Bacon is a popular ingredient or side dish, but is it safe to eat from the package?
What Is Raw Bacon?
Bacon is pork from the belly or back of the pig and is cured with salt. While cured bacon has high salt levels, it also has some great benefits, such as being a source of vitamins, minerals, and selenium, as well as protein. Bacon is also an excellent source of choline. Choline is an essential nutrient for the muscles and brain.
While processing methods have improved in recent years, the nitrates in bacon can cause health problems if eaten in excess. However, since bacon is usually eaten in small amounts, I say everything in moderation.
Does Bacon Need To Be Cooked?
Even though the bacon has been cured in the manufacturing process, this does not mean it is cooked.
Yes, for your own sake, you need to ensure that bacon is cooked before consuming it.
What Does Raw Bacon Look Like?
Raw bacon is made up of pink meat and white strips of fat.
What Does Undercooked Bacon Look Like?
If bacon is not quite cooked, it will still dangle when picked up with tongs, it’ll still be light pink, and the fat will still be white because it has not yet melted.
What Does Cooked Bacon Look Like?
To a lot of people, the look and smell of cooked bacon is enough to make them hungry. The meat becomes crisp and the color changes to a reddish brown.
Is Raw Bacon Safe To Eat?
I know that some people say “I love raw bacon”…there are lots of examples on the internet. But each time they eat raw bacon, they are taking a chance with their health. I wonder if those same people eat raw chicken?
Can You Eat Slightly Undercooked Bacon?
The short answer is no; if the bacon is not fully cooked there could still be bacteria, viruses and parasites just waiting to be consumed.
What Happens If You Eat Raw Bacon?
Eating raw bacon is sort of like eating raw chicken. It might not have any effect on you at all, or eating this raw meat could be a moment you later regret.
Can Raw Bacon Make You Sick?
Eating uncooked bacon can cause some health problems. Some of the raw bacon side effects can be very brief, such as food poisoning, and some will hang around for a while, such as Trichinosis.
Can You Get Worms From Eating Raw Bacon?
Tapeworms
One of the sets of worms that is a health risk of raw bacon is tapeworms. The symptoms depend on which type of tapeworm you have. You might be nauseous, dizzy, have abdominal pain or have diarrhea. The treatment for tapeworms is generally oral medication. Seek medical attention as soon as you can; tapeworms can cause serious problems if not treated.
Trichinosis
Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is an infection caused by the round worm. Round worms will cause vomiting, diarrhea, tummy pain and fatigue; same symptoms as food poisoning. It is treated with oral medication. Like tapeworm, round worms can cause serious health problems if it is not treated.
Toxoplasmosis
You’ve probably heard of toxoplasmosis. Did you know you could get it from eating infected raw meat? It is a parasite and causes symptoms resembling flu. This parasite is a concern if you are pregnant or you have a weakened immune system, and you should see your medical professional if you think you may have toxoplasmosis.
Can Raw Bacon Cause Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is one of the many symptoms that could be caused by raw bacon. It could be a result of contracting worms or bad bacteria or salmonella.
Can Undercooked Bacon Cause Food Poisoning?
Whether bacon is raw or undercooked, eating bacon that is not cooked properly can cause food poisoning.
Can You Die From Eating Raw Bacon?
Yes, this all sounds very messy, but can raw bacon kill you? Raw bacon may not be toxic in itself, but if it is infected and no action is taken to rid yourself of the parasite in your system, this can cause serious health consequences. If you have symptoms, see your health professional.
I Ate Raw Bacon What Should I Do?
If the raw or undercooked bacon was not infected, there is no action necessary.
If it was infected, you’ll notice symptoms in the next couple of days. Take notice of these and see your health professional, get it fixed.
Is Raw Bacon Safe To Touch?
Like raw chicken, you need to take some precautions when cooking with bacon.
- Keep utensils and baking sheets separate from other foods.
- If possible, use separate oven cooking rack just for raw meats.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly when you’ve been handling raw bacon.
- Ensure that raw bacon does not touch other food.
- Don’t leave uncovered bacon in the fridge.
How To Tell If Bacon Is Undercooked
If bacon is undercooked:
- It will still dangle when picked up with tongs.
- It’ll still be light pink.
- The fat will still be white because it has not yet melted.
How Do You Know When Bacon Is Cooked?
When it’s cooked, bacon will no longer be pale pink. It’ll become a dark pink-brown color and the fat contained will have melted around the meat. You can choose to eat it when it’s still a bit chewy or when it’s completely crisped up.
You can tell by the changes in the cooked meat:
- You should be able to pick it up with your tongs without it dangling.
- After the fat has melted out of the meat, the edges of the bacon will begin to curl and the overall size will be reduced.
- The color should change to a reddish brown.
How Much Does Bacon Need To Be Cooked?
Bacon needs to be cooked until it changes texture, color and size.
It should become firm enough to not droop if picked up, reddish brown and it will shrink as the fat is melted away from the meat.
How Should Bacon Be Cooked?
You can cook your bacon a few ways. There is the old tried and true method of frying it in a pan on the stove, but you can also grill it, roast it or cook it in the microwave oven.
How Long Does Bacon Need To Cook?
Bacon needs to be cooked until it reaches a temperature of at least 145F or 63C, or until it is crisp.
There are several ways of cooking it. It might be as quick as 5 minutes in the microwave or 20 minutes in the oven.
How To Cook Raw Bacon On The Stove
You won’t need much grease when frying bacon because it’ll create its own fat. Bacon grease can be used for cooking all sorts of things, so don’t waste it!
