As promised last week when I shared these Chicken & Bacon Meatballs with you, here is one of my favorite kitchen tips! Bacon Kitchen Hacks are the best!
Are you ready?
Buy slab bacon in hunks to use anytime you want to include bacon (BACON!!) in a dish.
Years ago, when I had first heard of pork belly (via Top Chef) I was dying to get my hands on some. I mean it always looked so darn delicious and the judges usually raved about it...what was a poor hungry girl who loves to cook to do but look high and low for it. Alas...no belly was to be found!
I was however able to order it in appetizer form at an amazing local restaurant in New Hope PA called Marsha Brown's and it was even better that I imagined it to be....My mouth still waters at the very thought of that appetizer and my first brush with pork belly
One day, while waiting for my number to be called at the meat section of my local farmers market (before said deliciously glorious encounter with the belly)...an idea struck me while I watched one of the Amish women carry HUGE slabs of bacon over to the cutting machine to cut both the center cut and slab bacon cuts they sold.
I thought....I bet I can buy a hunk of THAT, grill it up and it will be delicious, just like pork belly!
Except I was wrong....THAT didn't turn out so well, blech!
BUT what did happen is this....Before I decided to grill that hunk up, I took a little here and there from it to use in a couple of things I made that week and it was then I thought "WHY have I never done this before??" "This is genius!" I mean a 1 pound hunk costs me about $7.30 which is way less than pancetta and I can use it in SO many things AND its always waiting for me in my fridge!
I now keep a hunk in my fridge at all times for whenever the urge, need or whatever you want to call it strikes, I cut some off...fry it up and ta-da bacon for a salad made super-fast and easy....bacon topping for an appetizer, the glorious addition of bacon to asparagus, kale, potatoes or whatever I decide to add it to...all I have to do is cut some off of my hunk and I have what I need (and I get to keep the bacon fat for other delicious uses).
My Amish friends at first thought I was a little cuckoo when I asked for it, now they are used to it and they like to remind me that I am the only one who asks for it that way, it amuses them I think. I have been telling them for a year or so, that I should write a post about it and maybe then they will be inundated with bacon hunk requests, lol! They are used to me and some of my unusual requests, I think they kinda like it! I have made some friends there and I enjoy asking questions about their culture(s) and they do the same with me.
Here are a few ways I use my secret-stash-hunk-o-bacon:
Cobb Salad with Bacon, Asparagus & Sriracha Ranch Dressing
Crispy Avocado Bacon & Tomato Salad
Kale & Bacon Stuffed Flank Steak
Cheddar Bacon & Spinach Pie
Sauteed Kale with Bacon
Jalapeno Popper & Bacon Dip
Mashed Potato Pie
Grilled Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon
Ok, I'll stop now (but you know I can keeeeeep going! BACON!!)! Bacon Kitchen Hacks are the best!!
bhoppe76 says
I like to make chicken Alfredo with bacon.
Andrea Troutman says
It's not original but I just love a BLT or bacon on a salad.
latanya t says
I make a bacon dish with bacon, corn, red onions over rice.
Jewel says
Cream cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped pork loin.
wendy mcbride says
BLT is my favorite.
Robin Chesser says
Bacon wrapped dates are my favorite bacon dish, I adore them.
Terri nana of 2 says
Your cheddar bacon spinach pie sounds so good! But I love bacon on everything !
FireRunner2379 says
Well, bacon makes everything better! My favorite dish with bacon is homemade Mac & Cheese. I've experimented with bacon in cookies and loved the result!
Anonymous says
bacon egg and cheese on homemade english muffin bread leutheb(at)msn dot com
Angie Hale says
My favorite bacon dish is when my dad makes red potatoes with bacon and red onion. Delicious!
ginabad says
I want to store a hunk of bacon now! It goes with everything and this is the one item my whole family gobbles up every time we cook it or add to a plate.
Allabunchofjs says
we like bacon on our pizza
Hilary B says
I love making bacon wrapped jalapeños!
Lexiquin says
My family loves my breakfast casserole and I wouldn't think of making baked beans without bacon!
Unknown says
Amy B says: You just can't beat a good BLT.
Jodi Greenberg says
I like putting bacon pieces on my roasted potatoes. Its like a loaded baked potato casserole, but the potatoes get crispy!
rachel jenkins says
I love jalapeño poppers 😀
peggy fedison says
i think its a great tip!!!! i love bacon in most anything! i cant think of my fav tho.. too many to choose from
Bethany says
I love having bacon on hand! I usually just fry up a couple extra pieces on the weekend and use them in something, but this is a great way to do it!
