Can you dehydrate bacon? Yes, yes you can! If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to dehydrate bacon, why you might want to, and how to do it safely, you’re in the right place. This article is designed for home cooks, backpackers, jerky enthusiasts, and anyone looking to enjoy bacon in a new, convenient way. We’ll cover everything you need to know about dehydrating bacon, including the benefits, step-by-step instructions, and essential safety tips to ensure your bacon jerky is both delicious and safe to eat.
Dehydrated bacon—bacon that has been dried to remove moisture, often called bacon jerky—is a chewy, flavorful snack that’s especially popular for backpacking, hiking, or snacking on the go. Whether you want a protein-packed trail snack or a tasty addition to your pantry, dehydrated bacon is a creative and practical solution.
Bacon is great as a breakfast food, in sandwiches, on potatoes, wrapped around asparagus – the list goes on and on. There is little you can’t do with bacon. Dehydrated bacon is an awesome snack or ingredient, perfect for adding flavor and protein to a variety of dishes.
Due to the love of bacon, there are many people who wonder, “can you dehydrate bacon?” The idea of dehydrating bacon might sound crazy, but it’s actually possible and can be a rewarding project. This is a great question. After all, there are all types of amazing dehydrated foods available today.
Keep reading to find out if bacon can be dehydrated and a few tips from the pros. The idea of making your own dehydrated bacon is a fun and creative way to enjoy this favorite food in new ways.
There is an extensive list of foods you should not dehydrate, and you’ll be happy to know, bacon isn’t on this list.
Dehydrating cooked bacon is possible. In fact, it works great in a dehydrator and makes an amazing tasting, protein-packed snack.
Dehydrated bacon is also great to take on a camping trip, or while you are hiking, thanks to the many benefits of dehydrating food for backpacking and camping. If you are serious about making your own dehydrated bacon and planning dehydrated backpacking meals, learn more about the process, here.
Before you attempt to dehydrate bacon, remember, drying it reduces its volume and weight. A pound of cooked bacon is only about two to three ounces of dried bacon.
Also, choose higher-quality bacon, as it produces a better flavor. Bacon is a form of pork, typically made from pork belly slices. Using thick bacon can complicate the dehydration process due to its higher fat content.
Just keep in mind, dehydrating bacon is a tedious process that requires frequent removal of grease.
Now that you know what to expect, let’s look at the benefits of dehydrating bacon.
Dehydrating bacon—also known as making bacon jerky—is a total game changer for anyone who loves the delicious, smoky flavor of bacon but wants a snack that’s easy to store, pack, and enjoy anytime. By transforming bacon slices into dehydrated bacon, you get a crispy, chewy treat that’s perfect for on-the-go eating, whether you’re hiking, camping, or just need a quick bite at work.
One of the biggest perks of making your own bacon jerky is the control you have over the ingredients and flavor. Want it spicy? Add a splash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of onion powder. Prefer a touch of sweetness? Mix in some brown sugar or honey. You can use thick cut bacon for a heartier texture, or experiment with different marinades to create a batch that’s exactly to your taste.
The best part? You don’t have to worry about the bacon going rancid—when properly dehydrated and stored, bacon jerky has a long shelf life, making it a smart snack to throw in your bag or keep in your pantry for months.
Unlike traditional beef jerky, dehydrated bacon is tender, full of flavor, and has that unmistakable bacon taste that’s hard to resist. Plus, you can trim the fat and control the salt content, so your homemade bacon jerky can be as lean or as indulgent as you like.
The dehydration process also means you don’t have to stress about cook time or burning your bacon in the oven—just set your dehydrator and let it work its magic.
Dehydrated bacon isn’t just for snacking, either. It’s a versatile ingredient you can use in all kinds of recipes. Crumble it up for bacon bits on salads, toss it into soups, or use it as a substitute for regular bacon in sandwiches and breakfast dishes.
With a batch of homemade bacon jerky on hand, you’ll always have a delicious, ready-to-eat option that adds a punch of flavor to any meal.
Making your own bacon jerky at home is not only fun, but it also lets you experiment with flavors and textures until you find your perfect recipe, much like these best homemade jerky recipes for meat lovers. Whether you like it spicy, sweet, or smoky, dehydrated bacon is a snack you’ll want to make again and again—and you can apply many of the same principles used to dehydrate meat in a dehydrator to get consistent results.
