Ah, the sizzle of a perfectly seared steak, the juicy tenderness of a succulent chicken breast, or the mouthwatering aroma of a slow-roasted pork shoulder – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-cooked piece of meat.
But as any seasoned chef will tell you, achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and safety is all about cooking meat to the correct internal temperature. Like any other meat, bacon has to be cooked to the proper temperature in order to be both delicious and safe to eat.
What Is The Right Internal Temperature For Bacon?
The right internal temperature for bacon is 145°F (62.8°C). The temperature should be taken with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. It is important to note that the temperature should be taken in the center of the meat, not the edges.
How To Cook Bacon To The Right Internal Temperature
The best way to ensure that bacon is cooked to the right internal temperature is to use a thermometer. However, a typical method would be to cook it at a temperature of 400°F (204.4°C) for 4-5 minutes on each side for a perfectly cooked piece of bacon.
It is also important to keep in mind that the internal temperature of bacon will continue to rise after it is removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is important to remove the bacon from the heat source when the thermometer reads 145°F (62.8°C). This will ensure that the bacon is cooked to the right internal temperature.
Why Is Internal Temperature Important?
Cooking food to the right internal temperature is essential for food safety. Bacteria can cause foodborne illness when food is not cooked to the right temperature.
Bacon is particularly susceptible to foodborne illness because it can contain higher levels of bacteria than other meats. Therefore, it is important to ensure that bacon is cooked to the right internal temperature in order to avoid foodborne illness.
When Cooking Bacon, It Is Important To Keep The Following Tips In Mind:
1. Cut bacon into small pieces before cooking to help ensure even cooking.
2. Preheat your pan before adding bacon to help prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
3. Use a paper towel to blot excess grease from bacon before cooking to help reduce splatter.
4. Cook bacon over medium heat to prevent burning and to allow for even cooking.
5. Use tongs to flip bacon while cooking to help prevent sticking and ensure even cooking on both sides.
6. Remove bacon from the pan once it is cooked to your desired level of crispiness and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Bacon Recipes
Green Beans with Bacon and shallots
Ingredients:
-1 pound green beans, trimmed
-1/2 small shallot, diced
-1 slice bacon, diced
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-Salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Place the green beans in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Bake for 10 minutes, until crisp-tender.
4. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon and shallot until the shallot is softened.
5. Add the green beans to the skillet and toss with the bacon and shallot.
6. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve immediately.
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients:
-1 pork tenderloin
-8 slices bacon
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-Salt and pepper
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Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Wrap the bacon around the pork tenderloin, securing with toothpicks if necessary.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork tenderloin and cook for 5 minutes per side, or until evenly browned.
4. Place the pork tenderloin in a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through.
5. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into 1-inch pieces.
6. Serve immediately.
Sources
1. McDonald, M. (2017, August 15). Bacon Making 101 — Pixels + Crumbs. Pixels + Crumbs. https://pixelsandcrumbs.com/blog/2017/8/15/bacon-making-101#:~:text=Smoke%20the%20bacon%20at%20around,eat%20at%20145%C2%B0F.