Follow the step-by-step instructions below:

Moisten your work surface with a damp paper towel and cover with parchment paper, plastic wrap, or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Arrange several slices of bacon (we’re using 8 here) horizontally in tight parallel rows.

Begin to build the weave: Starting in the center, fold back the even-numbered strips (for example, 2, 4, 6, and 8).

Lay a slice of bacon perpendicular to the folded bacon.

Unfold the even-numbered strips over the newly added bacon strip.

Now, fold back the odd-numbered strips (i.e., 1, 3, 5, and 7).

Lay a second perpendicular slice of bacon next to the first, then unfold the odd-numbered strips over it.

Continue weaving the bacon, alternately folding and unfolding even- and odd-numbered strips of bacon.

The finished weave is pictured above. It’s optional, but at this point, we like to cover the bacon weave with plastic wrap and roll it gently with a rolling pin to tighten the weave. (Rolling will also thin the bacon and expand the dimensions of the weave slightly.) Chill until ready to use.