Guinness Glazed Bacon: Sticky, Crispy, and Glazed With Roasty Stout Sweetness

ByKarl S

Guinness Glazed Bacon is smoky, salty, and lacquered in a sticky glaze made with dark stout, brown sugar, and a hint of spice. It’s candied bacon meets pub snack, crisped in the oven and kissed with the roasty, bittersweet depth of Guinness.

Use it in sandwiches, crumble it over deviled eggs or burgers, or just eat it with your fingers while sipping a stout.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6 as a side or snack)

  • 1 lb thick-cut bacon
  • ½ cup Guinness (or other dry stout)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
  • ½ tsp Dijon mustard
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Glaze

  1. In a small saucepan, combine Guinness, brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and seasonings.
  2. Bring to a simmer and reduce for 10–15 minutes until syrupy and glossy. Let cool slightly — it will thicken as it sits.

Step 2: Prep the Bacon

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top (or use parchment if no rack).
  2. Lay bacon strips in a single layer. Bake 12–15 minutes until starting to crisp.

Step 3: Glaze & Finish

  1. Brush bacon with Guinness glaze and return to oven.
  2. Bake another 8–12 minutes, brushing again halfway through, until deep golden and caramelized. Watch carefully — the sugars can go from perfect to burnt fast.
  3. Cool on the rack for 5–10 minutes. Bacon will crisp as it cools.

Serving Suggestions

  • Stack into BLTs, burgers, or breakfast sandwiches
  • Chop and toss onto deviled eggs, salads, or roasted Brussels sprouts
  • Serve on a brunch board with sharp cheddar, eggs, and rye toast
  • Pair with dark chocolate and pretzels for a beer snack board

Storage

  • Keeps 3–4 days in the fridge
  • Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5–6 minutes to restore crisp
  • Freeze in parchment layers and warm from frozen as needed

Beer Pairing

In the Glaze

  • Guinness Draught or Extra Stout
  • Any dry stout or smooth porter with roast and body
  • Avoid pastry stouts or sweet milk stouts — too much sugar on sugar

In Your Glass

  • Same stout used in the glaze
  • Coffee porter or oatmeal stout for bold match
  • Irish red ale or brown ale for sweet-savory balance
  • Smoked beer if serving with eggs, hash, or barbecue

Final Thoughts

Guinness Glazed Bacon is crispy, sticky, and loaded with dark beer flavor — a snack, a topping, and a secret weapon for building brunch boards or unforgettable sandwiches.

It’s easy to make, hard to stop eating, and exactly what bacon should be with a beer in the mix. Cheers to smoky strips, sweet stout, and bacon that bites back! 🥓🍺🔥

🍺 Alternatives to Guinness

No Guinness? No problem. These stouts and porters bring similar depth — and sometimes even more character — to your kitchen.

While Guinness is the go-to for beer-based cooking, you’ve got plenty of bold, flavorful alternatives that work just as well — and in some cases, even better — depending on the dish. If you’re looking to experiment or just need a stand-in, here are three of the best:

1. Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout

Flavor profile: Roasty, sweet, velvety

Best used in:

  • Brownies
  • Chocolate layer cakes
  • Dessert sauces
  • Braised short ribs

This one’s a dessert powerhouse — the chocolate is prominent but balanced, and the mouthfeel adds richness to both sweet and savory dishes.

2. Murphy’s Irish Stout

Flavor profile: Smooth, creamy, with a softer roast than Guinness

Best used in:

  • Irish stew
  • Beer bread
  • Onion gravy
  • Cream-based sauces

It’s the closest stylistic match to Guinness — just lighter and slightly less bitter. A great pick for traditional Irish recipes or dishes where you don’t want the beer to dominate.

3. Founders Breakfast Stout

Flavor profile: Deep roast, coffee, dark chocolate

Best used in:

  • Ice cream or affogato
  • Tiramisu
  • Chocolate cake batters
  • Braised beef or short ribs

These are bolder than Guinness — darker, heavier, and more intense. Perfect when you want the beer to be felt in the flavor, not just as a background note.

Pro tip: If you’re using these in recipes that were designed for Guinness, reduce just a touch more to concentrate the flavor — these alternatives tend to bring slightly more body and richness to the pan or batter.

🍺 Explore More Guinness Recipes

From hearty mains and pub-style snacks to rich chocolate desserts and creamy floats — these Guinness-infused recipes show off the bold magic of stout in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or hosting a feast, there’s a Guinness recipe for it.

🥩 Guinness Beef Stew – Slow-cooked, hearty, and loaded with stout flavor.
🍖 Guinness Braised Short Ribs – Fall-apart tender ribs with a deep Guinness reduction.
🐔 Guinness Chicken Pot Pie – Creamy filling, flaky crust, and a splash of stout.
🍞 Guinness Beer Bread – Quick, dense, and slightly sweet with a malty twist.
🍔 Guinness BBQ Burgers – Juicy patties with smoky Guinness-spiked BBQ sauce.
🧀 Guinness Mac & Cheese – Ultra-creamy cheddar sauce with a hint of stout.
🍫 Guinness Chocolate Cake – Deep, rich chocolate layered with malty undertones.
🧁 Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting – Mini cakes with a boozy frosting twist.
🍨 Guinness Floats – Creamy vanilla ice cream meets bold stout fizz.
🍮 Guinness Chocolate Crème Brûlée – Silky, dark custard with a crackly caramel top.
🥓 Guinness Glazed Bacon – Sweet, sticky, and irresistibly crispy.
🥧 Guinness Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food leveled up with a stout-simmered filling.
🔥 Guinness BBQ Sauce – Sweet, smoky, and perfect on just about anything grilled.
🍫 Guinness Brownies – Fudgy brownies with a dark, malty richness.
🥣 Guinness Beer Cheese Soup – Warm, cheesy, and full of Guinness depth.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

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