Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (2024)

4.44 from 118 votes

ByStacie VaughanOn Updated

23 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy.

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

This post contains affiliate links.

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

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

Want Even More Recipes?

Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (12)

free ebook!

The Best of Simply Stacie

When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you rinse canned water chestnuts? ›

Rinse and drain canned water chestnuts before slicing and cooking. To store: Fresh water chestnuts will keep, unpeeled in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Opened canned water chestnuts should be stored in water and used within 3-4 days.

How to make water chestnut taste better? ›

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.

How long to microwave water chestnuts? ›

To cook chestnuts in the microwave, follow these general guidelines: Slash crosswise through the skin on the flat end of the chestnut shell. In a glass pie plate, arrange 20-24 chestnuts in an even layer. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, stirring every minute until the chestnuts are soft when squeezed.

Are canned water chestnuts good for you? ›

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.

Why are water chestnuts so expensive? ›

Water chestnuts must be hand-harvested and processed; therefore, they are somewhat expensive. However, since a little goes a long way, water chestnuts are not too dear to be used often.

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.

Can dogs eat chestnuts? ›

Can my dog safely eat chestnuts? Sweet chestnuts are healthy for both humans and dogs so your dog can safely forage for them. It is a good idea though to keep the portions small as, while they are not inherently toxic to dogs there is the likelihood they may make your dog sick if they eat too many.

How do you know when chestnuts are fully cooked? ›

I recommend roasting chestnuts for about 25-35 minutes at 425 degrees F. You can tell that they are done when the outer shells burst open revealing the golden flesh on the inside.

Can water chestnuts be frozen? ›

Water chestnuts may also be frozen, either peeled or unpeeled. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Adding a little lemon juice will keep peeled water chestnuts from discoloring. When raw, they will keep up to 6 months, but cooked water chestnuts can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.

Do chestnuts need to be washed before cooking? ›

I score the chestnut peels first and soak the chestnuts in water before roasting. The residual water left in the drained chestnuts creates steam in the hot pan, keeping the chestnuts from drying out and making them easier to peel.

How do you wash water chestnuts? ›

Since water chestnuts grow primarily in mud and soiled environments, I will be sure to thoroughly rinse them in cool water before usage, even before peeling. Peel with a knife or peeler. You can also cut out the darker middle core as it is a harder part of the root.

Do I drain water chestnuts? ›

They are packed in water which needs to get drained off before adding them to a recipe.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 6139

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.