If you love bacon (and honestly, who doesn’t?), then you absolutely have to try this Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe. It’s such a simple, yet transformative little condiment that takes any meal from good to unforgettable. I first stumbled on this recipe when I was craving something indulgent but easy, and ever since, it’s become my go-to secret for breakfast, snacks, and even fancy dinner sides. Stick with me here—I promise you’re going to love how crispy, smoky, and buttery all come together in one luscious spread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Easy to Make: Just a few ingredients and you’re there—no fuss, no complicated steps.
- Big Flavor Boost: Crispy bacon bits mixed with creamy butter adds that perfect smoky richness to everything.
- Versatile Use: From breakfast to dinner, you’ll find countless ways to slather this goodness.
- Makes Ahead Easily: Store it, spread it, and enjoy for days, making it a cooking time saver.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love that this Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together harmoniously. Each one plays a key role—from the crispy bacon bringing texture, to the mustard adding a subtle tang that cuts through the richness perfectly.
- Bacon: Choose thick-cut if you want extra meaty chunks or your favorite brand for flavor personality.
- Salted Butter: Room temperature and unsalted butter works well too, but salted helps balance flavors just right.
- Dijon Mustard: This adds a lovely depth and slight sharpness, but you can skip it or substitute if preferred.
- Fresh Cracked Pepper: Gives that peppery zing that complements bacon’s smokiness beautifully.
Variations
One of the things I adore about this Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your tastes or dietary needs. I often experiment with little swaps or additions to make it just right for whatever meal I’m preparing.
- Honey Bacon Butter: Skip the mustard and pepper and add a touch of honey instead—my family goes crazy for this on pancakes and muffins.
- Spicy Kick: Stir in some cayenne pepper or smoked paprika if you love a little heat with your bacon goodness.
- Herbed Bacon Butter: Finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary gives this a fragrant twist that’s perfect on roasted veggies or steaks.
- Veggie-Friendly: Use plant-based butter and vegan bacon alternatives to keep it smoky and buttery while accommodating plant-based diets.
How to Make Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Bacon Until Perfectly Crispy
The key here is medium heat—that way the bacon gradually renders its fat and crisps without burning. I like using a heavy skillet for even cooking. Once the bacon is nice and crisp (you’ll know when it’s got that perfect snap), remove it onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Don’t toss the bacon fat; it’s liquid gold for the butter.
Step 2: Combine Butter with Bacon Fat
In a small bowl, mash together the room temperature butter with about one tablespoon of that reserved bacon grease. This infuses the butter with an extra bacon-y richness. Your butter should be soft enough to mix easily, so if it’s too cold, just give it a bit more time to warm up.
Step 3: Finely Crumble Bacon and Add Flavors
Now for the magic—break the crispy bacon into very fine pieces, almost like breadcrumbs. This helps the bacon bits blend seamlessly into the butter, spreading beautifully on your toast or veggies. Add the crumbled bacon, dijon mustard, and cracked pepper to the butter mixture and stir until everything is well combined. If you want, a quick whirl in a food processor makes it super smooth and evenly mixed.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Scoop the bacon butter into a small dish or ramekin, cover it, and pop it in the fridge to firm up. I find at least an hour helps the flavors meld together and the butter to set up nicely. When you’re ready, just let it come to room temperature a few minutes before serving for easy spreading.
Pro Tips for Making Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Bacon: Cooking too fast or at too high a heat crisp but also risks burning, which makes the butter taste bitter.
- Save the Bacon Grease: Incorporating bacon fat really amplifies that smoky flavor in the butter, so don’t toss it!
- Use Cold Butter for Easier Mixing: If it’s too soft or melted, mixing the bacon bits in will be messy and oily.
- Fine Crumble Means Even Flavor: The smaller you crumble the bacon, the better it blends with the butter so every bite is perfectly balanced.
How to Serve Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe
Garnishes
I like topping dishes with a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives or parsley to brighten the rich, smoky flavors of the bacon butter. It adds a fresh pop of color and a mild herbal note that balances beautifully with the buttery goodness.
Side Dishes
My favorite pairing for this Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe is roasted potatoes or steamed green beans—spreading a dollop on hot veggies makes them instantly gourmet. It’s also heavenly on warm crusty bread or melted over grilled corn on the cob.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to mold the bacon butter into a little log using parchment paper, then slice rounds to serve with crackers or fresh bread at cocktail parties. It’s also a fantastic finishing touch on a steak or spread inside stuffed mushrooms for a rich treat your guests won’t forget.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover bacon butter in an airtight container in the fridge, where it stays fresh for up to a week. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before using so it’s soft and spreadable.
Freezing
If I’m making this ahead for a big event, I’ll freeze it shaped in a log wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. It freezes beautifully for about 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
Since it’s butter-based, avoid direct heat to reheat the bacon butter. Instead, let it soften at room temperature or warm slightly in a low-temperature oven—this keeps the flavors intact and the texture perfect.
FAQs
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Can I use unsalted butter for the Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe?
Absolutely! Unsalted butter works just fine—you may just want to taste and add a pinch of salt if you feel it needs a little more seasoning. Salted butter just gives a slight head start on flavor balance.
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Is Dijon mustard necessary?
The Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang that cuts through the butter’s richness, enhancing the overall taste. But if it’s not your thing, feel free to omit it or substitute with a mild mustard or even a drizzle of honey for a sweeter twist.
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Can I make the Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe ahead of time?
Yes, making it ahead is a huge time saver! Keep it refrigerated in a covered container for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage as a log shape.
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What are the best ways to use Crispy Bacon Butter?
Use it on toast, baked potatoes, steamed veggies, griddled corn, or even melted over a juicy steak or eggs. The smoky flavor and creamy texture add an irresistible layer of richness to just about anything.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe has become one of those kitchen staples I swear by whenever I want to jazz up a simple dish. It’s such an easy way to add layers of smoky, creamy, decadent flavor that makes you feel like a total kitchen rockstar. I hope you give it a try—it’s a recipe I can’t recommend enough and one that always gets rave reviews whenever I serve it. Trust me, once you taste that first spread, you’ll be hooked just like I was!
Print
Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 10
- Category: Spread
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This savory Bacon Butter recipe combines crispy bacon, creamy salted butter, Dijon mustard, and cracked pepper to create a flavorful spread perfect for breads, vegetables, or pancakes. It’s quick and simple to make, enhancing any dish with a smoky, rich taste.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it is crispy and browned. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Prepare the butter mixture: In a small mixing bowl, add the softened butter along with 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon grease from the skillet. This adds a smoky flavor to the butter.
- Crumble and combine: Crumble the cooked bacon into very small, fine pieces. Add the crumbled bacon to the butter mixture along with the Dijon mustard and freshly cracked pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Alternatively, place all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until the bacon is finely crumbed and the butter mixture is smooth and combined.
- Chill and serve: Spoon the finished bacon butter into a serving dish, cover it, and refrigerate until ready to use. This allows the flavors to meld and the butter to firm up.
Notes
- The Dijon mustard adds a depth of flavor and balances the richness of the bacon and butter; however, you can omit it if preferred.
- For a sweet twist, skip the mustard and cracked pepper, and add a drizzle of honey to the butter mixture. This variation is perfect for spreading on pancakes, waffles, or muffins.
- Store bacon butter covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Use room temperature butter for easy mixing and a smooth consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
