Chef Big DDitch the boring scramble for eggs nestled in a smoky, cast-iron nest of crispy potatoes and thick-cut bacon, finished with a hit of sharp cheddar and fresh chives.
Preheat your offset smoker or grill to 375°F (190°C) using hickory wood for a bold, classic profile.
Clean grates are happy grates. Give them a scrape while it heats up.
In a large 12-inch cast-iron skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat on the stove until the fat renders and it starts to crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the liquid gold (fat) in the pan.
Don't drain that fat! It's the soul of the dish.
Add the cubed potatoes and onions to the skillet. Toss to coat in bacon fat. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the skillet into the smoker.
Stir every 10 minutes to ensure even browning and maximum smoke absorption.
Once potatoes are tender and golden, stir in the minced garlic and butter. Use a spoon to create 6 small wells in the potato mixture. Crack one egg into each well.
Be careful not to break the yolks; we want that liquid gold to emulsify with the potatoes later.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and the cooked bacon bits around the eggs. Close the smoker lid and cook until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still wobbly.
Watch the whites—once they turn opaque, you're seconds away from perfection.
Remove from the smoker, garnish heavily with fresh chives, and let it rest for two minutes before serving straight from the iron.
The carry-over heat in the cast iron will finish the eggs perfectly.
The key here is the texture of the yolks—you want them jammy, not hard. If you're using a pellet grill, ensure you have a secondary smoke tube for that extra punch of hickory. Serve this with a crisp glass of dry sparkling wine if you're feeling particularly 'Big D' about your morning.
Nutrition data is estimated and may not be fully accurate. This is not medical advice — consult a registered dietitian or healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Prices shown reflect the estimated cost of the portion used in this recipe, not the full item price. Actual costs may vary by store and location.