Bacon Makes Everything Better

November 02, 2010
Alison Miksch
Which is more tantalizing – the smell of frying bacon or the sound of the sizzle? Traditionally relegated to breakfast or the BLT, bacon has found it’s way into almost every dish imaginable. Candied bacon swizzles are used as cocktail garnishes, bacon bits are baked into chocolate chip cookies, and have you ever heard of a PB&B? We don’t advocate you going crazy with your bacon love, so this lineup of bacon recipes will show you how to cook bacon into recipes such as salads, soups, and fried egg sandwiches. What’s even better, you no longer have to stand over a hot skillet, getting splattered with hot grease while cooking bacon. Oven roasting is an easy, hands-off method of cooking bacon. So while it is true that bacon can be an integral component of most any dish, you still can’t beat the iconic combination of bacon and eggs. Unless it’s bacon and pancakes. Just add coffee.
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Fettuccine Alfredo with Leeks and Peas

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Leeks and Peas

Homemade Alfredo sauce is the way to go, especially when you add bacon.

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Creamy Rice with Scallops

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Creamy Rice with Scallops

Bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor to the sweet corn and scallops.

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Pork Chops with Tomato-Bacon Gravy

Pork Chops with Tomato-Bacon Gravy

Recipe: Pork Chops with Tomato-Bacon Gravy

This entire meal comes together in under an hour and is full of flavor.

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Bacon-Hash Brown Quiche

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Bacon-Hash Brown Quiche

Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—this crunchy bacon and hash brown crust is amazing.

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Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

The kids will gladly give up their chicken fingers for this delicious meal.

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Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing

Bacon topping is a salad is good. Bacon dressing is even better.

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BLT Salad

Alison Miksch

Recipe: BLT Salad

Bake the croutons and bacon together on the same baking sheet. This rustic salad only take 20 minutes to whip up and, trust us, the results are well worth the effort. You might be tempted to go for the store-bought stuff, but homemade buttermilk dressing will really kick this salad up a notch.

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The SL BLT

Alison Miksch

Recipe: The SL BLT

Punch up store-bought mayonnaise with these flavor-boosting ideas: For extra tang and heat, zest a small lemon and grind lots of black pepper into the mayo. For a hint of green, chop a small handful of tender herbs—parsley, basil, tarragon, dill—and fold them into the mayo.

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Party Poppers

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Party Poppers

This quick and easy appetizer, with just a few ingredients and even fewer steps, will make entertaining easy without the hassle of fussing over the oven all day and night. For those who like it hot, swap mini sweet peppers for spicy jalapeños.

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Creamy Baked Eggs with Herbs and Bacon

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Baked Eggs with Herbs and Bacon

Make this savory one pan dish a complete meal and serve with toasted bread and a leafy green side salad.

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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Sweet potatoes are often a part of Thanksgiving, and this recipe gives you a new twist on that classic flavor. Orange juice gives this dish a little sweetness, while pieces of crumbled bacon will give you something to savor, and rosemary will give it an aroma all its own. Delicious together, this sweet-and-salty side could not be easier to prep on Thanksgiving morning. Best part? It's made in the slow cooker, so you're saving valuable stovetop space. When you’re ready to serve it, sprinkle a mixture of parsley, orange zest, and garlic over the top: you’ll get just the right amount of herbs, spice, and bite in every mouthful.

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Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon

A little bit of turmeric enhances the color here; it's a bit of a trick that makes you perceive the sauce as cheesier than it actually is.

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Buttermilk-Lady Pea Soup with Bacon

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Buttermilk-Lady Pea Soup with Bacon

Even served warm, buttermilk has a cooling effect on the palate, just right for summer meals.

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Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Slow-cooker beef brisket and crunchy fruit summer salsa make these tacos a perfect blend of savory and sweet.

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Oven-Roasted Bacon

Photo: Alison Miksch

To get the coatings to stick, bring your bacon to room temperature before dredging.

Watch: How To Make Bacon for a Crowd

Recipe: Southwest Cornmeal Bacon
Recipe: Pecan-Rosemary Bacon
Recipe: BBQ Bacon

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The Ultimate Fried Egg Sandwich with BBQ Bacon

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: The Ultimate Fried Egg Sandwich with BBQ Bacon

Clumsy? Skip the flip, and finish your fried egg under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.

