Why does bacon curl?

Why does bacon curl? - Pizza on Brown Wooden Tray

When frying bacon in the pan, it tends to curl. What causes this? Is there a way to slow down that process itself?



Best Answer

As the bacon cooks the meat reduces in size faster than the fat does.

Since they are cut into strips this causes the fat to bunch up or even coil if the bacon isn't flipped enough.

The fat will eventually reduce as well when it renders but not enough to straighten out the poor bacon.




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Quick Answer about "Why does bacon curl?"

As the bacon cooks the meat reduces in size faster than the fat does. Since they are cut into strips this causes the fat to bunch up or even coil if the bacon isn't flipped enough. The fat will eventually reduce as well when it renders but not enough to straighten out the poor bacon.

How do you stop bacon from curling?

Lay bacon down on parchment paper. You can fill the tray up, but I make sure the bacon stays in a single layer with no overlapping. Place the cooling rack upside down onto the bacon. This should keep it from curling.

How do you keep bacon straight?

Crowding the Pan The bacon needs room to breathe. When you crowd the bacon, it will leave you with a mess of tangled strips of floppy bacon instead of the perfectly crisp strips you know and deserve.

Why is my bacon floppy?

Bacon doesn't normally blow around too much in an air fryer, but if you want to keep it from curling, you can place a small rack directly on top.



Gordon's Guide To Bacon




More answers regarding why does bacon curl?

Answer 2

I've found that frying the bacon at lower temperatures, medium heat rather than high heat, reduces or eliminates the curling.

Answer 3

Somebody once told me it was the saltpeter in it that made bacon curl. I don't know, but he was a butcher.

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