I was well into adulthood before I realized bacon could be cooked anywhere other than the microwave. Seriously, that’s how my mom did it for years—microwave magic, beep-boop-bacon. Meanwhile, my dad’s approach on the stovetop usually resulted in bacon that could double as charcoal briquettes.
Turns out, Dad's technique had all the subtlety of a fire alarm. He cranked up the heat like bacon was trying to flee the pan. Newsflash: bacon likes it slow and steady, not a heatwave. But microwave bacon? Oh, that’s the lazy genius way. No skill, no mess, just buttons. Foolproof bacon for the culinary-challenged!
Forget those special bacon cooking gadgets. A plate and paper towels are all you need to microwave mess-free, crispy bacon in no time.
Put the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate: Line a microwave-safe plate with 2 layers of paper towels. Place the bacon on top, without overlapping. Cover with another 2 layers of paper towels.
Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes for regular bacon or 2 minutes 30 seconds for thick-cut bacon.
Peel back the top layer of paper towels and use tongs to flip the bacon strips. Microwave another 2 minutes for regular and 2 minutes 30 seconds for thick-cut, until the bacon is deep golden-brown and crispy.
Remove the bacon from the paper towels, being mindful of hot grease, and place on a clean plate. Serve.
Servings 2
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.