Can You Really Marinate Bacon? The Surprising Answer and 7 Delicious Marinade Recipes

Bacon is already packed with flavor, so you may be wondering if you can take it up another notch by marinating it. The short answer is yes, you absolutely can marinate bacon! Marinating is an easy way to infuse bacon with new flavors and make it even more mouthwatering.

I was surprised to learn that marinating bacon is not only possible, but results in delicious flavor combinations that take this breakfast staple to the next level. While bacon is great on its own, experimenting with marinades opens up an endless world of possibilities. Trust me, once you try marinated bacon, you’ll never see it the same way again!

In this article, I’ll explain how marinating transforms the flavor of bacon and share my favorite marinade recipes to inspire your cooking Let’s dive in!

How Marinating Changes Bacon

Marinating is the process of soaking foods in a seasoned liquid before cooking. This allows the meat to absorb flavors from aromatics, spices, herbs, citrus, alcohol and more. For bacon, marinating achieves two main effects

1. Infuses bacon with new flavors

Just like chicken, steak or pork, laying bacon in a marinade imparts it with big, bold new flavors. The salty and smoky flavors we love bacon for serve as a perfect canvas to take on sweet, spicy and savory flavors through marinating.

2. Tenderizes the meat

Marinating slightly breaks down bacon’s proteins with an acid like citrus juice or vinegar, resulting in a more tender bite. This effect is especially noticeable when baking marinated bacon in the oven.

Marinating requires just a few simple steps but transforms basic bacon into a whole new experience. The possibilities are endless!

7 Sweet and Savory Bacon Marinade Recipes

Ready to marinate your bacon and see what all the hype is about? Here are 7 of my favorite marinade recipes to excite your taste buds:

1. Brown Sugar Bourbon

Sweet, smoky and woody flavors combine in this simple yet delicious bacon marinade.

Ingredients:

• 8 strips bacon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup bourbon

Instructions:

1. Combine brown sugar and bourbon in a sealable bag or baking dish.
2. Add bacon and turn to evenly coat.
3. Marinate for 30 mins up to overnight.
4. Bake or pan fry until crispy.

The brown sugar beautifully caramelizes when cooked, while the bourbon adds a sophisticated warmth.

2. Maple Glazed Bacon

For those with a sweet tooth, maple glazed bacon is unbeatably delicious. The rich maple flavor takes bacon to new levels of decadence.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound thick-cut bacon
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together syrup, brown sugar and cayenne.
2. Add bacon to a sealable plastic bag and pour in maple mixture.
3. Seal bag, removing excess air, and turn to coat bacon.
4. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, or up to overnight.
5. Bake bacon on a wire rack set over a baking sheet until crispy.
6. Brush with any leftover glaze and serve immediately.

The subtle heat from the cayenne perfectly cuts through the sweetness. This bacon pairs perfectly with waffles or pancakes for a next-level breakfast.

3. Sriracha Bacon

Spice lovers, this marinade is for you. The classic combination of salty, sweet and spicy makes sriracha bacon an absolute crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bacon, sliced into thirds
• 1/4 cup sriracha
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Whisk together all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
2. Add bacon and turn to coat thoroughly.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
4. Cook bacon according to package instructions.
5. Brush with leftover marinade for extra flavor.

The sriracha adds the perfect level of heat, while the honey lends sweetness to balance it out. Serve on burgers or in sandwiches for a spicy crunch.

4. Hoisin and Five Spice Bacon

For rich, complex flavors, try this Asian-inspired marinade. The blend of hoisin, five spice and sesame oil is unmatched.

Ingredients:

• 12 strips bacon
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 2 minced garlic cloves

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients and whisk well.
2. Add bacon and turn to coat evenly.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
4. Cook bacon according to package directions until crispy.

The hoisin sauce lends sweet and salty flavors, while the blend of spices add intrigue. It’s delicious served over fried rice or a fresh salad.

5. Brown Sugar and Chili Bacon

For a marinade with a bit of heat, try this brown sugar and chili combo. The balance of sweet and spicy is sure to wake up your tastebuds.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound thick cut bacon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well to form a paste.
2. Add bacon strips and coat thoroughly.
3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 4 hours.
4. Bake in oven until crispy and caramelized.

The brown sugar caramelizes beautifully when cooked, while the blend of spices pack some heat. Wake up to this bacon on a weekend morning!

6. Coffee Bacon

For you coffee lovers out there, infusing bacon with coffee might just change your life. It adds subtle bitterness that perfectly balances the saltiness.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bacon, sliced in half
• 1/4 cup brewed coffee
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Whisk together coffee, brown sugar and cinnamon.
2. Add bacon and flip to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
4. Cook bacon until desired crispiness is reached.

The rich coffee flavor shines through with notes of sweetness from the brown sugar. It’s especially delicious paired with eggs, waffles or pancakes.

7. Ginger Beer Bacon

Similar to a ginger marinade, the spicy zip of ginger beer makes bacon pop with flavor. For an extra kick, use ginger ale instead.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bacon
• 12 oz ginger beer

Instructions:

1. Add bacon to a sealable plastic bag.
2. Pour in ginger beer, remove excess air and seal.
3. Marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, or overnight.
4. Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy.

The carbonation helps the ginger flavor permeate the meat. Enjoy this bacon on burgers or in loaded baked potatoes.

Marinating Bacon Tips

Now that your mouth is watering for marinated bacon, here are some tips to ensure bacon perfection:

• Choose bacon slices between 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick to maximize marinade absorption. Thinner bacon becomes too crispy when cooked.

• Opt for slab bacon rather than pre-packaged strips to have more surface area for marinade contact.

• Marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, but ideally 1-2 hours for best flavor infusion.

• Plastic bags or glass baking dishes work best for marinating. Turn the bacon occasionally to soak evenly.

• Bake marinated bacon in the oven on a wire rack for crispy edges without sitting in grease.

• If pan-frying, cook over medium to medium-low heat to prevent burning before the interior cooks through.

With these simple tips, you’ll be ready to unlock a whole new world of bacon possibilities! The only limit is your imagination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marinated Bacon

If you’re new to marinating bacon, chances are you have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common FAQs:

Can you marinate bacon before freezing it?

Yes, marinating bacon before freezing is an easy way to meal prep! The marinade will keep the bacon moist. Just thaw in the fridge before cooking.

What’s the best marinade ingredient for bacon?

Sweet flavors like brown sugar, honey and maple make excellent marinades to complement bacon’s saltiness. Spices like chili powder, cayenne and five spice also add exciting flavor.

How long does marinated bacon last in the fridge?

Properly stored, marinated bacon lasts 3-5 days refrigerated. Keep marinated bacon in an airtight container to maximize freshness.

Can you marinate bacon in orange juice?

Absolutely! Citrus juices like orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit all make excellent marinades. The acid tenderizes while the fruit flavor balances the saltiness.

Can you marinate uncured bacon?

You sure can! Uncured bacon contains less sodium, allowing its natural pork flavor to shine when marinated. Adjust marinade strength accordingly.

Satisfy Your Bacon Craving

Bacon lovers, rejoice! Marinating bacon opens up a whole new world of flavor possibilities to enjoy. From sweet to spicy and everywhere in between, you can customize bacon to match any taste or meal.