Bourbon Glazed Candied Bacon

Join me in celebrating Juneteenth with more than 30 other Black culinary creators. Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day, signifying the final emancipation of those enslaved in the US announced in 1865. This year, we are celebrating “Freedom Day” by offering a delightful selection of mains, sides, desserts, and refreshing drinks that are perfect for backyard barbecues and summer gatherings with friends and family.

Join us in honoring the legacy of progress and freedom by cooking and sharing these recipes. Additionally, you can easily follow each participant by using the hashtag #JuneteenthCookout2023 on Instagram.

You can find a list of all recipes from the 2023 Juneteenth Virtual Cookout on the Eat the Culture website.

Inspiration for Bourbon Candied Bacon

Miss Juneteenth is an annual beauty pageant held in many African American communities to commemorate the holiday. The pageant showcases African American women’s beauty, intelligence, and societal contributions. Dishes such as Bourbon Glazed Candied Bacon, Strawberry Oreo Crunch Pound Cake, and Rainbow Fruit Salad with Agave-Lime Syrup lean into the sweetness of the holiday.  

Bourbon candied bacon is a wonderful dish for cookouts, as it can stand alone as a tasty appetizer or be used to top off burgers and sandwiches. In this recipe, the rich flavor of bourbon adds depth to the sweetness of maple syrup and brown sugar, while the savory flavor of bacon balances out all those flavors perfectly.

Sweet Miss Juneteenth Recipes

Her Mise En Place – Bourbon Glazed Candied Bacon

Kenneth Temple – Hot Honey Wings

My Sweet Precision – Strawberry Oreo Crunch Pound Cake

Begin with Butter – Red Velvet Cupcakes

My Sweet Precision – Raspberry Chocolate Crumble Bars

A Classic Twist – Strawberry Basil Sparkler

Coined Cuisine – Rainbow Fruit Salad + Agave-Lime Syrup

Seasoned To Taste – Watermelon Cherry Frosé

You can find a list of all recipes from the 2023 Juneteenth Virtual Cookout on the Eat the Culture website

How To Make Bourbon Candied Bacon

Mise En Place

• 1 lb Thick-cut Bacon
• 1/3 cup Kentucky Bourbon
• 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
• 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
• 1/8 cup Light Brown Sugar
• Flaky Sea Salt, optional for topping
• Ground Black Pepper,  optional for topping

Baking the Bacon and Cooking Tips

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is warming up, whisk together the bourbon, maple syrup, and chili powder and set aside.

On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange bacon in a single layer so that the slices do not touch. Using half of the syrup mixture, lightly brush each slice of bacon.

Bake the bacon for 10 minutes. Remove pan(s) from oven and carefully flip each slice of bacon over. Now brush bacon with more of the syrup mixture. Sprinkle each slice with 1-2 pinches of brown sugar.

Return pans to oven and bake the bacon for another 10-12 minutes, or until your desired crispiness is reached.

Remove bacon from the oven and place slices on a cooling rack. If desired, this is the perfect time to top with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Note: You may have to use multiple trays and/or bake in batches.

Allow bacon to cool completely before serving. The sugars and bacon will slightly crisp up more as they cool.

Happy Juneteenth!