Bacon Pig Candy

Cooked strips of bacon candy cooling over a foil covered bench.

Pig candy is a popular preparation of bacon or similar thinly cut cured meats whereby it is seasoned and coated in a thick layer of sugar. The sugar melts to create a candy-like texture with the salty meat inside.

The flavor is added through a barbecue rub. The heat is an optional extra via cayenne pepper but can be exchanged for chili powder or a hotter rub choice.

Once made the bacon pig candy can be eaten around the smoker, as finger food at a gathering, or as a travel snack. It can also be used as part of another recipe such as on burgers, sandwiches, or even a topping on a dessert.

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Three pieces of bacon pig candy cooking on a grill rack.
The thinner the bacon the quicker it will cook so keep an eye on progress to ensure it doesn’t burn.
Strips of bacon laid out covered in brown sugar and cayenne pepper.
The amount of brown sugar and cayenne pepper is variable depending on your personal taste.
Rashers of bacon with brown suugar on them laid side by side on a waire rack.
The bacon must be laid out flat with no overlaps or folds to cook and caramelized correctly.
Close up of two strips of almost cooked bacon pig candy on a rack.
Depending on the rack used and location of the heat source grill marks can also occur on the bacon. Adjust the setup to your preference.
Two stacks of bacon covered in brown sugar.
The bacon can be prepared and stacked prior to laying on the rack. If you have a small smoker it may be necessary to cook in batches.
Cooked strips of bacon candy cooling over a foil covered bench.
The rack can be removed with the bacon pig candy on it and put aside to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth while eating.

Bacon Pig Candy Recipe

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Cooked strips of bacon candy cooling over a foil covered bench.
Pig Candy is a popular sugar-glazed meat product where the salty meat pairs with the sweetness to create a moreish high-protein snack.
Preparation 10 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Ready in 25 minutes
Servings 12
CourseSnack
InfluenceGlobal
DifficultySeasoned
MethodSmoke
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Ingredients

Equipment

  • smoker
  • applewood
  • wire rack

Directions

  • Preheat a smoker or camp oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  • Sprinkle the rub liberally on the bacon.
  • Apply brown sugar to evenly coat both sides of the bacon.
    Tip: A lot of brown sugar caramelizes to give the bacon a candy-like taste and texture.
  • Sprinkle some cayenne pepper to achieve a spicy pig candy if desired.
  • Place the bacon on a wire rack then place the rack in the preheated smoker along with some apple wood to provide some smoke flavor. Cook for 10 minutes.
  • Flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes. It is cooked when the bacon becomes crisp. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 387kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 10gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 506mgPotassium: 182mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 143IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

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