I’ve got a quick tip to share with you guys today – grill your bacon on the panini maker!
I’ve been cooking bacon like this all summer long, it even beats the oven method, if you ask me (and I’ve been swearing by that approach for years).
It couldn’t be simpler: just heat the grill, lay down as many strips as will comfortably fit on the grates (no overlapping or they’ll stick together), close the lid and wait 10-13 minutes to reveal perfectly crisped bacon.
Clean-up is easy too – I recommend (carefully) scraping down the grates while they’re still warm, the grease just slides off.
For large batches, the oven is probably still the most efficient way to go but when I just need 6 slices of bacon for our family or for sandwiches, this is my new go-to!
Grilled Bacon
Prep time: 0 minutes | Cook time: 13 minutes | Total time: 13 minutes
Yield: 6 slices
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 slices uncooked bacon
DIRECTIONS:
- Heat the panini maker to medium-high heat. If your grill comes with a drip pan, be sure to put it in place. Grills with a tilt feature should be set to tilt.
- Arrange as many bacon slices as will fit neatly on your grill, without overlapping. I can usually fit about 6 ounces of bacon. Depending on the size of your grill, you may need to trim the bacon to fit.
- Close the lid and grill the bacon until it’s cooked through and crispy, 10 to 13 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon. If you have a grill that allows you to adjust the height of the upper plate, like those made by Breville, set it to just barely graze the surface of bacon and not fully press the strips. This bacon-grilling technique works very well on the Cuisinart Griddler.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great tip, Kathy!! Pinning this!
Amanda´s last blog post ..A Beautiful Day at Crater Lake, Oregon
Thanks so much, Amanda!
I’m stealing this. It would be perfect for when I need a few strips of crispy bacon to crumble into things. I always hate turning the oven on or getting the stove greasy for just a few pieces.
Shaina´s last blog post ..October Unprocessed: A Challenge and a Menu
You are so smart! I never would have thought to grill my bacon!
Kristen´s last blog post ..Simple Joy {Recipe: Rainbow Tie-Dyed Sugar Cookies}
We normally just stick bacon under the broiler, but, if you are making a panini with bacon, may as well just grill the bacon on the panini maker! Fantastic idea!
Zach´s last blog post ..Avery Rumpkin Review (2012 Release)
I don’t eat bacon much any more, but when I did I used to cook it on my George Foreman grill, same idea. You’re pretty creative with that panini press!
Brilliant.
Kathy, what a crazy and WONDERFUL idea!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective´s last blog post ..Creepy Crawly Cake Truffles
Been doing this all summer, too. I seldom need more bacon than a few slices, and the panini grill is perfect.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)´s last blog post ..Sake (Recipe: spicy pesto soba with chicken and snow peas)
You are so creative with that panini maker!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies´s last blog post ..How To Make Beans in a Slow Cooker + Freeze Them For Future Use
I’ve been trying to teach my kids to cook bacon on the stove, and we’ve been eating a lot of burned bacon lately! This sounds easier by far!
Jen @ Jen’s Favorite Cookies´s last blog post ..Fall Food Link Party
Oh yes…and safer!
My friend Anita did this when I visited her in California! It’s the best way to have bacon!
sweetsugarbelle´s last blog post ..Speckle-ly Acorn Cookies
This is so simple, yet totally genius!!
shelly (cookies and cups)´s last blog post ..Apple Dessert Ideas!
Used this method today for Saturday morning breakfast and it worked great! I was able to fit about half of a pound of bacon on my press (Breville) and then cooked the other half after that was done. The whole pound just about filled my reservoir with grease but it was super easy cleanup. Thanks for the idea!
So glad you tried it, Deb!
Love this tip, Kathy! My bacon is always splattering all over the stove, so this will be perfect. Hope you’re doing well!
Kelly Senyei´s last blog post ..Spooky Sweets for Halloween
This is exactly how I cook my bacon! Glad to see I am not the only one! Great idea.
Just tried it ! The bacon comes out perfect ! Thank you for the great tip.