Bacon, the unapologetic indulgence

In the world of guilty pleasures, few things stand out like bacon. Its aroma can pull even the most disciplined eater away from quinoa and kale.

Bacon isn’t just food. It’s an experience, a statement — a rebellion against the mundane. Pleasure over discipline. And for unapologetic bacon lovers, the rebels of the culinary world, it’s worth celebrating.

I discovered the secret to perfect bacon on a family trip. Our friends were in charge of breakfast, and the dad — a man of bacon wisdom — insisted we buy parchment paper, even for a short stay.

I went along with it.

Turns out, that parchment paper was one of two game-changing steps. The other? Putting bacon into a cold oven. Together, they completely changed how I cook bacon. Now, every time I make it, people ask for the recipe.

The Cold Oven + Parchment Paper Method

Step 1 – Skip the Preheat
Don’t preheat. A cold start cooks bacon evenly and keeps it flat.

Step 2 – Prepare the Pan
Use a jelly roll pan with 1-inch sides. Line it with parchment to soak up grease and make cleanup easy.

Step 3 – Place the Bacon
Lay slices in a single layer. No overlap.

Step 4 – Into the Cold Oven
Slide the pan in while the oven is still off.

Step 5 – Turn the Heat On
Set to 400°F.

Step 6 – Bake
Cook 20–25 minutes, depending on your preferred crispiness.

Step 7 – Remove
Use tongs to lift bacon off the pan without breaking it.

Step 8 – Drain
Place on paper towels to absorb the last bit of grease.

Ways to Use Perfect Bacon

From the first irresistable whiff to the last crispy bite, this bacon is good enough to eat straight from the plate — but it also makes everything better:

• BLT Sandwich – Crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, toasted bread.
  
• Breakfast Tacos – Eggs, cheese, salsa, tortillas, bacon.
  
• Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus – Bake until bacon is crisp, asparagus tender.
  
• Bacon Caesar Salad – Romaine, croutons, Parmesan, dressing, bacon.
  
• Breakfast Pizza – Dough topped with eggs, bacon, cheese, chives.
  

Bacon is more than food

It’s a guilty pleasure, a culinary rebel, and a little act of rebellion you can serve on a plate. Live a little. Make the bacon. And celebrate this iconic delicacy in all its crispy glory.