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Mustard Greens with Yogurt-Parmesan Dressing and Bacon Croutons

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mustard Greens with Yogurt-Parmesan Dressing and Bacon Croutons

To tenderize mustard greens and mellow their fiery flavor, dress the raw greens about 15 minutes before serving. If you prefer them spicy, drizzle the dressing at the table, as we suggest in the recipe.

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Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche

Spread cheese to the edge of the warm, bacony grits "crust" to prevent any custard from seeping out while the quiche bakes.

Watch: Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche

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Peas and Kale Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Peas and Kale Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Ensure every day is a lucky and prosperous one when you serve this hearty Southern salad.

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Bacon-Fig Tassies

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Bacon-Fig Tassies

Pinched for time? Swap the dough for frozen mini-phyllo pastry shells.

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Hot Bacon Caprese Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hot Bacon Caprese Salad

Update the Italian tomato salad with a rich, tart dressing.

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Arugula with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Arugula with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

"Mama always said, 'Eat your greens,' so start brunch off with a simple salad. The warm vinaigrette melts the goat cheese, creating a magical creamy dressing."

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Braised Cabbage with Apple and Bacon

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Braised Cabbage with Apple and Bacon

Humble cabbage is an affordable and easy holiday side. Make it more elegant by braising red cabbage with apple slices. Adding bacon makes it delicious.

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Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

You can’t go wrong with Chicken Pot Pie. You can’t go wrong with Bacon. This high-rating recipe combines both for a classic Southern dish that your family will request over and over again. Deli-roasted chicken and puff pastry shortcut time without cutting flavor; Thick, sizzling bacon slices, dry white wine, and mustard give the gravy and vegetables a savory punch. Want to know the secret for making the perfect potpie filling? Reserve the bacon drippings, and cook it in to the flour-based broth. You can make the mini version of this recipe by using ramekins instead of a baking dish.

Watch: Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

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Cheesy Bacon-and-Two-Onion Tart

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheesy Bacon-and-Two-Onion Tart

Complete this meal with Pea-and-Green Onion Soup.

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Bacon, Peach, and Basil Burgers

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Bacon, Peach, and Basil Burgers

Nothing says summer in the South quite like peaches, and of course we think everything goes better with bacon, so the Bacon, Peach, and Basil Burgers are a fresh-off-the-fire sensation. We recommend ground sirloin here because it's lean, which causes fewer flare-ups on the grill. Chopped pickled jalapeños and their juice ramp up the flavor, while bacon, and tangy-sweet chutney balance the heat. Soft and creamy goat cheese, an unexpected addition, adds just the right amount of smooth flavor to these amazingly balanced burgers.

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Brussels Sprouts Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

This salad combines the hearty crunchiness of Brussels sprouts with the delicate sweetness of thinly sliced red apples. Partner that with the smoky flavor of crisp bacon and you are well on the way to enjoying a delicious salad redolent with the flavors of autumn that would be amazing on your Thanksgiving table. Red onion adds a little spice. The lemon juice, mixed with the vinegar, bacon drippings, and Dijon mustard, adds a little tart bite. When tossed together, and seasoned with salt and pepper this salad is a delicate delight. Whole Brussels sprout leaves make beautiful little salad greens. If you are pressed for time, slice the Brussels sprouts instead of peeling them.

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Salty-Sweet Bacon Panini

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Salty-Sweet Bacon Panini

Melt-in-your-mouth Salty-Sweet Bacon Panini goes over the top with the paring of salty bacon and sweet apple butter with melty Brie on top of raisin-walnut bread.

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Pork with Apples, Bacon, and Sauerkraut

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pork with Apples, Bacon, and Sauerkraut

Thinly sliced pancetta (unsmoked Italian bacon cured with salt and spices) and a few quick twists of kitchen string turn an inexpensive pork loin into a party-worthy dish.

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Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Burger

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Burger

Dress up our Best Beef Burgers with fresh herbs and a hearty scoop of pimiento cheese and bacon.

Watch: The Best Way To Make a Hamburger

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Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon

Recipe: Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon

We loved the dash of dried crushed red pepper—it made the flavor lively, not hot.

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