From smoked candied bacon to bacon-wrapped appetizers, these are the best bacon recipes from Backyard Texas Grill — all made in the backyard, Texas style.
Here in Texas, bacon isn’t just an ingredient — it’s a way of life. We wrap it around things. We smoke it low and slow until it turns into candy. We crumble it on top of dishes that didn’t need it but are absolutely better for it.
Legitimate question: Is it just a Texas thing, or does everyone love bacon as much as we do? We can’t get enough of the stuff! We put it in–or on–all the things!
At Backyard Texas Grill, bacon shows up in our appetizers, our mains, our sides, and honestly, sometimes our desserts. This is our love letter to bacon — a collection of the best bacon recipes we’ve ever pulled off the smoker or off the grill, all tested right here in our own backyard. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself on a Saturday morning, you’re in the right place.
Why Bacon Is Better on the Smoker
There’s something special about bacon cooked on a smoker. While bacon is already packed with rich, savory flavor, low-and-slow smoking adds another layer of depth that you simply can’t get from a skillet or oven. As the bacon cooks, it absorbs the subtle flavors of the wood smoke, creating a more complex taste with hints of sweetness, earthiness, or spice, depending on the wood you choose.
Honestly. . .does anything smell better than bacon simmering in the skillet? Whether you cook it in the kitchen or on the smoker or grill, that aroma is like a magnet, drawing us in.
The smoker also allows the fat to render gradually, resulting in bacon that’s crisp around the edges while remaining tender and flavorful inside. Whether you’re making candied bacon, wrapping jalapeños, topping a breakfast fatty, or adding smoky strips to a pot of baked beans, smoked bacon brings an irresistible backyard barbecue flavor that takes every recipe to the next level.
Bacon Appetizers & Snacks
There’s a reason bacon appetizers disappear so quickly at parties—they’re nearly impossible to resist.
Bacon brings the perfect combination of smoky, salty, crispy, and savory flavors that make almost everything taste better. Whether it’s wrapped around jalapeños, tucked into bite-sized snacks, sprinkled over dips, or candied into sweet-and-salty perfection, bacon has a way of turning simple ingredients into something memorable.
The contrast of textures is part of the appeal, too. Crispy bacon paired with creamy cheese, tender vegetables, or juicy meats creates the kind of flavor-packed bite that keeps people reaching for “just one more.” In fact, many bacon appetizers are so addictive that it’s a good idea to make a double batch—you’ll be amazed at how fast they disappear!
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños
These bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeños are one of the most popular appetizers you can make on a grill or smoker. Fresh jalapeño peppers are filled with a creamy cheese mixture, wrapped in smoky bacon, and cooked until the peppers are tender and the bacon is perfectly crisp.
The combination of spicy peppers, rich filling, and savory bacon creates an irresistible bite that’s perfect for game day, backyard cookouts, holiday gatherings, or any occasion where you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer. On the smoker, they take on an extra layer of flavor that keeps guests coming back for more.
Smoked Pig Shots
Smoked Pig Shots are bacon-wrapped sausage cups filled with seasoned cream cheese and smoked until the bacon is crispy and the filling is hot and bubbling — one bite and you’ll understand why these disappear faster than anything else on the appetizer table.
Whether you serve them alongside a big meal or as an afternoon snack, these are going to go fast, so you might want to make a double batch!
Smoked Cream Cheese with Bacon and Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly
This Smoked Cream Cheese with Bacon and Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly is the perfect combination of creamy, smoky, sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. A block of cream cheese is seasoned and slowly smoked until soft and spreadable, then topped with crispy bacon and a generous spoonful of hot pepper cranberry jelly. The rich cream cheese balances the sweet heat of the jelly while the bacon adds a salty crunch that takes every bite over the top.
Served with crackers, toasted bread, or pretzel crisps, this easy appetizer is always a hit at holiday gatherings, game-day parties, and backyard cookouts. It’s one of those simple recipes that looks impressive but requires very little effort—and disappears fast every time it’s served.
Bacon Main Dishes
While bacon is often thought of as a side dish or topping, it can easily become the star of the meal.
In this collection of bacon-packed main dishes, bacon isn’t just an afterthought—it’s a key ingredient that adds smoky flavor, savory richness, and plenty of wow factor.
From juicy bacon-wrapped chicken breasts to towering double cheeseburgers and hearty smoked breakfast favorites, these recipes prove that bacon deserves a place at the center of the plate. Whether you’re cooking on the grill, firing up the smoker, or preparing a weekend breakfast feast, these satisfying dishes are guaranteed to please the bacon lovers in your life.
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast
This bacon wrapped stuffed chicken recipe is guaranteed to make your mouth water! Featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts stuffed with a blend of smoked gouda cheese, sautéed spinach, fresh garlic and diced ham, all wrapped in crispy, caramelized bacon and seasoned to perfection – this easy recipe is sure to be a favorite entree for your whole family!
Serve it alongside our cheesy potatoes, corn casserole, or Spanish rice for a filling meal everyone will enjoy!
