Bacon — the word itself brings a smile to the face and a hungry rumble to the stomach. This versatile, crispy delight has long been a staple in breakfast menus and sandwiches, but today’s culinary trends are pushing bacon beyond the boundaries of the frying pan.
For restaurant owners looking to elevate their offerings and surprise diners, incorporating bacon in non-traditional ways is a surefire strategy to create buzz and delight taste buds. Let’s dive into some playful and innovative uses of bacon that will make your menu sizzle.
Bacon Beverages
The smoky, savory notes of bacon can add an unexpected twist to your drink menu. The Bacon Bloody Mary is a brunch-time favorite, garnished with a crispy strip of bacon that can double as a stirrer. For an evening cocktail, consider a Bacon Bourbon Old Fashioned, where bacon-washed bourbon lends a rich, smoky depth to this classic cocktail.
Don’t stop there — bacon can also make its way into non-alcoholic drinks. A maple bacon milkshake offers a delightful blend of sweet and salty, with crumbled bacon adding a crunchy surprise in every sip.
Sweet & Smoky
Bacon’s salty goodness pairs remarkably well with sweet flavors, making it an exciting addition to your dessert menu. Bacon-wrapped dates, caramelized with a touch of brown sugar, provide a perfect blend of sweet and savory. But why stop there? Consider wrapping pineapple or peach slices with bacon then grill for a smoky, sweet, and juicy addition to ice cream or cake.
Bacon can also be incorporated into baked goods; imagine the delight of biting into a chocolate bacon cupcake, where the smoky, salty bits of bacon elevate the rich chocolate flavor. Another trend is bacon brittle — a sweet, crunchy treat that combines caramelized sugar and crispy bacon bits, perfect as a garnish for ice cream or as a standalone snack.
Flavor Enhancer
Bacon’s intense, smoky flavor makes it an excellent seasoning. Bacon jam is a trendy condiment that can be spread on everything from burgers to toast, adding a sweet and smoky kick. Bacon fat, often discarded, is liquid gold in the kitchen — use it to sauté vegetables, roast potatoes, or even pop popcorn for an unforgettable treat. Bacon salt, a blend of finely ground cooked bacon and sea salt, can be sprinkled on fries, eggs, or even the rim of a cocktail glass for a smoky finish.
Embrace the Trends
Incorporating bacon in creative ways taps into several current culinary trends. The push towards comfort food with a twist, the fascination with umami flavors, and the ongoing love affair with all things smoky and savory are all perfectly aligned with innovative bacon dishes.
Ridgecrest® offers bacon sliced from fully trimmed pork bellies for consistent slices that offer a delicate blend of smoke, sugar, and salt, creating premium flavor. With packaging that offers freshness and ease, Ridgecrest Bacon allows versatile applications with labor-saving benefits. This versatility means it can be featured in everything from casual settings to upscale gourmet experiences, making it a flexible ingredient for any type of ambience.
By thinking outside the frying pan and exploring these non-traditional uses of bacon, you can add excitement to your menu and keep your diners coming back for more. So, roll up your sleeves, grab that bacon, and let your culinary creativity sizzle!
