Just smelling cooked bacon in the air is enough to get anyone’s stomach turning but what’s that white residue that comes out when you’re cooking? Is it a good sign or a bad sign? In this blog post, we’ll explain exactly what that stuff is if you should be worried about it, and what you can do if you prefer not to have it.
What Is the White Stuff Coming Out of Bacon?
The white stuff that comes out of bacon when cooking is called albumin. Albumin is a protein that’s found in the blood, and it’s what helps to keep your bacon nice and juicy while cooking. When you cook bacon, the heat causes the proteins in the meat to break down and release the water that they’re holding onto. The water then mixes with the albumin and evaporates, which is why you’re left with that white, cloudy residue.
So, Is the White Stuff Coming Out of Bacon Bad?
No, the white stuff coming out of bacon is not bad. In fact, it’s actually a good sign that your bacon is cooking properly. You want the Albumin to cook out of the bacon because it’s what helps to keep the bacon moist. If you don’t cook the albumin out of the bacon, then your bacon will be dry and crumbly.
If you see any pink or red liquid coming out of your bacon, that’s when you should be worried as this means that the meat isn’t cooked all the way through. The pink or red liquid is usually blood, which can contain harmful bacteria if ingested.
In order to make sure your bacon is cooked all the way through, cook it on a lower heat so that the inside has time to cook without the outside getting burnt. You can also cut your bacon into smaller pieces so that they cook through more evenly.
How Can I Avoid the White Stuff Coming Out of Bacon?
If you really don’t like the look of the white stuff coming out of bacon, there are a few things that you can do to avoid it. One is to cook your bacon in the oven instead of on the stovetop. This will help to keep the bacon from releasing as much water while cooking.
When the bacon is exposed like it would be on the stovetop there’s a greater chance of the water evaporating. The oven will help to keep the bacon more enclosed so that the water has a harder time escaping.
Another way to avoid the white stuff coming out of bacon is to soak it in cold water for about 20 minutes before cooking. This will help to remove some of the excess albumin from the meat.
Just make sure to pat the bacon dry before cooking so that it doesn’t stick to the pan.
Why Do Manufacturers Wet Cure Bacon?
When bacon needs to be made on an industrial level that means the cooking process needs to be accelerated. As more people want bacon when they cook manufacturers need to find faster ways to get them what they want.
One way to do this is by injecting a brine solution into the meat which helps it to cook faster and also adds flavor. The brine solution is a shortcut to help add moisture to the bacon so that it doesn’t dry out as quickly and become bad.
While this method does help to speed up the cooking process, it also means that there’s a greater chance of the albumin coming out of the bacon while cooking. So, if you’re wondering why your store-bought bacon has more white stuff coming out of it, this is probably the reason.
The downside to this method is that it can cause the bacon to shrink more when cooking and also leads to that white stuff coming out of the bacon when you cook it.
Is It Safe to Eat the White Stuff Coming Out of Bacon?
Yes, it is safe to eat the white stuff coming out of bacon. Albumin is a protein that’s found in egg whites and milk, so it’s not harmful if you ingest it. In fact, many people actually prefer to eat their bacon this way as it gives the meat a juicier texture.
If your bacon is ever producing different colored substances while you are cooking it could mean the bacon is either bad to eat or just isn’t cooked thoroughly.
Leave the bacon in the cooking pan for a little longer to see if the juices continue to pour out of the bacon or if they stop after the bacon has become thoroughly cooked.
Bacon can definitely give you food poisoning if it’s not cooked properly, so make sure to cook it on a lower heat and for a longer period of time if you’re unsure.
The white stuff coming out of bacon is safe to eat, but if you’re still not convinced there are other ways that you can cook your bacon to avoid it. Try cooking your bacon in the oven or soaking it in cold water before cooking.
Both of these methods will help to reduce the amount of white stuff that comes out of bacon when you cook it. Remember to always cook your bacon thoroughly to avoid food poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Is the White Stuff Coming Out of Bacon?
Should you pour out the white stuff coming out of bacon?
You don’t have to pour out the white stuff coming out of bacon, but if you’re not a fan of the texture it can give the meat then you may want to. Albumin is a protein that’s found in egg whites and milk, so it’s not harmful if you ingest it.
Will the white stuff burn when cooking bacon?
Just like the rest of your bacon, if the white stuff is left too long in the pan it can start to burn. If you’re not a fan of the texture that the white stuff gives your bacon then you may want to cook it for a shorter period of time.