Some things dont need to be bought in bulk, but Costcos Kirkland Signature bacon isnt one of them.
The bacon, according to the Wall Street Journal, is about 20% cheaper than comparable brands. People are aware of this deal because the wholesale store has reportedly seen a rise in demand for the item due to the coronavirus pandemic.
I was interested when I read an article from Consumer Reports that compared Kirkland Signature bacon to Oscar Mayer, Trader Joes, and Niman Ranch and said it was “the only excellent product.”
But I also read some new customer reviews that said Costco was “bait and switch” by putting smaller, fattier pieces of bacon under bigger, meatier slices of bacon in the packaging. Advertisement.
Because of this, I chose to try both types of bacon—regular and thick-sliced—to see if they lived up to the hype or left me wanting more.
As a bacon lover, I’m always trying to find the best deals to keep my fridge stocked with those delicious cured pork belly strips. Costco is one of my go-to places for buying bacon in bulk for maximum savings. But with so many types of bacon available, how can you determine what kind of price per pound you’ll really end up paying there?
I did some detective work comparing all the different bacon options at my local Costco Business Center to provide a thorough cost breakdown. Whether you prefer thick-cut, turkey or pre-cooked bacon read on for insider info on exactly how much you can expect to spend per pound on various bacon types at Costco.
Kirkland Signature Traditional Bacon
Costco’s signature Kirkland bacon is by far their most popular slab style bacon option. It comes in a 1 lb vacuum sealed package containing about 18-22 slices
-
Kirkland thick-cut bacon currently costs $7.99 for a 1 lb package.
-
That works out to just $7.99 per lb which is a great bulk price for tasty, quality bacon.
-
The slices are super meaty and shrink minimally during cooking.
-
Overall an excellent value for traditional no-frills bacon in a bulk size.
Kirkland Signature Center Cut Bacon
For those who prefer center cut bacon with more lean meat, Costco also carries center cut Kirkland bacon in 1 lb packs.
-
Kirkland center cut bacon costs $8.99 for a 1 lb vacuum pack.
-
So the price per pound works out to $8.99 per lb for the center cut variation.
-
There are around 20 slices per pound.
-
It’s a couple dollars pricier than the regular Kirkland bacon but still reasonably priced.
Kirkland Signature Applewood Smoked Bacon
This thick-cut bacon from Kirkland is smoked with applewood to give it a hints of sweet, smoky apple flavor. It’s sold in the same 1 lb packs.
-
Kirkland applewood smoked bacon costs $9.99 per pack.
-
So the per pound price for the applewood bacon is $9.99 per lb at Costco.
-
There are usually 16-20 slices in each 1 lb package.
-
The applewood smoke provides added flavor at a slightly higher price point.
Jones Country Cut Bacon
Jones Dairy Farm offers their thick-cut bacon in a 2 lb vacuum sealed pack under the Kirkland label.
-
A 2 lb pack of Jones country cut bacon at Costco sells for $15.99.
-
With 2 lbs in each package, that brings the cost per pound down to just $7.99 per lb.
-
Around 15 massive slices come in each pound of this extra thick bacon.
-
It’s the same price as the regular Kirkland bacon but with huge, high quality slices.
Jones Pork Chop Bacon
These square pork chops are cured and smoked just like bacon slices. Costco sells them in cryovac 1 lb packs.
-
The 1 lb pack of Jones pork chop bacon costs $8.99 at Costco.
-
So the pork chop bacon works out to $8.99 per lb.
-
There are usually 3-4 big 7 oz pork chop slices per pack.
-
It’s a fun alternative way to enjoy bacon at a competitive bulk price.
Kirkland Pre-Cooked Bacon
For the ultimate convenience, Costco sells fully cooked crisp bacon from Hormel that’s ready to eat.
-
The price for pre-cooked bacon is $13.99 for a 2 lb pack.
-
Since there are 2 lbs, the cost per lb is $6.99.
-
There are about 65-70 individual bacon strips in each re-sealable 2 lb pouch.
-
It’s the cheapest per pound option but with slightly less flavor than raw bacon.
Kirkland Signature Turkey Bacon
Kirkland also offers a healthier turkey bacon alternative, sold in 1 lb packs.
-
Kirkland turkey bacon costs $9.99 for a 1 lb vacuum sealed pack.
