Applewood Grilled Bacon (Virginia Style) | Arteflame

Introduction

There is something primal and utterly satisfying about the aroma of Virginia Applewood bacon mingling with the scent of an open fire on a crisp morning. It is a sensory ritual that signals the start of a perfect weekend. Unlike the splatter of a kitchen skillet, grilling bacon on the Arteflame transforms a simple breakfast side into a culinary event. The solid flat-top sears the meat in its own rendered fat, creating an impossibly crispy texture with a tender chew that shatters delightfully upon the first bite. Whether you are enjoying a solitary sunrise or feeding a hungry crowd, this dish brings warmth and joy to the table.

Why This Recipe is a Weekend Essential

I absolutely adore this method because it marries convenience with gourmet flavor. The flat cooktop eliminates the dreaded flare-ups typical of standard grills, making the process safe and stress-free. Plus, the subtle infusion of wood smoke elevates the sweet, savory notes of the applewood cure, delivering a depth of flavor you simply cannot replicate indoors. It is pure Southern comfort with a smoky kiss that turns a standard breakfast into a feast.

My Secrets for Perfect Grilling

• Watch Your Zones: The center is the hottest! Start your bacon slightly further out on the flat top to render the fat slowly without burning the sugar in the cure.
• Save the Liquid Gold: Don't let that rendered fat go to waste. Use a spatula to guide it toward potatoes or eggs cooking nearby for an instant flavor boost.

Make It Your Own

If you don't have applewood bacon, any thick-cut pork bacon works beautifully; just avoid thin slices as they can crisp up too fast. For a lighter option, turkey bacon grills well on the flat top, though you may need a little extra oil to get that perfect sear.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Thick-Cut Virginia Applewood Smoked Bacon
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper (Optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Grill

1. Start a fire in the center of your Arteflame grill using charcoal or wood. Allow the grill to heat up for about 15-20 minutes.
2. You are looking for a medium-high heat on the flat cooktop surface. Specifically, you want the griddle to be hot enough to sizzle immediately, but not so hot that the bacon burns before the fat renders.

Step 2: Arrange the Bacon

1. Lightly oil the cooktop surface if needed, though the bacon fat will quickly take over.
2. Lay the strips of Virginia Applewood bacon directly onto the flat steel plancha.
3. Arrange the strips radially, pointing away from the center fire, or place them in the cooler zones (the outer ring) to cook them more slowly and evenly.

Step 3: Sizzle and Flip

1. Let the bacon cook undisturbed for a few minutes until the fat begins to render and the bottom side turns golden brown.
2. Using tongs or a flat spatula, flip the bacon strips. If you notice some pieces cooking faster than others, rotate them around the cooktop to manage the heat.
3. Continue flipping occasionally to ensure even crisping on both sides.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

1. Once the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness and is a rich mahogany color, remove it from the grill.
2. Place the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
3. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips

Achieving the perfect slice of grilled bacon requires understanding the unique heat zones of your Arteflame. The center of the cooktop is the hottest, while the outer edges are cooler. It is highly recommended to start the bacon slightly away from the direct center to allow the fat to render slowly without burning the sugars present in the applewood cure. Do not crowd the cooktop; give each slice room to breathe and sizzle for the best texture. If you notice the bacon curling too aggressively, use a grill press or a wide spatula to keep it flat—this ensures even caramelization across the entire strip. Save that rendered bacon fat on the cooktop! It acts as liquid gold for frying eggs, hash browns, or grilling onions right next to the meat. Finally, pull the bacon off the heat just before it looks perfectly done, as the residual heat will continue to crisp it up as it cools down.

Variations

While the classic Virginia Applewood flavor is a standout on its own, a few simple tweaks can customize the flavor profile to your specific cravings. If you have a sweet tooth, a brush of maple syrup in the final moments adds a candy-like finish that pairs beautifully with the smoke. For those who prefer a bit of a kick, adding spices can transform the dish entirely. Experimenting with glazes and rubs is easy on the flat top because the solid surface prevents the seasonings from falling into the fire. Here are a few ways to mix it up:

• Candied Maple Bacon: Brush with real maple syrup and a pinch of brown sugar during the last minute of grilling.
• Pepper Crusted: Press coarse black pepper into the bacon before placing it on the grill.
• Spicy Cajun: Dust the bacon with Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper for a Southern kick.
• Bourbon Glazed: Drizzle a small amount of bourbon reduction over the strips just before serving.
• Herbed Bacon: Sprinkle fresh rosemary or thyme onto the cooking bacon for an aromatic twist.

Best pairings

This smoky Virginia Applewood bacon is incredibly versatile and serves as the anchor for many delicious meals. It naturally belongs next to sunny-side-up eggs cooked in the rendered fat on the same griddle, creating a seamless breakfast experience. However, do not limit yourself to the morning hours. The robust applewood flavor adds a crunchy, savory element to lunch and dinner favorites as well. The high-heat sear from the Arteflame locks in flavor that complements rich and fresh ingredients alike.

• Classic Breakfast: Serve alongside fluffy scrambled eggs and hash browns.
• Grill-Top Burger: Use it as a topping for a smash burger with melted cheddar cheese.
• BLT Sandwich: Pair with heirloom tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and grilled sourdough toast.
• Loaded Bloody Mary: Use a whole strip as a garnish for a smoky cocktail treat.

Conclusion

Mastering Virginia Applewood grilled bacon on your Arteflame is the ultimate way to elevate your outdoor cooking game. The combination of high-heat searing on the flat top and the subtle infusion of wood smoke creates a flavor profile that stovetop cooking simply cannot match. It is the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and smoky, achieved without the mess or danger of grease fires. Now that you know the secrets to managing heat zones and achieving maximum crispiness, this dish will likely become the most requested item at your weekend gatherings. So fire up the grill, listen to that satisfying sizzle, and enjoy the best bacon you have ever tasted.