When I think about holiday food, I always crave these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. My mom used to make appetizer every year for a Christmas work party. She would whip up a second dish for us to eat at home.
Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe
I’d like to thank Kikkoman for sponsoring this post.
Since I loved eating bacon-wrapped water chestnuts as a kid, I was sure to swipe my mom’s recipe when I got older.
I did make one important change to this recipe. I add soy sauce to the dish.
Marinating the water chestnuts in soy sauce adds so much flavor.
RELATED: Looking for a great game day appetizer? Try my delicious sausage stuffed mini sweet peppers!
I recommend using Kikkoman Soy Sauce for this recipe. It’s simply the best!
Kikkoman’s Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce is a major flavor enhancer and brings out the “umami” taste that everyone has been talking about.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
After you marinate your water chestnuts, don’t throw out that soy sauce! You’ll be utilizing the marinade to create a truly delicious finishing sauce for the dish.
Quick tip—if you’re wanting to cut down on the sodium, try Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce—it also tastes great.
There are a few steps involved in making these scrumptious bacon wrapped water chestnuts.
They are really quite easy to make, and in my experience, are always a total crowd-pleaser!
I can’t keep my husband away from these things!
After you pop one of these sweet, tangy and crunchy little bites into your mouth, it’s difficult to stop reaching for more.
People will quite literally hover and linger around the dish holding these bad boys, and who can blame them? They are my absolute favorite holiday appetizer.
I can’t remember celebrating a Christmas without a big warm dish of bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. It’s a recipe that I genuinely adore, and I hope you’ll make it a part of your unique holiday celebrations this year as well.
Be sure to pin this recipe so you can easily find it later!
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Sweet and savory bacon wrapped water chestnuts are the perfect holiday appetizer!
Ingredients
- 2 (8 oz.) cans water chestnuts, drained
- 1 lb lean bacon, cut in half
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Kikkoman Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Soak water chestnuts in Kikkoman soy sauce for 15 minutes, stirring a few times to make sure they are fully coated.
- Remove water chestnuts from soy sauce.
- Wrap 1/2 strip of bacon around each; secure with toothpicks.
- Reserve soy sauce.
- Place chestnuts toothpick side up in a 7” x 11” glass baking dish.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 35 minutes or until desired crispness.
- Remove chestnuts from dish and drain grease. Replace chestnuts in the same dish.
- Meanwhile, add ketchup and brown sugar to reserved soy sauce, stir well to combine.
- Pour sauce evenly over the chestnuts to coat.
- Bake chestnuts an additional 20 to 30 minutes.
Notes
Initial bake time really depends on how you enjoy your bacon. Keep an eye on it and bake a little longer if you want it crispier!
More Delicious Appetizers
103 Comments on “Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts”
I’m making these for Thanksgiving 2020. We’ve made similar recipes in the past, but never one where you marinate the water chestnuts first. That’s what drew me to this rendition. Can’t wait to try them because I’m certain they will be delish!
Your work seems to be great. Continue the great effort!!
Can these be prepared ahead of time? (marinated & wrapped). Looking forward to making these Thanksgiving this year.
Thanks
This recipe was delicious and super easy! I used liquid aminos instead of the soy sauce and it was wonderful, definitely a great and inexpensive appetizer.
I have made these in the past but did not include a sauce. That is ingenious!
Easy to make and disappear in a heartbeat. Fantastic.
Glad you liked them Carol!
I like sweet potato casserole.
Just wondering if these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts need to be eaten warm, or are they good cold. If warm, can they be microwaved or should I keep warm in a crock pot?
Hey Tracy, we usually like to have them warm when an event starts but they honestly taste just as good when they’ve come to room temp. If I’m taking them somewhere I usually take in a glass baking dish covered with foil then try to pop into the oven if they have gotten cold on the drive.
I have been making Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts for many years. It is pretty much a requirement for the family Christmas party. Mine have nothing to do with ketchup. You might be able to cut your bacon in thirds I feel the chestnuts aren’t too big (and they usually aren’t.) Marinate them in the soy sauce as stated. Put enough white sugar in a Ziplock bag to cover a few chestnuts at a time. Then wrap with bacon and hold with a toothpick. Then I broil them for a few minutes. Keep an eye on them. The sugar causes the bacon to crisp up. Awesome ! Can’t imagine them swimming in ketchup and brown sugar, what a mess.
MAYBE a little messy, but worth it!!! I love them in the sauce. I’ll take your advice for the sugar though to crisp up the bacon. thanks.
First try at pinterest..BACON-WRAPPED CHESTNUTS SOUNDS FABULOUS!!!!
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/815777162875772928
My favorite holiday dish is cheesy mashed potatoes.
My favorite holiday dish my family makes is baked macaroni cheese.
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/815339510837886978
My favorite holiday dish is stuffing! With lots of gravy.
Thanks for the contest.
my #SweepstakesEntry tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/815311895540404224
#SweepstakesEntry- comment
I would have to say roast Turkey because I really only have it once or twice a year (holiday times)
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/815306780259524608
My favorite holiday dish is some nice Turkey with Stuffing, Baked Potatoes and of course, Sweet Potatoes.
