12 Herbs That Take Bacon To The Next Level

Bacon is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can enhance the flavor of many savory dishes. While bacon’s saltiness and smokiness already provide tons of flavor on their own, pairing bacon with fresh herbs can take your recipes to the next level. The right herbs complement bacon’s richness and prevent it from overpowering other ingredients.

In this article we’ll explore 12 fresh herbs that go exceptionally well with bacon. We’ll highlight their flavor profiles and suggest recipe ideas to inspire you. Let’s dive in!

Rosemary

Rosemary has a bold, piney flavor that stands up well to bacon’s intensity. The major aromatic compounds in rosemary include alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole, and camphor, which give rosemary its woodsy, herbal notes A little rosemary can add a pop of flavor and fragrance to bacon dishes Try sprinkling some minced rosemary over baked potatoes topped with crumbled bacon. Or add whole sprigs of rosemary to soups and stews cooked with bacon.

Sage

Like rosemary, sage has a robust, woodsy flavor that pairs beautifully with bacon. Sage contains thujone, camphor, and 1,8-cineole, compounds that give sage its piney, minty profile. Add sage to biscuits, scones, or muffins along with crumbled crisp bacon for a savory breakfast treat. Or cook bacon bits with sage leaves for an easy seasoning blend to sprinkle over meats and vegetables.

Oregano

Oregano has a mildly spicy, aromatic flavor thanks to compounds like carvacrol. It adds a pizza-like flair to any dish with its scent of thyme and mint. Saute sliced bacon with oregano to top bruschetta or flatbreads for an easy appetizer. Or sprinkle dried oregano over a spinach salad with warm bacon vinaigrette.

Mint

The cooling flavor of mint beautifully balances the saltiness of bacon. Chopped fresh mint gives your bacon recipes a fresh, vibrant twist. Make a BLT sandwich with mint aioli or mix mint into potato salad or baked beans along with crispy bacon crumbles.

Basil

Sweet basil contains flavor compounds like linalool, estragole, and eugenol which give it its trademark aroma It adds a fresh, herbal flavor to bacon recipes. Make carbonara pasta with bacon and loads of shredded basil. Or top chicken breasts stuffed with goat cheese and basil with bacon breadcrumbs

Dill

Dill has a tangy, anise-like flavor from compounds like carvone and limonene. It’s a great match for salty, fatty bacon. Fry bacon until crisp, then cook potatoes and dill together in the leftover bacon grease. Dill also complements bacon nicely in egg dishes like omelets and frittatas.

Parsley

Parsley’s fresh, grassy flavor stems largely from apigening and myristicin. It packs a vitamin and mineral punch. Parsley brightens up any bacon recipe, adding freshness and color as a garnish or mix-in. Make baked potato soup with bacon bits and parsley, or scrambled eggs with bacon and chopped parsley.

Lavender

You may be surprised to see floral lavender on this list, but it pairs amazingly well with savory bacon. The combination of lavender with bacon’s saltiness is heavenly. Crumble lavender-infused sugar over bacon for a sweet-savory bacon candy. Or grill bacon-wrapped chicken seasoned with dried lavender.

Savory

Savory, also called the “bean herb,” has an earthy, minty flavor. It contains carvacrol, the same compound that gives oregano its spice. Savory enhances the richness of fatty bacon. Cook them together in bean stews, soups, or casseroles. Or use savory and bacon to flavor meatloaf or meatballs.

Tarragon

Tarragon has a distinct licorice-anise flavor from estragole, the same compound that gives basil its scent. It also contains eugenol for a hint of cloves. Tarragon is ideal for making bacon recipes feelFrench-inspired. Make classic French omelets with bacon and tarragonor cream of asparagus soup topped with crispy bacon and tarragon.

Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are bold enough in flavor to hold their own against bacon. They contain eucalyptol, giving bay leaves their menthol-like fragrance. Use bay leaves to infuse flavor into soups and stews cooked with bacon. Or wrap fish filets with bacon and bay leaves before baking or grilling. Discard bay leaves before eating.

Chives

Chives have a gentle onion and garlic flavor. They provide flavor without overpowering, making them an excellent herb for sprinkling over bacon dishes. Mix chives into mashed potatoes with crumbled bacon. Or make bacon and cheddar scones dotted with fresh chives. Their mild onion taste enhances any recipe.

Put Herbs and Bacon into Action

Now that you know which fresh herbs pair deliciously with bacon, it’s time to start cooking! Try out some of the suggested recipes or get creative and invent your own. Fresh herbs take basic bacon from great to spectacular in terms of flavor. Next time you cook with bacon, grab a few herbs from this list to make your dish irresistible.