Bacon and onions are two ingredients that just seem made for each other. The smoky salty flavor of bacon pairs perfectly with the sweet, aromatic quality of onions. It’s no wonder this duo is used in everything from dips and appetizers to main dishes and side dishes.
But can you actually cook bacon and onions together? Or does it create cooking challenges that are best avoided?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely cook bacon and onions together. But there are some tips and tricks to doing it right, so you end up with properly cooked bacon and softened, browned onions instead of a burnt, smokey mess.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking bacon and onions together, including:
- The benefits of cooking them together
- Challenges to watch out for
- How to cook them properly
- Tips for maximizing flavor
- Recipe ideas to try
Why Cook Bacon and Onions Together?
Cooking bacon and onions together offers several advantages:
Saves time. Rather than cooking your bacon first, then sautéing the onions in a separate step, doing them together streamlines the process. The onions can cook at the same time as the bacon renders its fat.
Adds flavor. Cooking the onions in bacon fat adds incredible depth, sweetness, and complexity. The onions soak up that smoky pork flavor.
Makes tasty browned bits. Those tasty little browned bits that stick to the bottom of the pan after cooking bacon are even better with onions in the mix. They add flavor to anything made afterward in the same pan.
Uses less dishes. Cooking together means there’s only one pan to wash instead of two separate skillets for bacon and onions. Less cleanup is always a win.
Maximizes efficiency. Taking advantage of the hot bacon fat already in the pan to start cooking your onions right away helps maximize efficiency in the kitchen.
So cooking bacon and onions together can save time, dishes, and effort while also boosting the flavor. But there are some potential pitfalls to watch out for.
Challenges of Cooking Bacon and Onions Together
While cooking bacon and onions together can be delicious, there are a few challenges to keep in mind:
Splattering fat. Bacon fat splatters a lot when cooking. Adding onions increases splatter even more.
Uneven cooking. The bacon may finish crisping before the onions have softened and browned sufficiently.
Burning. It’s easy for the onions to burn if the bacon doesn’t render its fat quickly enough. The sugars in the onions brown very quickly.
Smoke. A lot of bacon in a hot pan can make your kitchen very smokey very quickly. Consider turning on your vent fan.
Sticking. Onions are prone to sticking to the pan, so you have to stir frequently and be careful when scraping up any browned bits.
Overcrowding. Too many onions can steam instead of sautéing properly in the bacon fat if the pan is overcrowded.
Fat splashing out. Excess bacon grease can splash out of the pan if you’re not careful when flipping and stirring.
With these potential pitfalls in mind, let’s go over how to cook bacon and onions together successfully.
How to Cook Bacon and Onions Together Perfectly
Cooking bacon and onions together takes a little care, but it’s easy once you know the techniques. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Choose the Right Pan
Opt for a wide skillet or sauté pan rather than a narrow one. You want plenty of room for the bacon to lie flat and the onions to cook evenly without overcrowding.
Stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic nonstick, or black steel pans all work well. Avoid aluminum, which can react with the onions.
2. Start with a Cold Pan
Add the bacon slices to a cold, dry pan in a single layer without overlapping. This allows the fat to render slowly as the pan heats up.
If you start with a hot pan, the bacon will get crispy before releasing its fat to cook the onions.
3. Cook Over Medium-Low Heat
Set the pan over medium-low heat. This gentle heat will steadily render the bacon fat without burning it.
4. Flip the Bacon
Once the bacon begins sizzling and the fat starts rendering, flip the bacon over. This helps it cook evenly on both sides.
5. Add the Onion
After a couple minutes, when the bacon is about half cooked, add the diced onion to the pan.
Stir to coat the onion in the rendered bacon fat. This will flavor the onion and prevent burning.
6. Stir Frequently
Frequently stir the onion and turn the bacon to prevent sticking and uneven cooking. This also helps the onion soften evenly.
7. Adjust the Heat as Needed
If the onion seems to be browning too quickly, reduce the heat. If it’s cooking too slowly, increase the heat slightly.
8. Cook Until Desired Doneness
Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is as crispy as you want and the onion is softened and lightly browned.
9. Remove Excess Grease
Before serving, you can spoon out some of the excess bacon grease if desired. Leaving a little in the pan will keep the onion flavorful.
And that’s it! With these tips, you’ll get perfectly cooked, flavor-packed bacon and onions every time.
