How Many Strips of Bacon Are Typically in a Package?

Bacon is a breakfast staple in many households. The salty smoky flavor of crispy bacon pairs well with eggs pancakes, biscuits and more. But have you ever wondered just how many actual strips come in a typical package? The answer may surprise you.

When buying bacon pay close attention to the packaging. The number of slices can vary quite a bit between brands and types. Here’s a guide to help understand bacon packaging so you can buy and prepare the right quantity for your recipe or meal.

Factors That Determine Bacon Strip Counts

Several key factors impact the number of bacon strips per package:

• Bacon cut thickness – Thinner sliced bacon contains more strips per pound than thicker sliced bacon. Typical ranges are 35+ for thin, 16-20 for regular and 12-16 slices per pound for thick cut.

• Packaging size – Individual bacon packages vary from 12 ounces (about 1/2 pound) up to 2 pounds or more. Larger packs contain more total strips.

• Branding and quality – Premium or artisanal bacons tend to come in smaller 12 or 16 ounce packs with fewer total slices. Value packs have more strips.

So checking the cut thickness, package size in pounds and brand information provides clues about strip totals before you purchase bacon. Now let’s look at typical per-package strip counts.

How Many Strips in 12 or 16 Ounce Packs

Many regular grocery store bacon packages are sold in either 12 or 16 ounce sizes. Here are the typical strip counts:

• Thin sliced (32 strips per pound) – A 12 ounce package contains about 17-18 strips, while a 16 ounce pack has 23-24 strips.

• Regular sliced (20 strips per pound) – A 12 ounce pack has 10-11 strips. A 16 ounce package contains 13-14 strips.

• Thick sliced (14 strips per pound) – A 12 ounce package has 7-8 strips. You’ll get 9-10 strips in a 16 ounce pack.

So if cooking for 2 people, a 12 ounce pack of thin or regular sliced bacon should be plenty. Larger families will need 16 ounces or more.

Strip Counts in 1 to 2 Pound Packaging

Club stores like Costco often sell bacon in even larger 1 to 2 pound quantities. Here is how the strips break down:

• 1 pound thin sliced bacon – A 1 pound pack contains approximately 35 strips. This is enough for a large gathering or big batch cooking.

• 1 pound regular sliced bacon – You’ll get about 18-20 strips in a 1 pound pack, perfect for a large family.

• 1 pound thick sliced bacon – A 1 pound package contains 12-14 thick cut strips, ideal for serving a crowd.

• 2 pound bacon packages – Double the numbers above. You’ll get 60+ thin slices, 40 regular slices or 28 thick slices in a 2 pound bulk pack.

Larger families or those prepping meals in bulk will prefer these bigger 1-2 pound bacon sizes. Just remember to freeze unused bacon for later use.

Specialty and Artisanal Bacon Strip Counts

Upscale and boutique bacon brands can follow different strip guidelines:

• Specialty flavors – Flavored bacons like maple, brown sugar or peppered often come in 8 ounce packs. Slice counts still vary by cut thickness.

• Artisanal brands – Small farm or butcher shop bacons may be irregularly sized. Packages are often 8-12 ounces instead of pounds. Carefully check labels for guaranteed strip totals.

• Organic/heirloom – Sustainably raised or heritage pig bacons tend toward smaller 8-12 ounce packages due to higher costs. Thickness and quality impact strip totals.

For pricey gourmet bacons, carefully verifying strip counts avoids disappointment. Higher per-pound costs offset lower strip numbers in premium artisanal bacons.

Estimating Strips for Recipes

When cooking with bacon, a good rule of thumb is 4-6 strips per adult serving. For kids or garnishes, 2-3 strips may suffice. So for a family of four, grab a 16 to 24 ounce pack for a weekend breakfast.

Always cook 2-3 extra strips – you’re bound to nibble a couple while cooking! Other bacon cooking tips:

• Allow 4-6 strips for a BLT sandwich or burger topping per person

• Wrap scallops, shrimp or chicken breasts with 2 bacon strips each

• Use 8-12 strips to make baked beans, soups or pasta dishes for a crowd

• Candied bacon slices make great snacks or salad toppers – cook up a whole pound for munching!

How to Store Unused Bacon Properly

Open packages of bacon rarely get fully used up. Follow these storage steps to enjoy unused bacon strips at a later date:

• Allow bacon to cool completely after cooking before storing.

• Transfer unused cooked bacon strips to a zip top bag removing excess grease.

• For raw unused bacon, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate.

• Cooked bacon keeps 5-7 days refrigerated. Raw bacon lasts up to 2 weeks.

• For longer freezing, wrap cooked and uncooked bacon very well and freeze 6 months.

With proper refrigeration and freezing, you can buy larger bacon quantities and enjoy later!

Buying Bacon Tips

Now that you know approximate bacon strip counts, here are some handy bacon buying tips:

• Choose packages without tears or holes which can cause early spoilage.

• Check “sell by” or “use by” dates and pick packages with the latest dates.

• Look for bacon bundles without excessive freezer burn or ice crystals which impacts texture.

• Consider thickness, taste preferences and intended use when selecting bacon type.

• Compare cost per pound not just package price to find the best bacon value.

• Buy bacon in the larger quantity needed for recipes to avoid waste.

Knowing about bacon strip totals removes the guesswork when shopping. You can confidently buy the right bacon package size for your household. Use these simple guidelines to enjoy the perfect amount of bacon every time.