If you’re anything like me, you know that a little bacon makes everything better — and butter is kind of the ultimate kitchen hero. So what happens when you combine the two? Magic, pure magic. This Bacon Butter Recipe is hands-down one of my favorite flavor boosters for everything from morning toast to roasted veggies. It’s rich, smoky, and unbelievably easy to whip up, and I promise once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor: The smoky bacon combined with creamy butter creates a rich, savory taste you’ll crave.
- Super Versatile: Use it on toast, baked potatoes, grilled corn, or even as a finishing touch for steaks.
- Easy to Make: Just four ingredients and a few minutes, and you’re ready to go — perfect for busy kitchens.
- Customizable: You can tweak the seasoning easily to suit sweet or savory preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple but pack a punch. I love how the salty bacon fat infuses the butter, and the dijon mustard adds just a little brightness and complexity. When shopping, fresh bacon makes all the difference here, and always use good quality butter for the creamiest texture.
- Bacon: Go for thick-cut if you want a meatier texture, but regular sliced works perfectly too.
- Salted Butter: Room temperature butter blends easier; I always let mine soften on the counter beforehand.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle tang to balance richness — you can skip it if you’re not a mustard fan.
- Fresh Cracked Pepper: This gives a hint of spice and freshness that complements the bacon’s smokiness.
Variations
One of the best things about this Bacon Butter Recipe is how adaptable it is. I like to mix things up depending on the meal or mood — feel free to experiment and make it your own!
- Sweet & Savory: When I swap out the dijon and cracked pepper for a drizzle of honey, this butter turns into a dreamy spread for pancakes or muffins.
- Herb-Infused: Toss in some finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or chives for a fresh flavor twist that brightens the butter beautifully.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika if you want to give the butter some heat — my family secretly loves this fiery version.
How to Make Bacon Butter Recipe
Step 1: Fry the Bacon Until Crispy
Start by frying your bacon in a skillet over medium heat. I like to keep an eye on it and flip occasionally for even crispiness. When the bacon reaches that perfect crispy stage (but not burnt!), remove it onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain. This step is crucial because the rendered bacon fat is what gives our butter that amazing smoky flavor.
Step 2: Mix Butter and Bacon Grease
Once the bacon is done, scoop about one tablespoon of the warm bacon grease out of the pan. Add it to your softened butter in a small bowl — this step lets the butter soak up those smoky, salty notes. Stir well to combine, making sure the grease is evenly distributed but not overwhelming.
Step 3: Crumble Bacon and Add Seasonings
Now, crumble the bacon into very small pieces — I usually crush the slices between my fingers to get tiny bits. Add those bacon crumbs, dijon mustard, and fresh cracked pepper to the butter mixture. Stir everything together until well combined. If you prefer, pop all the ingredients into a food processor and blitz until you get uniform bacon crumbs and a creamy butter blend.
Step 4: Chill and Use
Spoon your bacon butter into a small dish and cover it up. Refrigerate until it firms up a bit — usually about an hour, though you can use it sooner if you like. Once chilled, it’s ready to spread, dollop, or melt over your favorite dishes!
Pro Tips for Making Bacon Butter Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Butter: It blends much easier with the bacon grease and seasonings, giving you a silky, even texture.
- Don’t Throw Away Bacon Grease: That tablespoon you add to butter is pure flavor gold and makes this recipe stand out.
- Crush Bacon Very Fine: Smaller bacon bits spread flavor more evenly and create a better butter consistency.
- Adjust Seasonings After Chilling: Butter flavors intensify once chilled, so taste and tweak pepper or mustard before serving.
How to Serve Bacon Butter Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little freshly chopped chives or parsley on top of the bacon butter when serving — the color pop adds freshness and brightness. Sometimes a pinch of smoked paprika on top adds an extra layer of smoky aroma that makes my guests ask for the recipe every time.
Side Dishes
This butter is a perfect match for crispy roasted potatoes, steamed green beans, grilled corn on the cob, or simply slathered on warm biscuits and toast. I’ve even melted a dollop over cooked eggs for an insanely decadent breakfast experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try shaping the bacon butter into a log using parchment paper, then slicing rounds to place atop hot steaks or baked potatoes. Another fun idea is to pipe it through a star tip to create fancy butter rosettes for your brunch spread — it’s the little touches that impress everyone!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep my bacon butter stored in a covered container in the fridge. It stays fresh and flavorful for about 1 to 2 weeks — long enough for me to enjoy several meals and snacks. Just make sure to keep it airtight so it doesn’t pick up other fridge odors.
Freezing
Freezing bacon butter works great if you want to make a big batch ahead of time. I portion it into small silicone molds or roll it tightly in parchment paper before popping it into the freezer. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge. I’ve found this method preserves the texture and flavor beautifully.
Reheating
Because bacon butter is great cold or melted, reheating is super simple. For spreading on bread, just let it soften at room temperature for 15–20 minutes. If you want it melty, a quick zap in the microwave for 10 seconds or melting it gently in a pan works wonders without separating.
FAQs
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Can I use unsalted butter for this Bacon Butter Recipe?
Absolutely! Just keep in mind the bacon adds a lot of saltiness, so taste as you go. You might want to add a pinch of salt, or none at all, depending on how salty your bacon is.
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How long does bacon butter stay fresh in the fridge?
Stored properly in an airtight container, it should stay fresh and delicious for about 1 to 2 weeks. Always give it a quick sniff and check for any color changes before using.
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Can I make bacon butter without dijon mustard?
Definitely! The dijon adds depth, but if you’re not a fan or don’t have it on hand, simply omit it. You can substitute with a little honey for a sweeter version or leave it plain for a classic bacon butter flavor.
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What dishes pair best with bacon butter?
Bacon butter is fantastic on toast, baked potatoes, steamed veggies, eggs, and even grilled meats. It’s also a delicious upgrade for baked bread or homemade biscuits.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Butter Recipe has become my secret weapon to turn simple dishes into showstoppers. Every time I spread it on a warm biscuit or melt it over roasted asparagus, I can’t help but smile at how something so straightforward delivers such incredible flavor. I can’t recommend it enough — next time you want to elevate your meals with minimal effort, give this recipe a try. You’ll soon find it hard to imagine any meal without a little bacon butter on the side!
Print
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 rich and savory Bacon Butter recipe combines crispy bacon, creamy salted butter, and a hint of Dijon mustard to create a versatile spread that enhances the flavor of breads, vegetables, and breakfast dishes. Easy to make and perfect for adding a smoky, buttery punch 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 black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the bacon and place it onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Prepare the Butter Mixture: In a small mixing bowl, add the butter along with 1 tablespoon of the hot bacon grease reserved from the skillet. This infuses the butter with smoky bacon flavor.
- Combine Bacon and Seasonings: Crumble the cooled bacon into very small, fine pieces and add to the butter along with the Dijon mustard and fresh cracked black pepper. Stir well to combine evenly.
- Optional Food Processor Step: Alternatively, place the bacon, butter, mustard, pepper, and bacon grease into a food processor and pulse until the bacon is finely crumbled and the mixture is uniformly combined for a smoother texture.
- Refrigerate: Spoon the bacon butter into a serving dish or airtight container. Cover and refrigerate until firm and ready to use, about 1 hour.
Notes
- The Dijon mustard adds a subtle depth of flavor and balances the richness; feel free to omit if preferred.
- For a sweet variation, skip the mustard and cracked pepper and add a drizzle of honey to use this butter on pancakes, waffles, or muffins.
- Store the bacon butter in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg