Overnight Sous Vide Bacon Recipe (Video Guide)

New to sous vide? Learn why sous vide is so popular.

Wake up to the delicious aroma of overnight sous vide bacon. It’s a breakfast game-changer. Follow this straightforward sous vide bacon recipe from Sip Bite Go to get perfect texture and flavor every time. Find the ideal time and temperature for sous vide bacon, how to arrange the slices in the bag, and simple finishing tips to crisp the edges. Plug in the sous vide, set it before bedtime, and enjoy a sensational bacon breakfast in the morning.

This sous vide bacon cooks slowly in its own juices for about 8 hours, which is why many call it “overnight sous vide bacon.” The recipe is simple and ideal for meal prep—one pound of bacon yields tender, juicy slices you can finish quickly each morning.

What is sous vide bacon like? Why is it better?

Sous vide bacon delivers a texture you won’t get from the stovetop or oven. The long, gentle cook makes the meat extremely tender while preserving juiciness and concentrating flavor. After hours in a warm bath, the bacon becomes very meaty and almost melts in your mouth—tender rather than chewy.

The short version of how to sous vide bacon

Set the sous vide cooker before you sleep and wake up to bacon ready to finish. After the sous vide cook, pat the bacon dry and give each side a quick 30–60 second sear in a hot cast iron skillet to develop crispness. The result is tender, juicy bacon with a crisp exterior.

• How to meal prep bacon with a sous vide machine
• Ingredients
• Time and temperature for sous vide bacon
• Step-by-step recipe and finishing tips

Ingredients

All you need for this recipe is 1 pound of bacon. Seasoning is optional—some cooks add a pinch of smoked salt or a sprinkle of brown sugar, but the bacon is excellent cooked plain in its own juices.

Transfer bacon from its original packaging into a vacuum bag before cooking. This prevents any cardboard labels from being heated in the bath and ensures even cooking.

How much bacon can you sous vide at once?

You can sous vide multiple vacuum-sealed bags at the same time. Batch-cook several pounds for easy meal prep—bacon stores well in the refrigerator and reheats quickly with a brief sear.

How to sous vide bacon

Preheat your sous vide machine to 142°F. Place the bacon in a vacuum bag (season if desired) and seal. Drop the sealed bag into the water bath, ensuring it’s fully submerged.

How to arrange bacon for sous vide cooking

Unlike many sous vide recipes, bacon can remain overlapping just as it is in the store package. There’s no need to flatten every slice into a single layer—the vacuum seal and water circulation provide even cooking.

Time and Temperature

Cook at 142°F for 8 hours for tender, juicy results. If you like experimenting with texture, you can extend the cook to 12–24 hours to see how the mouthfeel changes. Eight hours is a reliable sweet spot for me.

How to protect your countertops during long cooks

Place a cutting board or a heat-resistant pad between the sous vide container and delicate countertops. Continuous contact with heat and moisture can damage some surfaces over long cooks.

Finish in a Cast Iron Skillet

When the sous vide cook is finished, remove the bag from the water bath, take out the bacon with tongs, and pat it dry on paper towels. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high and sear each side for 30–60 seconds until the edges are as crispy as you like. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and serve.

How to tell if sous vide bacon is done

Technically, the bacon is fully cooked after the sous vide step. The final sear determines crispness. If you prefer fully crisp bacon, sear a little longer; for tender, slightly crunchy bacon, sear briefly. Sous vide gives you consistent doneness throughout the slice.

What if my sous vide bacon isn’t crispy enough?

That’s expected right after the bath. A quick sear locks in flavor and transforms the surface to crispy perfection. Because sous vide prevents overcooking, the interior stays tender even when you crisp the exterior.

Meal Prep

Sous vide is ideal for meal prepping. Cook several pounds at once, refrigerate in the sealed bags, and sear individual slices as needed for a fast, delicious breakfast. Reheating frozen cooked slices only takes a minute in a hot pan or about 30 seconds in the microwave.

What to do with extra bacon

• Add to sous vide egg bites
• Crumble on salads with blue cheese
• Use as a topping for baked potatoes or breakfast tacos
• Mix chopped bacon with mayo for a flavorful sandwich spread
• Top avocado toast or toss into chicken salad sandwiches
• Make bagel sandwiches or wrap peppers and jalapeño poppers

Last thoughts on sous vide bacon vs pan-fried or oven-baked

Sous vide bacon won me over by delivering an unmatched tender texture with consistent doneness. It’s ideal for feeding a crowd or prepping breakfasts ahead. While pan-frying or oven baking is quicker for single meals, sous vide offers a unique, delectable experience and convenient batch cooking.

Tasty Tips

• Protect countertops. Place a cutting board between the sous vide container and delicate surfaces during long cooks.
• Keep the water level high. Use a lid or cover to reduce evaporation and maintain consistent temperature.
• Store in the bag. Refrigerate cooked bacon in its sous vide bag until you’re ready to finish and serve.
• Bulk cooking is easy. Cook a pound or more at once, then sear slices as needed for quick breakfasts.
• Reheating frozen cooked bacon. Sear frozen slices for 1–2 minutes in a hot pan or microwave for 30 seconds.
• Serving ideas. Break into pieces for salads and soups or serve as long strips with plated dishes.

The Perfect Sous Vide Setup

Equip your kitchen with a reliable sous vide machine and basic accessories like vacuum bags, a water container, and a cast iron skillet for finishing. These tools help you consistently produce great results.

Try a new sous vide recipe

If you enjoy this bacon method, explore other slow-cook sous vide recipes like spare ribs, pulled pork, or turkey legs to expand your meal-prep repertoire.

Get better at sous vide cooking

I’m here to help you create delicious home-cooked meals. If you have questions or want tips for specific cuts or cook times, leave a comment. Happy cooking!

— Jenna