Right, before we get started, I should clarify something. When I say grill, I mean cooking bacon under the grill, not on the grill, or even in the grill.

This is one of those strange quirks of language where something means something different depending on where you are in the world. When us British cook under the grill, I believe an American would call it broiling. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Nevertheless, being British, I’ll stubbornly stumble through believing I’m right because that’s what I was taught.

Now, let’s get back to bacon.

I don’t mind grilled bacon, to be honest. It’s not quite as good as frying, mainly because you don’t get a nice greasy pan afterwards to fry your bread in, but that might, health-wise, be a good thing.

My mother always used to grill bacon when she made a full English. She said it was much healthier because the fat cooks out and drains off. She might have been right. Either way, whichever way you choose to cook your bacon, it’s still going to be pretty delicious. It’s bacon.

Can You Grill Bacon?

Yes, you can grill bacon, and it is one of the easiest ways to cook it.

Grilling bacon means cooking it under the grill so the heat comes from above. The fat renders, the bacon colours, and the excess fat drips down into the grill pan.

It is a good method if you want bacon for a full English breakfast, bacon sandwiches, burgers, salads, or anything else that needs a few rashers of cooked bacon.

Is Grilled Bacon Better Than Fried Bacon?

That depends what you want from your bacon.

If you want maximum flavour and a bit of bacon fat left in the pan for fried bread, then cooking bacon in a pan is still hard to beat.

If you want less mess, less added oil, and fat that drains away while cooking, grilling bacon is a really good option.

For bigger batches, cooking bacon in the oven can also work well, especially if you are feeding a few people at once.

What Temperature Should You Grill Bacon At?

Set your grill to a medium heat.

If the grill is too hot, the bacon can catch and burn before it has cooked properly. If it is too low, the bacon can sit there drying out rather than crisping and colouring.

A medium grill gives the fat time to render while the bacon turns golden.

How Long Does Bacon Take Under the Grill?

Bacon usually takes around 5 to 10 minutes under the grill.

The exact time depends on the thickness of the bacon, whether you are using back bacon or streaky bacon, how close the tray is to the grill, and how crispy you like it.

• Back bacon: around 5 to 8 minutes
• Streaky bacon: around 7 to 10 minutes
• Crispy bacon: cook a little longer, watching carefully

Turn the bacon during cooking so both sides colour evenly.

How to Grill Bacon

This method works for back bacon, streaky bacon and dry cured bacon.

Ingredients

• Bacon rashers

Method

1. Preheat the grill - Set your grill to medium and let it heat up.
2. Prepare the bacon - Remove the bacon from the packaging.
3. Arrange on the rack - Lay the rashers evenly on the rack in your grill pan. Try not to overlap them.
4. Grill - Place under the grill and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally.
5. Cook to your liking - If you like crispy bacon, cook it for a little longer, keeping a close eye on it.
6. Serve - Remove from the grill pan and serve hot.

Do You Need Oil to Grill Bacon?

No, you do not need oil to grill bacon.

Bacon contains its own fat, and as it cooks, that fat renders out. This is one of the reasons grilling works well, because the fat can drip into the grill pan underneath instead of sitting around the bacon.

Should You Turn Bacon Under the Grill?

Yes, it is best to turn bacon while grilling.

The heat comes from above, so turning the rashers helps both sides cook and colour evenly. Use tongs and turn the bacon once or twice during cooking.

How to Make Crispy Bacon Under the Grill

For crispy grilled bacon, use streaky bacon and cook it for a little longer.

Streaky bacon has more fat, which helps it crisp as the fat renders. Keep the bacon in a single layer on the grill rack and avoid overcrowding the pan.

Watch it carefully near the end, because bacon can go from crisp to burnt fairly quickly under the grill.

Back Bacon or Streaky Bacon for Grilling?

You can grill both back bacon and streaky bacon.

Back bacon is leaner and great for sandwiches, full English breakfasts and bacon rolls. Streaky bacon is fattier, crisps up more easily, and works brilliantly for burgers, pancakes, salads and crispy toppings.

If you want to see the full range, have a look at our bacon range.

Other Ways to Cook Bacon

Grilling is a great option, but it is not the only way to cook bacon.

For the classic frying method, read our guide on how to cook bacon in a pan.

If you are cooking a larger batch or want less hob mess, see our guide on how to cook bacon in the oven.

For a full overview of the main methods, see our main guide on how to cook bacon.

What to Serve with Grilled Bacon

Grilled bacon works with all the classics.

Good serving ideas include:

• A full English breakfast
• Bacon sandwiches
• Bacon and egg rolls
• Burgers
• Jacket potatoes
• Salads
• Loaded fries
• Eggs on toast
• Pancakes and maple syrup

For a sweet and salty breakfast or brunch, try it with our pancakes with bacon.

Tips for Grilling Bacon

• Use a medium grill so the bacon cooks without burning.
• Lay the rashers in a single layer.
• Turn the bacon during cooking.
• Use streaky bacon if you want it extra crispy.
• Keep an eye on it near the end, especially if the grill is hot.
• Let the fat drain into the grill pan underneath.

Final Thoughts

Grilling bacon is simple, tidy and a good alternative to frying.

Set the grill to medium, lay the bacon on the rack in a grill pan, cook for around 5 to 10 minutes, and turn it during cooking until it is golden and done how you like it.

I still love pan-fried bacon, but grilled bacon definitely has its place, especially for a full English or a quick bacon sandwich.

Please ensure bacon is cooked through and piping hot before serving. Enjoy.

FAQs

How do you grill bacon?

Place bacon rashers on the rack in a grill pan and cook under a medium grill for around 5 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally.

How long does bacon take under the grill?

Bacon usually takes 5 to 10 minutes under the grill, depending on thickness and how crispy you like it.

What heat should you grill bacon on?

Use a medium grill. A grill that is too hot can burn the bacon before it cooks properly.

Do you need oil to grill bacon?

No, you do not need oil. Bacon releases its own fat as it cooks.

Do you turn bacon under the grill?

Yes, turn the bacon once or twice so both sides cook and colour evenly.

Can you grill streaky bacon?

Yes, streaky bacon grills well and crisps up nicely because it has more fat than back bacon.

Is grilled bacon healthier than fried bacon?

Grilled bacon allows some of the fat to drain away into the grill pan, so it can be a lighter option than frying in a pan.