Did you ever wonder how to cook bacon on the grill? Well, this guide is for you! Bacon is one of those foods that just seems to make everything better.
It’s salty, savory, and has a wonderful crunch that can elevate a dish. Unfortunately, bacon can also be a bit of a pain to cook, especially if you’re trying to avoid making a mess.
The good news is that there is a way to cook bacon on the grill without all the hassle. With just a few simple tips, you’ll be able to enjoy all the deliciousness of grilled bacon without any of the cleanups. So fire up your grill and get ready to learn how to cook bacon on your favorite grill like a pro!
How To Cook Bacon On The Grill (Step By Step Guide)
Here are the simple steps to getting your meal ready.
1. Ensure Your Grill Is Clean
This is a significant step, as you want to ensure your bacon doesn’t stick to the grill grate. An excellent way to clean your grill is to use a wire brush to scrub it down before you start cooking.
2. Remove The Skin From The Bacon
This will help the bacon cook evenly and prevent sticking to the grill. Additionally, it will even look better, which usually elevates your appetite. This step is not mandatory, but it doesn’t cost anything to remove the skin for the best result. So why not try it?
3. Season Your Bacon
The next step is to season your bacon appropriately with salt, pepper, and other spices. This is the time to be creative, so feel free to experiment!
4. Line Your Bacon Up On The Grill
You can either lay your bacon strips directly on the grill grate or place them on a piece of aluminum foil. If you’re using foil, be sure to crinkle it up so that the bacon strips don’t fall through.
5. Cook Over Indirect Heat
You need to cook the bacon slowly for it to turn out perfectly crisp. So, shove the coals over to a single side before adding your bacon if you use a charcoal grill. Turn one side of the burners off for a gas grill before cooking.
6. Close The Lid And Let The Bacon Cook
This step is crucial, as you want to make sure the bacon doesn’t dry out. Every few minutes, open up the grill and flip the strips over so that they cook evenly. After about 15 minutes, your bacon should be nice and crispy.
7. Remove From Grill
Remove it from the grill once your bacon is cooked to perfection, and enjoy! Whether you’re eating it on its own or using it topping for another dish, grilled bacon is guaranteed to be a hit. Just don’t forget to save some for yourself – it’s that good!
8. Serve Up Your Favorite Toppings
When it comes to cooking bacon on the grill, there are a lot of different toppings you can use. You could use your favorite cheese, herbs, or nuts. Whatever toppings you choose, cook both sides evenly and correctly so that they don’t overlap or turn into a mess.
Helpful Bacon Grilling Equipment
Tongs – These will come in handy when flipping the bacon strips over during cooking.
Wire brush – As mentioned earlier, this will help you clean your grill grates before cooking.
Aluminum foil – You can use this to line the grates or create a makeshift tray for your bacon strips.
Paper towels – Have these on hand to blot any excess bacon grease off the bacon before serving. Use a paper towel-lined plate to soak up some of the excess grease.
Cast Iron Skillet – A Cast iron skillet is the key to perfect grilled bacon every time.
Now that you know how to cook bacon on the grill with your chosen method, make sure to cook the bacon over indirect heat. This will help to prevent the bacon from sticking to the grill and ensure that it cooks evenly.
When cooking bacon on a charcoal grill, push the coals over to one side before adding your bacon strips. For a gas grill, turn one side of the burners off before the method you choose, make sure to cook the bacon over indirect heat.
This will help to prevent the bacon from sticking to the grill and ensure that it cooks evenly.
What Is The Best Type Of Bacon To Grill?
Whichever type of bacon you like to eat is the best type of bacon to grill. However, we recommend using thick-cut bacon so that it doesn’t crumble on the grill.
Bacon fat can cause flare-ups, so be sure to trim any excess fat off the bacon slices before cooking. This will help to prevent any accidents.
What Are The Top Add-Ons For Perfect Bacon?
This is a fundamental question. Toppings can make or break your dish, so you want to be sure to choose wisely. Some of our favorite toppings for bacon include:
- Cheddar cheese
- Diced tomatoes
- Green onions
- Sour cream
- Barbecue sauce
- Eggs
These are just a few of the many delicious toppings for your grilled BBQ bacon. Be creative and have fun with it! There are no wrong answers when it comes to topping off your perfect dish.
Use the above add-ons in your grilling recipes to get the best grilled barbecue bacon you’ll love.
What Is The Best Grill Temp for Bacon?
