We know weve been on a bit of a bacon kick lately. We suspect youre all pretty much okay with it. We learned something really horrible while writing our guide on how to cook bacon, our list of bacon mistakes we’ve all made, and our ode to all things wrapped in bacon: some of you are buying bacon that has already been cooked.
We get it—fully cooked, shelf-stable bacon that comes already packaged sounds great. It’s quick and easy, and there’s no mess to clean up. But at what cost? Here are eight of the best reasons we can think of to never buy bacon that’s already been cooked again. Advertisement.
There are times in life when you need to ask yourself, “what else would it be??”
7. You can eat it right out of the package, like unrefrigerated meat chips.
There’s no need to warm it up, says Tyson. You can eat it right out of the package in salads, sandwiches, main dishes, and more. ” No. No thank you. No.
Schwans says, “Our fully cooked bacon is perfect every time in 60 seconds, whether you like it really crispy or chewy and meaty.” That’s faster than the toast!” GUYS. Bacon is meat. Also, let’s be honest: bacon is great, healthy, and tasty, but it’s not meat. You shouldnt just be able to snack on it like popcorn. It should take some effort. Advertisement.
5. This is precooked bacons predecessor. Dont let these people win. (via Imgur)
Every major producer of precooked bacon lists these as the “curing ingredients. ” It just feels suspicious. If someone wont tell you what goes into making a product, we are wary of that product.
3. Because it leads to stuff like this being invented. Yeah, dont adjust your monitors, that is canned bacon. Bacon in a can. Congratulations, you guys. You did it. Advertisement.
2. Know what you cant do with precooked bacon? THIS. Yeah. (via Imgur)
1. When you eat precooked bacon, you are missing out on a vital part of the bacon experience. Bacon fat. Bacon fat is a valuable resource that shouldn’t be wasted without thought. We’ve said this before, and we’ll probably say it again. That big mason jar in the picture above is the key to perfectly braised greens, the tastiest cornbread you’ve ever had, and the best stewed beans you’ve ever had.
We don’t think so. Does bacon taste the same without the sizzle in the pan, the smell in the air, and the anticipation as it cooks? Isn’t instant gratification sometimes a missed opportunity? Were hoping we can convince you to agree.
As a busy professional and parent, I’m always looking for quick breakfast options to feed my family. Pre-cooked bacon seems like an easy solution – just heat and eat, right? But recently I’ve been hearing conflicting information about how healthy pre-cooked bacon really is As a health and nutrition writer, I decided to dig into the details to find out if pre-cooked bacon is bad for you
What is Pre-Cooked Bacon?
Pre-cooked bacon refers to bacon that has already been fully cooked and cured during manufacturing. It comes pre-packaged in plastic pouches or vacuum sealed plastic containers. Popular brands include Oscar Mayer, Hormel, and Smithfield.
This pre-cooked bacon has an extended shelf life compared to raw bacon It can be stored for weeks or months at room temperature before opening. Once opened, it must be refrigerated and used within 1-2 weeks.
To prepare pre-cooked bacon, you simply heat it up in the microwave or pan fry it briefly to warm and crisp it up. The bacon comes already fully cooked so no long cooking time is required. It’s a super quick and convenient breakfast protein.
Benefits of Pre-Cooked Bacon
There are a few potential benefits that explain why pre-cooked bacon is so popular:
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Saves cooking time – No long wait for raw bacon to cook. Pre-cooked bacon reheats in just 1-2 minutes.
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Less messy – Pre-cooked bacon creates less splatter and pops less grease while cooking compared to raw.
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Long shelf life – If unopened, pre-cooked bacon lasts for weeks at room temperature compared to days for raw bacon.
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Portability – The lightweight pouches are easy to pack for lunches, camping trips, and other on-the-go situations.
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Uniform results – The pre-cooked process ensures every batch looks and tastes the same. No burnt or undercooked pieces.
Potential Downsides of Pre-Cooked Bacon
However, there are also some notable downsides to keep in mind:
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Higher in preservatives – To extend shelf life, pre-cooked bacon contains more preservatives like sodium nitrite.
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Higher in sodium – Pre-cooked bacon packs much more sodium per serving, around 900 mg compared to 400 mg for pan fried.
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Less flavor – Without frying, you miss out on those delicious bacon drippings that add tons of flavor.
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More processed – Highly processed meats in general may be linked to health risks like heart disease and diabetes.
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Higher price – Ounce for ounce, pre-cooked bacon costs significantly more than raw bacon.
Nutrition Comparison
Let’s compare the nutrition facts of pre-cooked bacon vs. pan fried raw bacon:
Pre-Cooked Bacon (Hormel) – 2 slices
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
Pan Fried Bacon (Oscar Mayer) – 2 slices
- Calories: 40
- Fat: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 290mg
As you can see, the pre-cooked bacon contains over twice as much sodium and more calories per serving compared to pan frying bacon yourself.
Is Pre-Cooked Bacon Less Healthy?
Based on the nutrition numbers, pre-cooked bacon does seem significantly less healthy than cooking fresh raw bacon. But why exactly is that the case?
Here are a few reasons pre-cooked bacon may be worse for you:
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Higher sodium – To compensate for the lost flavor during pre-cooking, lots of salt is added to boost the taste. This spikes blood pressure.
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More preservatives – Nitrites are added to stop bacteria growth and extend shelf life. But nitrites may cause cancer when converted into nitrosamines in the body.
