Are you a bacon lover looking for a new twist on your favorite breakfast food?
Look no further than lemon pepper bacon!
This delicious and easy-to-make bacon is bursting with tangy lemon flavor and a kick of black pepper.
Whether you’re looking to spice up your morning routine or impress guests at brunch, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
So grab your apron and get ready to learn how to make the ultimate lemon pepper bacon.
How To Make Lemon Pepper Bacon?
To make lemon pepper bacon, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– 1 pound of thick-cut bacon
– 2 lemons
– 1 tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F.
Next, cut the bacon into small pieces and place them in a zip-top bag. Squeeze the juice of two lemons into the bag and let it sit for about three hours.
After three hours, drain the bacon and spread it out on an oven-safe wire rack. Roast the bacon in the oven for about 30 minutes.
Once the bacon is cooked, remove it from the oven and brush it with half of the juice from a third lemon. Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and lemon zest over the bacon.
Return the bacon to the oven and roast for an additional 10-15 minutes until it’s crispy. Remove from the oven and gently brush with the remaining lemon juice.
Your lemon pepper bacon is now ready to serve!
Gather Your Ingredients
Before you start making your lemon pepper bacon, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. You’ll need one pound of thick-cut bacon, two lemons, and one tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper.
It’s important to use thick-cut bacon for this recipe as it will hold up better during the cooking process and provide a meatier texture. The lemons will add a bright, tangy flavor to the bacon, while the black pepper will give it a slightly spicy kick.
Make sure to have an oven-safe wire rack and parchment paper ready for roasting the bacon in the oven. Additionally, you’ll need a ziptop bag to marinate the bacon in lemon juice.
By gathering all your ingredients beforehand, you’ll be able to make your lemon pepper bacon quickly and efficiently without any last-minute trips to the grocery store.
Preparing The Bacon
Before you can make delicious lemon pepper bacon, you need to prepare the bacon itself. There are several methods you can use to cook bacon, but here are a few tried-and-true options:
– Skillet method: This method involves cooking the bacon in a skillet on the stove. To do this, pull the bacon out of the fridge 15 to 20 minutes before cooking and let it come to room temperature. Then, lay out the bacon strips without overlapping in a cold pan. Cook over medium heat, turning as needed until they reach the desired crispness.
– Oven method: Cooking bacon in the oven is a great option when you need to cook a large amount of bacon at once. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Lay the bacon slices side-by-side on the tray and cook for 10 to 20 minutes or until it’s reached your desired level of crispiness.
– Curly bacon method: If you need to cook a lot of bacon quickly, try the curly bacon method. Heat a large skillet pan over medium/high heat and separate 1 pound of regular-cut bacon. Place all the slices into the skillet and sauté, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula for 10-15 minutes.
– Baking sheet method: Another option is to lay your bacon onto a heavy gauge rimmed baking sheet and place it into a COLD oven. Turn on the oven to 350°F and cook until desired doneness.
No matter which method you choose, make sure to drain excess grease from the cooked bacon by laying it on a bed of paper towels or using a fine mesh sieve lined with a paper towel. Once your bacon is prepared, you can move on to seasoning it with lemon pepper for an extra burst of flavor.
Adding The Lemon And Pepper
Adding the lemon and pepper to your bacon is what makes this dish stand out. The lemon juice adds a tangy and bright flavor to the salty bacon, while the black pepper adds a subtle heat that complements the lemon perfectly.
To get the most out of your lemon, make sure to use fresh lemons and squeeze them yourself. This will ensure that you get the maximum amount of juice and flavor. When adding the lemon juice to the bacon, be sure to let it marinate for at least three hours. This will allow the bacon to absorb all of the delicious lemony goodness.
When it comes to adding the black pepper, freshly ground is always best. Use a pepper grinder or mortar and pestle to grind your black pepper just before adding it to the bacon. This will ensure that you get the most flavor and aroma from the pepper.
Once you’ve added the lemon juice and black pepper to your bacon, it’s time to roast it in the oven. Make sure to spread the bacon out on an oven-safe wire rack so that it cooks evenly and gets crispy all around.
After cooking, don’t forget to brush your bacon with more lemon juice and sprinkle some lemon zest over it for an extra burst of flavor. Your lemon pepper bacon is now ready to enjoy!
Cooking The Bacon
When it comes to cooking the bacon for your lemon pepper bacon recipe, there are a few different methods you can choose from. Here are some options:
Serving And Enjoying Your Lemon Pepper Bacon
Now that you’ve made your delicious lemon pepper bacon, it’s time to serve and enjoy it! There are countless ways to incorporate this tangy and savory bacon into your meals. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. On a burger: As mentioned in the raw text, lemon pepper bacon was a key ingredient in a Masterchef Season 10 contestant’s legendary burger. Try adding it to your own homemade burger for a burst of flavor.
2. In a BLT: A classic BLT sandwich is elevated with the addition of lemon pepper bacon. Simply add it to your sandwich along with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
3. With breakfast: Lemon pepper bacon is the perfect addition to any breakfast spread. Serve it alongside eggs, toast, and fresh fruit for a balanced meal.
4. Crumbled into salads: Add some crunch and flavor to your salads by crumbling some lemon pepper bacon on top. It pairs well with Caesar or spinach salads.
5. As a snack: Candied bacon (or pig candy) is a delicious treat that combines the savory taste of bacon with sweet and spicy flavors. Try making your own candied lemon pepper bacon for a snack that will blow your mind.
No matter how you choose to enjoy it, lemon pepper bacon is sure to add a unique and delicious twist to your meals. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations!
