Pan-Fried BaconPosted by The Hillbilly Dude
If you think a recipe for 'Pan-Fried Bacon' is superfluous - and you're also surprised you're reading the word 'superfluous' from a hillbilly - then you in the right spot. For many creations in Southern and Appalachian cooking, bacon is the first step in the journey. And the way it's prepared is important. The goal is perfectly crisp bacon and rendered bacon fat - necessary for deliciousness later.
Go ahead, scroll down. You know you're interested.
Go ahead, scroll down. You know you're interested.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Ain’t no "quick method" to good bacon. The quick method'll get you either soggy/crispy mixed, or just plain ol' burnt. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Ain’t no "quick method" to good bacon. The quick method'll get you either soggy/crispy mixed, or just plain ol' burnt. Preparation
Start with a cast iron skillet - the bigger the pan, the more the bacon! Go for the tastiest bacon you can find. In some Southern states, you'll hear about Benton's bacon, and it's a good choice; but sometimes I just want something thin so it's easy to break into morsels for spranklin'.
Ingredients
- Pork Bacon, 1lb - 2lb (or more, no judgement here)
Directions
-
Start cold.
Lay your bacon strips flat in a cool cast-iron skillet so they just touch or don’t overlap.
-
Bring the heat up slow.
Turn the burner to medium-low and let the fat render out on its own time.
-
Flip/Move.
You'll find the hot spots on the pan. As they show themselves, shift the bacon around by sliding it like one of those old 16 puzzles.
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Remove.
When the fat is not longer transparent, it's time to remove it. Some will suggest placing it on paper towels to improve crispiness, but I never do.
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Save that grease.
This stuff is magical, and you need it in your life. Some will suggest straining it, but I just pour it as is into a little grease container. Tomorrow? That stuff will be great for frying up eggs. Or in mashed potatoes or a baked tater. It's packed with flavor.
★ Never start with a hot pan unless your goal is bacon sadness. ★
Origin
My Dad grew up on a real farm with a smokehouse (that's still barely hangin' on near the old homeplace), and this is the method he's always used to make bacon. It's slower, yes. And your family may possibly make fun of you. But that's before they taste it. After? They won't bother you again.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 26). Pan-Fried Bacon
Posted by The Hillbilly Dude . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-recipes/pan-fried-bacon - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Pan-Fried Bacon
Posted by The Hillbilly Dude ." HillbillySlang.com, 26 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-recipes/pan-fried-bacon. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Pan-Fried Bacon
Posted by The Hillbilly Dude ." HillbillySlang.com. October 26, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-recipes/pan-fried-bacon.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...