A wok is more than a stir-frying tool for selected types of foods. Did you ever imagine there is more than one way to cook bacon on a wok? It requires fewer skills to know how to cook perfect restaurant-style bacon. These methods require the use of a flat or round-bottomed wok. It’s a healthy and a good start for a wok that hasn’t undergone frequent cooking. Not only does it leave you with a good breakfast meal, but also stir-frying bacon in a wok strengthens its coating. With that said, here is how to cook bacon on a wok.
How to Cook Bacon on a Wok?
Preparations
Have the strips of bacon you wish to cook ready and set aside. You can use fresh ones or take out the one on your fridge. Refrigerated bacon will require more time to prepare, giving you additional time to get them ready. Using fresh ones is way better and healthier. Make it ready by seasoning or marinating it with ingredients of your choice. Seasoning adds flavors and tastes to the whole cooking.
Preparing frozen bacon
Bacon is hard to cook when it’s still very cold from the fridge. You will have to skip the marinating process first if you are using cold bacon as you have to unfreeze it. Allow the bacon to thaw by leaving it aside the moment you take it out. It’s important if you do this earlier before cook time. If you are in a hurry to cook and can’t wait for it to thaw by itself, you can do this with a wok.
Spread the cold bacon on a cold flat-bottomed wok without overlapping each other. Place the wok on the gas stove and stir-fry it on low heat. Do not add anything else to the wok, like cooking oil. The bacon will start to release its oils as it cooks.
Leave it until it starts to curl up. It’s when you can flip it. Allow all the sides to cook to your liking before removing it from the wok. Once done, remove and set it on paper towels to drain off excess oil from the bacon as it soaks the fat.
Marinating and seasoning
If you are using fresh bacon, you will need to marinate it before adding it to the wok. It does not require thawing. Rub it with spices like paprika, cinnamon, brown sugar, among others. You can season it with whatever ingredient you like to include for a better taste.
You can also marinate it with some syrup or sauce. Let the seasoning ingredients cover all the sides of the bacon to give it a nice coating. Sauces to use are like soy sauce; and Marple syrup, molasses, or even salad dressing.
Tips for crispier bacon
If you want to achieve crispy stir-fried bacon, add two tablespoons of water after putting the bacon in the wok. Cook and allow the water to evaporate.
Stir-frying the bacon on a wok
Bacon should be fried when it is at room temperature. The traditional way of cooking on wok involves pre-heating the wok first before adding any ingredient. However, when cooking, it is different. You do not place bacon on a hot wok but a cold one.
Lay enough bacon strips on the flat-bottomed wok when it’s out of the heat. Place the wok with the bacon on the gas stove and turn the heat to medium. Stir-frying most foods on a wok usually require high heat but not with bacon. Even when you are using an electric stove, heat is something you are never going to worry about with bacon preparation.
When the bacon starts to cook, do not leave it unattended. Avoid any distractions as the stripes are usually thin and can burn if left to cook without watching. Your full attention is needed. So, all the ingredients should be ready before starting to cook.
Cook for ten minutes
Cooking time will vary depending on how brown you want the bacon to turn before removing it.They will cook with their fats and start to curl when they become ready. You will hear a sizzling sound the bacon is cooking. The fats are also likely to pop out and can land on the cooktop surface. Flip the bacon when it’s curled, and it looks crispy. Please don’t do anything to it before they look ready to turn over.
When to flip
You don’t have to flip the bacon every time it is cooking. Only flip when one side is almost ready. Do this for both sides and give the final flip to ensure all sides look brownish. Use a spatula when flipping or a fork. Let each side cook for eight minutes or allow it to cook longer to make it crispy.
Remove and set aside it’s looking brown and crispy to your liking. Place on paper towels to drain excess fats on the bacon.
Smoking bacon on a wok
Stir-frying bacon is not the only way to prepare bacon on a wok. If you prefer smoked bacon over stir-fried, a wok lets you do that as well.
Season the bacon strips to your liking. One way is to add salt and pepper for flavors. Let the bacon soak on the seasoning for four minutes or for as long as you want. Place the wok on the stove, stop and line it with aluminum foil covering the entire bottom.
Add smoking ingredients like wood chips at the foil’s base and put a mesh rack inside the wok. Let the wok heat on high heat until the wood chips start to smoke.
Adjust to low heat and then place the bacon on top of the mesh and cover the wok with more foil. Smoke for 20 minutes and then turn off the heat when it is ready. Allow the bacon to continue smoking with the heat turned off. Remove and serve.
Read more: How to Clean Carbon Steel Wok
Conclusion
Cooking bacon on a wok is a straightforward and simple thing to prepare in no time. There are no many steps involved; no need to fry constantly. What you have to do is place the strips on the wok and allow them to cook by themselves. You only need to flip both sides until it’s all cooked. Not many ingredients are needed. Make every breakfast count with a quick cook on a wok.