Hot Bacon Dressing Recipe

Bacon: Provides a smoky, savory flavor and crispy texture.

Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet acidity.

Honey: Balances the acidity with natural sweetness.

Dijon mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor and helps emulsify the dressing.

Olive oil: Provides a smooth, rich base for the dressing.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.

Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity.

When cooking the bacon, make sure to do so over medium heat to render out the fat slowly and achieve a crispy texture without burning. This will ensure you have a flavorful bacon fat base for the dressing. Additionally, when whisking the apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and olive oil into the bacon fat, do so gradually and continuously to create a smooth, emulsified dressing. This technique helps to evenly distribute the flavors and achieve a cohesive consistency.

• bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a leaner alternative that still provides a smoky flavor similar to traditional bacon.

• apple cider vinegar - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar has a similar acidity level and can provide a comparable tangy flavor.

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a similar sweetness and viscosity, making it a good alternative for honey.

• dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard has a similar flavor profile and texture, providing the same tangy and slightly spicy notes.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and a similar healthy fat profile, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar level of saltiness.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat and flavor profile, though it is slightly milder and less pungent.

• Allow the hot bacon dressing to cool completely before storing. This helps maintain its texture and flavor.
• Transfer the dressing to an airtight container. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids work best to preserve the freshness.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The dressing will keep well for up to one week.
• Before using, reheat the dressing gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. This will help reincorporate the bacon fat and other ingredients.
• If you prefer, you can also microwave the dressing in short bursts, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the dressing. Pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
• When ready to use, thaw the dressing in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat as mentioned above before serving.
• Avoid refreezing the dressing once it has been thawed to maintain the best quality and flavor.

• Stovetop Method: Place the leftover hot bacon dressing in a small skillet over low heat. Stir occasionally until it’s warmed through, ensuring the bacon remains crispy and the dressing is well-mixed. This method helps maintain the original texture and flavor.

• Microwave Method: Transfer the dressing to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to prevent splatters. Heat on medium power in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until the dressing is warm. Be cautious not to overheat, as the bacon can become chewy.

• Double Boiler Method: Fill a saucepan with a couple of inches of water and bring to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl with the hot bacon dressing over the saucepan, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir occasionally until warmed through. This gentle heating method helps preserve the dressing’s consistency.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place the hot bacon dressing in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the dressing is warm. This method is ideal if you’re reheating a larger quantity.

• Immersion Blender Method: If the dressing has separated, you can use an immersion blender to re-emulsify it. Place the dressing in a heatproof container and gently warm it in a microwave or over a double boiler. Once warm, use the immersion blender to blend until smooth and well-combined.

• Skillet: A skillet is essential for cooking the bacon until crispy and for combining the dressing ingredients with the bacon fat.

• Tongs: Use tongs to handle and remove the cooked bacon from the skillet.

• Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is needed to whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and olive oil.

• Whisk: A whisk is used to combine the dressing ingredients smoothly and to mix them into the bacon fat.

• Measuring cups: Measuring cups are necessary for accurately measuring the apple cider vinegar and olive oil.

• Measuring spoons: Measuring spoons are needed to measure out the honey and dijon mustard.

• Knife: A knife is used to chop the bacon into pieces before cooking.

• Cutting board: A cutting board provides a safe surface for chopping the bacon.

• Salt and pepper grinders: Salt and pepper grinders are used to season the dressing to taste with freshly ground black pepper and salt.

• Serving spoon: A serving spoon is helpful for stirring the cooked bacon back into the dressing and for serving the warm dressing over a salad.

Pre-cook the bacon: Cook the bacon in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly reheat it when you're ready to make the dressing.

Use a jar for mixing: Combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and olive oil in a jar. Shake it well to mix, saving time on whisking.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all your ingredients before you start cooking. This helps streamline the process and ensures you have everything ready to go.

Double the recipe: Make a larger batch of hot bacon dressing and store the extra in the fridge. This way, you have it ready for multiple meals.