Bacon is a beloved breakfast food for many people. The salty, smoky, and fatty flavor of sizzling bacon is simply irresistible. But when it comes to portioning out bacon, especially if you are tracking macros or calories, it’s helpful to know exactly how much one slice or rasher weighs
In this article, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of bacon weights. We’ll look at the weight of various bacon types including streaky, back, turkey, and Canadian bacon. Whether you are meal prepping, tracking nutrition, or simply curious, we’ve got you covered on those bacon weights!
What is Considered 1 Rasher or Slice of Bacon?
First, let’s clarify what counts as a single slice or rasher of bacon. One rasher or slice of bacon is simply the standard cut you would get when you open up a pack of bacon from the grocery store The exact size may vary slightly depending on the brand, thickness, and cutting style
Most bacon packages describe the serving size as a certain number of “slices” or “rashers.” For example, the nutrition facts may list the serving as 2 pan-fried slices, meaning 2 pieces of cooked bacon.
When looking at most nutrition labels and counting macros, the weights listed are based on the raw, uncooked bacon unless otherwise noted. So when we refer to bacon weights in this article, we are referring to the weights before cooking.
The Weight of 1 Rasher of Regular Pork Bacon
Regular pork bacon, also known as streaky bacon, is the most common type you’ll find in grocery stores. Here are the approximate weights for 1 slice or rasher of the various styles:
- Thin sliced – Approximately 12-15g (0.4-0.5 oz)
- Regular sliced – Approximately 15-20g (0.5-0.7 oz)
- Thick sliced – Approximately 25-30g (0.9-1.1 oz)
As you can see, the thinner sliced bacon weighs less than thicker sliced bacon per slice. Thickness can impact the nutrition stats per slice, so it’s helpful to weigh your bacon to know exactly how many grams you are eating.
Below is a quick reference weight chart for approximate pork bacon weights:
Bacon Type | Weight per Slice/Rasher |
---|---|
Thin Sliced | 12-15g (0.4-0.5 oz) |
Regular Sliced | 15-20g (0.5-0.7 oz) |
Thick Sliced | 25-30g (0.9-1.1 oz) |
These are rough estimates, and weights may vary between brands. For accuracy, consider weighing slices individually on a food scale.
Back Bacon Weights
Back bacon comes from the pork loin and includes little streaks of fat running through the lean meat. It has a different nutrition profile than streaky bacon with slightly less fat but still plenty of flavor.
One slice of back bacon typically weighs:
- 25-40g (0.9-1.4oz)
Back bacon slices tend to be larger than streaky bacon, so the weight per slice is greater even though it may appear as just 1 slice of meat.
Turkey Bacon Weights
Turkey bacon has grown in popularity as a lower fat alternative to pork bacon, while still offering the classic smoky, salty flavor. Turkey bacon nutrition can vary between brands, but on average:
- 1 slice turkey bacon is around 15-20g (0.5-0.7oz)
So turkey bacon slices tend to be more in line with regular sliced pork bacon when it comes to weight per slice. However, be sure to check labels if tracking macros, as fat and protein content may differ between brands.
Canadian Bacon Weights
Canadian bacon, sometimes called back bacon, peameal bacon, or ham bacon, is made from the lean eye of pork loin. It has a much different appearance than American-style streaky bacon.
One slice of Canadian bacon typically weighs:
- 25-40g (0.9-1.4 oz)
Canadian bacon weights are similar to back bacon since they come from the same primal cut. The slices tend to be larger due to the leaner cut of meat.
If you are having Canadian bacon on an egg sandwich, expect that one slice will likely weigh more than one slice of American streaky bacon based on the thicker cut.
Weights of Bacon Types Comparison Table
For easy reference, here is a comparison table of the typical weight per slice for different bacon varieties:
Bacon Type | Average Weight per Slice |
---|---|
Thin Sliced Pork Bacon | 12-15g (0.4-0.5 oz) |
Regular Sliced Pork Bacon | 15-20g (0.5-0.7 oz) |
Thick Sliced Pork Bacon | 25-30g (0.9-1.1 oz) |
Turkey Bacon | 15-20g (0.5-0.7 oz) |
Back Bacon | 25-40g (0.9-1.4 oz) |
Canadian Bacon | 25-40g (0.9-1.4 oz) |
As you can see, turkey, thin sliced pork, and regular sliced pork overlap in weights, while back bacon and Canadian bacon tend to be thicker slices.
Keep in mind weights may still vary slightly across brands, so check the labels on the packaging or weigh slices if you need to be extremely precise.
Why Bacon Weight Matters
Now that we’ve covered the typical weights for different bacon varieties, let’s discuss why having this information on hand can be so useful:
-
Tracking nutrition and calories – Knowing the weights allows you to accurately track nutrients if you are counting calories, macros, sodium, etc.
-
Controlling portions – Weighing slices helps you stick to proper serving sizes if you are controlling portions.
-
Recipes and meal prep – Accurately weighing ingredients like bacon is crucial for recipes to turn out right and meal prep.
-
Comparing nutrition – You can use weights to compare the nutrition profiles of different bacon types.
-
Shopping – You can use the weights to calculate how much bacon you need to buy and compare package sizes and costs.
No matter what your reasons are for wanting to know bacon weights, this information can make it much easier to handle bacon like a pro!
How to Weigh Bacon
If you want to find the exact weight of your bacon, use these simple steps:
-
Use a food scale and place a plate or bowl on it. Turn on the scale and make sure it reads 0.
-
Add the raw, uncooked bacon slices directly onto the plate or bowl on the scale.
-
The food scale will display the weight in either grams or ounces. Make a note of this number.
-
Cook the bacon using your preferred method – stovetop, oven or microwave.
-
Weigh the cooked bacon on the food scale again. This will tell you how much it weighed after cooking.
-
Compare the cooked weight to the raw weight. The difference is how much was lost in cooking.
By following these tips, you’ll know exactly how many grams or ounces each of your bacon slices weighs. Having this info handy makes nutrition tracking and portioning much more accurate!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does thin sliced bacon weigh?
On average, one slice of thin sliced bacon weighs 12-15g or 0.4-0.5oz. However, be sure to weigh your bacon, as weights can vary between brands.
What is the average weight of one piece of bacon?
The average weight depends on the cut, but is typically 15-20g or 0.5-0.7oz for a regular sliced pork bacon rasher. Thin bacon is lighter while thick cut bacon is heavier.
Why does cooked bacon weigh less?
Bacon loses moisture through evaporating fat during the cooking process. The moisture loss causes it to weigh less after cooking compared to raw. However, the total calories and nutrition stats remain the same.
Is Canadian bacon the same as back bacon?
Canadian bacon and back bacon come from the same cut of pork loin so they are quite similar. The names are sometimes used interchangeably, though Canadian bacon may be sliced slightly thicker.
How accurate are nutrition labels for bacon?
Bacon nutrition info is usually based on raw weights. Weighing your bacon provides the most accuracy since slice sizes can vary. Cooking method also impacts fat loss. So weigh raw then track against raw data.
The Takeaway on Bacon Weights
Whether you are tracking macros, controlling portions, or preparing a recipe, knowing the weight of bacon can make a big difference. While weights vary by brand, cut, and thickness, this guide provides a helpful starting point of typical bacon weights per slice or rasher.
I recommend taking the time to weigh your bacon so you know precisely how many grams or ounces you’re cooking with. This can help with everything from calculating calories to shopping
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!