We’ve all been there – you’re cooking up a tasty batch of bacon for breakfast and get distracted, only to find it blackened and overdone. While burnt bacon may seem inedible, don’t toss it out just yet! With some creativity you can transform those charred strips into something delicious.
This article will provide 12 recipes to salvage burnt bacon and make the most of the smoky flavor. From quick fixes like crumbling on salads to more involved dishes like bacon jam, there are plenty of ways to avoid wasting food and still enjoy tasty results.
How To Tell If Bacon Is Burnt
It’s important to first understand the stages of burnt bacon:
-
Lightly charred – Some blackened spots but still pliable. Good for crumbling.
-
Well-done – Very stiff and brittle but not yet fully blackened. Can be chopped.
-
Burnt – Fully blackened and bitter tasting Best for flavoring applications
-
Inedible – Bacon crumbles into ash when handled. Cannot be salvaged.
Bacon that is lightly charred or well-done can still be enjoyed when used properly. Truly burnt bacon imparts nice smoky notes in small amounts. Know the stage of burn to pick the best cooking method.
Best Uses For Burnt Bacon
Here are some of the best ways to use up bacon in various stages of overdoneness:
-
Crumble lightly charred bacon over salads, baked potatoes, and entrees.Provides smoky crunch.
-
Chop well-done bacon and add to mac and cheese, beans, soups. Still has nice texture.
-
Use small bits of burnt bacon for flavoring in vinaigrettes, compound butters, baked goods.
-
Avoid eating truly burnt bacon pieces. Best only for flavoring stocks and dog treats (in moderation).
With the right technique, even burned bacon can be transformed into something tasty. Now let’s look at 12 clever recipes.
1. Bacon Crumbled Hash Browns
Crisp up leftover baked potatoes into hash browns, then top with crumbled bacon that’s lightly charred. The smoky flavor takes ordinary hash browns to the next level.
2. Bacon Fat Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Chop charred bacon into bits. Render in a pan to release the fat. Toss halved brussel sprouts in the rendered bacon fat and roast until caramelized.
3. Burnt Bacon Vinaigrette
Charred bacon adds bold flavor to vinaigrettes. Crumble burnt bits and steep in vinegar overnight to infuse. Strain and combine with oil, mustard, and herbs.
4. Bacon Jam
Cook down chopped bacon with brown sugar, spices, vinegar, and coffee. The long cooking turns even burnt bacon into a richly caramelized jam perfect for spreading.
5. Bacon Fat Popcorn
Pop plain popcorn on the stovetop then toss with bacon fat rendered from burnt bacon. Sprinkle with smoked paprika and Parmesan cheese for flavor.
6. Bacon and Beer Chili
Add crumbled bacon and beer to a pot of beef chili. The smokiness enhances all the rich flavors. Top bowl with more chopped bacon.
7. Bacon Fat Fried Rice
Use rendered bacon fat instead of oil to fry up rice, eggs, peas, and other veggies. Toss in crumbled bacon bits for extra flavor.
8. Bacon Caeser Salad Dressing
Blend crumbled bacon into traditional Caesar dressing for a smoky twist. Goes perfectly on crisp romaine lettuce with Parmesan cheese.
9. Bacon Cornbread
Mix crumbled bacon into the batter before baking cornbread in a cast iron skillet or muffin pan. Savory bacon pairs great with sweet cornbread.
10. Bacon Beans and Greens
Simmer burnt bacon pieces in beans and collard greens. The smoky pork flavor permeates the pot likker broth. Serve with corn bread.
11. Bacon Bourbon Cocktail
Muddle burnt bacon bits with maple syrup and bourbon for a smoky, sweet cocktail. Garnish with extra bacon.
12. Bacon Butter
Blend burnt bacon pieces into softened butter. Spread on biscuits, cornbread, potatoes, waffles – anything that could use bacon flavor!
With a little creativity, even burnt bacon can be transformed into something new. So next time you char it, view it as an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen!
Tips For Avoiding Burnt Bacon
-
Use medium heat and preheat pans before adding bacon.
-
Set a timer and frequently check and flip bacon while cooking.
-
Arrange bacon in a single layer with space between strips.
-
Pour off excess bacon grease as it renders out.
-
Cook thick-cut bacon a little longer at lower heat.
-
Bake bacon at 400°F for even cooking without constant monitoring.
FAQs About Burnt Bacon
Is it safe to eat burnt bacon?
Bacon that is lightly charred or well-done can still be enjoyed. Truly burnt bacon can be used in small amounts to add flavor. Avoid eating coal-like bacon that’s inedible.
How can you soften burnt bacon?
Soaking burnt bacon strips in water for 10-15 minutes helps rehydrate them and makes them more pliable for crumbling over dishes. Pat dry before using.
Why does bacon burn so easily?
The high fat content in bacon causes it to cook quickly and burn faster than other meats. The sugar content also can caramelize and char. Pay close attention when cooking.
Can you save bacon burnt to a crisp?
Bacon burnt into a hard, crisp char can still be crumbled into small bits and used to add smoky flavor to recipes in moderation. It loses its appeal for eating straight.
Is it OK to eat bacon with black spots?
Lightly charred bacon with some black spots is perfectly fine to eat in moderation. The black carbonized areas impart extra smokiness. Just trim off any truly burnt sections.
What cuisine uses burnt bacon?
Cajun and Southern cuisines often incorporate burnt bacon or “gratons” as flavoring. The smoky flavor pairs well with beans, greens, stews and rice.
Does burnt bacon taste good?
While burnt bacon itself is unappealing, it adds nice smoky, bittersweet notes to balance flavors in recipes. Small amounts of char enhance foods without tasting burnt.
Can dogs eat burnt bacon?
Lightly charred bacon is fine for dogs in moderation. Avoid feeding truly burnt or inedible bacon, which could cause gastrointestinal upset. Stick to small burned bits.
Final Thoughts
-
Don’t waste burnt bacon – get creative transforming it into something new!
-
Add burnt bacon flavors to salads, baked goods, dressings, butter and more.
-
Focus on crumbling and chopping to incorporate into recipes.
-
Even mistakes in the kitchen can be delicious if you get clever with recipes.
With the right techniques, burnt bacon can become a pleasantly smoky addition rather than an inedible mess. So next time you burn those bacon strips, see it as an opportunity to try new flavors. Waste not, want not!
