Bacon enjoys immense popularity in all parts of the world, especially in the United States. It is mostly made of pork’s back and belly. The salted dish is extremely delicious as well. However, you need to store it properly otherwise it will go bad quite quickly. Mostly, you will refrigerate or freeze foods to increase their life. But – can you dehydrate bacon as well? The answer to this question is yes.
The history of dehydrating meat goes back thousands of years. It involves removing all the moisture from the meat and as a result, it becomes completely dry. Therefore, bacteria and other microbes have no chance to thrive on such meat, helping it maintain its freshness for months.
Dehydrating bacon has many benefits. For example, it considerably increases its shelf life. Secondly, you can use it in winter and other months when pork is in limited supply.
Do You Cook Bacon First or Dry it Raw?
Dehydrating eliminates the need to refrigerate or freeze bacon. However, numerous bacteria and parasites call bacon their home. These germs will not only survive but multiply if you dry bacon on slow heat. Therefore, you must not dry bacon before cooking it.
Dehydrating raw bacon also enables bacteria to survive. Heating the bacon multiple times will kill most of the bacteria. Therefore, experts recommend dehydrating bacon after it has been cooked.
Some people think baking the bacon removes the bacteria. Unfortunately, it does not because you bake bacon at slow heat as well. You must only use a dehydrator, an oven, or an air fryer to dehydrate the bacon. Similarly, the temperature range should be between 130°F to 140°F. The bacon will take at least 6 hours to fully dehydrate.
How to Dehydrate Bacon?
If you are dehydrating bacon for storage, you must follow these steps.
How to Dehydrate Bacon in an Oven?
Put the bacon in the oven after preheating the oven to 200°F. You must not place the bacon in a cold oven because it will not dehydrate it properly. Using a wire rack covered in a baking sheet or foil is also recommended. Put the bacon on the baking sheet.
Now, how long to dehydrate bacon in the oven? Best dehydration occurs if the bacon remains in the oven for 8 to 12 hours. The bacon starts getting done especially after 8 hours. Therefore, you should regularly check it as well. However, keep heating until you get the desired crispness.
Can You Dehydrate Bacon in an Air Fryer?
You can dehydrate bacon in an air fryer. However, it requires you to heat bacon at a low heat for a very long time. You cannot achieve such low heat in most modern air fryers though. Therefore, you must dehydrate the bacon in a dehydrator or an oven only.
Dehydrating Bacon in a Dehydrator?
Using a dehydrator is the best way to dehydrate bacon. You can dehydrate anything in a standard dehydrator without any hassle. Preheat the dehydrator to 150°F to 155°F. Now, put the bacon in the dehydrator and leave it there for 6 to 8 hours.
Can You Dehydrate Raw Bacon?
Some people do dehydrate raw bacon. However, it is not the ideal way of dehydrating bacon because it allows the bacteria and other germs to survive. Similarly, using low temperatures for dehydration does not kill bacteria as well. Therefore, you must cook the bacon before you dehydrate it.
Benefits of Dehydrated Bacon?
Some of the many benefits of dehydrating bacon are as below.
Decrease in Weight
Obviously, removing moisture will decrease the volume and weight of the bacon. It is a perfect method for storing meat if you have a small storage place.
Extended Lifespan
Removing moisture also extends the life of meat including bacon. Regular bacon usually expires in a week whereas dehydrated bacon can last for up to 12 months.
Improved Shelf Life
As compared to regular bacon, dehydrated bacon has a longer shelf life as well. You do not need it to refrigerate or refreeze. It can last for up to 2 months at room temperature provided it is stored in a cool and dry place. It will remain fresh for 6 months if stored in an airtight container without refrigeration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to dehydrate raw bacon?
Dehydrating raw bacon is generally unsafe due to the presence of bacteria and parasites that can survive the low temperatures used in dehydration. Cooking bacon before dehydrating ensures these harmful organisms are killed, making the bacon safe to consume.
How long does dried bacon last?
Dried bacon, when stored properly in a cool, dry place, can last up to 1 to 2 months. If kept in an airtight container and refrigerated, its shelf life can be extended up to 6 months, ensuring it remains fresh and safe to eat.
Why you shouldn’t freeze bacon?
Freezing bacon can lead to changes in texture and flavor, primarily due to its high-fat content. The salts present in bacon can also speed up the rancidity process, even in frozen conditions, potentially leading to an undesirable taste.
Can you put raw bacon in a dehydrator?
While it’s physically possible to place raw bacon in a dehydrator, it’s not advisable due to health risks. Cooking bacon before dehydrating is crucial to eliminate bacteria and ensure the bacon is safe for consumption.
Does bacon dehydrate well?
Bacon dehydrates effectively when it’s cooked before the dehydration process. The end product maintains much of its original flavor and can be a convenient, shelf-stable option for adding a savory touch to meals.
Final Thoughts
So, can you dehydrate bacon? You can dehydrate bacon to store it for a long time even without the need for refrigeration. Similarly, you can use dehydrated bacon in multiple ways. It also offers a lot of benefits and therefore, you should consider this technique to store other kinds of meats as well.