Our Best Smoky, Sizzling Bacon Recipes

Chef Kieron Hales of Cornman Farms in southeast Michigan makes a perfectly pink beef tenderloin that hearkens to his mum's Sunday roasts. Keep in mind, the bacon under the roast won't get crisp, but it will cook through and flavor both the beef and the sauce.

Turn a classic BLT into a main dish salad. The favorite combination of bacon, lettuce, and tomato are added to a mix of vegetables and toasted bread to make a delightful meal. Creamy mustard dressing makes the perfect topping.

Related: How to Cook Bacon Like a Pro

This simple side dish is a great recipe for spring and fall, when you can buy local radishes with gorgeous fresh greens attached (or pick your own!).

Orange juice concentrate brings out the sweet flavor while crumbled bacon adds a warm smokiness to this sweet potato side dish made in the slow cooker. Try with roasted pork loin or turkey breast.

This side dish is an autumn favorite at Iowa's Rapid Creek Cidery—and a great way to explore nutritious collard greens. The recipe takes a while, but most of the cooking is hands-free, leaving plenty of time to prepare pork chops or chicken.

Picky eaters in your family? Bacon-dressed beans will surely tempt them to eat their veggies.

Related: Fresh Green Bean Recipes

You say tomato, we say peach—at least, we do for this fantastic BLT-avocado toast hybrid. Eat it for breakfast, brunch or dinner!

These sweet and salty caramelized bites are so good, you may not even want to dip them. But be sure you do for a tangy, creamy finish.

Bacon is versatile and dependable, amping up most dishes. Our cheesy potato soup, for instance, just seems to call for salty-smoky crumbled bacon. So we stirred some in and sprinkled the rest on top.

Related: Family-Favorite Soups and Stews

Freshly shredded cheese works better than packaged shredded cheese in a cheese ball. Prepare the cheese mixture the night before so flavors have a chance to blend. Shape and roll in the crumbled bacon or pistachio nuts a few hours before serving.

Related: Easy Appetizer Recipes

You can find the bacon and cheese inside these hamburgers instead of on top. Adults and kids love these flavorful burgers. Serve them at your next outdoor gathering. 

Related: Take Your Burger to the Next Level

This twist on your classic potato soup uses rutabaga, a humble root veggie that has a deliciously sweet-nutty flavor.

Mix and match different kinds of beans and meat to suit your preferences. Our smoky-sweet baked beans will beat canned beans every time, especially at a potluck!

Give Brussels sprouts a fresh taste with this colorful side dish flavored with bacon and feta. The trick to preserving the sprouts' mild taste is to avoid overcooking. 

Related: Fresh Brussels Sprouts Recipes

Minneapolis chef Tracy Singleton combines summer's greatest hits—heirloom tomatoes, basil and sweet corn—in what she calls "a kitchen sink sandwich."

This pizza is topped with a totally mouth-watering combo of bacon, thin-sliced potatoes, sausage and a delectable garlic-rosemary butter. The recipe comes from Hidemi Walsh of Plainfield, Indiana.

This hearty breakfast recipe comes from Niman Ranch, which turns to Iowa for much of its pork. 

Crispy bacon, extra-creamy cheese sauce and pears sauteed in brown sugar and butter all come together for a decadent and delicious macaroni and cheese.

This five-ingredient appetizer recipe comes from the bacon pros at Nueske's meats in Wisconsin.

Salty bacon and Cajun seasoning liven up this veggie mixture for a hearty side.

Related: Best Roasted Vegetable Recipes

This crowd-pleasing party sandwich works on your schedule. You can prepare and bake it all at once for a party, or assemble the sandwiches the night before, and then bake them when your family or guests are ready to eat.