Bacon Makes Everything Better: Bacon Recipes for Any Dish

Photo: Jennifer Davick

BLT Benedict with Avocado-Tomato Relish

Sunny-side up or sliced boiled eggs would work just as well as poached eggs for this dish you've got to try.

Recipe: BLT Benedict with Avocado-Tomato Relish

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Mango-Spinach Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

This is a delicious partner for grilled fish. Don't forget fresh crusty bread to soak up every bit of the warm vinaigrette.

Recipe: Mango-Spinach Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Springtime Pasta with Bacon

Enjoy this colorful dish warm or chilled; leftovers are perfect for a brown bag lunch the enxt day. Add grilled shrimp kabobs and a crispy Sauvignon Blanc for a relaxing meal with friends.

Recipe: Springtime Pasta with Bacon

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Bacon-Peanut Truffles

Think chocolate and peanut butter is a great combination? Try adding bacon to the mix. We combined indulgent ingredients into our Bacon-Peanut Truffles for a surprising dessert.

Recipe: Bacon-Peanut Truffles

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Bacon-Herb Cupcakes

Use a combination of parsley, thyme, and oregano, or sage, rosemary, basil, and chives for a savory and perfectly balanced nibble.

Recipe: Bacon-Herb Cupcakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Bacon-Infused Bourbon

Just add grease. That's right. Just like the recipe says, we added smoky flavor to bourbon using what sometimes get tossed and made an unforgettable concoction.

Recipe: Bacon-Infused Bourbon

Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon

Dress up your bacon with this oh-so-Southern crispy coating. Once you've prepared it for the pan, you can stick the bacon in the oven and free your hands up to prepare other parts of your meal.

Recipe: Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon
Bacon Cooking Basics

Turkey, Bacon, and Havarti Sandwich

Stack leftover sliced turkey with cheese and other toppings on a fresh sourdough loaf to make four sandwiches in one. You can substitute whatever you have on hand, including Muenster or Swiss cheese for Havarti and cranberry sauce in place of bell peppers and vinaigrette.

Recipe: Turkey, Bacon, and Havarti Sandwich

Layered Cornbread-and-Turkey Salad

Crumbled cornbread is layered with shredded lettuce, smoked turkey, shredded Swiss cheese, bacon, fresh tomatoes and more in this crowd-pleasing salad.

Recipe: Layered Cornbread-and-Turkey Salad

Layered Bean Dip

Here’s a healthy version of the all-time party favorite. A hearty serving of Layered Lima Bean Dip weighs in at only 172 calories. Top lightly with shredded cheese and bacon. You’ll be surprised at how fast it’ll disappear.

Recipe: Layered Lima Bean Dip

Photo: William Dickey

Home-Style Butterbeans

Bacon, onion, and brown sugar pack these beans with holiday flavor.

Recipe: Home-Style Butterbeans

Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Total Time: 20 minutes

A homemade white sauce ready in 10 minutes? Yes, please. Round out the meal with a mixed green salad and lightly toasted Italian bread. You can lighten up the entrée by using reduced fat turkey bacon, 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, and 2% reduced-fat milk.

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Afterburners

These all-time favorite bite sized peppers are delicious served with queso.

Recipe: Afterburners

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip

For the perfect low-stress starter, try this rich and creamy baked dip.

Tip: Bake Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip in four small baking dishes, and place throughout the party area.

Recipe: Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip

Hot Brown Panini

Hot Brown Panini combines turkey, bacon, tomato, and Swiss cheese in a pressed sandwich with White Cheese Sauce.

Recipe: Hot Brown Panini

Potato Cobb Salad

A twist on the traditional Cobb, this version uses Yukon gold potatoes in place of chicken. Cheddar and blue cheeses, bacon crumbles, and tomatoes pair with avocados to create a hearty meal.

Recipe: Potato Cobb Salad

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Serve these bite-size treats straight off the grill. Salty bacon is the perfect finish to the marinated, meaty scallops. Dip in Dot’s Tartar Sauce for an extra layer of flavor.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Green Bean, Grape, and Pasta Toss

Crunchy green beans and crisp bacon are always a wonderful flavor pairing, and the addition of red grapes makes for a sweet surprise. Cook the penne pasta al dente so it holds up when tossed with the dressing and beans.

