If you love bacon and butter as much as I do, then you’re going to be head-over-heels for this Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe. It’s crazy simple but packs an incredible flavor punch that will upgrade everything from morning toast to roasted veggies. When I first tried this, it changed the way I think about butter forever — seriously, it’s that good. Stick around because I’m going to share exactly how to nail the perfect crispy bacon butter every single time, along with my favorite ways to serve it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and Flavorful: The crispy bacon bits combined with creamy butter create a savory treat you’ll crave.
- Super Versatile: Use it on toast, baked potatoes, veggies or even pancakes for a unique twist.
- Easy to Make: Only a few ingredients and minutes to whisk up a batch anyone can handle.
- Customizable: Swap flavors easily to match sweet or savory cravings with simple tweaks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about this Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe is how few ingredients you need—each one plays a key role in delivering that perfect balance of smoky, creamy, and slightly tangy richness. Make sure the bacon you pick is thick-cut for the best texture, and use good-quality butter that’s nice and soft for easy mixing.
- Bacon: Thick-cut works great for crispiness and hearty flavor—you’ll want those bacon bits to really stand out.
- Salted Butter: Room temperature butter blends easily and provides the creamy base that balances the bacon’s saltiness.
- Dijon Mustard: Just a touch adds complexity and cuts through the richness wonderfully; optional but highly recommended.
- Fresh Cracked Pepper: Adds a subtle kick and complements the smokiness beautifully—don’t skip it!
Variations
I love how easy it is to switch up this Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe depending on what I’m craving or what I have on hand. This flexibility makes it a staple in my kitchen because you can keep things interesting without complicating the process.
- Honey Drizzle: Swap out the dijon and pepper for a little honey if you want a sweet-savory combo that’s amazing on pancakes or muffins—my kids go crazy for this version.
- Herb Boost: Add finely chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley for a bright, fresh twist that works brilliantly on steamed veggies or grilled meats.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes for a smoky heat that pairs wonderfully with eggs or avocado toast.
- Smoky Paprika: Blend in smoked paprika instead of black pepper for an extra depth of smoky flavor if you want to amp it up.
How to Make Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe
Step 1: Fry the Bacon to Crispy Perfection
Start by cooking your bacon in a skillet over medium heat. You want it crispy but not burnt, so keep an eye on the color and texture. It usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Once done, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess grease. This step is crucial because that rendered bacon fat is pure gold for flavor in the butter.
Step 2: Combine Butter and Bacon Grease
In a small mixing bowl, add your softened butter along with about 1 tablespoon of that freshly rendered bacon grease. This is the secret ingredient that amplifies flavor and gives the butter an irresistible savory depth. I always use salted butter, so adding bacon grease intensifies that wonderful saltiness.
Step 3: Crumble Bacon and Mix It All Together
Next, crumble the bacon into very small pieces — I like to aim for almost fine crumbs, so it blends evenly throughout the butter. Add the bacon bits, dijon mustard, and freshly cracked pepper to your butter mixture. Stir everything well to combine. If you want a super smooth consistency, you can pulse everything quickly in a food processor. It’s up to you, but I love the hands-on approach because those chunky bacon bits are a delight.
Step 4: Chill and Store
Spoon your crispy bacon butter into a small dish or container, cover it up, and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up. This lets all the flavors meld together. Plus, it’s so much easier to spread when chilled.
Pro Tips for Making Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe
- Don’t Overcook Your Bacon: I learned the hard way that burnt bacon makes the butter bitter, so aim for that golden crispiness instead.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: It blends so much easier and helps the bacon crumbs distribute evenly.
- Reserve Some Bacon Fat: Adding just a tablespoon of that grease gives your butter an amazing smoky richness you won’t want to skip.
- Chill Before Serving: Trust me, refrigerated bacon butter spreads better and tastes even more harmonious once flavors meld.
How to Serve Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe
Garnishes
I typically sprinkle a tiny pinch of fresh chopped chives or a crack more of black pepper right on top before serving—it adds a fresh, colorful contrast to the deep flavors. Sometimes I toss a few crispy bacon parts on for extra texture because why not?
Side Dishes
This butter is a game-changer with scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, or even slathered on a crusty baguette alongside soups and stews. One of my favorite combos is grilled asparagus topped with a dollop of this butter – it’s ridiculously good.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch parties, I like to serve a small whipped bowl of bacon butter alongside an assortment of breads, fresh fruit, and cheeses—the perfect spread to impress guests without fuss. You can also shape the butter into a log using parchment paper, slice it into rounds, and place on top of hot dishes for an elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep my bacon butter tightly covered in the fridge, and it stays fresh and flavorful for up to 2 weeks. It’s handy to make a batch ahead to have that bacon goodness ready to go for quick breakfasts or last-minute dinners.
Freezing
Freezing crispy bacon butter works well too! I shape it into a log, wrap it super tight in plastic wrap and foil, then store in the freezer. It keeps perfectly for about 3 months. When you need it, just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Because butter melts quickly, I usually scoop what I need at room temperature and let it soften just a bit rather than heating it. If you want to warm it up, do it gently in the microwave in short bursts to avoid melting completely.
FAQs
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Can I make the Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe without mustard?
Absolutely! The dijon mustard adds depth and cuts some richness, but if you’re not a fan or don’t have it on hand, you can leave it out. The butter will still be deliciously flavorful thanks to the bacon and pepper.
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How do I get the bacon extra crispy without burning it?
Cook the bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally to ensure even crisping. If the heat is too high, it can burn quickly. Patting the bacon dry on paper towels after cooking also helps keep it crisp when mixing into the butter.
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Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
You can, but just be sure to taste and adjust seasoning since the salted butter adds important savory notes. You might want to sprinkle in a little extra salt depending on your preference.
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Is this bacon butter safe to freeze?
Yes! Freezing bacon butter works great. Just shape it into a log and wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
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What can I serve with crispy bacon butter?
It’s fantastic on toast, baked potatoes, grilled veggies, scrambled eggs, or even pancakes. I especially love pairing it with roasted asparagus or spreading it on warm sourdough bread for easy snacks or sides.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe is one of those simple ideas that feels fancy but takes almost no time and effort. I love how it transforms everyday dishes into something special and comforting. Whether you’re hosting friends or just treating yourself on a lazy weekend, this butter adds unmatched flavor with minimal fuss. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed how such a small tweak can make your meals so much better. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll be hooked!
Print
Crispy Bacon Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 10
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Bacon Butter recipe combines crispy bacon pieces with creamy salted butter, enhanced with a touch of Dijon mustard and freshly cracked pepper. Perfect for spreading on warm bread, muffins, or melting atop vegetables and grilled dishes, this flavorful compound butter adds a savory, smoky twist to your meals.
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 Bacon: Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. This usually takes around 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally to cook evenly.
- Drain Bacon: Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small mixing bowl, add the room temperature butter along with 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon grease. This infuses the butter with smoky flavor.
- Crumble Bacon: Crumble the cooled bacon into very small, fine pieces and add these to the butter mixture along with the Dijon mustard and freshly cracked pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the ingredients well by hand to combine thoroughly. Alternatively, place all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until the bacon is finely crumbled and the butter mixture is homogenized.
- Refrigerate: Spoon the bacon butter into a small dish or container, cover it, and refrigerate until firm and ready to use.
Notes
- The Dijon mustard adds a delicious depth of flavor and balances the richness of the bacon butter. You may omit it if preferred.
- For a sweet variation, skip the Dijon mustard and cracked pepper and instead add a drizzle of honey, making it perfect for pancakes, waffles, or muffins.
- Be sure to reserve some bacon grease to mix into the butter for enhanced flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg