Elevate Your BLTs with Homemade Lemon Pepper Bacon

Crispy bacon with a bright, citrusy kick is an amazing ingredient for sandwiches, salads, pizza and more. By making your own lemon pepper bacon at home, you can customize the flavor and bring restaurant quality bacon to your kitchen.

In this article I’ll share my simple method for infusing bacon with tangy lemon and cracked peppercorns. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can have gourmet lemon pepper bacon ready to enhance any meal. Let’s get sizzling!

Why Make Your Own Lemon Pepper Bacon?

Crafting DIY lemon pepper bacon has several advantages over buying premade:

• It’s easy and affordable – only requires basic ingredients

• Fresher and more vibrant lemon flavor – from real juice

• Completely customizable – adjust lemon and pepper to taste

• Versatile for recipes – great for sandwiches, salads, apps, etc.

• Impressive for gifts and entertaining – everyone loves bacon!

With my recipe, you control the ingredients so you can achieve the perfect balance of tart lemon and peppery crunch in each slice.

Tips for Best Results

Making great lemon pepper bacon is simple, but there are a few tips for success:

• Use good quality, thick-cut bacon – thin slices overcook

• Allow time to marinate the raw bacon – infuses flavor

• Cook on a wire rack – allows fat to drip off, crisps evenly

• Bake at 400°F – high heat renders fat, crisps bacon

• Brush juices on periodically – reinforces lemon flavor

• Sprinkle pepper before final baking – adheres to bacon

With the right techniques, your homemade bacon will rival any restaurant appetizer! Now let’s get to the easy recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound thick-cut bacon (10-12 slices)

• Juice of 2-3 lemons

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1-2 tsp fresh cracked black peppercorns

That’s it! The marinade is simply fresh lemon juice – no need for fancy ingredients. Feel free to adjust lemon and pepper amounts to suit your tastes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Separate bacon slices and place in a gallon zip-top bag. Pour in lemon juice, press out excess air and seal bag.

2. Marinate bacon in fridge for 2-4 hours, massaging bag occasionally.

3. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and top with a wire rack.

4. Remove bacon from marinade and arrange slices on rack in single layer. Discard marinade.

5. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove pan, brush lemon juice on bacon, then bake 15 more minutes.

6. Remove pan, sprinkle pepper and lemon zest on bacon. Bake 5-10 more minutes until crispy.

7. Let bacon cool slightly. Serve warm or let cool completely before storing.

That’s all it takes to make the most incredible lemon pepper bacon right at home!

Serving Ideas for Lemon Pepper Bacon

This versatile ingredient can be used in so many recipes:

• BLTs – the classic sandwich gets an upgrade!

• Brussels sprouts or green beans – roasted veggies love bacon

• Wedge salad – crumble on top for flavor and crunch

• Pizza – sprinkle over cheese for a gourmet flatbread

• Pasta carbonara – add to the creamy sauce

• Quiche or frittata – mix into egg dish

• Baked potato – top with bacon bits and sour cream

• Cobb salad – a key ingredient in this classic

Lemon pepper bacon also makes a fantastic party appetizer served on its own!

Extra Flavor Variations to Try

Once you master the basics, get creative with your lemon pepper bacon:

• Use other citrus like lime, grapefruit or orange juice

• Add herbs like rosemary, thyme or sage

• Use spices like smoked paprika, cayenne or dry mustard

• Sweeten with a bit of brown sugar or maple syrup

• Infuse with bourbon, tequila or whiskey

The possibilities are endless for crafting your own gourmet bacon flavors!

Storing and Freezing Tips

To extend the shelf life of your homemade lemon pepper bacon:

• Let cool before storing to prevent moisture buildup

• Refrigerate in a zip-top bag up to 1 week

• Freeze cooled bacon up to 2 months

• Reheat frozen bacon in the oven or skillet

With a batch of lemon pepper bacon in the freezer, you can whip up amazing BLTs, grain bowls, pizza and more anytime!

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of bacon works best?

Thick-cut bacon holds up better to oven cooking. Look for high quality pork bacon without too many fat streaks.

Can I use an air fryer instead of the oven?

Yes, air fryers work great! Cook at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until crispy as desired.

How long does the raw bacon keep in the marinade?

1-4 hours is ideal for maximum flavor infusion without the acid from the lemon juice “cooking” the bacon.

Should I discard the leftover marinade?

Yes, it’s best to discard the marinade after soaking the raw bacon to avoid any bacteria on the raw meat.

Make Brunch Extra Special

Homemade lemon pepper bacon takes BLTs, breakfasts, salads and appetizers over the top. With minimal effort, you can make restaurant-quality bacon that’s way better than anything from the store. This tasty treat makes an excellent gift or party offering as well. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon – your taste buds will thank you!