Susan P. says
I keep bacon in my freezer to have on hand. I'll have to get some pork belly! I had bacon wrapped filet mignon the other night and it was delicious.
Marilyn says
I think it's a great tip -- everyone should have a slab on bacon on hand for cooking.
Rusthawk says
I think I really like your idea of having'a-hunk handy ...and it is my intention to find one for myself very soon. My gumbo definitely benefits from a bit of bacon, as do my veggies.
wilma2389 says
My favorite recipe with bacon is sautéed chicken breasts spread with honey mustard, mushroom slices, some bacon slices & topped with shredded Swiss cheese then baked till cheese melts.
Anonymous says
Yummy!
Kris says
I think it's a great tip! I make a chicken salad with bacon! Yum
Amanda Sakovitz says
I love bacon in stuffed mushrooms!
lesleyana says
every recipe with bacon can always use more bacon and most recipes without bacon need bacon! haha
Anita Kennett says
This is a great tip,I have already shared.thanks so much.it really works.
Jenny Hartin says
Bacon mad and cheese.
zeke says
Bacon wrapped venison marinated in bbq sauce on a grill
Kelly Tupick says
My favorite bacon dish is scallops wrapped in bacon. We usually make it around the holidays and everyone looks forward to it.
carol clark says
bacon over hotpeppers filled with cheese i love it anything with bacon is a must i love bacon
Caitlyn says
I've never thought to buy a slab of bacon and cut it myself. I bet it tastes a lot better than the sliced/pre-packaged variety.
John Zukowski says
Bacon ice cream....... 🙂
DONNA CHEATLE says
I make a killer homemade macaroni and cheese with a parmesan and bacon crumble on the top......
Ken Ohl says
love a BLT sandwich. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net
Tricia Goodmama says
Bacon makes everything better! Yum! Pinning this.
Shecki Grtlyblesd says
My son just made me a sandwich today with bacon, salami, and turkey. Meat overload! LOL
Linda T says
Thats a great idea. I always like to have bacon on hand for my ceasar salads. Thats a good idea to buy it in a slab and cut it yourself. Problem with me is that you would need a sharp knife. Thank you for a chance to win. I am entered.
Anonymous says
I LOVE bacon, lettuce and tomato with mayo on toast......doesn't get much better than that.
ccmonty says
I make bacon candy, pork chops with bacon, apples and onions, and i've even baked a bacon apple pie.
Thomas Murphy says
Great tip, I can never have enough bacon!
rounder9834 @yahoo.com
BethElderton says
OMGoodness! Why have I not bought bacon by the hunk?! This may be a life changing tip. I like to add a little bacon to a lot of dishes. Some nights a very simple dinner is vegetables roasted then tossed with bacon bits.
Mary Beth Elderton
Unknown says
We love bacon wrapped duck with cream cheese and jalapeno on the grill!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com
C.Lloy says
My family loves when I make honey mustard chicken with cheese, mushroom and bacon. So delicious!! What a generous giveaway wow!!! I hope I win 🙂
Debbie Caraballo says
The hunk o' bacon is a great idea! I love bacon on a cheeseburger, with eggs and bisccuits, or just eat it by itself!
PeoplefoodforDogs says
What's not better with bacon? Just fry some bacon, put it over any veggie and you've got a meal - don't get better than that.
jlee says
I love classic carbonara! Simple and delicious!
crystalsg says
I love to make loaded potato soup and sprinkle shredded cheese and bacon on top. I fry bacon until it is crunchy and put it in the blender until it is almost a powder. This is so delicious.
Anita Duvall says
Well, being from the South (Arkansas) I'm really used to using big hunks of Bacon or Pork Belly and frying up just what I need. Next time you make a big pot of Home Made Vegetable Soup, throw some diced Bacon and Onion in the Pot and render it down a little (don't drain) then add whatever meat and vegetables you are using!!! Love the knife!
Traci McCormick says
I love bacon! Plain, with eggs, on bread with butter, blt's. On burgers, pizza.
lil_lady_dz says
My favorite bacon dish is Bacon mac and cheese. My mom makes the best! So good!
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
Where is my post?
