Instant Pot Bacon: Your Guide to Crispy, Flavorful Bacon with Minimal Mess
Welcome to the ultimate guide for cooking bacon in your Instant Pot! If you’ve been searching for an easy, efficient, and surprisingly mess-free way to achieve perfectly crispy bacon, look no further. The Instant Pot, with its versatile sauté function and high-sided design, is a game-changer for breakfast staples and beyond. This method drastically reduces grease splatter, making cleanup a breeze and transforming your cooking experience. Whether you’re an Instant Pot novice or a seasoned pro, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to get delicious results every time. Plus, we’ll show you how to quickly turn any leftover slices into homemade bacon bits, perfect for enhancing your favorite dishes.
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In recent years, our kitchens have been graced with a new generation of smart gadgets designed to make meal preparation faster, easier, and more enjoyable. These innovative kitchen helpers, like the Instant Pot, are becoming indispensable in countless households, revolutionizing how we approach cooking. At Dash For Dinner, our passion is crafting oven-free recipes that harness the power of these incredible appliances, making efficient and delicious meals accessible to everyone. Today, we’re diving into a surprisingly simple yet incredibly effective use for your Instant Pot: cooking bacon!
Can You Really Cook Bacon in an Instant Pot? Absolutely!
The short answer is a resounding yes! Many people associate the Instant Pot primarily with its pressure cooking function, imagining it’s only suitable for stews, soups, or quick-cooking grains. However, this multi-functional appliance boasts several other powerful features that can dramatically simplify your cooking, and one of the most underrated is the “Sauté” function. This mode transforms your Instant Pot into a high-efficiency skillet, perfect for browning, simmering, and yes, achieving beautifully crispy meals you might never have thought possible in an electric pressure cooker.
Cooking bacon in the Instant Pot’s sauté mode is not only possible but also incredibly convenient. You’ll quickly fall in love with this method for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, the Instant Pot’s high sides act as a natural splatter shield, containing the majority of the bacon grease within the pot. This means less mess on your stovetop, countertops, and clothes – a significant improvement over traditional pan-frying. Secondly, the even heat distribution of the Instant Pot helps cook bacon uniformly, resulting in slices that are perfectly browned and crisp to your liking. It’s a method that promises minimal fuss and maximum flavor, making it an ideal choice for busy mornings or when you simply want to enjoy perfectly cooked bacon without the usual cleanup hassle.
How to Achieve Perfectly Crispy Bacon in Your Instant Pot
Getting started with Instant Pot bacon is incredibly straightforward. All you need is your trusty Instant Pot and a package of your favorite sliced bacon. This method works wonderfully for standard-cut bacon. While thicker cuts can also be used, they may require a minute or two more per side to reach optimal crispiness. Remember, patience and monitoring are key to perfectly rendered fat and crunchy texture!
You’re going to **start by preparing your bacon slices.** For most Instant Pot models, especially the popular 6-quart size, it’s highly recommended to cut your bacon slices in half. This simple step ensures that the bacon lays flat on the bottom of the pot, allowing for even cooking and efficient crisping without overlapping. If you happen to be using a larger 8-quart Instant Pot, you might find that full slices fit comfortably. However, even with larger pots, cutting them in half can sometimes make flipping easier and ensure every piece gets equally crispy.
Next, **set up your Instant Pot for sautéing.** Plug it in and ensure the lid is off. Select the “Sauté” function, and then press the button again until the “High” option is highlighted. This ensures your pot reaches a sufficient temperature to properly crisp the bacon. Once set, you’ll need to **set the timer for 30 minutes.** Don’t worry, the bacon won’t cook for this long! This generous timer simply allows enough time for the Instant Pot to preheat and for you to cook several batches without needing to reset it constantly.
Allow your Instant Pot to **preheat for about 3-5 minutes.** You’ll know it’s ready when the display reads “Hot” or “On” and you can feel heat radiating from the bottom. Once preheated, use a pair of long-handled tongs to **carefully place 4-6 bacon slice halves into the bottom of the pot.** It’s crucial not to overcrowd the pot. Cooking in smaller batches allows the bacon to fry rather than steam, which is essential for achieving that desirable crispy texture. Overcrowding will result in limp, chewy bacon, so resist the urge to add too much at once.
**Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side**, or until the bacon is beautifully browned and begins to crisp around the edges. Keep a close eye on it, as cooking times can vary based on your Instant Pot model and bacon thickness. Then, with your tongs, **flip the bacon over** and **cook on the other side for an additional 1-3 minutes**, or until it reaches your preferred level of crispiness. Some like it slightly chewy, while others prefer it shatteringly crisp. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
Once cooked to perfection, **remove the bacon** from the Instant Pot using your tongs and **transfer the slices to a plate or tray lined with paper towels.** This allows any excess grease to drain off, enhancing the crispiness. As you remove each batch, you’ll notice the rendered bacon fat accumulating at the bottom of the pot. Depending on your preference, you can carefully spoon out some of this hot grease between batches if it starts to get too high, or save it for future cooking (bacon fat adds incredible flavor to many dishes!).
**Repeat this process** with the remaining bacon slices, working in batches until all of your bacon is cooked through. Enjoy your perfectly crispy, mess-free Instant Pot bacon!
BONUS: How to Make Quick and Easy Bacon Bits
Ever found yourself with a few leftover slices of cooked bacon and wondered what to do with them? Or perhaps you just want a fresh, flavorful alternative to store-bought bacon bits? Making your own bacon bits from Instant Pot bacon is incredibly simple and adds a fantastic smoky, salty crunch to a multitude of dishes. These homemade bits are miles ahead in flavor and texture compared to the often dry and artificial-tasting pre-packaged varieties. They’re a tasty addition to salads, baked potatoes, casseroles, scrambled eggs, and so much more!
To make them, simply **add the desired amount of cooked and drained bacon slices to the bowl of a food processor.** The amount will depend on how many bits you need and the size of your food processor. For best results, ensure the bacon has cooled slightly so it doesn’t just clump together.
**Secure the lid** firmly onto your food processor.
**Pulse the food processor several times**, in short bursts. Continue pulsing until the bacon is broken down into small, uniform pieces. Be careful not to over-process, or you might end up with a bacon paste instead of distinct bits! A few quick pulses are usually all it takes.
Your fresh, homemade bacon bits are now ready! You can **use them immediately** to elevate your meal, or **transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.** They also freeze well for longer storage, providing a convenient ready-to-use topping whenever you need it.
Recipes Using Homemade Bacon Bits:
Bacon bits are incredibly versatile and can add a savory depth to so many dishes. Here are some fantastic recipes where your homemade Instant Pot bacon bits will shine:
- Crispy Cheese and Bacon Potatoes – Barefeet in the Kitchen
- Loaded Mashed Potato Balls – Centsless Deals
- Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels – Lemon Tree Dwelling
- Warm Crack Chicken Dip – Plain Chicken
- Sprinkle over a fresh garden salad for added crunch and flavor.
- Mix into scrambled eggs or omelets for a hearty breakfast.
- Top off creamy soups like potato or clam chowder.
- Fold into mac and cheese for an extra layer of deliciousness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Instant Pot Bacon
No, when cooking bacon using the Instant Pot’s sauté function, you should definitely not use the lid. The lid would trap steam, causing the bacon to steam rather than crisp, leading to a chewy texture. While bacon grease can spatter, the high sides of the Instant Pot’s inner pot already provide a significant amount of protection. If you’re concerned about minimal splatter, you could use a fine-mesh splatter screen placed loosely over the pot, but avoid sealing it or using the Instant Pot’s pressure lid. The goal is to allow moisture to escape and the bacon to fry in its own rendered fat.
For optimal freshness and food safety, cooked bacon should be consumed within 3 days when stored in the refrigerator. To maintain its quality and prevent contamination, always store your cooked bacon in an airtight container or a sealed zip-top bag. This also helps to prevent the bacon’s aroma from permeating other foods in your fridge.
Absolutely! Freezing cooked bacon is an excellent way to prepare it in advance and have it ready for quick meals or toppings. To freeze, first ensure the bacon is completely cooled. Then, arrange the bacon slices in flat layers separated by sheets of wax paper or parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking together. Once layered, place them in an airtight freezer bag or a freezer-safe container. Ensure as much air as possible is removed from the bag to prevent freezer burn. Cooked bacon can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, you can reheat it in a microwave, oven, or even briefly in the Instant Pot on sauté mode until warm and crisp.
