What are you thankful for? Friends, family, and good times, absolutely. Well, add one more item to the list: Thankful Bacon. This is how you begin Turkey Day or any festive occasion on the right foot and add even more deliciousness to everyone’s favorite breakfast treat! Each fatty, salty strip of bacon is coated in sweet and smoky maple syrup and then in toasty, crunchy pecans before being drizzled with tangy maple balsamic. Each new addition elevates and accents the bacon flavor without overpowering it; it never forgets who’s the star of the show. You can serve Thankful Bacon with eggs and toast or alongside a roast turkey; everyone who tries it will be thankful you shared it with them!
Ingredients
- oil, to taste, for the rack
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups pecans, finely chopped
- 16 ounces bacon, thick cut and applewood smoked
- maple balsamic, to taste, for serving
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2 –Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Step 3 –Set a wire rack inside the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4 –Brush the rack with the oil.
Step 5 –Place the maple syrup in a shallow bowl.
Step 6 –Place the pecans on a large plate or a wide bowl.
Step 7 –Dip the bacon in the maple syrup, making sure each piece is covered completely and letting the excess drip off.
Step 8 –Dip the bacon in the pecans, pressing the pecans so they adhere to the bacon.
Step 9 –Arrange the bacon on the wire rack, leaving about 1/4-inch of space between the pieces.
Step 10 –Sprinkle the bacon with any leftover pecans and drizzle with the remaining maple syrup.
Step 11 –Bake on the center rack of the oven until the bacon is cooked and the pecans are golden brown, about 30-40 minutes. Check on the bacon halfway through and rotate it as necessary.
Step 12 –Transfer the bacon slices from the oven, gently dislodging them from the rack so they are easier to lift away later.
Step 13 –Allow the bacon to cool completely.
Step 14 –Drizzle or spoon the bacon with the balsamic and serve.
