Caramelized Teriyaki Bacon ... for Putting on Burgers

First chose a nice slab of bacon with plenty of meat on it.  Be picky.  It does work better if you use a ''thick cut'' bacon.   Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Pan and Rack

Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray your rack with olive oil spray  - or canola spray --  on both sides of rack. You wil throw away the foil so no need to spray it. If you don't use foil, you will have caramelized sugar forever stuck to your pan !

Step 2: Begin Your Flavor Layering.

Begin preparing your bacon flavor layering by dipping the bacon in sauce.  I used Kikoman's Low Sodium Teriyaki sauce to flavor the bacon.
.

Step 3: Brown Sugar.

Ordinary light brown sugar is used in this recipe. 
Break up the lumps, if any, with a whisk or a pastry cutter or a fork. I started with about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar, but I did add some more later so it is really about 2 cups that you need for this recipe.

Step 4: Pour Sauce in Bowl.

Pour some teriyaki sauce in bowl. I started with about 3/4 cup... but I didn't actually measure it.  You can always add more to your bowl, if you need it.

Step 5: Thick Bacon

Meaty, thick-cut sliced bacon, like this package here, works GREAT. 

Step 6: Cut the Bacon...

Pull out 6 or 7 slices. Using kitchen shears, cut slices in half. Why ? Because that will make them the correct size to lay on your hamburger or sandwich later on when finished. 

Step 7: Assembly Line...

Assembly line: Teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, then on to rack.

Step 8: Time to DUNK

First, dunk each slab of bacon into your teriyaki sauce to coat both sides.   Coat it well for really good flavor.

Step 9: Dredge in Brown Sugar

Next, dredge the sauce-coated bacon piece in your brow sugar.  Flip and coat both sides. 

Step 10: Place on Rack

Place your sugar-coated bacon pieces on your sprayed rack.   Be SURE you sprayed your rack with canola oil or some sort of non-stick spray, other wise your bacon may become stuck to it permanently .  

Step 11: Fill Up Rack

Fill up the rack with coated bacon pieces. 
(... lots of reflection going on in this photo from the over head light, the foil,  and the camera flash.. almost looks like the side of my pan has flames going, but it does not. ) 

Step 12: Food Safety

Properly wrap and store the rest of your bacon in the refrigerator.  We both know that thick bacon is not cheaply priced, so treat the remainder like it is gold and store it properly so you can repeat this recipe next week for your buddies.  After you've told them how delicious this is and that YOU made it, you know they will be wanting you to make some for them too.   

Step 13: Into the Oven...

Baking and caramelizing in the oven. Cook for at least 20 minutes, then take out, turn over, and put back in for another 12 to 15 minutes.  YES, this takes a LOT of time. No wonder the burger shoppes charge an arm and a leg $ for this on your burger. LOL

Step 14: Yummy

Holy Cow that looks GOOD !!  YUMMY !!

Step 15: Out of the Oven ...

Out of the oven. Cooled on rack for a little bit, then transfered to a glass plate that I lightly sprayed with the olive oil cooking spray. Let bacon cool.
However, if it still does not look "done'' then by all means put it back into the oven until it does get "done'' .. it should "crisp up" as it cools if properly cooked.

Step 16: Plate of Caramelized Teriyaki Bacon

WOW, does that look GOOD !!   This is now ready to add to your burger or sandwich, or eaten plain.   We put our Caramelized Teriyaki Bacon on grilled turkey burgers with pineapple slices and red onions, all on a whole wheat bun.  YUMMM-O !!