6 Clever Hacks to Rescue and Restore Burnt Bacon

We’ve all been there – you’re happily frying up some delicious bacon for breakfast, only to get distracted and return to a pan full of blackened, burnt slices. It’s such a bummer when perfectly good bacon goes bad. But before you toss those charred strips in the trash, stop! Don’t give up just yet, because burnt bacon can be fixed.

With a few simple tricks up your sleeve, you can transform that crispy burnt bacon from an inedible mess into something delicious. From making candied bacon brittle to adding smoky depth to a pasta dish, these genius burnt bacon hacks will have you looking at blackened bacon in a whole new light

So put down the sad sandwiches and read on to learn how to fix burnt bacon and make it shine once again!

The Frustrating Reality of Burnt Bacon

Picture it – you wake up ready to start the day with a hearty breakfast of eggs toast, and bacon. As the fresh bacon sizzles happily in the pan you turn away for just a minute to prep the eggs. But when you return to the stove, disaster has struck. Your once beautiful bacon is now a black, smoky mess.

We’ve all experienced this tragedy at some point as we’ve learned to cook bacon. It only takes a moment of distraction for the bacon to go from perfectly crispy to disastrously burnt. When this happens, the bitterness of the char can make the bacon impossible to enjoy.

Burnt bacon is especially heartbreaking when you consider how expensive bacon can be. Wasting several slices to a burnt beyond recognition is like flushing money down the drain.

So what causes bacon to burn so easily? A few factors are at play:

• High heat – Bacon requires medium heat to cook slowly and evenly. Too high heat causes its high fat content to burn.

• Inconsistent thickness – Thinner parts of the bacon cook faster, leading to uneven cooking.

• Lack of attention – Just a minute or two of distraction can lead to blackened bacon.

While getting distracted is inevitable, having some burnt bacon hacks up your sleeve can save the day.

Hacked Recipe #1: Smoky Burnt Bacon Jam

When life hands you burnt bacon, make bacon jam! This sweet and smoky spread is a delicious way to use up charred bacon bits. The deep, richness of the burnt bacon pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the jam.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup burnt bacon pieces, chopped
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder

Here’s how to make it:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
2. Add the chopped burnt bacon and cook 3-4 minutes to warm through.
3. Stir in brown sugar, balsamic, maple syrup, paprika, and chili powder. Simmer 20-25 minutes until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and cool. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Spread this sweet and smoky jam over crackers, sandwiches, or bundle up in a grilled cheese for a next level burnt bacon rescue!

Hacked Recipe #2: Burnt Bacon Ranch Pasta

Bacon adds a smoky depth to so many dishes. In this recipe, bits of burnt bacon are incorporated into a rich, creamy ranch pasta. The charred bacon enhances the savory flavors to create a deeply satisfying dish.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 8 oz pasta of choice, cooked
• 4 slices burnt bacon, crumbled
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1⁄2 cup cream or half and half
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped chives for garnish

Steps to Make It:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook crumbled bacon for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add chicken broth and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Stir in cream/half and half, ranch packet, and 1⁄2 cup cheese. Cook until warmed through and thickened.
4. Toss sauce with cooked pasta until coated.
5. Top with remaining 1⁄2 cup cheese and chives.

The smoky bacon flavor amps up a basic pasta, creating a dish that’s truly addicting. Don’t let burnt bacon go to waste when it can make recipes like this even more irresistible.

Clever Hack #3: Elevate Beans with Burnt Bacon

If you’ve got some leftover burnt bacon, put it to use taking monotonous baked beans from bland to spectacular. The charred smoky bacon adds incredible depth and savory flavor to this classic side dish.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 (15 oz) can baked beans
• 1⁄4 cup ketchup
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup burnt bacon pieces
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1 small onion, finely diced

Follow these steps:

1. In a skillet, cook onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Stir to combine.
3. Stir in burnt bacon pieces and cook for 5 minutes until thickened up.
4. Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 400oF for 10-15 minutes until bubbly.
5. Top with extra crumbled bacon if desired.

The burnt bacon takes these beans to new heights. You’ll never make them without charred bacon again!

Hacked Recipe #4: Burnt Bacon Cornbread

Cornbread is a comforting side that comes alive when studded with bits of smoky, burnt bacon. The sweet cornbread and salty bacon complement each other deliciously.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1⁄4 cup