Sizzle, Meet Drizzle: Why Honey Makes Bacon…

Meat eaters rejoice! Across retail, foodservice and social media, bacon is enjoying a full-fledged renaissance driven by flavor exploration, premium cuts and an explosion of new formats. And in the middle of this surge is an ingredient that naturally amplifies bacon’s best qualities: honey.

Below is a look at why this delicious meat is trending and how honey fits into the bacon boom.

You’re Bacon Us Crazy!

In the 52 weeks ending August 2025, retail bacon sales climbed 3.2%, with volume and unit sales also increasing. Consumers aren’t just sticking to breakfast classics; they’re using bacon throughout the day, in everything from salads and sandwiches to appetizers, mains and even desserts.

Retailers now stock an average of 32 bacon SKUs, but what counts as “bacon” is expanding fast. The broader definition reflects a consumer desire for flavor adventure, customization and creativity in dishes. Shoppers can find:

• Thick-cut and “steak-cut” bacon
• Limited time and seasonal flavors
• Smokehouse-style offerings
• Keto-friendly versions
• Chicken, turkey, beef, and duck bacon

Bold smoking techniques, deeper color, richer marbling, and artisanal cuts are turning bacon into an indulgent, gourmet experience. Thick-cut bacon, in particular, continues to lead category growth. Meanwhile, according to MEAT+POULTRY, producers see younger consumers gravitating toward nostalgic-meets-new flavor twists: maple-bourbon, pumpkin spice, hot honey, peppered and beyond, fueling a newstalgic bacon wave.

Whether it’s brunch boards, burgers, chicken sandwiches, pizzas, pasta, or snack toppers, bacon is showing up in every corner of the plate. Food makers are folding bacon into frozen meals, dips, mac-and-cheese, jams, and spreads. Bacon is no longer “just” for breakfast—it’s fueling lifestyles strip by strip.

Making a Bee-Line for Bacon

With bacon evolving into a flavor exploration food, honey steps in as its most natural and delicious partner.

Bacon’s salty, smoky, umami-rich profile pairs beautifully with honey’s natural sweetness and subtle floral notes. As brands release flavored bacon like maple, bourbon, chili, smokehouse, or peppered, honey fits seamlessly into those profiles. It can amplify sweetness, soften heat, or round out smoky notes, depending on the application. And, today’s thicker, meatier cuts benefit from glazes and finishes that complement their texture. Honey caramelizes beautifully, forming a glossy, slightly sticky exterior that enhances both flavor and mouthfeel.

As consumers gravitate toward familiar, simple ingredients, honey’s clean label and familiar appeal can raise bacon to premium status. Honey maintains a timeless, natural position that consumers trust.

Let’s take a look at honey bacons that are a cut above the rest: