You can use bacon bits instead of cooking on the griddle if you don’t want to. They will add something extra to your next meal. For years, there have been rumors that bacon bits are vegan. However, because so many companies have made money off of small pieces of bacon, you can find bacon bits with or without real meat.
Not so much the ingredients as the taste, at least when it comes to this mass-produced condiment. After all, what could be better than bacon (or bacon-adjacent) sprinkles, no effort required?.
If you want to put some work into your next meal, though, bacon bits you make yourself are likely to be much better than store-bought ones. It all just depends on where your priorities lie. If ease of use is more important than taste, though, you probably already have bacon bits in the fridge for when you need them. Heres everything you need to know about them.
Bacon bits are a popular topping for salads baked potatoes soups, and more. Their smoky, salty, meaty flavor adds a punch of flavor and texture to dishes. However, most bacon bits found in grocery stores are not actually made from real bacon. Instead, they’re made from soy protein or other vegan ingredients designed to mimic the taste of bacon. But are these imitation bacon bits bad for you? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Imitation Bacon Bits Made Of?
Most mass-market imitation bacon bits are made from textured soy protein or textured wheat protein These plant-based proteins are processed and flavored to resemble crispy bacon when cooked The primary ingredients in generic bacon bits are
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Textured soy protein or textured wheat protein: Provides the chewy, meaty texture.
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Soybean or canola oil: Adds fat to mimic the fatty mouthfeel of bacon.
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Flavorings: Smoky flavors, yeast extract, hydrolyzed soy protein, and artificial flavorings replicate the taste.
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Preservatives: Salt, sugar, maltodextrin, and preservatives like sodium nitrite keep the bits shelf-stable.
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Caramel color: Provides the reddish-brown bacon-like color.
Some brands like Bac’n Pieces contain textured wheat protein and natural flavorings to create a bacon taste and crunch. However, they still rely heavily on processed ingredients. There are also some veggie bacon bits made from coconut instead of soy. While these have a more natural ingredients list, coconut bacon bits are still highly processed.
Are Imitation Bacon Bits Healthy?
While neither brands are especially sinister, both types of bacon bits are highly processed—which definitely isn’t good to shovel into your body. The ultra-processing removes most nutrition, while adding unhealthy fats, sodium, and preservatives. Here’s a closer look at the downsides of imitation bacon bits:
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Low In Protein: Despite being made from textured soy or wheat protein, imitation bacon bits don’t actually contain much complete protein. A 2 tablespoon serving has just 3 grams of protein.
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High In Sodium: Many generic bacon bits packs over 250 mg of sodium per 2 tablespoon serving. That’s over 10% of the daily recommended limit.
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Minimal Nutrients: Heavily processing the soy removes most of its nutrients, so you’re left with a nutritionally void food.
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Unhealthy Oils: Bacon bits are high in inflammatory soybean and canola oils, which are high in omega-6 fats. The coconut oil in coconut bacon bits is better, but still not ideal.
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Preservatives & Additives: Preservatives like sodium nitrite have been linked to cancer. Artificial flavors and caramel color are also concerning.
While imitation bacon bits aren’t necessarily dangerous in moderation, they’re devoid of any real nutrition. At the end of the day, they’re essentially just flavored, processed textured soy or wheat protein with added sodium and preservatives.
Healthier Alternatives To Imitation Bacon Bits
If you love the smoky, salty flavor of bacon bits but want a healthier option, there are a few alternatives to imitation bacon bits to try:
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Real Bacon Bits: Rather than soy-based bacon bits, crumble nitrate-free, uncured bacon into small bits. You’ll get more protein and nutrients.
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Coconut Bacon Bits: For a vegan bacon bit, coconut bacon bits have a better nutrition profile than soy-based ones. Just watch your portion size.
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Smoked Almonds or Walnuts: Get smoky flavor without the processing by using smoked nuts on salads or potatoes.