Recipe: Green Bean, Grape, and Pasta Toss

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Bacon-Wrapped Barbecue Burgers

Vidalia onions and barbecue sauce add an unbeatable Southern flair to these juicy burgers. They’re sure to become a favorite.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Barbecue Burgers

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Bacon Pimiento Cheese

Spread homemade Bacon Pimiento Cheese on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato. Use leftover spread on crackers or celery for a snack.

Recipe: Bacon Pimiento Cheese

Bacon-Onion Dip

Plan on this dish being scraped clean—few people can resist the combination of bacon, onions, and sour cream. Make a day ahead, and serve with a tray of colorful veggies.

Recipe: Bacon-Onion Dip

Bacon-Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts

Crisp, crumbled bacon and a hint of brown sugar add just the right amount of flavor to this nutrient-packed vegetable dish.

Recipe: Bacon-Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts

Ralph Anderson, William Dickey / styling Buffy Hargett, Rose Nguyen / food styling Vanessa McNeil

Bacon Potato Salad

Bring a heaping bowl of comfort to your warm-weather table with this terrific potato salad recipe. Though your family favorite may be the traditional mayonnaise-and-sweet pickle variety, try one of this recipe for a fresh twist. Jazz up your presentation by serving this salad in paprika-rimmed glasses. (Simply dip the rims in lemon or lime juice, then into paprika.)

Recipe: Bacon Potato Salad

Mini Bacon, Tomato, and Basil Sandwiches

These mini-sandwiches make fantastic finger foods for a luncheon, or simply assemble one anytime for a quick snack. Using basil rather than lettuce gives this traditional sandwich a fresh twist.

Recipe: Mini Bacon, Tomato, and Basil Sandwiches

Bacon-and-Greens Salsa

This classic salsa gets a decidedly Southern spin by adding bacon and greens. We loved it over cream cheese (a great idea for leftovers). You can prepare the recipe up to a day ahead―just reheat before serving.

Recipe: Bacon-and-Greens Salsa

Photo Beth Dreiling / Styling Cindy Manning Barr

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Here’s a menu that you can put together on a hectic day, yet it is fancy enough for company. Prep, but don’t bake, the tenderloin before work in the morning, giving the seasoning time to work its delicious magic. While the tenderloin bakes, whip up the grits, and prep the ingredients for the pears. As your family clears the table, cook the pears and put the finishing touches on dessert.

Recipes:
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Creamy Cheese Grits and Spinach
Sautéed Brown Sugar Pears

Bacon-Arugula-Apple Holiday Appetizer Recipes

Photo: Ralph Anderson / Styling: Angela Sellers

Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites

Complement any menu with this no-fuss party appetizer.

Recipe: Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites

Creamed Collards

Full-bodied and richly flavored, this collards dish is inspired by flavors of New Orleans. A Béchamel sauce gives fresh collard greens a creamy consistency. It's a classic taste of the South.

Recipe: Creamed Collards

Photo: Beth Dreiling / Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Bacon-Blue Cheese Salad With White Wine Vinaigrette

Impress guests with simple-to-prepare Bacon-Blue Cheese Salad with White Wine Vinaigrette.

Recipe: Bacon-Blue Cheese Salad With White Wine Vinaigrette

Photo: Beth Dreiling

Big Daddy's Grilled Blue Cheese-and-Bacon Potato Salad

Filled with red onion, blue cheese, bacon, and a sweet-tangy dressing, this reader recipe earned top honors at our test kitchen tastings. Grilling the potatoes in an easy-to-fold aluminum foil packet adds a subtle note of smoky flavor—plus it makes cleanup a breeze.

Recipe: Big Daddy's Grilled Blue Cheese-and-Bacon Potato Salad

Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon

Red pepper perks up Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon, but it's tame enough for the whole family.

Recipe: Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon