70 Recipes Prove That Everything Is Better With Bacon
Sweet crunchy bacon crackers
Craving bacon? We don't blame you. There's nothing like waking up to the smell and sound of bacon sizzling on the frying pan, or biting into a crispy, toasty BLT sandwich. We've got you covered with our 70 best bacon recipes that go beyond the breakfast plate.
From party recipes like bacon dips and appetizers to holiday side recipes like bacon macaroni and cheese and bacon Brussels sprouts, there's something for every kind of bacon lover out there in this roundup of salty, savory recipes. Even dessert gets the bacon treatment; add a scoop of bacon ice cream to your dinner menu and watch your family's eyes light up. When in doubt, always look for a recipe with bacon.
Related: 25 Bacon Recipes That Are Completely Allowed on a Low-Carb Diet
Best Bacon Recipes
Guy Fieri's Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce
Mark Boughton Photography/Styling by Teresa Blackburn
This grilled chicken recipe features a signature South African condiment: fiery peri peri sauce. If you can't find fresh cayenne chiles, use a combo of chile de arbol, Thai peppers, habañeros and/or Fresnos. Par-cooking the bacon before wrapping it around the chicken helps minimize shrinkage—and flare-ups—on the grill.
Get the recipe
Candied Bacon
Parade
This simple, 4-ingredient bacon snack is highly addictive. Chewy, sweet and salty with a dash of spice from chile and cayenne powder, this will soon be one of your family favorites.
Get the recipe
BBQ Bacon Meatloaf
Parade
Breadcrumbs are traditionally used in meatloaf and meatballs to add moisture to the finished dish. This barbecue bacon meatloaf recipe calls for oatmeal instead, as it will do the trick to create moist and delicious dishes while adding fiber.
Get the recipe
Related: The Best Ways to Cook Bacon
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Poppers in 30 Min or Less
Chad A Elick
This grilled take on jalapeño poppers is perhaps even yummier than the traditional recipe. Jalapeños are stuffed with a scrumptious southwestern cheese blend, wrapped in bacon, then grilled to perfection! The entire recipe goes from prep to plate in 30 minutes and is the perfect addition to your summer barbecue.
Get the recipe
Sweet & Crunchy Bacon Crackers
MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY CALLIE BLOUNT
This snack is just the thing for holiday get-togethers. Be sure to remove the crackers immediately from the rack, or the cheese will stick as it cools.
Get the recipe
Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza
Mittera Creative Services
This recipe from NBC’s The Biggest Loser chef Devin Alexander uses lavash, a Middle Eastern flatbread that contains fewer carbs than traditional crust. Find it near hummus and pita in the deli section of the grocery store.
Get the recipe
Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Chicken Wings
Mark Boughton Photography
This chicken wing recipe is inspired by a bacon-wrapped, barbecue-sauce glazed chicken treat served to Dallas Cowboys fans.
Get the recipe
Bacon Ice Cream
Lucy Schaeffer
This maple ice cream has pieces of bacon bark coated in semisweet chocolate.
Get the recipe
Slow Cooker Bacon Cheese Dip
Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews
Slow Cooker Bacon Cheese Dip is perfect for game day, holiday gatherings and more. Sharp cheddar cheese, tangy cream cheese and salty bacon come together for an easy appetizer your friends and family won't be able to get enough of. This cheese dip recipe melts and warms in the slow cooker so you don't have to worry about standing and stirring a pot over the stove. Tortilla chips are a great dip vessel, but for this dip, slices of toasted French bread would also work well.
Get the recipe
Quick Breakfast Quesadilla
Parade
Transform your family's mornings with this quick and satisfying breakfast quesadilla. You can make this a.m. meal all in one skillet.
Get the recipe
Easiest Ever Cheddar Bacon Popcorn
Georgeann Bell
Movie night just got an Americana upgrade—popcorn doused in cheese and bacon—thanks to this recipe from Georgeanne Bell, a food blogger at lilaloa.com and author of the new cookbook Gourmet Popcorn.
Get the recipe
Keto Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs
Andrew Purcell
This is one of those dishes where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Bacon and chicken thighs are both delicious, obviously, but bacon-wrapped chicken thighs? Fabulous!
