Description
Learn how to make bold and spicy Nashville-style hot beef bacon with depth and balance.
Ingredients
Scale
- Beef bacon (or thick-cut pork bacon as a substitute)
- Salt (for unsalted bacon)
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 2 tbsp butter (or clarified butter)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (for glaze)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Pat the beef bacon with a paper towel and lightly season both sides with salt if unsalted.
- Mix the dry rub: combine cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar, then rub it onto both sides of the bacon.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add neutral oil.
- Cook the bacon strips in a single layer for 3–5 minutes per side until crispy.
- For the glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan, stir in brown sugar, vinegar, and cayenne; warm to combine.
- Brush the glaze on the cooked bacon and quickly sear for 15–30 seconds to set.
Notes
Reserve some glaze for serving; it’s best applied hot for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg