How to Make Crispy Bacon in a Skillet

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Learn how to make delicious, crispy bacon right in the skillet on your stovetop with this easy step-by-step guide!!

We have established that I love bacon – and I typically make bacon in the oven.

However, sometimes I will need my oven for other things and I go ahead and fry it on the stovetop in a skillet.

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How to Make Bacon in a Skillet on the Stovetop

Start with your skillet – I only use non-stick or cast iron skillets. (Cast iron skillets are essentially non-stick skillets if they are seasoned correctly!)

You don’t need to add anything to the skillet. The bacon will render out its own fat while it’s cooking/frying. However, go ahead and place the bacon in a cold skillet! Be sure to lie them in the skillet without overlapping.

Next, place the stovetop burner on medium.

Now, I HATE the popping mess of grease when I’m frying bacon, so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you get yourself a splatter screen.

I let them fry for anywhere to 5-7 minutes, then I CAREFULLY flip the bacon over with tongs and let them fry for another 5-7 minutes. (Once you flip them, put the splatter shield back on!)

You have to watch them very closely after you flip them because it’s going to go quickly after that.  

You’ll notice I give you a TIME FRAME. I do this because 1) everyone’s stovetop will have a different heat level but also 2) everyone likes their bacon in different degrees of crispness. You just have to watch them carefully until they are at YOUR level of desired doneness or crispiness!

Once you get the bacon done to your preferred level of crispiness, then transfer them over to a plate with paper towels to drain the grease.  I usually put a top layer on and blot them gently.

There you go! Perfectly crispy bacon straight from your stovetop skillet!!

Disposing of Bacon Grease

I feel I should give you a little guidance on disposing of bacon grease.

First of all, why would you discard it? It’s pure cooking gold! Let the grease cool down a bit and pour it into a mason jar and store it in the refrigerator for later use! I usually store mine for up to a month. Just be sure to strain out your bacon pieces because it will likely go rancid, otherwise.

But, if you really insist on discarding bacon grease, don’t pour it down your drain. Bacon grease gets hard as it cools and it WILL clog your pipes. 

Just let the grease harden, then use a spatula to push the solidified grease into your trash.

Now that you have frying bacon on the stovetop in your bag of tricks, you will want to make one of your favorite bacon recipes! You might want to try my sausage and bacon quiche because it is sure to go to the top of your list!

How do you like to eat your bacon?