Hot Stuff
12 Cool Things to Do with Bacon
I love to watch you sizzle and pop on that grill.
Your oozing fat’s delicious, your texture is a thrill…
—From Ode to Bacon by bowerpowerblog.com
It’s hard to believe, but children born in the 1990s during the genesis of what’s been called “bacon mania” are now old enough to graduate from college. Yet America’s love affair with bacon shows no sign of cooling down anytime soon. Steven’s article on making your own bacon from pork belly continues to be one of our most popular blogs. Thousands of you have also checked out our tutorial on building a bacon weave as well as tips to make it Instagram-worthy.
We selected a dozen of our favorite bacon-forward recipes, from appetizers to dessert—there’s even a cocktail! So enjoy. Season’s greetings from all of us at Barbecuebible.com. Have a safe and happy holiday!
12 Creative and Unique Bacon Recipes
1. Bacon Bourbon
Bacon-infused bourbon is one of our favorite cocktails as well as a worthy addition to barbecue sauces and marinades. It makes a wonderful gift, too! Be sure to grill extra bacon to use as swizzle sticks.
2. Smoked Planked Trout with Caper Dill Sauce
Photo by Richard Dallett
Steven created this recipe shooting Barbecue University, his first show on PBS. A creek stocked with golden trout ran near the set and was a magnet for the crew when not actively filming. It is scandalously good.
3. Bacon-Grilled Dates
Salty and sweet combine in this easy-to-make appetizer. For a variation, stuff with blue cheese.
4. Candied Bacon
One of us took candied bacon (sweetened with maple syrup and brown sugar) to a Thanksgiving gathering, and reports it was gone in minutes.
5. Smoked Beer Can Burgers
A beer can burger featuring, bacon, eggs, sausage, and cheese is a filling and savory start to the day—perfect when you’re entertaining house guests. Serve with Bloody Marys and plenty of coffee.
6. Bacon, Ham, and Cheese Chicken Thighs
Richard Dallett
Boned chicken thighs get stuffed with cheese, ham, and a slather of mustard before being wrapped with bacon. Feel free to invent your own combinations, such as cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce, sun-dried tomatoes with Parmesan and pesto, etc.
7. Bacon Jam
Invented to utilize end pieces, bacon jam makes a fantastic topping for burgers and other sandwiches.
8. Dungeness Crab Jalapeno Poppers
Belted with a half slice of bacon, these poppers will fly off the platter. (Yes, pigs can fly.)
9. Tulsa Torpedo (Bacon Weave Sausage Roll)
Photo by Richard Dallett
Here’s Steven’s version of the “bacon explosion” that took the internet by storm several years ago. Not heart-healthy, but oh-so-good!
10. Bacon, Onion, and Potato Pizza
This flavor combination will astound your guests. Make your own dough, or buy prepared dough from a supermarket or local pizzareia.
11. Bacon Maple Grilled Onion Rings
Thick slices of sweet onion are brushed with maple syrup, dusted with an optional rub, and wrapped in strips of bacon before being grilled. We challenge you to find a better side dish for a burger.
12. Bacon Sundaes
Richard Dallett
Bacon steps up to the dessert plate!
What’s your favorite bacon recipe? Tell us about it in the comments or by sharing it with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or the Barbecue Board.
