial Cooking Phase: Carefully place the covered container into your microwave. For thin-cut bacon, begin by cooking for an initial 4 minutes. If you’re using thicker-cut bacon, start with 5 minutes to account for the increased cooking time required.

4. Check for Doneness and Adjust: After the initial cooking time, carefully check the bacon. Continue cooking in additional 30-second intervals until the bacon reaches a crispiness level that is *just* shy of your preferred texture. This is a key tip: the bacon will continue to cook and crisp up slightly for a few moments after it’s removed from the microwave, ensuring it doesn’t become overdone.

5. Serve and Collect Grease: Carefully remove the lid, being mindful of the hot, bacon-infused steam. Transfer your perfectly crispy bacon to a serving platter. The rendered bacon grease will have collected neatly at the bottom of your cooking container.

How to Store Your Bacon Grease (Liquid Gold)

One of the fantastic benefits of this mess-free microwave method is the ease with which you can collect and store bacon grease. This savory byproduct, often referred to as “liquid gold,” is a versatile fat that can add incredible depth of flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Don’t let it go to waste!

1. Strain the Grease: To store your bacon drippings, first grab a fine mesh sieve and a small, clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Carefully pour the hot bacon fat from your cooking container through the sieve and into the jar. The sieve will catch any small bits of cooked bacon, ensuring your stored grease is clean and pure.

2. Refrigerate for Storage: Once strained, allow the bacon grease to cool completely to room temperature before sealing the jar. Store the sealed container of bacon drippings in your refrigerator, where it will solidify into a creamy, opaque fat. Properly stored, this flavorful grease can last for up to 3 months, ready to be scooped out and used whenever you need to add a touch of rich, smoky flavor to your cooking.

Bacon grease is excellent for frying eggs, sautéing vegetables, making gravies, or even adding a unique twist to cornbread. Now that you know how to easily collect and store it, you have a secret weapon in your culinary arsenal. Go ahead, microwave yourself some bacon and start collecting that delicious liquid gold!

More Delicious Microwave Recipes to Try

If you’ve been converted to the convenience and efficiency of microwave cooking with this bacon recipe, you’ll be delighted to discover many other fantastic dishes you can whip up quickly in your microwave. Expand your culinary repertoire with these innovative microwave recipes:

• Microwave spaghetti squash: A quick and easy way to prepare this versatile low-carb vegetable.
• Microwave crispy shallots and shallot oil: Achieve crispy, flavorful shallots and infused oil without the deep-frying mess.
• Pumpkin mug cake: A delicious, single-serving dessert that’s ready in minutes.
• Apple mug cake: Enjoy a warm, comforting apple dessert with minimal effort.
• Black sesame mug cake: An intriguing and unique mug cake flavor.
• Matcha mug cake: For green tea lovers, a quick and delightful treat.