By Laurel Perry
Published May 7, 2025
I’ve finally learned the secrets of how to cook bacon in the oven! That’s right, I have the mess-free method for cooking tons of bacon in bulk. Armed with just a baking sheet, some aluminum foil, and a pound of bacon, cooking bacon in the oven has never been easier. It frees up time and stove space to make other breakfast favorites. Plus, I don’t have to scrub down my whole kitchen anymore!
It’s always a treat any time I make bacon because it’s so messy and time-consuming to cook it on the stovetop. But since I learned how to cook bacon in the oven, it’s been appearing on our breakfast table much more often. This recipe for bacon in the oven is quick, easy, and mess-free, leaving me more time to spend with my family!
Tips for Beginners
- If you want to skip the foil lining, you can! But it does considerably cut down on dishwashing time.
- If your bacon is super fatty, it may start to smoke. I recommend starting it in a cold oven to prevent smoking/burning.
- Save the bacon grease, strain it through a coffee filter, and use it to cook with. It works well in any recipe that calls for oil.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound bacon (1 package)
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil so that it covers the bottom and the sides. This makes for easy cleanup! Lay a sheet of parchment paper over the foil.
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the sheet pan. 10-11 slices is the maximum I recommend. The bacon can be touching on the sides, but should not be overlapping. 1 pound bacon
- Bake for 14-18 minutes for regular-cut bacon and 18-22 minutes for thick-cut bacon. Check your bacon at the minimum cooking time.
- Once cooked to your liking, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat. Serve immediately.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven Step by Step
Prep the Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil so that it covers the bottom and the sides. This makes for easy cleanup! Lay a sheet of parchment paper over the foil.
Arrange the Bacon: Arrange 1 pound of bacon in a single layer on the sheet pan. 10-11 slices is the maximum I recommend. The bacon can be touching on the sides, but should not be overlapping.
Bake the Bacon: Bake for 14-18 minutes for regular-cut bacon and 18-22 minutes for thick-cut bacon. Check your bacon at the minimum cooking time. Once cooked to your liking, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat. Serve immediately.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 7-10 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.
To freeze, layer the bacon on wax paper in an airtight container or Ziplock bag to prevent sticking. It will keep for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
While you’re cooking bacon in the oven, you’ll have plenty of time to make some scrambled eggs , pancakes , or waffles to go with it!
More Breakfast Recipes To Try
Breakfast Pizza
How to Make Home Fries
Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancakes
Biscuit Breakfast Casserole
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon (1 package)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil so that it covers the bottom and the sides. This makes for easy cleanup! Lay a sheet of parchment paper over the foil.
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the sheet pan. 10-11 slices is the maximum I recommend. The bacon can be touching on the sides, but should not be overlapping. 1 pound bacon
- Bake for 14-18 minutes for regular-cut bacon and 18-22 minutes for thick-cut bacon. Check your bacon at the minimum cooking time.
- Once cooked to your liking, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
