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Bacon Thick Cut Recipe

Emily Pocker
Thick-cut oven bacon on a cream plate
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Oven-baked thick-cut bacon with browned edges, cooked on a rack above a rimmed pan.
Estimated Recipe CostEstimated US $4.24 for the whole recipe; about $0.71 per serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 portions, one-sixth of the batch

Ingredients
  

Bacon
  • 1 lb thick-cut bacon 454 g; evenly cut slices

Equipment

  • Rimmed baking sheet
  • Oven-safe metal rack
  • Aluminum foil
  • Tongs
  • Paper-towel-lined plate

Instructions
 

Bake and drain
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set an oven-safe metal rack inside it.
  2. Lay the bacon on the rack in a single layer without overlapping. Use another prepared sheet or cook in batches if the slices do not fit.
  3. Bake for about 20–30 minutes, beginning checks at 15 minutes. Continue until the meat is cooked and the fat is rendered, with browned edges and your preferred crispness. Remove thinner pieces earlier if needed; timing depends on thickness and oven.
  4. Using tongs, move the cooked strips to the paper-towel-lined plate. Drain briefly and serve. Keep the hot sheet level and let the fat cool safely before handling; never pour grease down a drain.
  5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F (32°C), in a covered shallow container. Use within 3–4 days and reheat to 165°F (74°C).

Video

Notes

Budget Bytes’ “How to Cook Bacon in the Oven” video, published May 1, 2022, demonstrates the same rack-and-rimmed-pan method. Its batch uses 12 oz; this card uses 1 lb. Follow the card quantities and check your bacon’s package guidance.
Cost is an estimate based on a 16 oz Great Value thick-cut bacon listing at US $4.24, checked November 3, 2026; local prices vary. Nutrition varies substantially by brand, slice weight and rendered fat; use the package values for your actual portion.

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