Bacon Bomb from the Dutch Oven

The party classic in a crispy bacon wrap

What exactly is a Bacon Bomb?
It's simple: a juicy meatloaf, filled with cheese and vegetables, completely wrapped in bacon – also known as a "Bacon Explosion".

It turns out particularly aromatic in a Dutch oven: crispy on the outside, juicy and wonderfully flavorful on the inside. Perfect for barbecue evenings, parties, or when many guests need to be fed.

Ingredients (for 6–8 people)

• 1.5 kg ground beef

• 400 g cheddar (grated or sliced)

• 2 bell peppers (red & yellow)

• 2 cloves garlic

• 2 red onions

• 400 g bacon (streaky bacon)

• 100 ml BBQ sauce

Spices:

• 2 tsp sweet paprika powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder (optional)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

Preparation

1. Prepare the ground meat

Thoroughly mix the ground meat with all the spices and set aside.

2. Prepare the filling

Dice the bell peppers finely.
Finely chop the onions and garlic.
Mix everything with the cheddar.

3. Lay out the bacon

Line the Dutch oven with bacon slices crisscross, letting them hang over the edge.
The bottom should be completely covered.

4. Layering

Press about ⅔ of the ground meat into the Dutch oven – lining the bottom and sides.
Place the cheese and vegetable mixture in the middle.

Close with the remaining ground meat and press firmly.

Fold the overhanging bacon strips over.

Brush with BBQ sauce.

5. Grilling

Cook in a preheated grill at 180 °C indirect heat for approx. 90 minutes.

Core temperature should be approx. 72–75 °C.

After about 60 minutes, open the lid, glaze again with BBQ sauce, and finish cooking.

Serving

Let it rest briefly, then slice.
Perfect with coleslaw, baked potatoes, or baguette.

💡Tip

• Also possible with Gouda or Mozzarella.
• For extra smoky flavor, use some smoking wood.
• Also works in the oven at 180 °C top/bottom heat.

Many thanks to Dutch Oven BBQ for the inspiration and photos!