Get the recipe
Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Mozzarella Rings
Ken Goodman
These Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Mozzarella Rings take backyard cookouts to the next level. The saltiness of the bacon combines with the sweetness of the pineapple, the tang of the onion and the gooeyness of the cheese for a mouthwatering creation.
Get the recipe
Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings
Ken Goodman
This bacon-y twist on onion rings is irresistible. Serve ’em up with sriracha dipping sauce and watch them disappear.
Breakfast Club Flatbread Sandwich
This recipe yields enough to feed a small army! To serve 4-6, divide accordingly.
Peanut Butter Bacon Burger
Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn
This recipe for a peanut butter bacon burger, from the new Shake Shack cookbook, has only ever been served — officially — at the popular chain twice. But in-the-know-patrons hack it with the bacon hamburger and a side of peanut butter sauce. It's a simple, yet delicious combo.
Savory Bacon Biscuits
Photo: Getty Images
Bacon gets folded into a simple biscuit batter to create this fast and savory side.
Bacon & Chive Pinwheels are the 3-Ingredient Appetizer That Basically Makes Itself
Parade
Bacon and chive pinwheels are always a hit at holidays. These savory 3-ingredient snacks are great for feeding last-minute guests too. Make them with chive and onion cream cheese or your favorite flavor.
Bacon Baked Beans
Krista Marshall
Bacon makes everything better, right?! These bacon baked beans will be your go-to bean recipe every summer.
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
iStockphoto
These bite-size appetizers only require three ingredients!
Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is the Easter Side Everyone Really Wants
Parade
This Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe will be life-changing. Something magical happens when the sprouts meet the salty, smoky bacon goodness. This quick-cooking dish is perfect for any busy night or as a simple holiday side.
Over Easy BLT
Parade
In looking for easy, inexpensive meals, don’t forget the eggs that are probably in your refrigerator! Eggs and bacon are a naturally delicious duo, but when you add tomatoes, arugula, a touch of chili sauce, and some bread, you've got a BLT fit for a king.
Get the recipe
Related: 6 Bacon-Wrapped Appetizer Recipes for Super Bowl Sunday
Easy and Delicious Candied Bacon
The matriarch of A&E's Duck Dynasty has compiled some of her clan's favorite dishes in The Duck Commander Kitchen Presents Celebrating Family & Friends to inspire family gatherings all year-round. Miss Kay says, "Can bacon be any tastier? Yes, it can! Add sugar to it. The perfect side to any brunch, this bacon recipe will make everyone happy, happy, happy!"
Bacon Ranch White Pizza
Deanna Samaan
For this white pizza, bottled ranch dressing serves as the delicious base. The flavor of the ranch combined with the caramelized onions and bacon will make your mouth very, very happy!
Breakfast Pizza With Bacon Crust
We Are Not Martha
The dough for this breakfast pizza sits in the fridge overnight so the only thing you have to do morning-of is crack the egg and bake the pizza.
Bacon and Beer Cheese Stuffed Brussels Sprouts
Jackie Dodd
Brussels sprouts, those little green nutrient powerhouses, now sit at the cool kids' table in the vegetable aisle. It's only fitting that they join forces with craft beer. And bacon. There will be no Brussels sprouts haters left after this.
Bacon & Corn Saute
Parade
This quick bacon and corn saute is super flavorful.
Tucson’s Jalapeno Poppers
iStockphoto
The food trucks of Tucson, Arizona, are famous for their Sonoran hot dogs, garnished with pinto beans, tomatoes, onions, mustard, hot sauce, and mayonnaise. But one side dish is just as stellar: these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers.
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Guy Fieri
Guy Fieri's bacon-wrapped shrimp with zesty chipotle sauce put ordinary shrimp cocktails to shame. You'll want these at every party you throw this summer.
Cheddar Bacon Dip
Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn
This rich and creamy dip by Jocelyn Ruggiero, a blogger at Foodie Fatale, is perfect served with vegetable sticks.
Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple-Bacon Butter
Lori Lange
Roasted butternut squash with maple-bacon butter would be delicious with a turkey dinner, but it also makes a terrific side dish to pork, beef and chicken.
Roasted Tomato-Bacon Jam
MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN
This summer, step up your burger game with easy toppings. Swap your ketchup for this sticky-sweet tomato and smoky bacon spread. Stack it with bacon, cheddar cheese, fried egg, pickles and lettuce.
