My Epiphany of Bacon

Let's face it, guys-I have forever thought of myself as somewhat of a bacon connoisseur. I mean, who doesn't love crunchy, salty, smoky, perfect bacon? But to actually make it perfectly crispy each and every time-that was my culinary Everest. That is until I tried the Instant Pot. Seriously, my life or, at least my breakfast changed. One Saturday morning, having had enough of another weirdly chewy batch, I dove headfirst into the world of Instant Pot bacon-and let me tell you, it was a real game-changer. So buckle up, folks, as I am about to spill the beans on how to get that glorious, perfectly crispy bacon you have always wanted.

The Magic of Instant Pot Bacon: Why It Works

First, let's talk about why the Instant Pot is a marvel at making bacon. Just think about it: the Instant Pot creates a perfectly humid environment. This even cooking prevents those dreaded dry, leathery bits that often plague stovetop or oven-cooked bacon. This high pressure also turns the steam that condenses within the pot to render the fat beautifully and turn it nice and crispy. I'm telling you, once you try this method, you will never revert back!

Recipe: How to Make Perfectly Crispy Instant Pot Bacon

Servings: About 1 pound of bacon Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5-7 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of your favorite thick-cut bacon. My go-to is hickory smoked.
• An Instant Pot rack that can fit into your pot. These can be ordered online, often on Amazon, and available in many kitchen supply stores.

Instructions:

1. Place the bacon rack in your Instant Pot; this is very important to prevent soggy bacon. I learned this the hard way. Trust me!!
2. Line the slices of bacon in one layer on the rack so that they do not overlap. Of course, if you are cooking a lot of bacon, you may need to do this in batches.
3. Add about 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of your Instant Pot. This is where magic steam happens that makes all the things work. Don't skip this step!
4. Close the lid, setting the valve to "Sealing." Then select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" and set the timer for 5 minutes.
5. When it beeps, let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully open the valve to quick-release any remaining pressure.
6. Using tongs, very carefully pull the bacon out from the Instant Pot and gently place it on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess grease.

Important Note: Cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the thickness of your bacon and your Instant Pot model. Start with 5 minutes and add an additional minute if needed for extra crispiness.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Bacon

• Bacon Thickness: Bacon that is cut thicker may take a little more time to get perfectly crispy. Experiment to find what works best for your bacon.
• Don't overcrowd the rack: Overcrowding prevents even cooking, leading to some pieces being crispy and others undercooked. Work in batches if necessary. I usually do two.
• Play with flavours: Try adding other ingredients, such as brown sugar or maple syrup, for a sweet-savoury kick. The reason being, I am working out already different versions of it.
• Disposal of grease: Once cooked, carefully pour the bacon grease out into a heat-resistant container; let it cool and go solid, then store later or dispose of properly.
• Storage: Once the bacon is completely cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate up to a week.

Beyond the Basic Recipe: Unleash Your Inner Bacon Artist

Now it's your turn to get creative! Consider the maple-flavored, peppered, or even jalapeño bacons. Still, even different cooking times can afford you the various layers of crispy textures you prefer. Of course, you could try adding some spices during the actual cooking itself. My friend Sarah puts a pinch of smoked paprika.divine!