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    Home / Roundups

    13 Bacon Recipes That’ll Make You Skip the Main

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Jun 2, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

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    Sometimes the side dish steals the spotlight, and with bacon involved, that's not exactly a shock. These bacon recipes aren't here to play backup-they're bold, rich, and downright impossible to ignore. They're the kind of thing you bring to a party and suddenly everyone forgets what the main course was supposed to be. Perfect for anyone who thinks crispy, smoky, and salty should be a food group. This is about leaning in, grabbing a napkin, and not pretending you're just here for a bite.

    A fork holding a bite of salad above a wooden bowl containing spinach, bacon, chopped eggs, and shredded lettuce.Pin
    Spinach Bacon Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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    Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites

    Three pieces of bacon-wrapped salmon bites garnished with parsley on a white plate.Pin
    Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    These salmon bites wrapped in bacon come together quickly and pack enough flavor to serve as a main part of any meal. The combination works well for a light dinner or appetizer. The easy prep and short cooking time make it practical for busy evenings. It's a smart way to enjoy bacon without the need for a large main dish.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites

    Bacon Green Beans

    Close-up of a plate with sautéed green beans and bacon pieces, with a fork spearing a few beans.Pin
    Bacon Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Crisp green beans get a smoky twist with bacon, making this a hearty side or light dish on its own. It's a simple recipe that doesn't take long to prepare, perfect for any weeknight. The bacon adds enough richness to make this an appealing option without extra sides. This recipe shows how bacon can bring a satisfying touch to vegetables.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Green Beans

    Chicken Corn Chowder

    A bowl of creamy chicken corn chowder with potatoes and garnished with shredded cheese.Pin
    Chicken Corn Chowder. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This chowder features bacon as a key ingredient, giving it a robust flavor that carries the whole dish. It's filling enough to serve as a light meal, especially when you want something warm and easy. The cooking time is reasonable, making it a practical choice for any day. Bacon here brings a depth that means no additional meat is needed.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Chowder

    Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer

    Bacon wrapped pineapple on a white plate.Pin
    Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Sweet pineapple meets crispy bacon for a quick snack or side that stands out on its own. Using an air fryer keeps the cooking time short and cleanup easy. The balance of sweet and smoky makes it a great option when you want something different without a heavy main. This recipe shows how bacon can transform even fruit into a satisfying dish.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple in Air Fryer

    Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

    Bacon wrapped air fryer cabbage on white plate.Pin
    Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Cabbage wrapped in bacon cooks quickly in the air fryer and makes a filling side or light main. The bacon provides enough flavor and texture to carry the dish without extras. It's an easy recipe with minimal fuss, perfect for a quick meal. This highlights how bacon can add a rich twist to everyday vegetables.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

    Broccoli Salad with Bacon

    Broccoli salad with bacon bits on a white oval plate, accompanied by a wooden serving spoon on a linen napkin.Pin
    Broccoli Salad with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This salad uses bacon to add a savory note that makes it stand out as more than just a side. It comes together quickly, making it a convenient option for lunch or a light dinner. The crispness of broccoli pairs well with the bacon's texture, making it a complete dish on its own. This shows how bacon can make a simple salad feel more substantial.
    Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

    Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

    Stack of bacon wrapped onion rings.Pin
    Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Onion rings wrapped in bacon offer a crispy, flavorful bite that works well as a snack or part of a light meal. The recipe is straightforward and quick, ideal for when you want something easy. The bacon adds enough punch to avoid needing a larger main dish. It's a practical way to enjoy bacon in a fun, handheld form.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

    Spinach Bacon Salad

    A fork holds a bite of spinach salad with chopped eggs, bacon, and cheese over a wooden bowl filled with the same salad. Two blurred bowls are in the background.Pin
    Spinach Bacon Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This salad features bacon as the star ingredient, making it hearty enough to be more than a side. It's a quick recipe that works well for a light meal or lunch. The combination of fresh spinach and bacon creates a balanced flavor and texture. This recipe demonstrates how bacon can turn a simple salad into a filling option.
    Get the Recipe: Spinach Bacon Salad

    Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

    Cabbage and bacon in white serving bowl.Pin
    Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This classic dish uses bacon to add a smoky depth to cabbage, creating a warm and filling plate. It's easy to prepare and cooks quickly, great for weeknight dinners. The bacon flavor carries the dish, so it stands on its own without needing a main course. It's a good way to enjoy bacon with a traditional southern touch.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

    Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

    A bowl of bacon-wrapped cocktail sausages served on a bed of fresh green herbs.Pin
    Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Little Smokies wrapped in bacon make a quick appetizer or light meal that's packed with flavor. The preparation is fast, perfect for gatherings or when you want something easy. Bacon adds enough richness to make these stand out without any sides. This recipe highlights bacon's role in simple, satisfying dishes.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

    Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon

    Sheet pan with cooked eggs, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, and bacon.Pin
    Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This sheet pan recipe brings together eggs and bacon for a straightforward breakfast or brunch that can serve as a full meal. It requires minimal cleanup and cooks quickly, making mornings easier. The bacon adds enough heartiness to keep it satisfying on its own. It's a practical way to feature bacon without extra dishes.
    Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon

    Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

    Three bacon-wrapped pieces of chicken on a white plate with a sprig of parsley and a red and white checkered cloth on the side.Pin
    Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Chicken bites wrapped in bacon offer a filling snack or light meal with rich flavor. The recipe is quick to prepare, making it suitable for busy days or casual meals. Bacon here is the key to making the dish stand on its own without other mains. It's a smart way to enjoy both bacon and chicken together simply.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

    Chicken bacon ranch casserole in baking dish.Pin
    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    This casserole blends bacon and chicken for a dish that works well as a standalone meal. It's comforting and easy to prepare, making it ideal for family dinners. The bacon adds enough flavor and texture to carry the dish without needing extras. It's a good example of a bacon recipe that doesn't rely on a big main course.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

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    A woman in a green shirt stands in a kitchen holding a bowl of strawberries.

    Hi, I'm Lisa! I'm a cookbook author who has been creating recipes for over a decade. I'd like to show you how easy it is to downsize your cooking for one or two people.

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