All I Want for Christmas Is...Bacon

Let's face it: Everything's better wrapped in bacon.  That includes even the finest cuts of beef, such as filet mignon.  While individual filets can be pricey, you can often find great deals on whole beef tenderloins at warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam's Club.  Instead of the traditional turkey or ham, try serving this succulent bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin at your holiday meal for a wow-worthy main entree.

When it comes to holiday fare, it's hard to beat a good casserole.  This Twice Baked Potato Casserole incorporates all the best things about twice baked potatoes: butter, half-and-half, sour cream, cheese, chives, and best of all--bacon!  Cook and crumble the bacon, working half of the bacon crumbles into the casserole itself, and then sprinkle the rest on top.  This method ensures that every bite will be full of bacon-y goodness.

This keto-friendly stuffing is loaded with the traditional flavor you love, plus hearty, salty pops from the bits of uncured bacon. Make sure to let the dressing sit at room temperature before being baked so the cornbread has some time to absorb the chicken broth mixture. If you need to get a head start on holiday meal prep, you can assemble this the day before and store it in the fridge—just remove it from the fridge and let it sit for at least an hour before baking. 

Just because you might not be gathering in large groups this year doesn't mean you can't have holiday appetizers!  Plus, these bacon-wrapped dates are grilled, making them ideal for any outdoor holiday gatherings.  Make sure to use large dates, which are much easier to handle and fill than small ones, and center cut bacon—thick cut bacon will take too long to cook. If a date splits while you’re filling it, just press it back together. These are best warm, right off the grill, but are still good at room temperature. 

This super easy breakfast bake is basically a loaded breakfast casserole: It’s heavy on the onions, peppers, and sausage, but lighter on the eggs, so it’s an inverse of your typical breakfast casserole. The layered format and ease on the eggs keeps this from getting soggy. You can go ahead and cook this ahead of time by cooking the hash browns ahead of time, then layering on the onions, peppers, and sausage before covering and refrigerating overnight. Then, simply add the custard the next morning and bake.

Boring potatoes these are not, thanks to flavor-packed stir-ins. Leeks add gut-friendly prebiotic fiber to this dish; a smart amount of center-cut bacon imparts smoky, salty undertones. Be sure to pick up Yukon Gold potatoes; their higher starch content yields a fluffier, creamier mash.

Bacon?  Check.  Chocolate.  Check.  The perfect all-in-one indulgence?  Check check!  This recipe is the perfect marriage between savory and sweet, and is oh so easy to make.  Simply bake seasoned, sugared bacon in the oven before dipping in a mixture of melted chocolate and coconut oil.  Let the chocolate-covered bacon chill in the fridge for about 10 minutes, and then lightly sprinkle with sea salt for the finishing touch. 

Move over, 7-layer, dip. A super rich bacon cheeseburger is even better when you can enjoy it over kettle chips, crackers, or even fries. The meat and cheese combo perfectly pairs with the ketchup mixture and pickle, both in terms of taste and texture: while the ketchup and pickle add a perfect tanginess to complement the creamy richness, the cold toppings bring everything together for a perfect bite. Opt for lean ground beef since there’s enough fatty richness in the bacon and cheese.

Take your holiday gravy from boring to bacon-y with this delicious twist on a traditional gravy. Center-cut bacon infuses this rich gravy with flavor, yet has 25% less saturated fat than regular bacon. If you make this ahead of time, whisk in a tablespoon or two of chicken stock before reheating.

This warm and comforting casserole is everything you could want in a Christmas morning breakfast.  It features rich and cheesy grits, rounded out with sausage, bacon, and poblano. 

Keep things calm around the holidays with a comforting soup that's hearty enough to be a meal.  Our Cheesy Potato Soup with Bacon feeds a crowd, freezes well, and it comes together in a single Dutch oven. Top with crumbled bacon, green scallion pieces, and shredded Cheddar cheese.  

This recipe is for all the (almost) bacon purists out there.  Simply season store-bought bacon with brown sugar, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper a day ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, then bake in the oven until crisp.  This bacon is delicious served for breakfast or brunch, or even as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack.  

The way Swiss cheese, savory bacon, and sweet caramelized onions play together is nothing short of divine. Cream cheese and mayo contribute a necessary touch of creaminess, while scallions and fresh thyme offer a added savory flavor intrigue, and a finishing touch of crispy onions on top delivers a pleasant crunch. Serve with pretzel rods, or other dippers of your choosing, and plan on handing the recipe over to anyone who tries it. Trust us, they’re gonna ask. 

Serve a twist on the traditional holiday green bean casserole by adding Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and water chestnuts and topping with fried onions and crumbled bacon. 

More common in certain areas of the country, oyster stuffing can be a unique addition to any holiday meal menu.  This version calls for freshly shucked Pacific oysters, but store-bought, shucked oysters are fine too.  The bacon pairs perfectly with the briny oysters and fresh herbs.  

"The King" would surely love this Elvis-inspired cheesecake featuring his favorite flavor combination--peanut butter and banana.  Top with candied bacon, caramel sauce, and flake salt for a beautiful and mouthwatering presentation.