Most people have a love-hate relationship with bacon. For some, it’s a religion. For others, it’s an unhealthy obsession.
The thing is, bacon is actually fairly nutritious, and if cooked properly and eaten in moderation, it can be a healthy addition to your diet whether you’re backpacking or need a quick snack at home.
Dehydrating bacon is one way to get more mileage from your meat. Here, we’re breaking down what you need to know about how to make jerky.
Bacon is salted pork that lasts longer when dried and properly stored. Cooked bacon can be used as a central ingredient, a flavoring accent, or eaten as a side dish.
Dehydrating bacon helps preserve your bacon for a longer period than when left raw. Once dehydrated, you can enjoy your bacon as a quick meal whenever you want it.
Can You Dehydrate Raw Bacon?
First, let’s address a basic question: should you dehydrate raw bacon or should you cook it first?
While dehydrating meat makes it shelf-stable (can be safely stored without refrigeration) the USDA is pretty clear on the subject. When you dehydrate uncooked meat at home, pathogenic bacteria are likely to survive the lower temperatures of a dehydrator.
In order to dehydrate the meat instead of baking it, the bacon goes into an oven or dehydrator at 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for about six to eight hours. That’s within the danger zone for bacteria that cause food poisoning.
So, if you want to make safe and healthy jerky at home, it’s generally best to cook the bacon first.
Dehydrating Bacon in a Food Dehydrator
This process is not too challenging once you know what to do. Below we will look at the equipment and the steps you need to follow to get the perfect dehydrated bacon with the best taste and texture.
Equipment
- Skillet and fork. You’ll need a skillet to cook the bacon and a fork to turn it.
- Food dehydrator. A food dehydrator is ideal for drying the bacon properly. It completely removes moisture from the bacon and requires less effort.
- Paper towels. These are usually handy before and during dehydrating. You need them to clean the grease from the bacon.
- Airtight container. This is essential for storing dehydrated bacon. You may also use a zip-top bag.
Steps
- Cook the slices of bacon in a skillet until each slice is properly cooked and crispy. You may cook your bacon in the microwave or oven, but the classic way to go is the stove.
- Wrap each strip of bacon in paper towels to drain the extra grease. Ensure that the visible fat is cleaned before placing the bacon in the dehydrator. This is done to prevent the fat from becoming rancid.
- Arrange the strips on the dehydrator sheet, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space between them.
- Apply seasoning. This should be a dry rub as you don’t want extra moisture on your bacon before putting it in the dehydrator. The seasoning you use depends on your taste. You may opt for sweetness by adding brown sugar to your bacon, or you may choose to make it savory and add garlic powder and black pepper. Carefully sprinkle whatever seasoning you choose.
- Put the dehydrator sheet in the dehydrator and turn the power on.
- Leave the bacon in the dehydrator for about 6 to 8 hours. While dehydrating, remove the bacon twice to wipe the extra fat.
- Once the bacon is properly dehydrated, bring the strips out of the dehydrator and allow them to cool off completely.
- Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
What are the Benefits of Dehydrating Bacon?
Dehydrating bacon increases its shelf life. With your bacon dehydrated, you can store it away for a long time and use it when cooking. Dehydrated bacon can be used as a snack for different occasions. You can pack it for camping trips or short or extended hikes. It takes a smaller space in your storage box, making it easy to pack.
How Long can Raw Bacon be Out of the Fridge?
The mass-produced bacon, the kind you pick up in grocery stores, usually has an expiration date stamped on the package. Once opened, it’s recommended you use or freeze the bacon within seven days. The general rule of food safety is that raw meat should not sit out for more than four hours. This rule of thumb is good, especially when dealing with bacon. You should be extra careful with raw pork products such as bacon, as undercooked pork can result in trichinosis. After cooking your bacon, use or refrigerate within four days.
Unlike mass-produced bacon, dry-cured bacon lasts longer, even outside the fridge. This is because the bacon is more resistant to bacteria. When unrefrigerated, it is recommended you use dry-cured bacon within 10 days and within a month when refrigerated.
Is it Necessary to Cook Bacon Before Dehydrating it?
