Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (2024)

4.44 from 118 votes

ByStacie VaughanOn Updated

23 Comments

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I guarantee you if you make these Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts, they will not last long. I almost ate this entire batch myself. It’s the type of recipe where you cannot just have one. I eat one and I’m in for it. I have to eat them ALL!

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (1)

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

My mom calls this recipe, Rumaki, but I simply refer to it as Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts. Either name works. She used to make this recipe anytime she was hosting a party at our house. I used to bug her to make them “just because” and sometimes she would.

I’m not even a fan of water chestnuts. I dislike them in stir-fries. In bacon, though? Pure magic. I will eat just about anything if its wrapped in bacon.

Ingredients

  • Bacon
  • Water chestnuts
  • Brown sugar
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Garlic powder
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (2)

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

  • Step One: Preheat oven to 375F. Cut bacon in half. Wrap each slice of bacon around water chestnut and secure with a toothpick. Place in a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (3)
  • Step Two: Bake for 10 minutes. Drain grease from pan.
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (4)
  • Step Three: While bacon is baking, stir together brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic powder.
  • Step Four: Pour sauce over partially cooked bacon. Put back in the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (5)

My cousin, Allison, remembers this delicious appetizer, too. I called her over and told her I was making a few batches. She drove straight over and took a plate home. I don’t think she shared with her husband and two boys. I don’t blame her!

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (6)

I remember making this recipe before and I only needed one package of bacon. They made the bacon packages so much smaller now so it takes about two packages to make this recipe. I wish they would stop shrinking all the packages, but that is a whole other blog post.

I also used two 227g cans of whole water chestnuts to make this recipe. I found water chestnuts with the soy sauce in the grocery store.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (7)

The first thing you need to do is cut the bacon strips in half so it’s two shorter pieces. Wrap each bacon slice around one water chestnut and secure with a toothpick. I recommend using plain wooden toothpicks versus the coloured variety. The coloured toothpicks may leave stains from the dye.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (8)

Bake the bacon wraps in the oven for 10 minutes in a 9×13 pan. While the bacon is baking, stir together the sauce. It’s made with brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic powder. Sweet and savoury!

After the bacon has baked for 10 minutes, drain off the grease that has accumulated in the pan. I poured the grease into an empty water chestnuts can and let it harden before I threw it out.

Pour the sauce over top of the bacon and put back in the oven for another 30 minutes.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (9)

My cousin asked if my oven started to smoke when I made this recipe. It didn’t, but maybe that is because I poured off the grease? I think had I left it, the wraps would be swimming in greasy sauce.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

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Make this recipe for your next party and impress everyone! They are a classic appetizer that is easy to make and well-loved.

Try these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (10)

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (11)

Rate this Recipe

4.44 from 118 votes

Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Servings 8

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Everyone goes NUTS over this easy appetizer. Whole water chestnuts are wrapped in bacon and marinated in a sweet/savory sauce.

Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 packages bacon 16oz/375g packages
  • 2 cans whole water chestnuts 8oz/227g cans, drained
  • 1 cup brown sugar dark or light
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.

  • Cut bacon in half. Wrap each slice of bacon around water chestnut and secure with a toothpick. Place in a 9×13 inch baking pan.

  • Bake for 10 minutes. Drain grease from pan.

  • While bacon is baking, stir together brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic powder.

  • Pour sauce over partially cooked bacon. Put back in the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 5g | Calories: 628kcal | Carbohydrates: 41.3g | Protein: 16.9g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 14.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 26.5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 72.9mg | Sodium: 1941mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 30.1g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course Appetizers

Cuisine American

Keyword bacon wrapped water chestnuts

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Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you rinse canned water chestnuts? ›

Canned water chestnuts should be rinsed under cool, running water. To remove the "tinny" taste, soak the rinsed water chestnuts in fresh water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda for 10 minutes before slicing or chopping for various recipes.

Can you eat water chestnuts straight from the can? ›

You can eat water chestnuts raw, boiled, grilled, pickled, or from a can. The corms are unique because they remain crisp even after being cooked or canned, due to their ferulic acid content. Water chestnuts are popular in Chinese cooking.

Are water chestnuts healthy? ›

Water chestnuts are aquatic vegetables that are nutritious and delicious. They are a great source of antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent diseases linked with age, such as heart disease and cancer. Water chestnuts are also highly versatile and can be added to a variety of dishes.

How long do water chestnuts need to be cooked? ›

Cook Water Chestnuts

Add water chestnuts to the pan. For slices, cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they start to turn golden. Whole chestnuts may need 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.

Can dogs eat water chestnuts? ›

Water chestnuts are safe for dogs to eat in small quantities, but you should remove the skin before offering the food to your pet. Also, avoid canned varieties with added salt and preservatives harmful to dogs.

What is the biggest problem with water chestnuts? ›

Additionally, water chestnuts can reduce native bay grasses from areas in which dense beds grow, create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and provide poor habitat for native fish and birds.

What are the side effects of water chestnuts? ›

Side Effects of Singhara:

Because of its high fibre content, overeating water chestnuts might give you stomach problems. A sudden increase in dietary fibre may cause stomach pain and gas. Therefore, stick to moderate amounts and avoid overeating.

How long do canned water chestnuts last once opened? ›

Store it. Once opened, treat like other cooked vegetables, keeping them chilled and covered, for up to a week.

Are water chestnuts a fruit or vegetable? ›

Water chestnuts are an aquatic tuber vegetable. They grow in parts of Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and many Pacific islands. A water chestnut resembles an actual chestnut in both color and shape, but it is not a nut. Water chestnuts are popular in many cuisines and have a variety of potential health benefits.

Can a diabetic eat water chestnuts? ›

The low glycemic index of water chestnut and high fiber content can help you manage diabetes. They do not produce sudden rises in blood sugar levels. The fiber slows the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream and supports blood sugar control.

What vegetables don't count as your 5 a day? ›

Other vegetables that don't count towards your 5 A Day are yams, cassava and plantain.

How to make water chestnut taste better? ›

After trimming and slicing, I blanched the water chestnuts to rid them of their slightly muddy taste; water chestnuts, Eleocharis dulcis, a type of corm, grow in marshy conditions.

Why are they called water chestnuts? ›

The name "water chestnut" comes from the fact that it resembles a chestnut in shape and coloring (it has papery brown skin over white flesh), but the water chestnut is actually not a nut at all—it is an aquatic tuber (rootlike part of a plant) that grows in freshwater marshes.

Can I microwave canned water chestnuts? ›

There are a variety of options for cooking with water chestnuts, from broiling to roasting and even microwaving them.

How do you cook water chestnuts from a tin? ›

Opened canned water chestnuts should be stored in water and used within 3-4 days. To cook: Stir fry fresh sliced water chestnuts for 5 minutes and sliced canned water chestnuts for 2 minutes. If the chestnuts are cooked for any longer they will not retain their crunchy texture.

Do chestnuts need to be washed before cooking? ›

Preparing Chestnuts

Begin by rinsing the chestnuts thoroughly with cool water. Afterward, it's essential to score the chestnuts to prevent them from bursting during the cooking process. For effective scoring and better control, we recommend using a specialized chestnut knife.

Do I drain water chestnuts? ›

I recommend draining them and soaking them in water for about 15 minutes before using them though. Doing so helps to draw out the flavor of the brine they add to the can. You don't need to cook chestnuts, but like many foods they taste better heated to most people.

How to wash water chestnuts? ›

Wash the chestnuts quickly and soak in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes. Cut off a small portion of the bottom part and from here peel off the shell and thin inner skin.

References

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