Bacon is one of the most beloved breakfast foods around the world. Whether you like yours crispy or chewy, a rasher of bacon can instantly elevate a simple meal into a delicious treat. But have you ever wondered exactly how much a rasher of bacon weighs?
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you may think. As it turns out the weight of a rasher can vary significantly depending on where you live and what type of bacon you’re eating. In this article, we’ll break down the typical weights for different bacon styles so you know what to expect on your plate.
Defining a Rasher
First things first – what exactly is a rasher? The term refers to a single slice or strip of bacon The word “rasher” can also be used to describe slices of ham or other cured meats, but it is now commonly associated with bacon
While a rasher is just one piece, the terminology gets tricky when you try to specify the size and thickness. There is no universal standard for how thick or wide a rasher should be. Bacon can be cut into short slices, long strips, thin cuts, or thick slabs depending on personal preferences and regional styles.
This lack of consistency is why the weight of a rasher can vary so much. Even within the same country, you may get a completely different amount of bacon depending on where you order it from.
Average Rasher Weights Around the World
Here’s a breakdown of approximate rasher weights in different parts of the world:
United States
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A typical rasher of American-style bacon is around 1 ounce (28 grams).
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Bacon in the US is usually cut relatively thin and weighs slightly less than what you would get in some other countries.
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On a bacon cheeseburger or in a BLT sandwich, expect 1-2 slices weighing about 1 ounce each.
Canada
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Canadian bacon, also known as “back bacon,” weighs 2-3 ounces (57-85 grams) per slice.
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Canadian bacon comes from the leaner pork loin instead of the fatty belly. The rounds slices are thicker than American bacon.
United Kingdom
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A British rasher weighs approximately 1.5-2 ounces (43-57 grams).
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Back bacon is more common than streaky bacon in the UK. The lean back cuts tend to be thicker than American-style slices.
Australia
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In Australia, a rasher is around 1.5-2 ounces (43-57 grams).
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Similar to the UK, the bacon is usually back bacon instead of streaky American-style cuts.
New Zealand
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Kiwi bacon weighs 1-1.5 ounces (28-43 grams) per slice.
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New Zealand bacon is typically thinner than British cuts but thicker than American ones.
As you can see, the bacon rasher weight in the US falls on the lighter end of the spectrum compared to other major bacon-loving countries. The American slices tend to be thinner and smaller overall.
Factors Affecting Rasher Weight
Why does a single rasher weigh slightly different amounts based on where you are in the world? Here are some of the factors that influence the final quantity:
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Cut of pork – Back bacon comes from the leaner pork loin while streaky bacon is cut from the fattier pork belly. Back cuts are usually thicker.
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Curing and smoking methods – Some styles are cured or smoked longer than others, which affects moisture content.
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Slicing preferences – Regional styles dictate how thick or thin the bacon is sliced, impacting the final weight.
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Packaging and marketing – Brands package their bacon in sizes they feel align with consumer expectations in that region.
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Shrinkage – Bacon loses moisture during cooking, so the cooked weight will be lower than the raw.
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Type of hog breed – Heritage pig breeds may be meatier than standard commercial hogs.
As you can see, a whole range of factors align to create the ideal rasher weight for each geographical bacon preference.
Estimating Your Needs
Knowing approximately how much a rasher weighs can help you estimate quantities when cooking or ordering bacon. Here are some tips:
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For American-style bacon, assume about 1 ounce raw weight per slice.
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For British or Australian-style back bacon, estimate 1.5-2 ounces per rasher.
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Calculate around 2-3 slices per person if bacon is a side dish.
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For bacon as a main protein, allow 3-5 rashers per person.
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Shrinkage after cooking can be up to 20%, so multiply the raw weights as needed.
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Double check weights if ordering pre-cooked bacon by the slice.
Getting the right amount of bacon for a meal may take some trial and error. If in doubt, it’s easy enough to cook extra and enjoy those crispy bits!
Weighing Your Rasher
If you want to know exactly how much your own bacon weighs, get into the habit of putting it on a food scale. Digital kitchen scales designed for cooking make this quick and easy.
Weigh a few raw rashers from different packages or brands and take note. Then you’ll know precisely how much to expect from a given number of slices.
You can also weigh the cooked bacon after frying or baking to get an idea of the reduction. Make notes so you’ll be able to plan quantities more accurately in the future.
Understanding rasher weights takes the guesswork out of enjoying the perfect portion of bacon for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Once you know typical amounts, planning meals becomes much easier. So grab your scale, cook up some bacon, and start honing your rasher estimates today!
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How to Cook Crown British Style Sliced Back Bacon
- Take the back bacon out of the package and pat off any extra water.
- Pre-heat a griddle or heavy-based pan.
- This meat is already cured, so there’s no need to season it.
- Place a few rashers on the griddle or pan, but don’t crowd it.
- By cutting the rind halfway down with kitchen scissors, you can keep the bacon from curling.
- When cooking bacon over high heat, don’t flip it until one side has turned caramelized. The bacon needs to be cooked on each side for about two minutes, or until they are sizzling.
Bacon and Jalapeno Cannelloni
- 10 Crown British Style Sliced Bacon
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos chopped
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 10 pieces of cannelloni
- foil
Preheat oven to 350° F
- Each cannelloni should be wrapped in foil on its own, and the edges should be tucked in nicely. Each foil-wrapped cannelloni should have one slice of Crown British Style bacon wrapped around it.
- Place the cannelloni-wrapped bacon on a baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or till very crispy. Set aside and allow to cool.
For the filling:
- In a bowl, use an electric mixer to mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and jalapenos together until the cheeses are well mixed.
Fill the mixture in a piping bag, and then fill the crispy bacon shells with this mixture. Enjoy!
What If You Eat BACON Every Day For 30 Days?
FAQ
What is the weight of one rasher of bacon?
How much bacon is a rasher?
How many grams are in 2 rashers of bacon?
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Typical Values
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Per 100g
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2 rashers (60g)
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Carbohydrate
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0.3g
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0.2g
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Sugars
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0.2g
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0.1g
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Fibre
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0.5g
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0.3g
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Protein
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16.2g
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9.7g
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How many rashers is 250g bacon?
How much does a slice of bacon weigh?
For uncooked bacon, an average slice of supermarket streaky bacon weighs around 15-16 grams (0.53-0.56 ounces), while an average slice of uncooked back bacon weighs around 32-34 grams (1.13-1.2 ounces). However, it’s important to note that bacon slices can come in various shapes and sizes, so these weights may not be exact for every slice.
How much does a bacon rasher weigh?
The weight of a rasher can vary depending on the type and cut of bacon, as well as whether it is cooked or uncooked. For uncooked bacon, an average slice of supermarket streaky bacon weighs around 15-16 grams (0.53-0.56 ounces), while an average slice of uncooked back bacon weighs around 32-34 grams (1.13-1.2 ounces).
How much does a pound of streaky bacon weigh?
This means that if you start with a pound of uncooked streaky bacon, you can expect to end up with around 4 ounces (113 grams) of cooked bacon. In a test where dry-cured streaky bacon was weighed before and after cooking, both back and streaky bacon reduced in weight by around 50%.
How many rashers of bacon in 1kg?
The number of rashers of bacon in 1kg can vary depending on the type and cut of bacon you’re purchasing. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of bacon and their rasher count. First, we have dry cured bacon, which is made using only British outdoor bred pork from RSPCA Assured Farms.