Although dehydrating your bacon prolongs its shelf life, you should follow the safety rules. Bacon has numerous bacteria and parasites that may likely survive the low temperature of a food dehydrator. To eliminate these harmful microorganisms, cooking your bacon before dehydrating it is recommended.
Does Dehydrating Bacon Kill the Bacteria Present?
Raw bacon has many bacteria present, and one of the most common challenges when dealing with bacon is eliminating the bacteria present. Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli are always present in bacon and can cause harm to the body when consumed. They can even be life-threatening.
Dehydrating bacon kills off some of the bacteria, but not all. The dehydrator’s temperature is not high enough to eliminate all the harmful microorganisms present in the bacon. To eliminate all bacteria and parasites, you should take some critical steps.
You should freeze the bacon for one to two months before dehydrating it. Doing this will kill any parasites that may be present. This step is not compulsory, but it helps ensure the bacon has no parasites.
After freezing, thaw the bacon in a refrigerated setting and not at room temperature. Once thoroughly thawed, heat the bacon to about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. After heating the bacon, the dehydration process may begin. Throughout the dehydration process, your dehydrator should be at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that every harmful microorganism is destroyed and your bacon is safe to consume.
How Long Does Dehydrated Bacon Last?
As earlier mentioned, dehydrated bacon has a longer shelf life, especially when properly done. The way dehydrated bacon is stored has a large impact on its shelf life.
Once dehydrated, you should store your bacon in an airtight container. If the container is properly sealed, the bacon will be edible for a long period. Dehydrated bacon can last for a period of one to two years if properly dehydrated and stored.
With the right equipment and necessary steps, you can easily dehydrate your bacon and store it. You should note that dehydrating cooked bacon shrinks its size. It is important to choose high-quality bacon as it will shrivel less and taste better.
Always remember to soak up the extra grease using paper towels. When the rehydrating process is done, store the bacon in perfectly sealed plastic containers.
Dehydrating Bacon in Dehydrator
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s talk about how to dehydrate bacon to make bacon jerky that will be a huge hit with your buddies — and your four-legged friend too!
Cook
There are several different ways you can cook bacon. Some people (often college students) cook a few slices in the microwave, while others swear by the oven. But the classic way is on the stove.
Either way, you should cook the bacon through until it’s crispy. After it’s cooked, make sure to pat the bacon dry and drain well. Any excess fat that’s left on the bacon when it goes in the dehydrator could become rancid.
Season
Once your bacon is cooked and dry, arrange it on the dehydrator sheet and apply your seasoning.
Ideally, this should be a dry rub — extra moisture means more work for your dehydrator. You can make it sweet (brown sugar) or savory (garlic powder, black pepper, and chipotle powder).
Either way, you can’t do what you normally do with a dry rub and overapply it. Instead, sprinkle it on gently.
Dehydrate
Once you’ve lightly seasoned it, it’s time to dehydrate your bacon.
Luckily, this is pretty simple: put the tray in the dehydrator and turn the machine on. The bacon should dry out for six to eight hours. Twice during this process, you should remove the bacon and pat off any excess fat.
Dehydrating Bacon in a Food Dehydrator
This process is not too challenging once you know what to do. Below we will look at the equipment and the steps you need to follow to get the perfect dehydrated bacon with the best taste and texture.
Equipment
- Skillet and fork. You’ll need a skillet to cook the bacon and a fork to turn it.
- Food dehydrator. A food dehydrator is ideal for drying the bacon properly. It completely removes moisture from the bacon and requires less effort.
- Paper towels. These are usually handy before and during dehydrating. You need them to clean the grease from the bacon.
- Airtight container. This is essential for storing dehydrated bacon. You may also use a zip-top bag.
Steps
- Cook the slices of bacon in a skillet until each slice is properly cooked and crispy. You may cook your bacon in the microwave or oven, but the classic way to go is the stove.
- Wrap each strip of bacon in paper towels to drain the extra grease. Ensure that the visible fat is cleaned before placing the bacon in the dehydrator. This is done to prevent the fat from becoming rancid.
- Arrange the strips on the dehydrator sheet, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space between them.
