It's long been said that bacon makes pretty much everything taste better, and these Brit + Co bacon-loaded recipes are proof. You may have grown up only eating the slices at breakfast, but it's come along way, baby. These days, you can find the smokey-salty cured pork in dinners and desserts, and the truly brave at heart can even try making their own bacon at home. While it's great on its own, we love the way it can instantly boost the flavor of the other ingredients. These 17 recipes just wouldn't be the same without the bacon.
Pumpkin Spice Candied Bacon: It doesn't need to be fall for you to enjoy this amped-up breakfast bacon. Candy it with a sprinkle of sugar, then add a dash of spice — the smokey-salty meat can stand up to anything you throw its way.
Millionaire's Bacon Cinnamon Rolls: The sweet never tastes as sweet without the salty, an expression that holds especially true when you've got a batch of these rolls in the oven. The dough is store-bought, so all they need is your special touch — candied bacon.
Bacon and Beer Waffle Cake: We can't tell if this dish is breakfast or dessert, but we'll take it for both, please! Layers of waffled cake mix are stacked with creamy vanilla frosting, bacon bits, and candied bacon for a truly celebratory meal.
Irish Boxty: Boxty is an Irish specialty made from leftover mashed potatoes and is particularly delicious when layered with bacon and eggs.
Mini Bourbon Bacon Red Velvet Donuts: Red velvet donuts just not indulgent enough for you? Adding bourbon to the donut batter and topping the finished treats with thick icing and spiced candied bacon will definitely do the trick.
Bacon Banana Oatmeal Bowls: You could've persuaded Elvis to start his morning the right way if this bowl was on the menu. Warm and hearty oats are topped with bananas, peanut butter, and bacon (obvi) for a breakfast that's extremely flavorful, while still being full of good-for-you ingredients.
Peanut Butter Bacon Pop Tarts: You know how kids always say they can't wait to grow up so they can eat whatever they want? Well, this is exactly the type of dish they're dreaming of when they say it.
Pull-Apart Bacon Jalapeño Dip: Spicy, creamy bacon jalapeño dip needs something special to accompany it. A ring of golden-brown homemade rolls fits the bill beautifully.
Bacon Pastry Twists With Beer Cheese Dip: Light and flaky pastry twists are woven with bacon to make this delectable appetizer. Up the ante by serving with a bubbling skillet full of beer cheese dip.
Boozy Bacon Jam: Spread on crackers with cheese or added to a roasted turkey sandwich, this boozy bacon jam packs quite a punch. For an extra savory twist, use it to make stuffed pork chops or chicken breast.
Bacon, Apple, and Brussel Sprouts Hash: Bacon has a bold flavor, so you want to pair it with foods it won't overwhelm. In this case, that means sweet apples, earthy Brussels sprouts, and plenty of shallots and garlic.
Brie, Bacon, and Squash Risotto: We always have Brie on hand for impromptu cheese plates, but it's not often that we include it in actual recipes. After tasting this ultra-creamy risotto, we won't make that mistake again!
Coq Au Vin: The secret to all those smokey, complex French sauces is twofold. One, use a small amount of bacon to season your dish. Two, add a hefty glug of wine to the pot, then simmer away.
Egg and Bacon Carbonara: It's amazing how lush and complex a bowl of pasta carbonara tastes when it has such a short ingredient list. The key is adding egg yolks and Parmesan at the last minute, tossing with the hot noodles, some pasta water, and bacon to get a creamy emulsified sauce.
Pumpkin Sage Bacon Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes are the ultimate side dish. Give them a makeover by adding a few extra ingredients, and this old favorite will become even more desirable.
Mexican BLT: Yes, it is possible to make this diner classic even tastier. Smokey chipotle mayo, guac, cheese, and a fried egg take the BLT from minimalist to baroque.
Bacon and Egg Risotto: If you're the type of person who'd rather have leftovers from dinner in the morning than pancakes, this recipe is right up your alley. It puts a bacon-and-eggs twist on risotto, making the most of all your favorite savory morning morsels.
Add more bacon to your life by following us on Pinterest for tons of recipe inspiration.
Add more bacon to your life by following us on Pinterest for tons of recipe inspiration.
(Photos via Brit + Co)
Justina Huddleston
Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.
