Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment for easy cleanup. If using a wire rack, place it on top of the lined sheet.

Preheat and line pan

Lay the thick-cut bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet or on the wire rack, spacing them so they do not overlap. For 12 slices use one standard half-sheet pan; bacon may touch slightly as it will shrink while cooking.

Arrange bacon

Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 16–25 minutes, checking at 12–14 minutes for doneness. Thick-cut bacon requires longer to render fat: remove the bacon when edges are crisp and centers reach your preferred chewiness. Typical timing: 16–20 minutes for slightly chewy, 20–25 minutes for very crisp.

Bake the bacon

If making candied bacon: in the last 6–8 minutes of baking, sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top of each slice. For maple glaze: brush maple syrup over the slices in the last 4–6 minutes and continue baking until sticky and caramelized. If using black pepper, sprinkle it on top before returning to the oven.

Optional candied or glazed finish

Using tongs, transfer cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels or to a clean rack to drain any excess fat. Let rest 2–3 minutes; candied or glazed bacon will set and crisp slightly as it cools.

Drain and rest

Serve warm as a side dish, breakfast component, salad topping, sandwich layer or as an appetizer. Store any cooled leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven until warmed through and re-crisped if desired.

Serve

thick-cut bacon slices

brown sugar (optional, for candied bacon)

freshly ground black pepper (optional)

maple syrup (optional, for glazing)

baking sheet or rimmed sheet pan

aluminum foil or parchment paper (to line pan)

wire rack (fits baking sheet, optional for crispier bacon)

tongs

Thick Cut Bacon

Make Thick Cut Bacon Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

Thick Cut Bacon Recipe

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