Did you know that you can make delicious bacon in your Instant Pot? After realizing I can make bacon in my Instant Pot, I spent a few weekends testing every Instant Pot function I could think of before landing on the Sauté setting as the clear winner. Unlike pressure cooking, which traps steam and leaves you with chewy, limp strips, Sauté mode works like a skillet with the lid off, letting moisture escape so the bacon crisps up perfectly, all while the tall inner pot walls keep your stovetop splatter-free. It has become my go-to on busy mornings and once you try it, you will never look back!
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Why You'll Love Making Bacon in an Instant Pot
- There is less mess! The high sides of the electric pressure cooker keep the bacon grease in the Instant Pot. Therefore, you save yourself time and energy by not having to clean up your stovetop after the bacon is cooked.
- The bacon cooks evenly! On a gas stove especially, there tend to be hot spots. This can cause the bacon to burn on one side and be close to raw on the other side. You get perfect bacon every time!
- It's a great option when you don't have access to a stove! Undergoing a kitchen renovation? Getting a new stove? Use your Instant Pot as much as possible. It's a great option for so many recipes the whole family will love!
Ingredients You'll Need for Crispy Bacon
The only ingredient you need for this recipe is bacon. Use your favorite type of bacon. My family prefers thick-cut bacon, so that's what I have on hand most of the time.
Thick-cut bacon is best to cook in the Instant Pot because it will not burn as fast. Thin bacon tends to stick and burn quickly.
Equipment To Make Instant Pot Bacon
- Instant Pot. I have a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo that I love!
- Something to flip the bacon with. You can use tongs, a wooden spoon, or a rubber spatula to flip the bacon.
- Cutting Board
- Knives
How To Make Bacon in an Instant Pot
- Take out your bacon slices and place it on a cutting board. Cut the bacon strips in half so they fit into the Instant Pot.
- Press the saute button and set the cook time to 8 minutes. The Instant Pot will say "hot" when it is preheated.
- Place the bacon pieces in a single layer on the bottom of the pot. Cook the first side of the bacon for 3 minutes, then flip the bacon over and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side. Cook the bacon until your desired crispiness is reached.
- Line a plate with a paper towel and remove the bacon from the Instant Pot. Pat the bacon with another paper towel to remove any excess fat. Allow the bacon to cool just slightly and serve.
Pro Tip! Keep a close eye on the bacon as you are cooking it. You don't want to walk away from the Instant Pot because the bacon can burn quickly.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Crispy Bacon
- If the bacon is sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot, it is not ready to be flipped. Give it a few more seconds before trying to flip it again.
- An easy way to flip the bacon is to use a good pair of tongs. You can grip both sides of the bacon easily and quickly.
- Making a lot of bacon? You'll need to work in batches. Once one batch is done, pat off any excess fat from the bacon and place it on a plate and over it with aluminum foil. This will keep the bacon warm and prevent it from getting too cold.
Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Bacon
- In your favorite club sandwich.
- On top of Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes alongside cheddar cheese
- In rice stuffing with bacon.
- Mixed into your favorite veggies. I love green beans and salty bacon, or crispy Brussel sprouts with bacon. Both would be an amazing side dish to any dinner!
- In your favorite breakfast sandwich, in cheesy bacon egg bites, or air fryer egg toast! Make baked egg patties and top them with crispy Instant Pot bacon for a filling breakfast any day of the week. You can also make Bacon Egg Avocado Sandwich with this delicious bacon!
- As homemade bacon bits! Place the cooked bacon in a food processor and you have bacon bits!
- In a chicken and bacon Caesar pasta salad.
How to Store & Reheat Leftover Bacon
Once the bacon is cooked, allow it to cool and place it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Store bacon in the refrigerator when you aren't cooking with it or eating it. You can reheat the bacon in the microwave or on a pan on the stovetop for a few minutes.
Crispy Bacon Recipe FAQs
Yes! Since turkey bacon does not have as much fat as regular bacon, you will want to add a little bit of olive oil to the bottom of the pot. Allow the olive oil to heat slightly and then add the turkey bacon.
The amount of time you cook your bacon for depends on your individual tastes. Some people like really crispy bacon, some like it a little less crisp. Start with 2 minutes on each side and then flip the bacon. When it reaches your desired crispiness, the bacon is done!
Bacon comes from the pork belly or back of the pig, and the cut makes a big difference in flavor and texture. Streaky bacon, the classic American variety, is cut from the fatty pork belly and crisps up beautifully when cooked. Back bacon, known as Canadian bacon in the US, comes from the leaner loin and has a texture closer to ham. Pancetta is an Italian belly bacon cured with spices rather than smoked, while jowl bacon, cut from the cheeks, is richer and fattier and popular in Southern cooking. For this Instant Pot recipe, streaky bacon is your best bet!
Yes, bacon cooks wonderfully in an air fryer. Simply lay strips in a single layer in the basket, set the temperature to 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes depending on thickness and your preferred crispiness level. The circulating hot air crisps both sides evenly without flipping, and the grease drips away below for easy cleanup. Just avoid overcrowding the basket and check around the 7-minute mark since air fryers vary in power.
Other Recipes To Try!
Did you love this Instant Pot Bacon Recipe? If you did, don't forget to tag me on social media on Instagram or Facebook and share this recipe on Pinterest! Thanks for sharing this journey with me and enjoy these delicious and easy recipes!
📖 Recipe
How to Cook Crispy Bacon in Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 Slices Bacon
Instructions
- Take out your bacon slices and place it on a cutting board. Cut 3 bacon strips in half so they fit into the Instant Pot.
- Press the saute button and set the cook time to 8 minutes. The Instant Pot will say "hot" when it is preheated.
- Place the bacon pieces in a single layer on the bottom of the pot. Cook the first side of the bacon for 3 minutes, then flip the bacon over and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side.
- Line a plate with a paper towel and remove the bacon from the Instant Pot. Pat the bacon with another paper towel to remove any excess fat and serve. Repeat the process for the last 3 slices.
Notes
- Making a lot of bacon? You'll need to work in batches. Once one batch is done, pat off any excess fat from the bacon and place it on a plate and over it with aluminum foil. This will keep the bacon warm and prevent it from getting too cold.
- If the bacon is sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot, it is not ready to be flipped. Give it a few more seconds before trying to flip it again.
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