You will love making Instant Pot Bacon. It’s quick, tidy, and far less messy than frying on the stovetop or baking in the oven. The bacon cooks evenly and becomes perfectly crisp, and cleanup is simple—no grease splatter to contend with. This method may become your go-to for cooking bacon.
If you enjoy bacon but dislike the mess, the Instant Pot is a great alternative. It produces crisp, evenly cooked bacon while keeping your stovetop and oven clean. The technique is straightforward and fast, making it an excellent option for weekday breakfasts or quick snacks.
Why you will love this cooking method:
- Simple, quick, and easy.
- Works with any type of bacon—pork bacon, back or Canadian bacon, and turkey bacon all cook well.
- Minimal cleanup. No splatter and far less grease to manage than other methods.
Ingredient and equipment notes:
- Instant Pot – A 6-quart Instant Pot works well, but any size or another brand of electric pressure cooker with a sauté function is fine.
- Bacon – Use your preferred type: pork or turkey bacon, thick-cut or thin. Sugar-free or nitrate-free varieties also work.
- Optional seasonings – For variety, sprinkle the bacon with onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, brown sugar, or maple sugar before cooking.
How to make Instant Pot bacon:
- Step 1: Place bacon strips in the Instant Pot insert in a single layer without overlapping. Turn the cooker to Sauté mode and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Step 2: Flip the bacon and cook the other side for another 2–3 minutes or until it reaches your desired crispness. Remove and drain on paper towels before serving.
Can I cook frozen bacon in the Instant Pot?
Yes. You can cook frozen bacon the same way, though it will take a bit longer to reach the same level of crispness. Separate frozen strips if possible and allow additional cooking time as needed.
Top tips:
- Avoid overlapping bacon strips so they cook evenly.
- Adjust batch size based on the Instant Pot size and bacon width; you may only fit a few strips at a time.
- Trim or cut long strips if necessary so they fit in the pot without doubling up.
- Increase time for thick-cut bacon. Thicker slices require slightly longer cooking.
- Save bacon fat. Strain and store the rendered fat for cooking vegetables or other dishes.
- Drain before serving. Blot cooked bacon with paper towels to remove excess grease.
Instant Pot bacon FAQs
No. Cook bacon using the Sauté mode with the lid off for best results.
Yes. Flip halfway through so both sides brown and crisp evenly.
Typical cook time is about 5–7 minutes depending on strip width and desired crispness.
Leftover bacon is best eaten soon after cooking. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days. Reheat gently to preserve texture; freezing cooked bacon is possible but not ideal for quality.
Other recipes with bacon you will love:
-
Easy Bacon Aioli Recipe (so creamy!)
-
Easy Bacon and Vegetable Egg Casserole
-
Bacon Jerky Recipe
-
Quick & Easy Southern Fried Potatoes
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Recipe
Instant Pot Bacon
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Equipment
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Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 4 pieces of uncooked bacon
Optional Bacon Seasonings
- paprika
- onion powder
- mesquite powder
- brown sugar
- garlic powder
- pepper
- chili powder
Instructions
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Add strips of bacon to the Instant Pot insert in a single layer. Set to Sauté mode and cook for 2–3 minutes.
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Flip the bacon and cook the other side for another 2–3 minutes or until crisp.
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Remove the cooked bacon, drain on paper towels, and serve.
Notes
- Cut long strips in half if necessary so they fit without overlapping.
- Add any desired seasonings before cooking.
- Reserve the bacon grease for cooking other foods to reduce waste and add flavor.
- Nutritional values are estimates and will vary by bacon brand and portion size.
- Adjust cooking times slightly to achieve your preferred crispness.
Nutrition
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Fat: 1g
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Sodium: 2mg