Traeger No-Flip Bacon is a bacon lover’s dream: a simple, hands-off method to cook large batches of crispy, evenly rendered bacon without flipping a single slice. Using a pellet grill like a Traeger—or an oven with the same setup—you get bacon that crisps while excess fat drains away, leaving less grease on the strips and less mess in your kitchen.
Traeger No-Flip Bacon
No-flip bacon means you set it and forget it: lay the slices on a wire rack over a parchment-lined sheet pan and let the grill’s indirect heat do the work. Fat renders off into the pan, producing crispy edges and chewy centers without excess greasiness. You can save the rendered bacon grease for cooking or discard it—either way, the grill and countertops stay much cleaner than pan-frying.
If you prefer, this same technique can be adapted to cook bacon directly on parchment without a rack. The rack version simply improves airflow and produces a more even texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off cooking — No flipping, no babysitting; set the pan and check when the timer’s up.
- Crisp, even texture — Elevating bacon on a rack lets fat drip away so slices crisp uniformly without greasy spots.
- Big-batch friendly — A sheet-pan approach makes it easy to feed a crowd, prep breakfast sandwiches, or add bacon to salads.
- Cleaner grill and kitchen — Grease collects in the pan rather than on grates or stovetops, simplifying cleanup.
- Versatile for pellet grills or ovens — Works beautifully on a Traeger and transfers directly to a conventional oven when needed.
No-Flip Bacon: Tools & Ingredients
Gather these simple items before you start. Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
- Thick-cut bacon — Thick-cut holds texture and gives a satisfying chew; standard-cut works fine if you shorten the cooking time.
- Parchment paper — Lines the pan for quicker cleanup and helps prevent sticking.
- Wire rack — Lifts bacon for better air circulation so fat renders away evenly.
- Cooking spray — A light coat on the rack helps the bacon slices release cleanly after cooking.
How to Make No-Flip Bacon on the Traeger
Below is a concise step-by-step overview so you know what to expect. For best results follow the full recipe instructions in the recipe card later in the post.
- Preheat and prep — Bring your pellet grill to about 375°F (190°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment and set a wire rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with cooking spray.
- Arrange the bacon — Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the rack, leaving a little space between pieces so heat can circulate.
- Cook without flipping — Place the pan on the grill and bake until bacon reaches your preferred doneness, usually 20–30 minutes. Rotate the pan if your grill has noticeable hot spots; flipping should not be necessary.
- Pull slightly early — Bacon continues to crisp as it rests. Remove the pan a bit before the slices look perfectly done to account for carryover cooking.
- Drain and serve — Transfer cooked bacon to paper towels to absorb excess fat. Reserve rendered grease from the pan if you plan to use it later.
What Type of Bacon Is Best?
This method works with any bacon, but thick-cut is our favorite on the grill for its hearty texture. Here are common types you might choose:
- Slab bacon — Cut fresh from a slab at the butcher. You can request thinner slices if you prefer; available smoked or unsmoked.
- Turkey bacon — A lower-fat alternative made from turkey breast; it cooks quickly and tends to be higher in sodium.
- Canadian bacon — Cured, cooked, and smoked loin meat sliced thinly; leaner and more like ham than American-style bacon.
- Pancetta — Salt-cured Italian-style bacon that’s not smoked; it can be eaten as-is when thinly sliced or crisped in cooking.
- English-style (back) bacon — Sits between American and Canadian styles, cut from the back loin but including some belly fat for extra flavor.
How Do You Store No-Flip Bacon?
One great advantage of the no-flip method is how easy the bacon is to store and reheat. Because excess grease drains away while cooking, slices cool without an oily film. Wrap cooled strips in paper towels and store them in a sealed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage. You can also chop the bacon into bits for convenient use as a topping or ingredient.
More Ideas for Using Bacon
Bacon pairs with countless dishes. Use no-flip Traeger bacon in breakfast sandwiches, salads, pastas, casseroles, or as a salty garnish. A few popular ideas include bacon-wrapped proteins, bacon-topped mac and cheese, and bacon folded into savory egg dishes.
- Breakfast wraps and sandwiches — Add crisp bacon to folded egg wraps or stacked breakfast sandwiches.
- Bacon-wrapped pork chops — Wrap chops in bacon before grilling for juiciness and smoky flavor.
- Mac and cheese with bacon — Stir smoky cooked bacon into rich, cheesy pasta for texture and salt balance.
- Asparagus frittata or omelets — Fold bacon into egg dishes with vegetables for a hearty brunch.
Traeger No-Flip Grilled Bacon
Traeger grilled no-flip bacon delivers crisp edges with a slightly chewy center. It’s easy to dial in your preferred texture by adjusting the cook time, and it’s ideal for cooking larger quantities cleanly and consistently.
5 minutes
25 minutes
30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your Traeger or pellet grill to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment and place a wire rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with cooking spray.
- Arrange thick-cut bacon slices in a single layer on the rack.
- Bake at 375°F for 20–30 minutes, or until bacon reaches desired crispness. Rotate the pan if needed for even cooking; flipping is not required.
- Remove pan a little before the bacon looks fully done to allow for carryover cooking. Transfer slices to paper towels to drain and serve.
Notes
- If using standard-cut bacon, reduce the cook time; thinner slices cook faster.
- Baked bacon firms up as it cools. To avoid overcooking, pull it a minute or two short of your perfect doneness and let residual heat finish it.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 354 • Total Fat: 27g • Saturated Fat: 9g • Unsaturated Fat: 16g • Cholesterol: 75mg • Sodium: 1273mg • Carbohydrates: 1g • Protein: 26g
Nutrition data is an estimate.