8 Ways to Celebrate National Bacon Lover’s Day with Bacon in Recipes

Savory, smoky, salty - these are common words used to describe bacon, but can they really capture what makes this cured meat so magical? There’s something so universally satisfying about bacon that it’s become a bit of a national obsession.

It even has its own day — National Bacon Lover’s Day takes place every year on August 20! We know you probably don’t need an excuse to fry up a batch and enjoy some bacon in recipes. But, you can get some inspiration with these eight ways to celebrate this marvelous meaty treat with your family.

1. Breakfast

Bacon is one of the most iconic breakfast meats and a few strips make the ideal side to classic morning treats like buckwheat pancakes, gluten-free waffles and breakfast casseroles.

There are several easy techniques used to prepare bacon:

• Fry it in a cast-iron skillet (but be sure not to crowd the pan).
• Bake it on a cookie sheet in an oven set to 400°F.
• Microwave it on a paper towel-lined plate for about 5 minutes. 

To layer on extra flavor, brush bacon slices with maple syrup or Sriracha hot sauce, or sprinkle on brown sugar. You can also spice it up with a hit of dried cayenne pepper or your favorite chili spice blend!

Pork bacon isn’t the only great choice for breakfast. There’s also turkey bacon, chicken bacon and a growing variety of plant-based bacon products.

Lots of hearty brunch dishes also spotlight bacon in recipes. Mix bacon into pancake and waffle batter as we did in these Bacon and Cheese Waffles, baked into Savory Bacon Maple Breakfast Pie, or used as a topping on Grilled Naan Brunch Flatbread. You can even use bacon as a garnish in bloody marys! For a fun twist on an old favorite, try a veggie-infused Carrot Bloody Mary and garnish with sliced cucumber and carrots, a stalk of celery and an extra-crispy slice of bacon.

2. BLTs

A BLT is a simple and nostalgic sandwich that tastes totally delicious with a flavor profile that’s oh-so-balanced. The bacon provides salty richness, the tomato lends a touch of juicy sweetness and the lettuce gives a cooling crunch. For an exciting version, try our Ultimate BLT Sandwich, which layers on avocado and a fried egg to take it to the next level! You can also make a picnic- or cooler-ready version with our BLT Sandwich Skewers.

The BLT ingredient combo is so iconic that it frequently makes its way into other dishes. Put together BLT Brats or BLT Dogs, or create a quick-and-easy batch of 15-Minute BBQ Ranch BLT Pasta Salad for your next cookout. Chicken BLT Tacos are a clever Mexican-inspired fusion, and BLT Quiche makes a comforting meal for brunch or lunch.

3. Burgers

When it comes to bacon in recipes, hamburgers and bacon are best friends, and there’s no limit to how many combos you can create with these two ingredients. You can’t go wrong with a traditional Bacon Cheeseburger; however, mini Bacon and Cheese Sliders are a fun choice, too, especially for kids!

Fire up the grill and try your hand at gourmet Grilled Bacon Stuffed Burger, or start Sunday Funday off right with an indulgent Bacon and Egg Cheeseburger. Borrow inspiration from your favorite sports restaurant and fire up a burger with actual beer mixed into the patties!

4. Game Day and Shareable Snacks

Bacon’s bold, robust flavor makes it a go-to addition to all sorts of Game Day and shareable snacks. It pairs incredibly well with cheese in recipes like Spicy Bacon Queso Dip and Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls. Load up on extra tortilla chips and make a double batch of Bacon Guacamole! 

Sweet and salty come together in Bacon Brown Sugar Smokies and Bacon BBQ Meatballs, which are both great tailgate snacks, and Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Skewers make a tasty gluten-free option.

5. Pasta

Pasta is like a blank canvas you can paint with flavors. Bacon (and similar cured pork products, like pancetta and prosciutto) are a pasta mainstay in everything from classic Italian dishes like Asparagus and Mushroom Carbonara to creative, modern dinners like Blue Cheese and Bacon Penne. Bacon crumbles are a favorite mac and cheese mix-in and also elevate baked pasta casseroles like Cheesy Spaghetti with Bacon and Chicken Alfredo Lasagna.

6. Vegetables and Fruits

Even if you love vegetables on their own, you can’t argue with the fact that most veggie dishes are enhanced with a touch of bacon! Like broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts, veggies are excellent with bacon (try Keto Brussels Sprouts with Bacon to find out)! Spring veggies, like peas and asparagus, also love a hint of smoky bacon. For instance, Bacon and Garlic Peas and Bacon Wrapped Asparagus are delicious alongside a roasted chicken for a lovely warm-weather dinner.

Fruit and bacon in recipes make an unlikely but incredible pairing. Put it to the test and give Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Peaches with Balsamic Glaze a try!

7. Dinner

Cooking one meal that everyone in the family will enjoy can be quite a feat. Adding some bacon in recipes makes the task a little more doable! A rustic Chicken and Bacon Tart is as enjoyable as it is pretty, and Grilled Bacon and Red Onion Pizza lets you cook outside to keep the kitchen cool on hot summer nights. Or for a Southern-inspired, one-pot meal, try Loaded Slow-Cooker Grits.

8. Sweets

A few years ago, chocolate chip cookies topped with bacon crumbles became a huge trend — and for a good reason! The sweet and salty combo just can’t be beaten. Bacon is welcome on all kinds of dessert treats beyond cookies, though. Try Salted Caramel Bacon S’mores for a delightful twist on the classic campfire snack, or drizzle some caramel sauce and add crispy chopped bacon over the top of popcorn for a playful movie night treat.

The moral of the story? Bacon goes with everything! Shop your neighborhood Food Lion to find all kinds of bacon — thick-sliced, hickory-smoked, keto-friendly, low-sodium, plant-based — we’ve got you covered! And be sure to check out our weekly flyer for the best deals on ingredients to make your favorite bacon-infused foods.