Bacon Explosion
The Bacon Explosion is an American smoked barbecue dish made by weaving strips of uncooked bacon into a mat, spreading a layer of seasoned loose Italian sausage mixed with chopped cooked bacon and barbecue sauce over it, rolling the combination into a log, coating the exterior with additional barbecue rub, and slow-smoking it until fully cooked, resulting in a spiral cross-section when sliced.[1][2] The dish was invented in December 2008 by Jason Day and Aaron Chronister, experienced barbecue competitors and members of the Kansas City-based team Burnt Finger BBQ, who developed the recipe in Day's kitchen as a creative experiment using readily available ingredients like bacon and sausage for tailgating events.[3][4] They first documented and shared the step-by-step instructions, including photos, on their blog BBQ Addicts (bbqaddicts.com), where it was presented as a simple, indulgent pork-based alternative to traditional smoked meats.[5] Upon posting, the recipe rapidly became an internet sensation, accumulating over 500,000 views and thousands of links within weeks, fueled by social sharing on platforms like StumbleUpon and word-of-mouth among barbecue enthusiasts.[6][7] Its viral spread led to features in major publications such as The New York Times and The Huffington Post, as well as adaptations and commercial products, cementing it as one of the most downloaded and discussed home barbecue recipes of the late 2000s.[8][9] The creators later expanded on its success by publishing the cookbook BBQ Makes Everything Better in 2010, which included the original recipe alongside variations.[10]Overview
Composition and Structure
The Bacon Explosion consists of an outer shell formed by a lattice weave of thick-cut bacon slices, which encases a central core of spiced ground sausage meat.[11][12] The sausage filling consists of loose Italian sausage mixed or layered with chopped cooked bacon and barbecue sauce, typically seasoned with barbecue rub; variations may include additional elements such as chopped onions, jalapeños, or shredded cheese to enhance texture and variety.[11][13] This layered construction results in a cylindrical log shape, often resembling an American football in shape, popular for tailgating events, with a design that "explodes" with bold, savory flavors upon consumption.[14][12] Standard preparations yield a dish approximately 10 to 12 inches in length, weighing about 3 to 4 pounds, and sufficient to serve 10 or more people.[11][15] Visually, the finished product presents as a glossy, bacon-encased roll with a crispy, rendered exterior from the interwoven slices, contrasting a moist and tender sausage interior; when smoked or grilled, it acquires a characteristic smoky aroma and profile.[11][14]Culinary Characteristics
The Bacon Explosion delivers an intense savory umami flavor profile, primarily from the rich combination of bacon and pork sausage, which melds into a deeply meaty taste during smoking.[12][1] This base is often balanced by optional spicy elements, such as charred jalapeños, providing a contrasting heat, or a sweet barbecue glaze that adds caramelized notes and cuts through the saltiness.[1] The high fat content from the bacon weave and sausage filling further enhances the richness, creating an indulgent, full-bodied experience that emphasizes pork's natural succulence without overwhelming subtlety.[16] In terms of texture, the dish showcases striking contrasts: the exterior bacon forms a crunchy, crisp shell after smoking or broiling, while the interior sausage remains tender and moist, retaining juiciness from the low-and-slow cooking process.[12][1] When sliced, this reveals an appealing pinwheel pattern of layered bacon and sausage, contributing to a satisfying bite that combines the snap of rendered fat with the soft give of spiced meat.[12] Nutritionally, a standard serving (1/10th) of the Bacon Explosion is high in calories, approximately 500 per portion, along with substantial protein (around 25-30 grams) and fats (around 50 grams), underscoring its status as a calorie-dense indulgence suited for occasional enjoyment rather than everyday fare.[11] This composition highlights its role as a hearty, fat-forward barbecue centerpiece, though portion control is advisable given the concentrated energy density. For optimal serving, the Bacon Explosion is sliced into rounds and paired with complementary sides like coleslaw for a creamy crunch or cornbread to soak up the savory juices, making it a popular choice for parties and game-day spreads where its bold, shareable nature shines.[17]History
Invention and Creators
