It has been said that the smell of bacon, more than any other scent, has the power to tempt vegetarians back into a carnivorous lifestyle for just one salty, smoky bite of goodness. Bacon brings the family together in the mornings; it seduces men, it comforts women, and it makes nearly any dish even tastier.
Bacons best quality is that it can be fried or cooked in the oven in a matter of minutes and then devoured just as is. However, for the more adventurous, weve assembled some of the best bacon recipes so that you can enjoy your thin, cured pork strips in just about any meal imaginable. Not that you needed an excuse…
Cauliflower, Sage and Bacon Soup
When youre looking for a bold and cozy soup to warm you up from the inside out, this is the one to make. The recipe is simple to prepare and the ingredients are also budget-friendly. As an added bonus, this is a clever way to get your kids to eat more vegetables they wont even know that theyre eating cauliflower; theyll just be thankful for the bacon! Add some toast and you have a perfectly hearty winter meal.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Yuppiechef
Creamy Bacon and Pea Pasta
This easy pasta dish is great if you need to whip up a quick dinner but dont have much time to spare 15 minutes is really all youll need here, and youre bound to have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already. The sauce is creamy and smoky, but the addition of peas and fresh mint takes some of that heaviness away so that it still feels relatively light.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Jamieoliver
Spicy Mable Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Sweet, salty and spicy are three favor profiles that go together famously; add some shrimp into the mix and youve got one fantastic snack. The bacon is glazed with a combination of maple syrup and spicy Sriracha sauce, and then wrapped around a succulent piece of shrimp. It only takes about 30 minutes including prep time, and serves as a great hors doeuvre for a cocktail party, dinner party, or even your monthly book club meeting. If anyone in your party or family doesnt like shrimp, the spicy maple bacon wrapped up on its own is equally as tasty.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Inspiredtaste
Candied Bacon Martini
Bacon no longer has to be limited to breakfasts; in fact, it doesnt even have to be limited to an actual meal! Bacon has infiltrated our cocktails and weve never been happier. This martini recipe is one especially for the ladies. Its the perfect complementary drink to match the shrimp recipe from above for any type of girls get-together.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Recipecorner
Asparagus, Egg and Bacon Salad
Asparagus, egg and bacon is a match made in heaven, but what really makes this dish pop is the generous drizzle of Dijon mustard vinaigrette. Its quick, its delicious, its summery and its healthy.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Skinnytaste
Chanterelle, Bacon and Plum Salad with Blue Cheese
Bacon pairs perfectly with juicy plums; actually, any stone fruit will do so feel free to make different versions of this salad. The sharp, creamy blue cheese adds another great texture, and again, is one of bacons best friends. If you want an even heartier salad, you can add some grilled chicken to the mix.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Steamykitchen
Bacon Bloody Mary Popsicles
Whether you want a Bloody Mary as hair-of-the-dog cure or as a boozy summer cool-down treat, this popsicle recipe is quite possibly the best adult version of a kids favorite weve seen so far. Swapping the wooden sticks for bacon-wrapped breadsticks is a novel way of adding yet another twist, and saving on wasteful purchases.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Thrillist
Bacon, Apple and Brie Burger
Pork and apple are two peas in a pod; bacon and brie are two peas in a pod. It makes sense, then, to combine these three friends in one exquisitely mouth-watering burger, right? This dish is fairly easy to make and will only take up about 15 minutes of your time, which is longer than it will take you to devour the end result.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Jasonscooking
Bacon Cheeseburger Puffs
If youre in the mood for a burger but dont feel like making the above recipe, why not try this version of a burger in a happy little ball? These crispy little puffs are packed with everything you want in a burger; when the cheese oozes out after your first bite youll quickly be converted from the traditional burger. You can even freeze pre-made puffs to pop in the oven another day.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Plainchicken
A grilled cheese sandwich is fantastic; a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon is even better; a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon and raspberries is surprisingly phenomenal! The trick is to use a nice strong white cheddar cheese to complement the sweet-yet-sour juiciness that the raspberries bring to the table. It may sound odd, but give it a try and youll quickly change your tune.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Bacontoday
Baked Oyster with Bacon and Leeks
Lets face it, raw oysters arent for everyone. To some people, there is nothing worse than the thought of a salty, slimy oyster sliding down their throats. So if youre desperate to make some oysters that everyone can enjoy, just throw some bacon into the mix, crumble some breadcrumbs on top, and bake them until golden brown. Youll quickly be able to convert the oyster-haters with this one.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Epicurious
Bacon Hash Browns
These hash browns are actually more like fritters they look like yummy, crispy little hovercrafts. Of course, you could omit the bacon if youve got vegetarians nearby, but they wont be anywhere as delectable. Serve these for breakfast with eggs, as a dinner side dish, or on their own as appetizers.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Gourmettraveller
Bacon Explosion
We have to end off our bacon recipe list with a bang, and a bang you shall you get. This final recipe is the most incredibly pork-tastic thing you will ever see and ever have the pleasure of serving (and eating, of course). It involves a bacon weave topped with Italian sausage meat (hello again, pork), topped with bacon bits and rolled into the biggest, tastiest, porkiest sausage you have ever laid eyes on. Youre welcome.
Recipe Instructions and Credit Bbqaddicts
