Amber Ale & Rosemary Candied Bacon Recipe

Did I have you at candied, bacon or beer?

Well you’re in luck because this amazingly yummy recipe has all 3!

If you’ve never tried candied bacon before, you’re in for a treat.

The added bonus of rosemary to this recipe brings it to another level all together.

A couple of fair warnings:

1. You need to cook this recipe in a very well ventilated area. Heed this warning or you will set off every smoke alarm within a 1 mile radius.
2. This recipe is addictive and delicious. Reserve it for your ‘special’ guest or yourself.
3. No matter how much you make, it will not be enough.

Okay. Now that the warnings are out of the way, let’s get down to business.

Amber Ale & Rosemary Candied Bacon Recipe Ingredients

• 1 lb of Thick Sliced Smoked Bacon (not sugar)
• 1 Cup of Dark Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup of Amber Ale or Lager
• 1 Tablespoon of fresh chopped Rosemary

I first discovered candied bacon at a little restaurant off the beaten path about 1.5 hours away from home in SC.

From the outside you never would have imagined the culinary treasures that awaited inside. 

They offered a candied bacon appetizer and I just HAD to try it. Oh my goodness. I hate to admit but I think I ate the entire appetizer by myself!

Obviously I had to rush home and try to re-create it. Not only was I able to nail the texture and taste, the fresh rosemary and ale added another level of deliciousness.

Directions for Amber Ale & Rosemary Candied Bacon

Bacon Prep

1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. Line baking sheet with foil (one with a rim).
3. Place wire rack on foil.
4. Cut bacon strips in half and place on wire rack. Try not to overlap the bacon.
5. Cook bacon in oven for 10 mins.

While bacon is cooking you can make the glaze, or you can make the glaze ahead of time.

Rosemary and Ale Glaze

1. Add brown sugar and Amber Ale to a sauce pan and bring to boil.
2. Reduce heat and continue to boil for 5 mins, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove glaze from heat and add chopped rosemary, mix thoroughly.

Making The candied Bacon

1. After the bacon has cooked for 10 mins, remove from oven and brush glaze on each slice.
2. Flip bacon over and repeat.
3. Put bacon back in oven and cook for 10 more minutes.
4. Continue this process until your bacon is completely done.
5. Remove candied bacon from oven and let stand one hour.

This recipe can stand on it’s own as an appetizer or chop and serve over dishes like salads, wraps or in your favorite grilled cheese sandwich.

Speaking of sandwiches, Craft Beer shares another recipe where Bacon Cheddar and Amber Ale Burger meet once again.

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