Get you some bacon and make this Candied Bacon. That’s an order.

I’m funny when it comes to discovering a favorite food. Every once in a while I’ll encounter a new favorite at a restaurant and know that I must—MUST I tell ya—recreate it at home so I can have it any time I want. But then I don’t. I dawdle. I avoid. I make excuses. The extra calories aren’t necessary, because if I make it then I’ll certainly eat most of it, and my thighs taunt me, so salad it is. Then finally—like after five years—I get around to making it. Like this Grilled Candied Bacon for example. The first bite hit me like a sugar coated Mack truck that many years ago at Grits and Groceries. I knew it was something that I needed to have as a regular part of my life, but then the bacon craze hit, and since I’m averse to going with the normal course of crazes, except for yoga pants, because yoga pants are always in vogue, and of course, necessary, I made things like chili, and pot pie, and baked potatoes. No, not much in the way of bacon.

easy candied bacon

That is until a couple of weeks ago when I realized it was okay to explore the bacon and all that it embodied, especially when smothered with brown sugar and a bit of black pepper. And man, it was good. Great even. So we made it again. And then again. Thrice. Ya know, to make up for those five years, and such. So now here we are. Candied Bacon done our way. On the grill. Easy peasy. Bacon+brown sugar+black pepper+a grill (or oven). Goodness abounds, y’all. It does. In bacon form.

brown sugar pepper baconbrown sugar bacon recipe

Enjoy. I mean, how could you not?

A few candied bacon notes:

  • When possible try to use thick cut bacon. I like it. I do. Try it.
  • The recipe below is written a bit nontraditional, but I wanted you to be able to easily cook the amount of bacon you’d like to. Maybe you’re up for cooking a whole pound (or three), or maybe just few slices for topping a salad?
  • Also, use the ingredient measurements as a guide. If you like things sweet add more sugar, or if spicy foods get you going, add more pepper, or vice versa.
  • If cooking in an oven, use a baking rack. The point is for the bacon to not sit in the grease. That’s kind of yucky. But save the grease for another recipe. That’s not yucky at all.

easy brown sugar bacon

Grilled Candied Bacon Recipe

easy candied bacon

Grilled Candied Bacon Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

bacon+brown sugar+black pepper=goodness

Ingredients

  • bacon, sliced (thick cut works great!)
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar/slice of bacon
  • a few pinches of ground black pepper/slice of bacon

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill/smoker or oven to 375-degrees F.
  2. Sprinkle brown sugar and pepper on both sides of each bacon, gently pressing if needed.
  3. Gently place bacon on grill grate or baking rack* with baking sheet/pan beneath to catch grease. Cook about 7 minutes each side, until crispy but not burnt. (Turn over carefully to keep all goodness on.)

Notes

*If cooking in an oven and you don't have a baking rack, you use a broiler pan. Grease needs to be able to drain off as much as possible.

This recipe is written to be able to cook as much or as little bacon as you'd like. Use the ingredient measurements as a guide. If you like things sweet add more sugar, or if spicy foods get you going, add more pepper, or vice versa.

Did you make this recipe?

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