Ultimate Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Where’s the beef? It’s right here, in this Ultimate Bacon Double Cheeseburger!
This burger is loaded with juicy beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and fresh toppings for the perfect backyard burger night. If you’re looking for a juicy, satisfying burger that tastes like it came straight from your favorite burger joint, this Ultimate Bacon Double Cheeseburger is for you.
The Ultimate Breakfast Fatty with Chorizo
The Ultimate Breakfast Fatty is a bacon-wrapped roll stuffed with chorizo, scrambled eggs, and melty cheese, then smoked low and slow until the bacon is perfectly crispy — it’s the most impressive thing you’ll ever pull off a pellet grill on a Saturday morning.
This is the ideal breakfast offering if you’re feeding a crowd but it’s also fun to make on a Saturday morning when you’re looking for a project you can do with the kids. They’re going to love wrapping up the meal with bacon. Because, well. . .bacon!
Bacon Sides & Extras
Sometimes bacon isn’t the main event—it’s the secret ingredient that takes a good dish and makes it unforgettable.
Whether it’s adding smoky richness to a pot of baked beans or transforming into sweet-and-savory candied bacon, these recipes prove that a little bacon can go a long way. If you’re looking for the perfect side dish, snack, or finishing touch for your next cookout, these bacon-packed favorites are sure to steal the spotlight.
Smoked Candied Bacon
Can we talk for a minute about this candied bacon? When I first heard of it, my response was, “No way!” I didn’t think it was possible to make bacon any better than, well, bacon. But y’all, there’s a way and we’ve found it with this sweet bacony-treat. It’s sinfully delicious!
This smoked candied bacon has a delicious caramelized glaze that provides the perfect balance of sweet & savory with just the right amount of heat. You won’t be able to eat just one piece of bacon! Have it for an appetizer, main dish. . .or dessert. But cook up a bunch because it’s not going to last long!
Baked Beans with Bacon
When most people think of baked beans, they picture a side dish sitting next to a burger or a rack of ribs. But these Texas-style baked beans are hearty enough to stand on their own.
Because they start with sausage pinto beans and are loaded with bacon, every bowl is packed with protein and flavor. Add a handful of crackers, a few homemade bagel crisps, or a piece of cornbread, and you’ve got a satisfying meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
Tips for Cooking Bacon on the Smoker
Smoking bacon is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do on a pellet grill. Keep these tips in mind for the best results:
Let it rest: Give smoked bacon a few minutes to rest on a wire rack before serving so the glaze sets and the fat firms up just enough for the perfect bite.
Temperature: Smoke bacon at 225°F for low and slow cooking that renders the fat beautifully without burning.
Wood choice: Hickory is the classic Texas pick for bold, smoky flavor. Apple wood gives you something milder and slightly sweet, while cherry adds gorgeous color.
Thick cut is better: Look for bacon sliced at least ¼ inch thick so it holds up to the heat and stays satisfyingly chewy rather than going brittle.
Watch candied bacon closely: If you’re making a brown sugar glaze, keep an eye on it during the last 15-20 minutes — the sugars can scorch quickly as they caramelize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature do you smoke bacon at?
For most smoked bacon recipes, 225°F is the sweet spot. Low and slow gives the smoke time to penetrate and lets the fat render beautifully without burning. For candied bacon with a brown sugar coating, watch it closely in the last 15-20 minutes to keep the sugars from scorching.
What wood is best for smoking bacon?
Hickory is the classic choice for bacon — bold, smoky, and very Texas. Apple wood is a great option if you want something a little sweeter and milder, especially for candied bacon recipes. Cherry wood also works beautifully and adds a gorgeous color to the finished product.
Can you smoke regular store-bought bacon?
Absolutely! Thick-cut bacon from the grocery store works great on the smoker. Look for slices at least ¼ inch thick so they hold up to the heat and give you that satisfying chew rather than going brittle.
What’s the difference between smoked bacon and candied bacon?
Smoked bacon is cooked low and slow over wood smoke for deep flavor. Candied bacon — like our Smoked Candied Bacon recipe — adds a brown sugar coating that caramelizes on the smoker into a sweet, sticky, slightly crispy glaze. It’s basically bacon dessert, and it disappears fast at any cookout.
How do you store leftover smoked bacon?
Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Candied bacon can be layered between sheets of parchment paper to keep pieces from sticking together. It reheats beautifully in a skillet or in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes.
Thanks for Stopping By!
We hope you enjoyed this bacon round-up. We’ll be adding to it from time to time because, well. . .bacon.
Whether you’re wrapping it around jalapeños, piling it onto burgers, stirring it into baked beans, or enjoying it all by itself, bacon has a way of making every meal a little more memorable. From appetizers and snacks to hearty main dishes and crowd-pleasing sides, these recipes showcase just how versatile this beloved ingredient can be.
We hope you’ve found a few new favorites to try on your grill, smoker, or in your kitchen. Now grab a package of bacon and get cooking—because life is simply better with bacon. If you have suggestions for more bacon-infused meals, pass them our way in the comments.
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