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Higher heat processing – The commercial cooking method uses very high heat that can create carcinogens like heterocyclic amines (HCAs).
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Loss of healthy fats – Pre-cooking may destroy more of the beneficial monounsaturated fats compared to pan frying.
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Less protein – The high heat processing degrades some protein, reducing bioavailability.
Healthier Alternatives to Pre-Cooked Bacon
If you’re concerned about the risks of pre-cooked bacon, here are some healthier alternatives:
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Cook raw bacon in a pan, toaster oven or air fryer. Choose uncured or nitrate-free brands when possible.
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Look for low sodium pre-cooked bacon to slash the salt content. Applegate Naturals Uncured Sunday Bacon fits the bill.
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Swap half the bacon for avocado or mushrooms for more fiber, nutrients, and less saturated fat.
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Try turkey or vegetarian bacon made from eggplant or coconut. They often have less nitrites.
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Use bacon crumbles or bits versus strips or slices to cut fat and calories.
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Add bacon flavor to dishes with natural smoke flavor, bacon salt, or bacon seasoning blends with no artificial ingredients.
The Bottom Line
Pre-cooked bacon delivers convenience, but it comes with some concerning drawbacks like higher sodium levels and preservatives. While an occasional serving likely won’t cause harm, it may be best to enjoy pre-cooked bacon in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. For those looking to limit processed meats and sodium, cooking raw bacon at home and experimenting with alternative bacons, add-ons and seasonings may be healthier options.
At the end of the day, nutrition and health priorities are highly personalized. My advice is to consider your individual situation and be mindful about how often you rely on pre-cooked bacon. If the convenience factor fits your lifestyle, balance it out by emphasizing whole foods and home cooked meals whenever possible. That way, you can confidently enjoy the occasional serving of quick pre-cooked bacon without worry.
For Our Partners
We know weve been on a bit of a bacon kick lately. We suspect youre all pretty much okay with it. We learned something really horrible while writing our guide on how to cook bacon, our list of bacon mistakes we’ve all made, and our ode to all things wrapped in bacon: some of you are buying bacon that has already been cooked.
We get it—fully cooked, shelf-stable bacon that comes already packaged sounds great. It’s quick and easy, and there’s no mess to clean up. But at what cost? Here are eight of the best reasons we can think of to never buy bacon that’s already been cooked again. Advertisement.
8. They have to assure you that it is 100% real bacon.
There are times in life when you need to ask yourself, “what else would it be??”
7. You can eat it right out of the package, like unrefrigerated meat chips.
Tyson says, “Warm it up if you like, or enjoy it straight from the package in sandwiches, salads, main dishes and more.” No. No thank you. No.
6. Its faster to prepare than toast.
Schwans says, “Whether you like it super crispy, or chewy and meaty, our fully-cooked bacon is perfect every time in 60 seconds. That’s faster than the toast!” GUYS. Bacon is meat. Meat SHOULD take longer to cook than toast! Also, lets just be honest with each other: bacon is glorious, fortifying and delicious, but one thing bacon is not — healthy. You shouldnt just be able to snack on it like popcorn. It should take some effort.Advertisement
5. This is precooked bacons predecessor. Dont let these people win. (via Imgur)
4. WHAT is in this stuff??
Every major producer of precooked bacon lists these as the “curing ingredients.” It just feels suspicious. If someone wont tell you what goes into making a product, we are wary of that product.
3. Because it leads to stuff like this being invented.
Yeah, dont adjust your monitors, that is canned bacon. Bacon in a can. Congratulations, you guys. You did it.Advertisement
2. Know what you cant do with precooked bacon? THIS. Yeah. (via Imgur)
1. When you eat precooked bacon, you are missing out on a vital part of the bacon experience. Bacon fat.
Weve harped on this before, and were likely to do it again, but bacon fat is a precious resource that shouldnt be discarded without consideration. That stout mason jar in the photo above is your ticket to perfectly braised greens, the best cornbread youve ever eaten and the best tasting stewed beans.
We don’t think so. Does bacon taste the same without the sizzle in the pan, the smell in the air, and the anticipation as it cooks? Isn’t instant gratification sometimes a missed opportunity? Were hoping we can convince you to agree.
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As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. Thats why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, well bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you cant find elsewhere. As things stand in politics right now, we take our job as reporters very seriously, and we appreciate your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Cant afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
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How to Make Pre-Cooked Bacon | Family Savvy
FAQ
Is pre cooked bacon OK?
Is cooked bacon healthy?
Is precooked bacon high in cholesterol?
Is pre cooked bacon bad for You?
You probably have paid for pork, and you are getting chicken bacon. So, this may haunt you if you are not going to get what you demanded. Other than it, the pre-cooked bacon may have some preservative that may be hazardous to your health.
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Is fried bacon bad for You?
Fried bacon may be high in nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. However, food producers have managed to reduce the nitrosamine content significantly by adding vitamin C. When it comes to cooking meat, it is important to find balance. Overcooking is unhealthy, but undercooking can also be a concern.
Should you eat pre-cooked bacon?
The only downside to loving bacon is having to clean up after frying or baking the strips. That’s a good reason to consider pre-cooked bacon if you only need a few pieces. Our panelists sampled nine brands of pre-cooked bacon to find a couple they could use in a recipe that needs a little crunch or some salty flavor. Score (out of 75 points): 57