We love to cook up a batch (or two) of bacon in advance and keep it in a ziplock, ready to add to our favorite dishes throughout the holiday season.
Having crispy, crumbled bacon on hand makes it easy to top your meals with that perfect savory touch.
Here are some fun and festive ways to use crumbled bacon to bring delicious flavor to appetizers, sides, breakfast, and even main dishes during your holiday celebrations!
Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
Stuff dates with goat cheese, wrap them in bacon, and bake until crispy. Finish with crumbled bacon on top for extra crunch.
Bacon Deviled Eggs
Elevate classic deviled eggs by mixing crumbled bacon into the yolk filling and sprinkling more on top. Add a touch of paprika for color.
Spinach and Bacon Dip
A creamy spinach dip made with cream cheese, spinach and and finished with crumbled bacon. Serve with bread or crackers for a fun appetizer.
Sides:
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Stir crumbled bacon into mashed potatoes along with shredded cheddar, sour cream, and green onions for a loaded potato dish that feels extra special.
Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Roast Brussels sprouts with olive oil and garlic, then toss them with crumbled bacon before serving. The crispy bacon adds a delicious contrast to the tender sprouts.
Bacon Cornbread Stuffing
Upgrade your holiday stuffing by mixing crumbled bacon into cornbread-based stuffing along with herbs, onions, and celery. The bacon adds rich flavor to every bite.
Breakfast:
Bacon Breakfast Casserole
Layer crumbled bacon, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, and cubed bread in a baking dish for an easy, make-ahead breakfast casserole.
Bacon and Sweet Potato Hash
Fry diced sweet potatoes until tender, then mix in crumbled bacon, caramelized onions, and a pinch of rosemary. Serve with eggs for a hearty breakfast.
Main Dishes:
Bacon Mac and Cheese
Stir crumbled bacon into rich, creamy mac and cheese for a holiday favorite with extra indulgence. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until golden.
Bacon and Apple-Stuffed Turkey Breast
Butterfly a turkey breast and stuff it with a mixture of crumbled bacon, sautéed apples, breadcrumbs, and fresh herbs before roasting for a unique holiday main course.
Desserts:
Bacon Chocolate Bark
For an unexpected sweet-and-salty treat, mix crumbled bacon into melted chocolate, then spread it on parchment paper and sprinkle sea salt on top. Break into pieces after cooling.
Bacon Maple Cupcakes
Add crumbled bacon into maple-flavored cupcake batter and top the finished cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and more bacon crumbles for a decadent dessert.
Drinks:
Bacon Bloody Marys
Garnish a Bloody Mary with a strip of bacon and a sprinkle of crumbled bacon on top for a bold and flavorful cocktail at holiday brunches.