So if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy bacon, give dehydrating a try—you might just discover your new favorite snack!
Now that you know the benefits, let’s make sure you understand the safety essentials before you start dehydrating.
Before you begin dehydrating bacon, it’s crucial to ensure your dehydrator can reach at least 145°F–160°F. This temperature range is necessary to kill potential bacteria and make your bacon jerky safe to eat. The USDA recommends a “kill step” by cooking meat to an internal temperature of 160°F to eliminate pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli.
If your dehydrator cannot reach 160°F, you can perform the kill step by placing the finished jerky in a preheated 275°F oven for 10 minutes. This extra step ensures your bacon jerky is safe for consumption, especially if you plan to store it for extended periods or take it on the trail.
With safety in mind, let’s walk through the step-by-step process of dehydrating bacon.
If you are ready to get serious about dehydrating bacon, then be sure to use the process described here. You can follow a bacon jerky recipe to make bacon jerky at home using an oven, dehydrator, or smoker, and experiment with different flavors and methods, much like when you make elk jerky in a food dehydrator.
To make bacon jerky, start by cutting the bacon into strips. Arrange the strips in single slices in the dehydrator to ensure even drying. You can make bacon jerky without marinating, using raw bacon to retain more fat.
Before putting bacon in the dehydrator, cook it using a skillet, a pan, by putting it in the microwave, or by baking it in the oven. For oven methods, you can place the bacon on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and even cooking. Alternatively, you can use a smoker to prepare bacon jerky, which adds a unique flavor.
If you want to add extra flavor, prepare a seasoning mixture and coat the bacon before dehydration—if the mixture tastes good on its own, it will enhance the bacon. Soak up the grease with a paper towel, and then place the bacon in your dehydrator. Trim away any visible fat before dehydrating to help prevent rancidity.
Put your bacon in the dehydrator’s drying tray and place it in the machine. Ideally, you need to allow your bacon to dehydrate for approximately six to eight hours, until the bacon is crisp.
The dehydration process can take anywhere from 4 to 28 hours depending on the method and thickness of the bacon, similar to the timing guidelines for dehydrating beef jerky. Bacon jerky is safe to eat as long as it reaches an internal temperature of 145º–160º Fahrenheit. The cooking time for bacon jerky can vary from 4 to 8 hours depending on the method used.
Once the dehydration process is complete, store the bacon in an airtight container.
There are several dehydrators available today, including options specifically designed as the best food dehydrators for jerky. As a result, you always need to read the instructions before use. If you have a machine that includes mesh trays, be sure to place these in the drying rack and put your bacon on them. This will help to drain away any additional fat.
Make sure to check the bacon every few hours and, if necessary, remove the lid and wipe away any visible fat.
If you want different flavors, season your bacon before drying it, just as you might when experimenting with the best foods to dehydrate for snacks. Some flavoring options to consider include:
You can also make candied bacon by coating the strips with brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey before dehydrating for a sweet, caramelized treat. For a crunchy texture, simply extend the dehydration time until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness.
Bacon jerky is safe to eat when it is properly heated during preparation and stored correctly—especially if you understand whether a dehydrator cooks meat and how to handle it safely. Always ensure your bacon jerky is fully cooked and dehydrated to reduce food safety risks and follow guidance on jerky shelf life and when jerky goes bad.
Always follow the safety checklist above to ensure your bacon jerky is safe and delicious. Proper temperature, fat removal, and storage are key to preventing spoilage and foodborne illness.
Now that you know the process and safety tips, let’s review how to store your dehydrated bacon for maximum freshness.
After dehydrating bacon, storage is key to maintaining freshness and safety. Here are your storage options for dehydrated bacon:
Since bacon has a high-fat content and can turn rancid, it is recommended to store it in the fridge or freezer. Properly stored in bags, dehydrated bacon can last at least 10 months. If you’re unsure how long it’s been stored, you can use the sniff test to guess if it’s still good—trust your senses to help determine freshness.
With the tips and information here, you will be prepared to dehydrate your own bacon. More information about this process can be found by checking out our recipes, or food dehydration tips.
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