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Beyond the basic method, there are some easy ways to maximize the flavor of your bacon and onions:
-
Use thick-cut bacon. Thicker slices will yield more rendered fat for cooking the onions.
-
Try different bacon types. Applewood smoked or maple bacon add sweet, smoky depth.
-
Brown the bacon more. Letting it get crispy and browned adds more deep, roasted flavors.
-
Cook low and slow. Gently cooking over medium-low heat leads to the most even rendering and best texture.
-
Cook down the onions. Letting them caramelize longer intensifies their sweetness.
-
Deglaze the pan. After cooking, deglaze the browned bits on the pan bottom with a splash of vinegar or wine.
-
Add fresh herbs. Stir in some chopped fresh parsley, chives, oregano, or basil right before serving.
-
Toss with pasta. The hot bacon-onion mixture makes a perfect topping for pasta. The starch clings to the flavored fat.
-
Finish with cheese. Adding some grated Parmesan or crumbled goat cheese when serving kicks up the richness.
Bacon and Onion Recipe Ideas
Bacon and onions team up deliciously in all kinds of recipes. Here are some great ways to use them:
Salads and Starters
- Bacon onion dip – Sour cream, caramelized onions, crumbled bacon. Serve with chips or fresh veggies.
- Bacon and onion potato skins – Hollowed out potato halves filled with the onion and bacon mixture.
- Bacon and onion quiche – With custard and cheese baked in a pie crust.
- Bacon onion rings – Onion rings dredged in bacon fat before breading and frying.
Main Dishes
- Bacon onion pizza – Crisp bacon, caramelized onions, and mozzarella cheese atop a pizza crust.
- Pasta carbonara – Toss hot cooked pasta with bacon, caramelized onions, Parmesan, eggs, and black pepper.
- Bacon onion frittata – A fluffy egg dish with the bacon onion mixture stirred in.
- Bacon and onion sandwiches – Layer cooked bacon and onions with cheese on bread or a bun.
Soups and Stews
- French onion soup – The classic recipe topped with a bacon onion mixture and toast.
- Potato bacon chowder – Diced potatoes simmered in a creamy base with bacon and onions.
- Bacon and onion chili – Hearty chili loaded with ground beef and the bacon onion mix.
Vegetable Sides
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and onions – Toss halved sprouts with oil and top with the mixture.
- Glazed carrots with bacon and onion – Boiled carrots glazed in a brown sugar and bacon onion sauce.
- Bacon onion green beans – Green beans sautéed with cooked bacon and onions.
Breakfast Sides
- Bacon onion home fries – Pan fried potatoes mixed with bacon and onions.
- Bacon roasted onion hash – Onions caramelized in bacon fat with shredded potatoes.
- Creamed spinach with bacon – Leaf spinach in a creamy Parmesan sauce topped with bacon onion mix.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when cooking with bacon and onions! Just keep in mind the tips above, and you’ll have delicious, flavorful results every time. This classic duo is the perfect way to add smoky, savory depth and sweet, aromatic flavor to all kinds of dishes.
Liver, Onions & Bacon is the greatest flavour combo
FAQ
Can you cook bacon and onions at the same time?
Do you cook onions or bacon first?
Can you saute onions with bacon?
Can you cook onions in same pan as meat?
How do you make a sate with bacon?
You just have to be a little patient. Beat: Beat the eggs, cream, parmesan, parsley, salt, and red pepper together in a bowl. Fry: Fry the bacon until crisp, then crumble and set aside. Saúte: With 1 -2 Tablespoons of bacon grease, sauté the onion and the mushrooms until the onions are translucent and golden.
How long do you cook bacon & onions in the oven?
When the bacon and onions have had their 20 to 25 minutes, remove the sheet pan from the oven and stir in the garlic, red-pepper flakes, herbes de Provence and vermouth. Place the pan back in the oven and continue cooking until the vermouth is almost evaporated, and the bacon and onions look jammy and caramelized but not burnt, 5 to 10 minutes.
How long do you cook bacon in a crock pot?
Gather all ingredients. Place bacon in a large stockpot and cook over medium-high heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion caramelizes, about 10 minutes. Immediately stir in cabbage and continue to cook and stir another 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
How do you cook onions in a frying pan?
Set the coals on the lowest level possible. You want onions to be cooked slowly to be caramelized. Cook bacon first until just starting to crisp before adding onions. Mix onions with salt and sugar first, before adding to the cooking pan.