- Apply seasoning. This should be a dry rub as you don’t want extra moisture on your bacon before putting it in the dehydrator. The seasoning you use depends on your taste. You may opt for sweetness by adding brown sugar to your bacon, or you may choose to make it savory and add garlic powder and black pepper. Carefully sprinkle whatever seasoning you choose.
- Put the dehydrator sheet in the dehydrator and turn the power on.
- Leave the bacon in the dehydrator for about 6 to 8 hours. While dehydrating, remove the bacon twice to wipe the extra fat.
- Once the bacon is properly dehydrated, bring the strips out of the dehydrator and allow them to cool off completely.
- Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
What are the Benefits of Dehydrating Bacon?
Dehydrating bacon increases its shelf life. With your bacon dehydrated, you can store it away for a long time and use it when cooking. Dehydrated bacon can be used as a snack for different occasions. You can pack it for camping trips or short or extended hikes. It takes a smaller space in your storage box, making it easy to pack.
How Long can Raw Bacon be Out of the Fridge?
The mass-produced bacon, the kind you pick up in grocery stores, usually has an expiration date stamped on the package. Once opened, it’s recommended you use or freeze the bacon within seven days. The general rule of food safety is that raw meat should not sit out for more than four hours. This rule of thumb is good, especially when dealing with bacon. You should be extra careful with raw pork products such as bacon, as undercooked pork can result in trichinosis. After cooking your bacon, use or refrigerate within four days.
Unlike mass-produced bacon, dry-cured bacon lasts longer, even outside the fridge. This is because the bacon is more resistant to bacteria. When unrefrigerated, it is recommended you use dry-cured bacon within 10 days and within a month when refrigerated.
Is it Necessary to Cook Bacon Before Dehydrating it?
Although dehydrating your bacon prolongs its shelf life, you should follow the safety rules. Bacon has numerous bacteria and parasites that may likely survive the low temperature of a food dehydrator. To eliminate these harmful microorganisms, cooking your bacon before dehydrating it is recommended.
Does Dehydrating Bacon Kill the Bacteria Present?
Raw bacon has many bacteria present, and one of the most common challenges when dealing with bacon is eliminating the bacteria present. Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli are always present in bacon and can cause harm to the body when consumed. They can even be life-threatening.
Dehydrating bacon kills off some of the bacteria, but not all. The dehydrator’s temperature is not high enough to eliminate all the harmful microorganisms present in the bacon. To eliminate all bacteria and parasites, you should take some critical steps.
You should freeze the bacon for one to two months before dehydrating it. Doing this will kill any parasites that may be present. This step is not compulsory, but it helps ensure the bacon has no parasites.
After freezing, thaw the bacon in a refrigerated setting and not at room temperature. Once thoroughly thawed, heat the bacon to about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. After heating the bacon, the dehydration process may begin. Throughout the dehydration process, your dehydrator should be at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that every harmful microorganism is destroyed and your bacon is safe to consume.
How Long Does Dehydrated Bacon Last?
As earlier mentioned, dehydrated bacon has a longer shelf life, especially when properly done. The way dehydrated bacon is stored has a large impact on its shelf life.
Once dehydrated, you should store your bacon in an airtight container. If the container is properly sealed, the bacon will be edible for a long period. Dehydrated bacon can last for a period of one to two years if properly dehydrated and stored.
With the right equipment and necessary steps, you can easily dehydrate your bacon and store it. You should note that dehydrating cooked bacon shrinks its size. It is important to choose high-quality bacon as it will shrivel less and taste better.
Always remember to soak up the extra grease using paper towels. When the rehydrating process is done, store the bacon in perfectly sealed plastic containers.
Love Your Bacon Jerky? Get a Jerky Dehydrator
If you love jerky and dehydrated foods, why not splurge on a dehydrator so you can start dehydrating bacon at home?
Luckily for you, we’ve already done the hard part for you. Check out our picks for the best dehydrators to find one that meets your needs.
If you’ve never used a dehydrator before, check out this guide.
Once the bacon is done, allow it to cool completely and store it in a sealed container or bag.
And there you have it! Your very own bacon jerky.