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Nutritional Yeast: “Nooch” offers a naturally umami, cheesy flavor that enhances dishes similarly to bacon bits. Sprinkle it on generously!
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Shiitake Mushroom: Sauté shiitake mushrooms in smoked paprika, liquid smoke, and coconut oil for a homemade probiotic-rich bacon substitute.
Are There Any Benefits To Bacon Bits?
While imitation bacon bits don’t offer much in the way of nutrition, they can benefit certain diets and lifestyles:
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Vegetarian/Vegan: Bacon bits provide a convenient meaty flavor for those avoiding real bacon for dietary reasons. Just watch portions.
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Low Carb/Keto Diet: Since they’re made from soy protein rather than actual bacon, imitation bacon bits contain zero carbs. So they can be worked into low carb diets.
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Sodium Restricted Diet: Bacon bits offer sodium-sensitive individuals a salty, smoky flavor without sky-high nitrate content of real bacon.
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Food Addiction Recovery: Bacon bits can satisfy a “bacon fix” without derailing recovery, since they don’t contain addictive compounds like actual bacon.
Overall though, these benefits really only apply if using bacon bits sparingly as a guilt-free treat. In large portions, they’re still unhealthy.
How To Use Imitation Bacon Bits In Moderation
Imitation bacon bits can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an otherwise solid diet. Here are some tips for keeping bacon bit consumption reasonable:
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Use just 1-2 tablespoons total per day maximum as a topping, not a main ingredient.
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Avoid eating handfuls straight from the container to limit sodium intake.
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Choose low or reduced sodium bacon bits when possible.
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Mix with healthier toppers like diced chicken, hard boiled egg, avocado, or nut-based cheese.
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Add extra veggies to provide nutrients and fill your bowl.
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Make sure the rest of your meals are centered on whole, nutrient-dense foods.
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Consider healthier substitutions like smoked nuts or coconut flakes some days.
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DIY your own bacon bits from real bacon or shiitake mushrooms for more nutrients.
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Compare nutrition labels and choose products with fewer artificial ingredients when possible.
As an occasional topping for salads or baked potatoes, bacon bits are fine for most people. Just be mindful of portions and ingredients. And consider making your own healthier bacon bits at home when you can using real food ingredients!
Some bacon bit brands are vegan
Some bacon bits are okay with PETA, just like Oreos, Swedish Fish, and Pillsbury Crescents, which are all highly processed foods that people don’t know about. These bacon-flavored sprinkles taste like the real thing, but without the pigs. This is because natural and artificial flavorings were added to the soy protein that makes up their base.
But not all bacon bits are guaranteed cruelty-free. If youre vegan, you are likely already wary of any product labeled “bacon,” and for good reason. While rumors have long claimed that this popular baked potato topping is actually meatless, not all brands of commercial bacon bits have ditched the meat in their recipes. For vegans, McCormicks Bacn Pieces, an imitation bacon product, is a reliable choice. Many other vegan food companies have introduced their own version of this classic topping using soy instead of pork. Alternatively, if youre on the hunt for real bacon, Hormel and Oscar Mayer make their bacon bits with meat.
The best bacon bits
You might have to do your own tests to take into account your own preferences and biases, like whether you want bacon or not. However, Oscar Mayer comes out on top of Amazon’s list of the most popular bacon bits. Oscar Mayers Real Bacon Bits are real—they don’t contain soy. “There’s no weird, processed flavor,” says one Amazon customer. Ive eaten it straight from the bag and it tastes like it should — real bacon. “.
McCormick’s Bacon Pieces, which was given that name to avoid false advertising claims, is number two on Amazon’s list of best-selling bacon bits. This choice isn’t even close to Oscar Mayer’s natural(ish) product, but it’s still a good one for vegans, vegetarians, and people who don’t like bacon in general. One consumer review claims that it doesnt even matter that Bacn Pieces are baconless. “They taste almost better than real bacon,” they write. Not completely, but well take it.
Don’t Buy Bacon Bits Again Until You Watch This
FAQ
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