What Is Bacon and How Can I Use It?
Bacon rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 1,237 recipes to cook with it.
What is bacon?
Check out our Bacon Survival Guide for tips on cooking and storing bacon.
Bacon is a cured meat prepared from a pig. It is first cured in a brine or in a dry packing, either containing large amounts of salt; the result is fresh bacon (also green bacon ). Fresh bacon may then be further dried for weeks or months (usually in cold air), boiled, or smoked. Fresh and dried bacon must be cooked before eating. Boiled bacon is ready to eat, as is some smoked bacon, but either may be cooked further before eating.
Bacon is prepared from several different cuts of meat. It is usually made from side and back cuts of pork, except in the United States, where it is almost always prepared from pork belly (typically referred to as "streaky", "fatty", or "American style" outside of the US). The side cut has more meat and less fat than the belly. Bacon may be prepared from either of two distinct back cuts: fatback, which is almost pure fat, and pork loin, which is very lean. Bacon-cured pork loin is known as back bacon.
Four 14-gram (0.5 oz) slices of bacon together contain 7.45 grams (0.26 oz) of fat, of which about half is monounsaturated, a third is saturated and a sixth is polyunsaturated, and 7.72 grams (0.27 oz) of protein. Four pieces of bacon can also contain up to 800 mg of sodium, which is roughly equivalent to 1.92 grams of salt. The fat and protein content varies depending on the cut and cooking method.
Bacon is usually high in salt and saturated fat; excessive consumption of both is related to a variety of health problems.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 slice cooked (8g)Where found
Bacon is usually found in the meats section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Bacon is a member of the Pork Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does bacon weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 slice cooked | 8 grams |
| 1 slice raw | 29 grams |
Related
Pork Products
| In Chinese: | 熏肉 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | le bacon | |
| en español: | tocino |
Recipes using bacon
There are 1237 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Zwiebelkuchen (Onion Pie)
A savory German onion pie featuring a yeasted crust topped with caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and a creamy sour cream custard. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, especially during autumn or Oktoberfest celebrations.
Creamy Bacon Spinach Salad with Hard Boiled Egg & Radish
A vibrant, nutrient-packed salad featuring fresh spinach, crispy bacon, tender hard-boiled eggs, and peppery radishes, all tossed in a creamy garlic-cheese dressing with a zesty lemon kick. Perfect as a hearty side or light main dish
Cheddar Bacon Treat
Sharp cheddar whipped with sour cream, Worcestershire, and crispy crumbled bacon makes a rich, tangy spread for this loaded cheddar bacon sandwich. Ready in 10 minutes flat.
Grilled Burgers
Grilled burgers with sour cream, dried thyme, and parsley mixed right into the patty for extra moisture and herby savor. The juicy weeknight cookout staple in 20 minutes.
Maple Acorn Squash No. 1
Sweet and buttery squash with a hint a maple and bacon; enjoyable and easy to make! A Christmas and Thanksgiving favourite.
Turkey Bacon Burgers
Juicy turkey burgers with raw bacon ground into the patty, sage, and sautéed mushrooms on top. Pan-cooked in butter, the leanness of turkey paired with the richness of bacon.
Lamb Cheeseburgers
Lamb cheeseburgers ground at home with bacon and topped with melted Roquefort blue cheese. A grown-up burger upgrade with rich, gamey lamb and salty smoke from the bacon blend.
Tom's Bacon Potato Soup
Bacon potato soup built on a base of crisped bacon, butter-softened mirepoix, and tender chunks of potato in a creamy milk broth. Cornstarch-thickened, no canned soup required.
Best Bacon Cheddar Muffins
Savory bacon cheddar muffins with sharp aged cheddar, crumbled crisp bacon, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for warmth. Golden, fluffy, and ready in under 40 minutes.
Ranch Burgers
Grilled ranch burgers with creamy ranch dressing mixed right into the ground beef patty plus more ranch on top. Quick weeknight or backyard burger ready in 20 minutes.
Brownsville Chili
Texas-style Brownsville chili with ground beef, dried pinto beans, jalapeños, and a hint of cinnamon. A border-town big-batch chili serving up to 32 with that distinctive sweet-savory backbone.
Yummy Bacon-Topped Cheese Soup
Yummy bacon-topped cheese soup is a microwave-friendly cheddar soup loaded with bacon, celery, carrot, onion, and green bell pepper, finished with crisp bacon on top.
Gratin of Brussels sprouts with lardons, cream & almonds
Last Christmas, I did it for whole family, they went very nice, this year will try it again!
Very Creamy Corn Chowder
Creamy corn chowder with bacon, green pepper and a milk-based roux. Mixes fresh corn with creamed corn for sweet richness in 30 minutes flat. Weeknight-ready.
Hashed Brown Omelet
Hash brown omelet with crispy shredded potato crust, bacon, peppers, and melted Swiss. The diner-style skillet breakfast that feeds the whole table from one pan.
Turkey Bacon Pasta Salad
Turn leftover turkey into a refreshing pasta salad with sweet great peas, crunchy celery topped with bacon.
Bacon, Raspberry, Pear Grilled Cheese
A surprisingly wonderful combination to try on your next ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwich.
Roasted Spiced Pumpkin Maple Soup
Nothing is better than a warm pumpkin soup at your Thanksgiving menu.
New Corn Chowder, Southern Style
Southern corn chowder with fresh-scraped corn pulp, bacon, potatoes, tomatoes, and a bouquet garni. Cream-finished, brightened with cayenne. A simmered farmhouse chowder.
Refreshing Cobb Salad
Classic Cobb salad with chicken, bacon, avocado, egg, and Roquefort dressing. Composed salad with rows of colorful toppings over crisp lettuce, perfect for elegant lunches.
Bacon, Egg & Lettuce Sandwich
Two slices of cooked and crumbled bacon, a pan-fried egg, a few pieces of lettuce leaves, and a whole wheat English muffin make a quick and delicious breakfast sandwich.
Bacon, Egg & Tomato Salad Sandwiches
A quick, easy and delicious way to prepare some delicious sandwiches for your family.
Country Cassoulet
A rustic American cassoulet with navy beans, browned chicken legs, crispy bacon, and smoked sausage baked in a tomato and herb broth. Hearty French-inspired comfort food for 4 to 6.
Egg & Spinach Casserole
Layered egg and spinach casserole baked with crispy corn tortillas, smoky bacon, tomatoes, and melted cheese. A satisfying brunch casserole or easy weeknight dinner ready in about an hour with warm, savory, south-of-the-border flavors.
Best Creamy Tomato Soup
If you are looking for an amazingly delicious tomato soup, try this recipe, and everyone loves it!
