The Best Way To Prevent Bacon From Sticking To A Cast Iron Skillet
It's no secret that Americans love bacon. According to the Statista Research Department, a little over 268 million Americans ate bacon in 2020. In fact, the average American eats 18 pounds of bacon a year, per the South Florida Reporter. It is a protein that is as versatile as it is popular. It can be served with eggs for breakfast, on a sandwich at lunch, or in a sweet potato casserole for dinner. For dessert, bacon could be the perfect addition to apple pie.
Its versatility doesn't stop with its around-the-clock deliciousness. You can find a type of bacon for everyone. It comes in many forms: pork, turkey, beef, and even meat-free. And there are just as many ways to cook it as there are varieties. The traditional way might be on the stovetop, but you can also make it in the oven, microwave, or even in an air fryer. While cleaning up the grease isn't fun, the flavor can be definitely worth it.
Extra oil is key
Uno Casa recommends using a cast iron skillet for your bacon. It conducts heat evenly and it also helps to season your skillet. If you're using a cast iron skillet, no one wants to deal with the bacon sticking to the pan. So what's the best way to prevent that?
Bacon produces a lot of its own grease, so adding more oil to the pan might not seem necessary. But Field Company explains that's the trick to the bacon not sticking to your cast iron skillet. When using the hot pan method, the experts recommend adding a ½ tablespoon of oil — it could be bacon grease, butter, or lard — to your skillet that has been sitting over low-medium heat for five minutes before adding in your bacon. If you're using the cold pan method, the experts don't mention the need for extra oil. So the next time you're heating up your cast iron skillet for your bacon, don't skip on the extra oil.