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
My favorite bacon dish is the bacon hogie that is served at a small pizza place, in Silverton Ohio ( a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, called Italianette Pizza. Add a side of potato wedges with melted mozzarella cheese. Yummy.! The best. The hogie is a toasted 6 inch hogie bun piled high with bacon, lettuce and tomato don't forget the mayo.
Karen Martin says
My favorite bacon dish is Swiss chard (which we had last night, the greens fresh from my backyard garden!) generously flavored with small chunks of bacon.
Laura says
My favorite bacon dish is spaghetti carbanara!
Kyle Tucker says
Never thought to buy bacon in a slab, but I can think of plenty of uses for it over the pre-sliced. My favorite is bacon wrapped venison back strap on the grill. I've also been wanting to add this particular knife to our Cutco set at home for a while!
Nicki Cartin says
I love bacon on top of a loaded baked potato best.
Klydra Pugh says
My favorite bacon dish is BLT Mac and Cheese (the L is actually spinach).
Thanks for the chance.
Cylina Williams says
I love everything with bacon but nothing beats a good bacon cheesburger
Jennifer Hiles says
I discovered this BLT dip a couple years ago that my family just loves. It's pretty simple, cut up tomatoes, bacon sour cream and mayo I believe. It's awesome on crackers!
Michelle M says
I love making chicken bacon ranch pizza...NOT healthy, but a good splurge! 🙂
Karen Delaney says
Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich with lots of homemade mayo
Rose says
CONNIE SOWARDS commenting: Every once in a while we splurge and make Bacon wrapped Scallops...yum! 🙂
Ruth Griffeth says
What a gorgeous Chef's Knife. Mine is so old but I love it, I would love to have this one! I have very small hands so using a full Chef's Knife! I really love the handle too. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
Terri. says
I love to make stuffed chicken breast wrapped in bacon.
Michelle Klingen says
I make a spaghetti with bacon and tomato soup
tweetyscute says
I love bacon and asparagus
lilpinksocks says
I love bacon and green beans.
Deborah Coombs says
How could I not love this tip? Bacon makes everything better. When I was a teenager my favourite quick snack to make was a hotdog popped under the broiler with cheese and a slice of bacon on top. Yum. Now I add bacon crumble wherever I can. Grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta dishes, over top my turkey. It's all good!
Dawn Monroe says
Bacon is my absolute favorite. I especially love it on cheeseburgers and pizza. The weirdest way ive eaten it is sprinkled on a maple doughnut. It was good but not something I would eat everyday.
Billie Wilson says
I like bacon on my cheeseburgers! Also on my chicken sandwich.
Just Another HR Lady says
I will eat bacon on anything, but classic BLT is my fave!
Nichole Bentley says
I make a stromboli type dish with bacon, chicken, cream cheese and mozzarella cheese. Thank you!
rjcqh says
I love a great spinach salad with hot bacon dressing.
Robin Abrams says
Bacon egg and cheese on homemade bagel is our favorite
Leah Wall says
favorite bacon dish? so so difficult to narrow down! I do love green beans wrapped in bacon in the autumn - but pretty much anything with bacon is a win 🙂
Kayla Gilbert says
I love bacon in my english sandwich sandwich with cheese and an omelet.
Lilia Kharabora says
I am pregnant and now really want bacon. Ha! I like to make a stuffed mushroom dish with bacon! 🙂
Rachel says
My favorite bacon dish would have to be a bacon cheeseburger.
Mary B. (Nuts4Stuff) says
I love bacon in my lima bean chowder.
Sara S says
I like when my steak is wrapped in bacon! tasty 🙂
sara.drexler(at)mail.northcentral.edu
Wendy says
We like bacon and egg sandwiches... yep, for dinner!
Brenda Penton says
bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers.
Heather says
I love roasted brussel sprouts with bacon crumbles.
Aubin says
I LOVE bacon!
Brandi Swanson says
We wrap our thanksgiving turkey with bacon and it is phenomenal!
mark c says
I just love bacon, eggs, and toast, even as a meal, its just happy food for me.
Anonymous says
I love bacon on just about everything from salads to breakfast burritos.
heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com
Jillian T says
I love bacon in Chicken and Avocado BLTs.
Darren Parks says
I like a toasted half bagel in the morning with cream cheese on it and bacon on top. Really good.