-
So the price per lb for the turkey bacon works out to $9.99 lb.
-
Each 1 lb package contains around 20-25 slices.
-
It’s a couple dollars pricier than pork bacon but still reasonably priced for turkey.
Farmer John Precooked Turkey Bacon
This fully cooked turkey bacon from Farmer John has even lower fat and calories than regular turkey bacon.
-
A 2 lb pack of precooked Farmer John turkey bacon is $14.99 at Costco.
-
With 2 lbs per package, the cost per lb is $7.49 per lb
-
There are approximately 140 strips in each re-sealable 2 lb package.
-
It’s the most budget friendly turkey bacon choice.
Thick Cut Artisan Bacon
For special occasions like Christmas breakfast, spring for this ultra fancy thick cut bacon from Costco Business Center.
-
The artisan bacon slab costs $16.99 for 2 lbs.
-
That brings the per pound price to $8.49 per lb.
-
There are usually 8-10 massive slices in each pound.
-
Treat yourself to this dry cured masterpiece for special mornings.
Black Forest Organic Uncured Bacon
This gourmet uncured bacon from organic pasture raised pork delivers incredible flavor. It’s sold in 1 lb packs.
-
Black Forest organic bacon costs $11.99 for a 1 lb vacuum pack.
-
The organic difference brings the per pound cost to $11.99 per lb.
-
Each pack contains around 15 thick slices.
-
It’s pricier but worth it for ethical, premium quality.
As you can see, Costco offers an awesome variety of bacon styles at competitive bulk prices. You can expect to spend $7-$9 for standard pork bacon, and $9-$12 for premium flavors, turkey, or organic bacon.
The savings really add up, especially when buying multiple pounds at once. Just think of all the glorious dishes you can create to enjoy pounds of bacon at these budget bulk prices!
This bacon is in high demand, so I was happy to find it in stock
It was lucky that I could find a package of regular bacon for $13 that had four 1-pound bags. 49 (or $3. 37 a pound). I looked at the package to make sure it didn’t have a lot of fat, thin, or broken pieces that I could see.
I also picked up a package of the Kirkland Signature thick-sliced bacon, which cost $10. 99 for three pounds (or $3. 66 a pound). Advertisement.
I was ready to cook them in both a frying pan and an oven at home to see which was better once I had them.
The regular bacon seemed too thin and unfortunately had a good amount of fat
I’ve noticed that the bacon I’ve been buying at the store has been a little fattier than usual since the pandemic began. So I kept that in mind as I inspected the Costco package.
I put my bacon strips in a cold cast-iron skillet, turned the heat up to medium, and flipped them a few times until they were done.
In general, I noticed that it was kind of difficult to make sure the bacon cooked evenly. Advertisement
As expected, some of the pieces got very small in the pan, and because they had different amounts of fat, they burned a bit. However, I like my bacon more “done,” so this turned out to be a good thing for me.
Cooking the regular bacon in the oven was significantly easier than frying. I popped the strips in for 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping them halfway through.
That the bacon didn’t shrink as much, which made it look meatier, and I think the pieces cooked more evenly.
Flavor-wise, I didnt get the hickory-smoke taste as much as I thought I would. But there was smoke, and the bacon was salty and crispy, so it was still enjoyable to eat even though it wasn’t restaurant-quality. Advertisement.
We Finally Know Why Costco’s Bacon Is So Cheap
FAQ
What bacon is sold at Costco?
Does Costco sell back bacon?
Does Costco carry pre-cooked bacon?
Does Costco sell Bacon?
Yes, Costco sells Kirkland Signature Bacon, which is a fan favorite. The thick-sliced strips are particularly noteworthy and have seen increased demand during the pandemic. They are cheaper than competitors, with prices under $4 a pound.
How much does Bacon cost in Canada?
The price of a 500g pack of Costco Kirkland Signature Bacon in Canada can fluctuate, costing anywhere from $14.99 to $21.99. This is for a four-pack of bacon.
How much does a pound of Costco’s bacon cost?
Costco’s bacon is cheaper than its competitors at under $4 a pound for both the regular and thick-sliced strips.
How much does Kirkland Hormel Bacon cost?
The 500 gram package of Costco Kirkland Signature Hormel Fully Cooked Bacon costs $16.99 Canadian.