Hot Bacon Dressing Recipe

Hot Bacon Dressing is also known as Pennsylvania Dutch hot bacon dressing, is the unexpected sweet, tangy and bacon-filled dressing that will dress up a simple spinach salad.

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I love this dressing over spinach salad with thinly sliced red onion and mushrooms. I will also crumble blu cheese or dice up hard boiled egg for added flavor. Also if I don’t have spinach in the fridge I will quarter a head of iceberg lettuce and make a wedge salad with warm bacon dressing poured over it.

Here is why this recipe is amazing:

• While the name of the dressing is HOT bacon dressing the heat comes from temperature, not spice.
• The combination of the crunch and saltiness of the bacon and the tang of the vinegar is balanced out with the sweetness of the sugar.
• A great dressing to use if you have someone who is not a fan of salads. Call this a ‘starter’ salad dressing. Who doesn’t love bacon?
• Not only use this dressing for spinach salad but use it to dress roasted Brussels sprouts and other roasted root vegetables.

Ingredients needed to make warm bacon dressing:

• bacon, cooked crisp. This would be a great use for your sous vide bacon!
• onion, finely diced
• sugar
• cornstarch – once the sauce comes to a boil, the corn starch will help thicken the dressing
• salt
• water
• vinegar – apple cider vinegar
• black pepper

How to make hot bacon dressing

1. Slice the bacon into one-inch pieces.
2. In a heavy bottom pan, cook diced bacon until crisp.
3. Remove the crips bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
4. Drain all but 1/4 cup of bacon grease from the pan.
5. Add the onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Whisk in the water and apple cider vinegar.
7. Carefully pour the sugar/vinegar mixture into the pan. Scraping the bits off the bottom of the pan.
8. Bring the dressing to a simmer, whisking continually. Cook until thickened about 1 minute.
9. Add the bacon back into the dressing and stir to combine.
10. Serve warm over salad greens.

Spinach Salad Ingredients:

• Spinach – baby spinach, washed and dried
• Onion – red onion, sliced paper-thin
• Mushroom – white mushrooms, sliced thinly
• Bacon – crisped and crumbled
• Warm Bacon Dressing – see above or the recipe card below

How to make a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing:

1. Slice the onion and the mushrooms thin.
2. Place 2 cups of washed and dried baby spinach in bowls.
3. Sprinkle each salad with onions, mushrooms and crisp, crumbled bacon.
4. Warm the dressing and spoon over the salad.

Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:

Hot Bacon Dressing

Sarah Mock

Hot Bacon Dressing is also known as Pennsylvania Dutch hot bacon dressing, is the unexpected sweet, tangy and bacon-filled dressing that will dress up a simple spinach salad.

5 from 8 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 15 mins

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Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 91 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 8 slices bacon diced
• 1/4 cup onion finely diced
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

 

• Slice the bacon into one-inch pieces.
  
• In a heavy bottom pan, cook diced bacon until crisp.
  
• Remove the crips bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Drain all but 1/4 cup of bacon grease from the pan.
  
• Add the onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Whisk in the water and apple cider vinegar.
• Carefully pour the sugar/vinegar mixture into the pan.Scraping the bits off the bottom of the pan.
  
• Bring the dressing to a simmer, whisking continually. Cook until thickened about 1 minute.
  
• Add the bacon back into the dressing and stir to combine.
  
• Serve warm over salad greens.
  

Notes

Spinach Salad Ingredients:

• Spinach – baby spinach, washed and dried
• Onion – red onion, sliced paper-thin
• Mushroom – white mushrooms, sliced thinly
• Bacon – crisped and crumbled
• Warm Bacon Dressing 

How to make a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing:

1. Slice the onion and the mushrooms thin.
2. Place 2 cups of washed and dried baby spinach in bowls.
3. Sprinkle each salad with onions, mushrooms and crisp, crumbled bacon.
4. Warm the dressing and spoon over the salad.

What kind of bacon is best for bacon dressing? 

Use your favorite bacon but I suggest use thick cut bacon for this recipe. The bacon is the star of the recipe and your best bacon should be used.

What type of onion should be used?

Vidalia onion, Wala -Wala onion, or other sweet onion work well in this dressing. If you want a more subtle onion flavor, use a shallot. 

How do you reheat this dressing?

I reheat this dressing by microwaving it in a microwave-safe container in 15-second intervals, stirring to avoid hot pockets in the dressing.

Serving a crowd tip:

This dressing is super popular at potlucks, church gatherings and bridal showers. To keep this dressing warm, keep it in a slow cooker set on low.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 91kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 148mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 12 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.