James Coyne says
i love bacon cheeseburgers
Danielle jones says
I used to have a really good recipe that I found on a blog. It was for a bacon dip. It had cream cheese and I believe sour cream in it. It was really good but I have lost the recipe.
J. 76 says
Good tip! It makes more sense to pay less per ounce than for pre sliced bacon when you're just going to cut it up anyway. I forget you can buy chunks of bacon that way.
Thanks!
dawn keenan says
This is a great tip. It is true, bacon makes everything taste better. This looks like quite a time saver.
Jenny Scheldberg says
We love doing BLT wraps.
Kortney Lah says
Bacon MAC N CHEESE
john hutchens says
my favorite bacon dish is a BLT
Erika Chilton says
Thank you for the tip!
Sarah says
I loved the tip! I've been a vegetarian for years, but in my pre-vegetarian days I LOVED bacon in mac-n-cheese. And bacon wrapped around hot dogs. I still cook these things when other people want them 🙂
Katherine Riley says
I love bacon in any way, shape or form!!! I do like your tip for buying slab bacon to add a taste of bacon to a dish whenever you want.
Anonymous says
I like bacon wrapped shrimp!
Pustekuchen says
A deli I used to go to would grind up bacon ends into bacon-burger.
I loved cooking with that stuff.
amy banks says
I love bacon wrapped scallops. Thanks for the chance
aka midgeknows@rogers.com
Teresa Thompson says
My favorite using bacon is corn bread salad.
Jocelyn McGaffic says
Bacon makes EVERYTHING better!
Noelle says
Bacon and Zuchinni Quiche
Denise Falicki says
I like bacon to just be plain, crispy bacon! Would love to know how long a hunk would last in fridge after you open it! Would love to use it every day like this! Denise Fedor Falicki
Brittany Chadwick says
I love bacon wrapped filet mignon!
chileheaddave says
Bacon jalapeño mac and cheese
Victoria Burke says
I love the tips. I love putting bacon on my fried potatoes.
Mandi Aspling says
It's hard to choose just one since bacon goes well in so many dishes! I have to say a good bacon burger is just delicious! My husband makes an awesome hollandaise sauce and tops it over the bacon burger. The combination is so goooood.
Lisa Kosovitz says
I love crumbling bacon in salad w avocado tomatoes olives and cherry tomatoes
Anonymous says
Im still crazy about BLTs!!!
Anonymous says
Everything is better with bacon! Love the knife! LeAnn
Anonymous says
Love everything with bacon, sure could use a new knife!
Lisa Aliperti says
I love bacon in my green beans and we also like to wrap asparagus in bacon and grill it.
Megan Sutliff says
I love bacon on loaded baked potatoes!
Aimee Correa says
This sounds like the best tip I have heard in awhile considering how much bacon costs and we use it like yourself in so many things!
Janell wagner says
Blt
♥Heather Dawn♥ says
I like bacon wrapped asparagus.
Lauren Eggers says
bacon wrapped anything. Especially scallops
samdaleo says
My husband makes a crazy green bean and bacon dish with marsala wine and garlic as well. It is so yummy, I could eat it all day long.
Samantha (samdaleo)
jamesmadison1974@gmail.com
Tara says
I love bacon cheeseburgers!
April Hamelink says
I love this tip! A small amount of bacon goes such a long way. I also have serious knife envy...
Denise Wilson says
I love plain bacon by itself!
Jay says
We love making bacon mac & cheese!
commonsenseandstilettos@yahoo.com
Heather says
BLT sandwiches are my favorite!
cherdon says
My favorite is Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos with bacon
Jessica Whitehouse says
I add bacon to everything... Crumbled up in casseroles, wrapped around steaks or burgers, even dice into pasta dishes.
Anonymous says
BLT sandwiches with fresh tomatoes
Heather @ Girl Gone Mom says
I made this loaded potato pizza with bacon - it's da bomb!
Yana says
Would love to win Cutco Cutlery! Glad to see it here.
sarah says
Some of my favorite bacon dishes are crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon, with scrambled eggs, brown sugar glazed bacon and bacon & smoked gouda cauliflower mash
sarah says
ksarah26(at)aol(dot)com
Stefany T says
I love bacon wrapped asparagus. Well, honestly I love all things bacon!
Michele Cupp says
I love the idea of buying a slab and will consider doing that. I use bacon in so many dishes for that extra added flavor.
Sara Mudgett says
I love to get BLT pizza. It is soooo good!