We’ve all been there – you’re cooking up a tasty batch of bacon for breakfast but get distracted and next thing you know, you’ve got a pan full of burned, blackened bacon. It’s easy to get frustrated when your perfectly crispy bacon goes too far, but don’t toss that burnt bacon just yet! With a little creativity, you can transform that charred bacon into something delicious. This article will explore several genius ways to repurpose burnt bacon so it doesn’t go to waste.
Understanding Burnt Bacon
Before diving into what to do with burnt bacon, it’s helpful to understand exactly what’s happening when bacon burns. Bacon is cured and smoked pork belly that contains high amounts of fat and protein. When cooking bacon, the fat renders out, browns and crisps up. However, if cooked too long at too high of heat, the sugars in the bacon can caramelize and eventually burn, giving bacon an acrid, bitter taste.
While burnt bacon may not look super appealing there are still ways to work with it. The crisp charred bits can provide texture, and the smoky, deep flavors can enhance other ingredients. So don’t be afraid to get creative with that blackened bacon!
Repurposing Burnt Bacon into Delicious Dishes
Here are 5 genius ways to transform burnt bacon into something amazing:
1. Make Burnt Bacon Oil
Render out the fat from burnt bacon pieces to make a delicious burnt bacon oil Place the crispy bacon bits into a pan and cook over low heat until the oil starts releasing Strain out any browned solids. Use the smoked oil to drizzle over vegetables, eggs, pasta, or anywhere you want deep, bacon-y flavor. The burnt oil has an almost nutty, roasted taste.
2. Toss It Into Salads
Crumble up charred bacon bits and sprinkle them over salads for a smoky crunch. From spinach to potato salad, the crispy burnt bacon makes a great topping, adding salty richness and texture. The darkened bits look visually appealing contrasted with bright greens or other ingredients.
3. Bake It Into Bread
Bacon bread rolls are a perfect way to use up burnt bacon. To make burnt bacon bread, mix crispy bacon crumbles into the dough before baking. The fat from the bacon keeps the bread nice and moist. The crunchy burnt bacon baked into the rolls adds delightful flavor.
4. Make Burnt Bacon Jam
Caramelize onions slowly with brown sugar, cider vinegar, and spices. Toss in crumbled up burnt bacon and cook down into a sweet-savory jam. Spread the bacon onion jam over crackers, sandwiches, or cheese boards. The rich, smoky jam is deeply addictive.
5. Use as a Seasoning
Burnt bacon bits make a fantastic seasoning to liven up dishes. Sprinkle them over pizza, pasta, baked potatoes, omelets, mac and cheese, soups, vegetables, etc. The crispy bacon adds salty, smoky bacon flavor to anything. Keep a jar handy in the fridge.
Other Clever Uses for Burnt Bacon
Beyond these recipes, there are endless possibilities for burnt bacon. Here are a few more ideas:
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Crumble into biscuits, scones, pancakes or waffles for a hearty crunch
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Fold into omelets or frittatas
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Skewer onto kebabs alternating with veggies and fruits
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Mix into burger patties or meatballs
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Top macaroni and cheese casseroles
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Garnish Bloody Mary cocktails
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Pickle into bacon jam with vinegar, spices and sweetener
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Mix with mayo or cream cheese for a bacon spread
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Use as croutons for soups or salads
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Make candied bacon brittle with brown sugar glaze
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Infuse into vodka or bourbon for a smoky bacon cocktail
Tips For Avoiding Burnt Bacon
While burnt bacon can be repurposed deliciously, you may want to avoid burning it in the first place. Here are some useful tips:
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Use thick-cut bacon, which is less likely to burn quickly
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Cook on medium to medium-low heat
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Use a bacon press to help heat evenly
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Bake bacon in the oven on a rack or lined sheet pan
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Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding
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Frequently check and flip bacon while cooking
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Adjust heat as needed to prevent over-crisping
So next time you end up with a batch of burnt bacon, don’t despair! With a dash of imagination, you can transform burnt bacon from an undesirable mistake into a delicious, smoky ingredient. Bacon jam, baked goods, salad toppings, seasoned oils, and more – the possibilities are endless. Salvage and repurpose that bacon, and your kitchen creativity will be rewarded with deep, rich flavors.
Salty, sweet, smokey, bacon-y… this burnt onion & bacon jam may just be the condiment of your dreams.
I’m telling you right now, strongly consider doubling this recipe. Make it three times as big! You’ll eat the whole jar by yourself, and then your friends will want some too. In fact, they may demand this jam accompany you anytime you see them. Yes, bacon jam is that good.
This jam can be used for almost anything because it is smokey, sweet, mildly spicy, and full of meaty, umami goodness. Obviously, eating it straight on a spoon goes without saying. You can add it to steak and toast to make it taste better.
At least in theory, you don’t have to char the onion over charcoal, but if you don’t, the flavor will be less complex. Also, it pretty much pre-cooks the onions and speeds up the whole process. The other key step is to keep cooking the bacon until it’s totally crisp. Stick with it, it’ll happen, because no one wants weird gummy bits of meat in their jam.
Recipe after the pics.
Bacon Burnt Ends | HowToBBQRight
What can you do with burnt Bacon?
You can sprinkle it on salads, soups, or even use it as a topping for baked potatoes. Burnt Bacon Jam: Simmer burnt bacon bits with onions, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices to create a sweet, tangy, and smoky jam that’s perfect for spreading on sandwiches or serving with cheese.
What to eat with smoked bacon burnt ends?
However, if you are looking to serve them as part of a meal you could do that too. Cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, grilled corn, and potato salad are all great side dishes to go along with smoked bacon burnt ends.
Can you eat burnt Bacon?
While burnt bacon may not be the healthiest option due to potential formation of carcinogens, enjoying it in moderation is perfectly fine. Just be mindful of the level of burn and consume it as part of a balanced diet. Can I use burnt bacon in salads? Yes, burnt bacon can add a smoky and crispy texture to salads.
What is burnt Bacon?
Burnt bacon is simply bacon that has been cooked for too long or at too high a temperature, resulting in a crispy and sometimes charred texture. While burnt bacon may not be visually appealing, it can offer a unique flavor profile that can elevate your dishes to a whole new level. The Process of Making Bacon and How it Gets Burnt:
Can You reheat Bacon burnt ends?
You can reheat your bacon burnt ends by placing them in tin foil and reheating them in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes. If you put bbq sauce on your burnt ends when cooking them, make sure that you spray the aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray before you reheat them.
How do you store burnt Bacon?
Simply allow the burnt bacon to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to a week. You can sprinkle it on salads, soups, or even use it as a topping for baked potatoes.