The Bacon Explosion was invented by Jason Day and Aaron Chronister, two Kansas City-area barbecue enthusiasts and members of the competitive Burnt Finger BBQ team.[18][4] Day and Chronister, who co-run the BBQ Addicts blog, drew on their experience as backyard grillers and competition participants to experiment with bold, meat-heavy dishes.[18][12] The dish originated in December 2008 in Day's kitchen in Roeland Park, Kansas, shortly before Christmas as the pair sought a standout creation.[18] Inspired by a Twitter message from a friend challenging the idea of weaving bacon—prompting Day to create a mat-like base—the creators combined this technique with sausage stuffing to form a smoked, spiral-shaped roll.[18][4] This innovation emerged amid a growing cultural fascination with bacon-infused foods in the late 2000s, where bacon's versatility was celebrated in everything from desserts to cocktails.[18] Their initial motivation stemmed from a desire to develop a novel, crowd-pleasing barbecue item for their blog, which they used to share recipes and attract readers to support their hobby through potential ad revenue.[18] The experiment was partly spurred by a request from BaconToday.com for extreme bacon-barbecue ideas, leading them to "clog a few arteries" with an over-the-top creation.[12] The first iteration featured a basic 5-by-5 weave of thick-cut bacon strips as the outer layer, filled with 2 pounds of Italian sausage and scattered bits of fried bacon for added texture, seasoned simply with a barbecue rub and sauce—no extras like cheese were included.[18][12] Day and Chronister refined it through trial smokes in a backyard smoker, adjusting the weave tightness and smoking time to ensure even cooking and optimal flavor absorption, resulting in a high-calorie log estimated at over 5,000 calories total.[18] This prototype was documented in their inaugural blog post on December 23, 2008, dubbing it "the BBQ sausage recipe of all recipes."[12]Initial Spread and Virality
The Bacon Explosion was introduced to the public via a detailed blog post on BBQ Addicts on December 23, 2008, complete with step-by-step photographs illustrating the weaving of bacon strips, layering of sausage and fillings, and smoking process.[12] This initial publication rapidly circulated through word-of-mouth among barbecue enthusiasts on online forums such as The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board and BBQ Brethren, where users discussed and shared the recipe shortly after its release.[19] By Christmas Day 2008, the post had already drawn over 27,000 visitors, marking an explosive start to its online presence.[18] In early 2009, the recipe's momentum accelerated on nascent social media platforms like Twitter—where the creators had around 1,200 followers—and Facebook, amplifying its reach beyond niche communities.[18] Discovery tools such as StumbleUpon propelled it to the site's front page for three days, resulting in approximately 390,000 total views and links from over 16,000 websites by late January.[18] Features on food-focused sites further boosted visibility, leading to reports of thousands of home recreations by mid-2009 as amateur cooks experimented with the dish.[20] Several factors contributed to its virality: the visually striking photographs that showcased the dish's indulgent layers, the straightforward assembly appealing to home barbecuers, and its opportune timing just before Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009, positioning it as a game-day novelty.[18] The concept's excess—bacon encasing more bacon and sausage—tapped into the emerging "bacon-wrapped everything" meme, capturing the era's fascination with over-the-top pork innovations.[18] The online community responded enthusiastically, with users posting their own photos, videos, and slight adaptations on forums and social media, transforming the Bacon Explosion into a grassroots internet sensation prior to broader cultural adoption.[18] This user-driven sharing established it as a participatory phenomenon, with recreations often incorporating personal twists like added spices while preserving the core bacon lattice structure.Preparation
Required Ingredients
The traditional Bacon Explosion relies on a simple set of core ingredients centered around pork products, barbecue seasonings, and sauce to create its signature layered, smoked profile. These components form the foundation of the dish as originally conceived by Jason Day and Aaron Chronister of the Burnt Finger BBQ team in 2008.[12][21] Core Ingredients:- 2 pounds thick-cut bacon slices: Used for both the outer weave and frying bits to layer inside the sausage for added texture and flavor.[21][11]
- 2 pounds ground Italian sausage (pork preferred, loose and uncased): Provides the primary filling, offering a spiced, meaty base that binds the roll together during smoking.[21][1]
- 3 tablespoons barbecue rub (e.g., a mix of 1/4 cup brown sugar, paprika, salt, and spices like garlic powder and black pepper): Applied to season the exterior for a caramelized crust.[21][11]
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce (sweet and smoky variety preferred): Reserved for glazing the interior layer and exterior during cooking to enhance moisture and tang.[21][11]
- 1 cup diced onions: Incorporated into the sausage layer for subtle sweetness and crunch.
- 1/2 cup diced jalapeños: Added for heat, balancing the richness of the pork.
- 1 cup shredded cheese (e.g., cheddar or pepper jack): Stuffed inside for a melty contrast to the smoky exterior.