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/815301840153743360
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I love my grandma’s sweet potato casserole
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/krisgan07/status/815275100895322112
My favorite holiday dish is good old pumpkin pie!!
Twitter Entry https://twitter.com/zanderbear/status/815192423680868352
My favorite holiday dish is a dessert we call magic marshmallow rolls, but love my mom’s stuffed cream cheese mushrooms too.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/815035910458843136
I like pumpkin pie.
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/814895218407440385
I love my green bean casserole with bacon at Christmas! It is the only time I make it and it is always a hit!
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/814513606121455616
My fav holiday dish is the homemade smoked gouda fondue we always make for NYE. Can’t wait! :-D
probably sweet potato casserole
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/813553303363665922
My favorite holiday dish is cornbread dressing.
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/813499818874118144
thanksgiving dressing
I love pumpkin pie.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/813401719132553216
My favorite dish to make for the holidays is a seafood lasagna. Everybody loves it.
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/812880016363163652
my favorite holiday dish is turkey and dressing
I’m trying this recipe for the first time. If the aroma from my oven is any indication as to how good these will be I will be making them more often.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/811948136742535170
I love Aunt Fanny’s Squash Casserole.
tweet – https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/811814365355618304
My fave holiday food is berry bread pudding!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/811628752304218112.
My favorite holiday dish is sweet potato casserole. Growing up I would never even try it, don’t know how I’ve lived this long without them!
https://mobile.twitter.com/Michael64263870/status/810957553920253952
When we have special snacks, my family loves hot wings! We love buffalo sauce and ranch to go along with them. They don’t last long in our house!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/810900179448643584
My favorite holiday dish is sweet potato pie with marshmallows on top.
Tweeted :) – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/809523493779873793
One of my favorite holiday meals is a warm, chunky pot roast!! But that might change after I make this recipe! Those pics look amazing! :)
this is one of our favorite family appetizers! We have been making them for many years!
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/807744955691233280
My favorite holiday treat is meat balls. I love to put them in the crockpot and add a sweet sauce.
My favorite Christmas nibble are home made peanut butter cookies with a Hershey kiss in the middle. My mom who passed away always made them and now I continue the tradition ?
My favorite holiday dish was always my Gram’s homemade mashed potatoes. I miss them! These days it’s probably my white cheddar mac & cheese.
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/805209611745759237
Green bean casserole is my favorite.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/805150458981425152
My favorite holiday dish is honey baked ham!
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/805149478411874304
My favorite is sweet potato casserole
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/805061296085434370
My favorite holiday dish is honey baked ham.
tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/805046466855182336
i love ham
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/805038326579220481
My favorite Holiday dish is my Big Spiral Ham and scalloped potatoes I make every year for my Holiday dinner. And we love my Strawberry and Pecan pies!
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/804997880301830144
stuffing and candied yams
Roast Spatchcocked Turkey which I learned from the martha stewart !! its incredible
My favorite holiday dish is lemon meringue pie! Look forward to it every year! Also love peanut butter cornflake cookies! So good! If we’re talking about side dish – I LOVE green bean bundles!
tweet- https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/804536441137229825
My favorite holiday dish is green bean casserole
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
Tweet: https://twitter.com/MusiqManic/status/804513863093862400
My favorite holiday dish is my mother’s chocolate chip cookies with walnuts!!! Love it!
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/804488944800899072
My favorite holiday dish is pecan pie.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/804454377855426560
Wild rice with celery is my favorite holiday dish.
Homemade macaroni and cheese is my favorite holiday dish.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/804129238634926080
Thanks again.
My favorite is spiral Ham. I look forward to this each Christmas. Thanks so much.
https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/804060352124256256
I like sweet potato casserole.
Also tweeted about this post – https://twitter.com/MkDoodle/status/803787471628730368
Thanks for this giveaway and the recipe!
These bacon wrapped water chestnuts combine my favorite things, so I’m excited to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing. I love appetizer dishes, especially around the holidays. My favorite holiday recipe is orange fluff, made from cream cheese, marshmallows, nuts, and orange jello. We only have it around the holidays, and I look forward to it all year long.
I skip the soya sauce and simply pour over them a jar of honey garlic sauce. They are definitely a crowd favorite
tweet – https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/803768295816040449
My favorite holiday dish is my low fat apple and onion stuffing! It tastes so good yet is so good for you!
I tweeted about this post and amazing recipe!
https://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/803685860491280384
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Holiday treats probably don’t (or SHOULDN’T) count as a dish, right? ;) So my favorite dish would probably be a sweet potato casserole that I started making about seven or eight years ago. It’s delicious! But my favorite treat is BUCKEYES!!
Sugar Cookies!
I love a breakfast roll called a Peach Flip that my family has been making for years.
My favorite holiday dish is Orange Pecan Pie! But these look amazing and may soon become my favorite. I love water chestnuts! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
My favorite holiday dish is lemon lush. Those bacon wrapped water chestnuts are calling my name though. Lol. It’s something alittle extra to bring to someone’s house. Thanks.
My favorite holiday dish is gingerbread cookies.