- Make sure to stay near the stove with your tongs ready; bacon can go from being crispy to burnt very quickly.
- Place the bacon in a single layer in a cold pan and have your tongs handy.
- Fry on medium heat until crisp enough for your liking, turning the meat occasionally.
- When cooked, lift the bacon out onto paper towel to drain for a minute.
How To Cook Raw Bacon On The Grill
Place your bacon in a pan, skillet or baking sheet. Or you can use your metal bacon rack. Or if you have a griddle grate, that is purpose-built for bacon!
- Put the bacon in area of indirect heat.
- Cook with the lid closed for 7 to 10 minutes.
- Lift out the bacon with your tongs.
- Allow the bacon to drain on paper towels for a minute before serving.
How To Cook Raw Bacon In The Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400F or 210C.
- You can put your raw bacon on a baking sheet lined with a kitchen parchment sheet. Or a metal bacon rack set on a tray is a more efficient way to cook bacon because it allows both sides to be cooked, and the tray catches the grease. It’s a good idea to have a cooking rack that’s specifically for bacon and other meat products to ensure there is no cross-contamination.
- Cook bacon for 15 to 20 minutes until it’s crisp.
- Use your tongs to put your bacon on paper towels for a minute and then serve.
How Long Does Bacon Need To Cook In The Oven?
Your bacon will need to be in the oven from 15 to 20 minutes.
Do You Have To Flip Bacon In The Oven?
If you’re using a bacon rack, you won’t need to flip the bacon because both sides will be cooked at the same time.
However, if both sides of the bacon aren’t exposed to the heat, flipping it once halfway through would be fine.
How To Cook Raw Bacon In Microwave
- Raw bacon can be microwaved if you’re in a hurry.
- Put the bacon strips in a single layer on a microwave-friendly plate lined with paper towel.
- Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, depending on your microwave.
- Check the progress of the cooking.
- If it’s not cooked through, continue to cook in 30-minute bursts until done.
What About Adding Raw Bacon In A Recipe?
Some recipes ask us to add “chopped bacon”, but they don’t mention anything about cooking it. Do you need to cook bacon before making a dish that will be cooked anyway?
Will Raw Bacon Cook On Pizza?
Raw bacon on pizza is a no-no. Even though pizza is cooked at high temperatures, it won’t be in the oven long enough to cook the bacon. You wouldn’t put raw chicken on your pizza, would you?
Will Raw Bacon Cook In A Casserole?
Generally you won’t need to precook your bacon for a casserole because it will be in the oven for long enough to cook the bacon. Take the advice of the casserole recipe that you’re using. But I can tell you that the finished result tastes much better with precooked bacon.
Will Raw Bacon Cook In A Crock Pot?
Raw bacon can be added to a crock pot recipe, but it won’t be a good eating experience. For the sake of taste and consistency, precook your bacon before adding it to the pot.
Will Raw Bacon Cook In Soup?
Raw bacon can generally be included in a soup recipe because the soup will be cooked for long enough and hot enough to cook the bacon. However, the consistency may not be pleasant and precooking it will make it taste like bacon.
Do not add raw bacon to tinned soups because they will not be heated long enough to cook the bacon.
Do You Have To Cook Bacon Before Putting It In Quiche?
Raw bacon in a quiche will cook because it will be in the oven long enough, but I can tell you from personal experience: it tastes much better if precooked.
What About Smoked Bacon?
Bacon is smoked by the manufacturers to give the bacon a smoked taste. Some makers actually use wood chips for the smoking process, while others inject smoky brine into the meat. Of course, the second method reduces the cost to the consumer.
Is Smoked Bacon Cooked?
Smoked bacon is considered to be partially cooked and should not be eaten raw.
Can You Eat Smoked Bacon Raw?
No, like unsmoked bacon, it is not safe to eat smoked bacon in its raw state. You need to cook smoked bacon to ensure it won’t make you sick.
Can Animals Eat Raw Bacon?
We’ve talked about if humans can eat raw bacon, but can your furry friends eat raw bacon or any part of it?
Can Cats Eat Raw Bacon?
It’s quite likely that your beloved moggy would like the taste of raw bacon, but is raw bacon good or bad for cats?
Is Raw Bacon Bad For Cats?
Raw bacon can pass bad bacteria on to your cat the same way it can for humans and can cause delightful results such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Apart from that, the high fat content may upset their tummy and may also make them gain unwanted weight.
Yes, cats in the wild would have eaten all sorts of raw meat, but they were used to it. Plus they didn’t have a choice.
Can Raw Bacon Kill A Cat?
Raw bacon in high doses could kill your cat, the same way as it could in a human being. Even small amounts of raw bacon will cause your cat discomfort, so no raw bacon is the best policy.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Bacon?
If your doggie is like pups that I know, they’ll eat anything, whether it’s in their bowl, secretly fed from the table or found in the backyard. But is raw bacon any good for dogs?
Is Raw Bacon OK For Dogs?
Raw bacon is not a good idea for your dog. Like humans, the bacteria and parasites in uncooked bacon can make them sick and obviously, we don’t want that.
Can Raw Bacon Kill A Dog?
Raw bacon is not actually toxic on its own, but the bugs in large amounts of raw bacon can cause illness and even pancreatitis. Left untreated, yes your dog can die from pancreatitis.
Well, that was a cheery note to finish on. Sorry about that, but raw bacon is full of little beasties that will hurt us, our kids, and our fur-family. So please make sure it’s cooked before serving!
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