Standard-cut bacon works wonderfully in the Instant Pot for achieving crisp results. While thicker-cut bacon can also be used, it will require a slightly longer cooking time per side to render the fat and reach the desired level of crispiness. Avoid extremely thin or paper-thin bacon as it can cook too quickly and become overly brittle. The key is to monitor the bacon closely, regardless of its thickness, to prevent burning and ensure it cooks to your preferred texture.
Instant Pot Bacon
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Ingredients
- 12 slices Bacon cut in half (adjust quantity based on Instant Pot size)
Instructions
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Plug in your Instant Pot and ensure the lid is removed from the pot.
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Select the “Sauté” feature on your Instant Pot. Press the “Sauté” button again until the “High” option is illuminated with a red light, indicating maximum heat. Set the cooking timer for 30 minutes; this allows ample time for multiple batches.
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Allow your Instant Pot to preheat for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until the display indicates “Hot.” While it’s preheating, if you haven’t already, cut your bacon slices in half. This crucial step ensures they fit perfectly into the Instant Pot’s bottom without overlapping, promoting even crisping.
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Once the Instant Pot is thoroughly preheated, use a pair of long tongs to carefully add 4-6 bacon slice halves to the bottom of the pot. Avoid overcrowding to allow the bacon to fry properly. Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes, or until the bacon is lightly browned and starting to crisp.
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Using your tongs, flip the bacon to the other side and continue to cook for an additional 1-3 minutes. Keep a close watch during this stage, cooking until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness and rich brown color.
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Promptly remove the cooked bacon from the Instant Pot with your tongs and place it onto a plate lined with paper towels. This will absorb any excess grease, making your bacon even crispier and less oily.
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Continue repeating steps 3-5 with the remaining bacon slices, working in batches as needed, until all your bacon is perfectly cooked. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious, mess-free Instant Pot bacon!
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Notes
This recipe has been thoroughly tested and optimized using a 6-quart Instant Pot. If you are using a larger 8-quart Instant Pot, you can follow all the recipe instructions as directed. The main advantage of a larger pot is its increased surface area, which means you may be able to fit a few more bacon slices into the bottom per batch, potentially speeding up the overall cooking process.
Achieving Crispy Instant Pot Bacon:
Utilizing the “high” sauté setting on your Instant Pot is crucial for ensuring the bacon cooks quickly and its fat renders efficiently. This high heat is what guarantees crispy bacon. However, due to the efficiency of this method, it’s very important to keep a close eye on your bacon throughout the cooking process. Bacon can go from perfectly crisp to burnt very quickly, so stay attentive and adjust cooking times as needed to prevent scorching.
Making Instant Pot Bacon Bits from Leftovers:
To create delicious homemade bacon bits, simply take your cooked and thoroughly drained bacon slices and add them to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the food processor several times in short bursts until the bacon is finely broken down into small, consistent pieces. These fresh bacon bits can be used immediately to top various dishes or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for enjoyment up to 3 days later.
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love Cooking Bacon in Your Instant Pot
Beyond the simple convenience, cooking bacon in your Instant Pot offers a truly superior experience. The direct, even heat from the sauté function ensures consistent crispiness across every slice, something that can be challenging to achieve on a stovetop with uneven pan heating. The high walls not only contain grease but also reduce the aroma of cooking bacon from spreading throughout your entire home. This means you can enjoy the delicious smell of breakfast without it lingering for hours!
This method is also perfect for batch cooking. Whether you’re preparing for a large family breakfast, meal prepping for the week, or simply want to have extra bacon bits on hand, the Instant Pot makes it easy to cook multiple batches efficiently. You control the level of crispiness, from slightly chewy to perfectly brittle, ensuring your bacon is exactly how you like it every single time.
Embrace the ease, the cleanliness, and the delicious results of Instant Pot bacon. It’s a testament to how modern kitchen gadgets can simplify our routines without compromising on taste or quality. Give it a try – you might just find your new favorite way to cook bacon!
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