BLT Cheese Ball
Seduction in the Kitchen/ Deanna Samaan
Last minute invite to a party and not sure what to bring? That is a dilemma many face, especially during the holidays. A cheese ball is the simplest thing you can make and bring to an event. All you need is 30 minutes for it to chill and firm up in the fridge.
Bacon Jam: The Only Condiment You Need
Parade
Bacon jam makes everything better! In this recipe, bacon is simmered with caramelized shallots, garlic, bourbon and maple syrup. Slather onto burgers, take your BLT to another level, top deviled eggs, or just spread onto crostini for an easy, tasty treat.
Bacon Crostini
Photo: iStockphoto
Crispy baguette slices are topped with bacon, blue cheese and parsley.
Bacon Cheddar Puffs
Parade
This appetizer looks fancy, but it's really easy to make. You can prepare the dough a day in advance, and then bake it just before serving.
Sandra Lee's Special BLT
iStockphoto
“This is a whole melding of flavors,” Sandra Lee says. “You will never go back to a normal BLT after this.”
Hit a Home Run with Homemade Bacon Chili Dogs
Nisa Burns
What better way to celebrate the start of baseball season than with another all-American classic: the hot dog. These bacon chili dogs take your typical dog from good to great.
Warm Corn & Bacon Dip
Everyday Mom's Meals
This warm corn and bacon dip is a delicious appetizer. It is super easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
Stuffed Bratwurst
Dasha Wright
These fun brats are wrapped in bacon and then grilled to crispy perfection. Garnish with mustard and parsley to add some color.
Southwestern BLT
Parade
Chipotles in adobo mixed with mayo and spread on toast give this BLT a Southwestern twist. Take this sandwich to the top of your list with a couple of slices of avocado, and make it a tad healthier with lean turkey bacon.
Bacon Swiss Burger
Travis Rathbone
When it comes to ground beef, round may be leaner—but chuck is more flavorful. And with so many toppings, it’s sometimes smart to spread the ketchup on the bottom bun.
Slow-Cooker Barbecue Baked Beans
Rita Maas
This smoky side is a great addition to any summer backyard feast.
Bacon, Sausage and Sauerkraut Pie
Parade
Bacon, Sausage and Sauerkraut Pie is a savory pie you can serve for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings. Use your favorite pie crust or a pre-made frozen crust.
Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Devin Alexander
This bacon-wrapped green bean recipe is a fun, easy appetizer and a perfect example of what you might consider making the next time a bacon craving strikes.
John Wayne Would Approve of This Sweet and Tangy Pineapple Bacon Coleslaw
Mark Boughton/Styling by Teresa Blackburn
All you need is a handful of ingredients to make this pineapple bacon coleslaw from The Official John Wayne 5-Ingredient Homestyle Cookbook. Pineapple adds sweet tang, making this slaw a great side with rich ribs.
Bacon and Egg Tostadas Are a Quick, Crunchy and Satisfying Weekend Breakfast
MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN
Tostadas have a satisfying crunch and make a hearty breakfast—or breakfast for dinner—when piled high with toppings. To cook all the bacon at once, place strips in a single layer on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crispy.
Bacon and Shrimp Carbonara
Jon Ashton
In this riff on the classic Italian spaghetti carbonara, PARADE chef Jon Ashton adds quick-cooked shrimp. The result is a creamy, saucy pasta that’s quick enough for a weeknight, but special enough to serve company.
Loaded Boiled Potatoes with Bacon
What's Cookin Italian Style Cuisine
Sharp cheddar cheese pairs perfectly with salty, crispy bacon in this easy side dish. This recipe can easily be adjusted for the size of your family or the number of guests you're serving. Plan on cooking one medium potato per person.
BBQ Bacon Cheese Dip Appetizer
Nisa Burns
This bacon cheese dip appetizer is quick and easy to make and is seriously addictive. Depending on the size of your gathering, you might want to consider doubling the recipe—it tends to disappear! Serve it cold with a basket of chips.
BLT Salad with Ranch
Antonis Achilleos
Be sure not to overcook the bacon for this BLT salad with ranch. Seven minutes is just right.