The best grill temperature for bacon is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the bacon to cook evenly and prevents it from sticking to the grill. Additionally, it will even look better, which usually elevates your appetite.
How To Reduce The Smoke of Bacon On The Grill
One of the most common complaints about cooking bacon on the grill is that it creates a lot of smoke. The best way to reduce this smoke is by using a chimney starter. This will allow you to get your fire started without any smoke and burn off any unburnt resins left over from the charcoal in the initial lighting.
This will leave you with a clean and smoke-free fire, which is perfect for cooking bacon!
Top Benefits Of Cooking Bacon On The Grill
Compared to other methods of cooking bacon, when you grill bacon comes with a variety of benefits. Some of these include;
Perfect Flavor
You’ll love the smoky flavor that grilling gives to bacon. This is because when fat drips down onto the coals, it causes them to smoke. This, in turn, flavors the bacon and gives it a delicious smoky taste that you won’t get enough of!
Less Mess
Another great benefit of cooking bacon on the grill is that it’s much less messy than other methods. There’s no need to worry about bacon grease splatters when you’re grilling bacon – everything stays nice and tidy.
Easier Cleanup
Not only is grilling bacon less messy, but it’s also easier to clean up the grill afterward. There’s no need to scrub pots and pans – wipe down your grill, and you’re good to go!
Pro Tips for Grilling Bacon
- Cooking bacon on the grill is simple, but a few pro tips will help you take your grilled bacon to the next level. These tips include:
- Preheat if you’re using a charcoal grill, be sure to let the coals burn down until they’re white-hot. How long this takes will depend on the size of your grill, but it should be around 20-30 minutes. For a gas grill, preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Trim any excess fat off the bacon before cooking to prevent flare-ups.
- Cooking time will depend on the thick-cut bacon, but it’s generally best to cook bacon for about 15-20 minutes.
- Keep an eye on the cooked bacon and flip it every few minutes so that it doesn’t stick to the grill.
- Use tongs to remove the bacon slices from the grill so that you don’t lose any of those delicious toppings!
- Allow the bacon to cool for a few minutes before serving so that you can enjoy it at its peak flavor.
Now that you know all there is to know about grilling bacon, it’s time to get out there and start cooking!
How to Cook Bacon on the Grill FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Grill Bacon?
It typically takes about 15 minutes for bacon to cook properly on a grill. This may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon and how hot your grill is, so be sure to keep an eye on it and adjust accordingly.
There are a few different ways to cook bacon on a grill. One method is to lay the strips directly on the grates, while another is to use a wire rack. If you’re using a wire rack, grease it first so that the bacon doesn’t stick.
Another important tip is to ensure that your grill is preheated correctly before adding the bacon. This will help ensure the bacon is cooked evenly that isn’t overly greasy or burnt.
Will Bacon Get Crispy on the Grill?
Yes, bacon cooked on the grill will be crispy. However, it is important to cook the bacon slowly over low heat to avoid burning it. For best results, wrap the bacon in foil or use a wire rack to prevent sticking and flipping frequently.
If you are using a gas grill, preheat to medium-low before cooking. For charcoal grills, let the coals burn down until they are covered with white ash before cooking. Bring any fatty cuts of meat or poultry to room temperature before grilling as well – this will help ensure even cooking.
How Do You Keep Bacon From Sticking to the Grill?
If you’re looking to prevent the bacon from sticking to the grill, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure the grates are clean before you start cooking. If there’s any built-up grease or residue on the grates, it will cause the bacon to stick.
Once the grates are clean, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, then brush a layer of oil over them. This will help create a nonstick surface. When you’re ready to cook the bacon, lay it across the grates in a single layer, and then use a spatula to press down on it.
You want to make sure that there’s good contact between the bacon and the grill so that it cooks evenly.
How Long Do You Grill Bacon on a Gas Grill?
It depends on how thick the bacon is, but typically 8-10 minutes per side should do the trick. Make sure to close the lid of the grill while cooking so that the bacon cooks evenly.
Some people like their bacon crispy, while others prefer it a little more chewy. So feel free to experiment until you find the perfect level of doneness that you enjoy.
Wrapping Up Your Crispy Bacon
Bacon is one of those foods that seem to make everything better. And while you can cook bacon indoors on the stovetop, there’s something about cooking bacon on the grill that gives it an extra delicious flavor.
If you’re looking to add some grilled bacon to your next meal, this guide comes in handy. As you can see, it’s not that difficult if you follow these simple steps. So fire up your grill and get cooking! Your taste buds will thank you.
