Two sweet-salty finishings let guests craft their own signature sandwiches, but if you’re a purist, leave them off and let the (excellent) bacon speak for itself.
Recipe information
Yield
8 Servings
Ingredients
¼
4
4
1½
¼
2
¼
2
2
4
16
Preparation
Step 1
Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 400°.
Step 2
If making brown-sugar rub, whisk brown sugar, chile powder, paprika, and 1 tsp. kosher salt in a small bowl.
Step 3
If making maple-mustard glaze, whisk maple syrup, mustard, cayenne, and remaining ½ tsp. kosher salt in another small bowl.
Step 4
For plain bacon, divide between 2 wire racks set inside large foil-lined rimmed baking sheets. Bake, rotating baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through, until brown and crisp, 35–50 minutes (depending on the thickness of the bacon). Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Step 5
For flavored bacon, generously sprinkle desired amount (you’ll have enough rub and glaze for 1 lb. bacon each) with rub or brush with glaze about 5 minutes before it is done cooking. Rub should be melted and bubbling and glaze should look thick and caramelized.
Step 6
Arrange bacon on a large platter and serve with lettuce, tomatoes, toast, mayonnaise, Sriracha Mayonnaise, Lemon-Herb Mayonnaise, sea salt, and pepper alongside for building sandwiches.