BLT Linguine
Matthew Meade
This is the perfect toss-it-all-together weekday meal. Scallions stand in for the usual BLT greens in this pasta dish. If you’re looking to trim fat, substitute low- or no-fat plain Greek-style yogurt for the cream cheese and about six pieces of thinly sliced prosciutto for the bacon.
Bacon and Corn Frittata
Jon Ashton
Corn, bacon and cheese make for a winning brunch or supper combo in this frittata.
20-Minute Cheesy-Bacon Farfalle with Peas
Chad Elick
Bacon cheese sauce over farfalle and peas is loaded with flavor and goes from prep to plate in just 20 minutes.
BLT-rific Mac 'n Cheese
You'll get plenty of veggies from this BLT-inspired macaroni and cheese.
Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Chipotles
Con Poulos
This creamy, dreamy casserole is a doozy for bacon and cheese-lovers alike.
Potato, Bacon, and Sour Cream Frittata
Jim Franco
Save time and money with this weeknight staple at only $0.85 per serving!
Tyler Florence's Lunch Box BLT
Getty Images
"I try to keep my son Miles’ menus straightforward—but with a twist," says Food Network's Tyler Florence. "Here's one of his favorites: fresh heirloom tomatoes sliced thick, with buffalo mozzarella and a touch of fresh pesto. If he happens to trade what I made for him when he gets to school, it’s a great way to break the ice with the girls!"
Anne Burrell's Killer Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Ben Fink
If there's one thing Anne Burrell, host of Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, hates, it's bad mac and cheese. "Great mac and cheese should be creamy and tangy and luscious," says Burrell. "This recipe is what mac and cheese should be—and it's got bacon!"
Potato Bacon Omelet
Lucy Schaeffer
Crisp bacon lends its smokey flavors to hash browns to create a tasty omelet filling.
Cheese & Bacon Scramble in Mini-Pitas
Parade
These pitas are the perfect quick breakfast for your whole family.
Get the recipe
Related: How to Make Perfectly Crunchy Bacon in the Oven
Yummy Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
Nisa Burns
This is a true comfort food dish (read: lots of butter included) that's simply delicious. For the cheese, you can use just cheddar, or a mix of cheeses—whatever you like!
Potato Apple Bacon Sausage Casserole with Irish Butter
Bridget Lappert
Potato-apple-bacon-sausage casserole with Irish butter is a comforting casserole that will be a winter favorite.
Light Bacon Chicken Wraps
Lucy Schaeffer
These wraps are lightened up, but are still satisfying and packed with flavor.
Green Pea Soup with Bacon
iStockphoto
Chopped bacon gives this green pea soup some extra texture and flavor.
Bronco Buster Burger
Josh Power Photography
Stephanie Yost's blue-ribbon burger is big in size and on taste. With jalapeños, barbecue sauce, bacon and ranch dressing—to name just a few of its many toppings—each beefy bite is at once hot, sweet, salty and cool. It's no wonder this took first place at the National Hamburger Festival!
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Getty
Tom Colicchio, famous restauranteur, cookbook author and head judge of Bravo's Top Chef, shares the recipe for his favorite holiday side dish, bacon and all.
Broccoli & Bacon Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Everyday Mom's Meals
These broccoli and bacon stuffed baked potatoes can be served with a nice grilled steak for an amazing side or with a simple tossed salad so the potato is the star of the meal. Piled high with broccoli, bacon and cheese, you know these stuffed baked potatoes are going to be delicious!
Rise and Shine: Mini Breakfast Casseroles
Jessica Smith
These Mini Breakfast Casseroles can be made ahead and transferred to the oven in the morning. They're made in the same manner as bread pudding, stuffing, or strata. Cubed day-old bread is soaked in an egg and milk mixture and tossed in your favorite fillings. Refrigerate overnight, and wake up to a weekend-worthy breakfast that requires only as much effort as turning on the oven.
Bacon-Touched Carrots and Turnips
Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews
Bacon-Touched Carrots and Turnips is a simple side dish that's ready in 2o to 30 minutes. Stir-frying thinly sliced root vegetables in bacon drippings makes them crisp, flavorful and the perfect accompaniment to roasted chicken or turkey.
Up next: 29 Recipes for Canned Salmon That Come to the Pantry Meal Rescue
