Beyond Breakfast: Creative Ways to Use Bacon in Your Cooking

You may cherish bacon’s crispy, savory presence at breakfast time, but have you thought about the countless other possibilities of this versatile dish? That’s right, bacon lovers: while there’s nothing wrong with classic bacon and egg sandwiches, it’s time to think outside the breakfast table! Grab some John F. Martin bacon in Telford, PA, and try a few of these awesome bacon recipes that are sure to please.

Spruce Up Your Salad

If you’re tired of boring salad lunches, toss in some bacon bits or cooked bacon strips for an instant improvement. Here’s a BLT salad recipe that you’ll love:

1. Cook 1 lb bacon according to package directions. Drain on paper towels, then crumble and set aside.
2. Using a blender or food processor, combine ¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup milk, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ¼ tsp black pepper and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt.
3. Combine 1 head of rinsed and shredded romaine lettuce, crumbled bacon, 2 large chopped tomatoes, and 2 cups of seasoned croutons in a large bowl.
4. Toss all ingredients with dressing and serve immediately.

Creamed Corn Crowd-Pleaser

Want to wow everyone at the next tailgate party or work potluck? Make creamed corn with bacon — it just takes 20 minutes, and you’ll only need a handful of ingredients. Here’s what to do:

1. Prepare 6 slices of bacon following the instructions on the package, then set aside on a paper towel to cool slightly.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter and 6 oz cream cheese over low heat, stirring occasionally, for around 5 minutes until the cream cheese slowly melts and becomes smoother with the liquid.
3. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Whisk in ½ cup heavy cream, stirring until the cream cheese has been blended in and formed a sauce, then stir in 1 ½ tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp rosemary leaves, and a dash of red pepper flakes.
5. Turn the heat down to medium-low, mix in 4 cups of frozen corn, and cook for around 10 minutes.
6. After 10 minutes, reduce heat to low, then stir in ½ cup shredded parmesan and ½ cup cheddar cheese.
7. Top with crumbled bacon and serve warm.

Surf and Turf

Ever had bacon with your seafood — or seafood with your bacon? Try this savory shrimp dish!

1. Combine 1 lime’s worth of lime juice (about 2 tbsp), lime zest, and 2 tbsp chipotle olive oil in a small bowl.
2. Toss 12 large raw shrimp (peeled and deveined) in the mixture until coated.
3. Cook 6 strips of bacon according to the package, making sure it’s still pliable (not overcooked). Cut each piece in half to make 12 pieces total.
4. Wrap each half-piece of bacon around each shrimp individually, securing them with toothpicks, thread, or skewers.
5. Place the wrapped shrimp into a baking pan and brush them with the remaining lime and chipotle mixture.
6. Cook the shrimp by grilling them uncovered for 5-7 minutes on each side or by baking them at 450°F for 10-14 minutes until the shrimp is pink and the bacon is crispy. Once cooked, serve immediately.

Other Great Bacon Ideas

Gourmet Garnish

Bacon makes a great “final touch” atop a variety of dishes — from late-night guilty pleasures to gourmet meals. Try adding cooked bacon to mac and cheese, serve up bacon cheddar slider burgers, or make delicious cheesy bacon baked potatoes.

Italian Improvements

Bacon is a great substitute for pancetta, a thinly-sliced meat used in many Italian dishes. In fact, some people swear that using bacon makes an even better spaghetti carbonara! You can also add bacon to other Italian dishes. Substitute sausage with bacon in a stromboli, make bacon-wrapped meatballs, or even use it as a pizza topping — we’re not judging!

Savory & Sweet

If you’ve ever had maple bacon (or just coated your bacon in maple syrup at the breakfast table), you already know that the salty, savory mouthfeel of bacon can be even more enjoyable when combined with sweet flavors. Apply this principle to dessert, and be prepared to discover a world of new possibilities! Make sweet and savory chocolate-chip cookies with bacon bits, whip up some brown sugar bacon brittle, or try the famous “Elvis” sandwich (made with peanut butter, banana, and bacon).

Enjoy Bacon Like Never Before!

Enjoy the best bacon of your life at The Old Dutch Cupboard! Stop by our store today to pick up some John F. Martin bacon in Telford, PA, and start making your bacon dreams come true. We’ll see you soon!