It’s really easy to make these White Beans with Bacon and Herbs. They are rich and savory, comforting, full of flavor, and really tasty. Perfect as a side or a meal on its own.
Bacon is a versatile meat that can be incorporated into all kinds of dishes While delicious on its own, bacon reaches its full potential when paired with complementary herbs and spices. The right herbs enhance bacon’s savory, salty, smoky flavors and add aromatic depth
Choosing herbs that work well with bacon can elevate a dish from basic to gourmet. Whether frying up bacon for breakfast or using it in a hearty dinner entree, herbs take the flavor to the next level. Read on for tips on pairing herbs with bacon and recipes to try
Best Herbs for Bacon
These herbs are especially tasty with bacon:
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Rosemary – This pungent, piney herb stands up to bacon’s bold flavor. It adds woodsy notes while complementing the smokiness Works well in bacon goat cheese rolls and baked beans
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Thyme – Earthy thyme accentuates bacon’s savory qualities. It also holds up to high cooking temps. Use it in bacon onion tarts or frittatas.
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Oregano – The mild spiciness of oregano offsets bacon’s saltiness. Pairs nicely in pasta carbonara or Greek dishes like bacon souvlaki.
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Parsley – Fresh parsley brightens up bacon with its grassy flavor. Lovely in omelets, salads, pasta, and sandwiches featuring bacon.
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Sage – Savory and slightly peppery, sage marries well with bacon’s rich fattiness. Try it in bacon sage breakfast sausage or carbonara.
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Chives – The mild oniony flavor of chives works well with crispy bacon bits. Garnish baked potatoes, soups, and deviled eggs.
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Tarragon – Licorice-like tarragon enhances bacon’s sweetness. Ideal for making bacon Dijon vinaigrette for salads.
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Marjoram – Pleasantly aromatic marjoram complements bacon’s taste. Use in casseroles and cream sauces with bacon accents.
Pairing Herbs and Bacon
When cooking with bacon and herbs, keep these tips in mind:
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Opt for fresh herbs over dried to maximize flavor. Or use 1/3 the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh.
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Add woody herbs like rosemary and thyme earlier in cooking so they soften and infuse the dish.
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Save more delicate herbs like cilantro, dill and basil for adding at the end.
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Crumble crispy cooked bacon over dishes and use it as a garnish along with chopped herbs.
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Make bacon the star and use herbs sparingly so they don’t overpower the bacon flavor.
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The possibilities are endless – experiment with herb combos to find your perfect bacon pairings!
Recipes with Bacon and Herbs
Here are some mouthwatering recipe ideas that pair bacon with complementary fresh herbs:
Rosemary Bacon Biscuits
Mix diced bacon and minced rosemary into fluffy buttermilk biscuit dough. Bake until golden and serve warm with honey butter.
Bacon & Sage Breakfast Patties
Blend ground bacon trimmings with fresh sage, onions, eggs and breadcrumbs. Form into patties and cook like sausage.
Bacon & Thyme Potato Gratin
Layer potatoes, cream, crispy bacon pieces and fresh thyme in a casserole dish. Bake until bubbly and top with cheese.
Pasta Carbonara with Bacon & Oregano
Cook pasta in a parmesan cream sauce with bacon, black pepper and oregano for a classic carbonara.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Chives
Wrap jumbo shrimp in bacon, sprinkle with lemon and chives and broil until the bacon is crispy.
Candied Bacon with Thyme & Pepper
Coat bacon strips with brown sugar, pepper and thyme. Bake until caramelized for a sweet and savory garnish.
Bacon, Apple & Arugula Salad
Top arugula and apple salad with crumbled bacon, tangy vinaigrette and parsley for a fresh lunch or dinner salad.
Bacon & Swiss Chard Tart
Line a pie crust with bacon and Swiss chard sautéed with onions and garlic. Sprinkle Parmesan and bake for a savory tart.
Bacon Green Beans with Tarragon
Blanch green beans briefly then sauté with shallots, bacon and tarragon for an easy veggie side dish.
Make Your Own Bacon Seasoning Blend
You can make your own signature bacon seasoning blend at home by combining herbs and spices. Try mixing ingredients like:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground sage
- 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
- 1⁄4 teaspoon rosemary
- 1⁄4 teaspoon thyme
Rub this blend on pork belly before curing it into homemade bacon. Or sprinkle it over cooked bacon for extra flavor. Customize yours with different herbs to suit your tastes.
Getting Creative with Bacon and Herbs
In addition to traditional uses in breakfast dishes, sandwiches, salads and pastas, bacon and herbs can be used creatively in appetizers, baked goods, meat dishes and more.
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Skewer bacon-wrapped dates, shrimp or scallops with herbs.
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Mix crumbled bacon and herbs into dips, cheese balls and deviled eggs.
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Add bacon, herbs and seasonings to popcorn or roasted nuts for snacking.
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Make savory scones with bacon pieces and herbs like chives.
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Stuff mushrooms with herb cheese and top with bacon crumbs.
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Wrap pork tenderloin or chicken breasts in bacon with an herb rub.
Don’t limit yourself – let your imagination run wild with all the ways to cook with bacon and herbs!
Storing and Freezing Bacon with Herbs
To maximize freshness and flavor, follow these storage tips:
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Store uncooked bacon 2-3 weeks in the coldest part of the fridge.
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Cooked bacon keeps in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
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Frozen, uncooked bacon keeps 6 months in freezer bags with the air pressed out.
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Let cooked bacon cool fully before freezing, up to 2 months in airtight bags or containers.
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Avoid freezing and thawing bacon more than 1-2 times, as this causes texture and flavor changes.
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For best results, cook frozen bacon without thawing first. It may take slightly longer.
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Frozen herbs lose flavor and texture over time. For long term storage, chop herbs and freeze in oil or butter in ice cube trays.
With proper storage, you can keep bacon and herbs on hand to quickly prepare delicious dishes!
Is Bacon Herb Smoke Dangerous?
Some people smoke herbs like lavender along with bacon for flavoring. This herb-infused bacon smoke is safe when proper precautions are taken, such as smoking outdoors and avoiding inhalation. Any kind of smoke poses inhalation risks, so be sure to research and follow smoking safety measures. Monitor the bacon closely while smoking and remove immediately if burning occurs, as this produces carcinogens. For a safer alternative, add herbs and seasonings directly to the bacon cure instead of smoking.
The Perfect Bacon and Herb Combination
While the herb pairings are endless, some classics rise to the top for the perfect bacon flavor:
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Fresh parsley – This bright herb complements the saltiness of bacon.
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Savory sage – The perfect match for bacon’s hearty flavor.
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Rosemary – Enhances the smoky notes of crispy bacon.
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Thyme – Adds an earthy dimension to cooked bacon.
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Garlic and pepper – Perennial bacon seasonings, adding aroma and heat.
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Brown sugar or maple syrup – A touch of sweetness to balance the saltiness.
By thoughtfully combining herbs like these, you can create bacon dishes with well-rounded, complex taste. The possibilities are infinite!
Cooking with bacon and herbs is an easy way to take your dishes to the next level. Herbs add aromatic flavor and texture that perfectly complements crispy, savory bacon. From breakfast to dinner, herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley pair wonderfully with bacon. With a little creativity, you can incorporate bacon and herbs into all types of mouthwatering recipes. Experiment with different herb combinations to find your favorite bacon flavor enhancers.
Can I Use Dried Beans?
You can also make this with dry beans if you have more time on hand. I think you should soak the beans overnight. That’s what my mom always does because she never uses canned beans in her cooking. Based on science, some beans can be harmful if eaten when they’re dry, and they’re also impossible to chew through!
So be sure to give your beans a good overnight soak and you’ll be good to go. However, I love using canned beans because they are so much faster and still just as delicious.
How To Make White Beans with Bacon and Herbs
- Cut the bacon into small pieces. Place them in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high heat and cook for three minutes, or until the bacon is golden brown.
- Add the garlic, basil, rosemary, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes to the pan and stir them in. Cook for about 30 seconds until the garlic becomes aromatic.
- Put the dish together. To deglaze the pan, add the red wine vinegar and 1/2 cup of the chicken broth and stir them around. The bottom of the pan should be free of all the brown bits. Add the beans and the rest of the chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper. Always make sure there is just enough broth to cover the beans. If you need to, add more.
- Drop the heat to a low level and cook the beans for 15 to 20 minutes, or until most of the water has been absorbed. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Garnish with remaining parsley and serve warm.
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FAQ
What spices go well on bacon?
What is the best herb to use with pork?
What goes well with bacon?
What is bacon seasoned with?
What herbs go well with bacon?
Another herb that goes well with bacon is dill. It might not be the first herb you think of when you’re thinking of things to pair with bacon, but dill has an unexpected tanginess to it that complements the saltiness of bacon and provides a nice counterbalance to the fat in this meat. 7. Parsley: A Little Freshness Goes A Long Way
What herbs should I use for bacon chicken?
Best to use are fresh or frozen herbs, dried parsley and basil are not great. For the potatoes, rosemary and thyme are a great choice. Either fresh or dried is fine. Alternative herbs for the bacon chicken would be fresh thyme, sage, or tarragon. Start with the potatoes as they will need more time in the oven than the meat.
What essential oil goes with bacon?
Lavender is one of the best essential oils to help you sleep and relax, so it makes sense that it would be used to make everything smell nice. It pairs perfectly with bacon, which has a distinct flavor due to its fat content. 9. Savory: For When You Want Your Bacon To Be Herbier Than It Is Meaty No herb is more savory than savory itself.