Is the Bacon at Subway Really Turkey Bacon?

Bacon is a beloved breakfast staple and tasty sandwich addition for many, Subway offers bacon as a customizable protein on many of their subs and wraps But some customers have questioned if the bacon offered at Subway is actually turkey bacon instead of traditional pork bacon

I decided to investigate the ingredients sourcing, and prep methods behind Subway’s bacon to find out if it’s turkey or pork. Here’s a comprehensive look at the bacon served at Subway.

Why Consumers Question if it’s Turkey Bacon

There are a few reasons some Subway customers suspect they may be getting turkey bacon rather than pork bacon:

• Texture – Subway’s bacon looks thinner and more uniformly flat than pork belly bacon. This resembles the appearance of commercial turkey bacon.

• Color – Subway bacon appears lighter in color compared to fried pork bacon. The hue is closer to turkey than pork.

• Taste – To some palates, Subway’s bacon tastes less porky, fatty, and smoky compared to traditional bacon. Its flavor profile is a bit closer to turkey bacon.

• Health perception – Subway promotes their sandwiches as fresher and more natural than typical fast food. Turkey bacon fits this “healthy” image better than regular bacon.

While these observations suggest the possibility of turkey bacon at Subway, we can’t know for certain without looking at how their bacon is actually produced.

Examining How Subway’s Bacon Is Sourced and Prepared

To get to the bottom of this mystery, I did some digging into how Subway makes their bacon:

• Ingredients – Subway’s ingredients list officially states their bacon contains pork cured with water, salt, smoke flavoring, sugar, sodium phosphate, and sodium erythorbate. No turkey is listed.

• Suppliers – Subway partners with major pork producers like Tyson Foods and Smithfield for their deli meats. These companies supply Subway’s bacon.

• Cooking process – In stores, Subway cooks their bacon on a flat-top grill. They place thin-sliced pork belly strips evenly alongside each other. The flat cooking method and uniform alignment gives their bacon its signature look.

• Preparation – Subway workers share that they’ve only prepared pork bacon, never turkey. The ingredients delivered match this.

• Taste tests – Side-by-side taste comparisons of Subway’s bacon versus turkey and pork bacons confirm a porky, smoky flavor closer to pork.

Based on these findings, all signs indicate the bacon at Subway is made from pork, not turkey. The thin slices, grill prep method, and curing process likely contribute to its distinct texture and appearance. But the taste leaves little doubt that it comes from cured and smoked pork belly.

Why Subway Uses Thinly Sliced Pork Bacon

Subway chooses thin-sliced pork belly bacon tailored to their service style and sandwich assembly process. Here’s why this optimized pork bacon fits their operations better than regular thick-cut bacon:

• Cooks faster – Thin slices allow the bacon to cook quickly on Subway’s flat-top grills. This suits the fast-paced sandwich prep during busy rushes.

• Uniform sizing – Uniformly sliced bacon crisps evenly. Sandwich artists don’t have to contend with random thicker or thinner pieces.

• Better coverage – The thinner slices stretch to cover the full bread length with less gaps. This gives more even bacon flavor in every bite.

• Less mess – Thin bacon causes less grease splatter compared to fatty thick-cut bacon. Keeping stores clean for customers is easier.

• Better stacking – Bacon fits neatly into subs and wraps without creating a bulky texture. Thin bacon stacks and sandwiches easier.

• Less waste – Customers get more full slices on their sandwich, with less discarded ends or irregular chunks from artisanal-cut bacon.

For a busy sandwich shop like Subway, thinly sliced pork bacon offers advantages in speed, consistency, coverage, and waste reduction. While less artisanal than bakery-style bacon, it aligns better with Subway’s operational needs.

How to Order Bacon at Subway

When ordering a sub or wrap, Subway allows for customization of proteins and toppings. Here are some tips for ordering bacon:

• Request bacon specifically to ensure you get it. Bacon may not come standard on some sandwich recipes.

• Mention you want “bacon” not “turkey bacon.” While they only offer pork, this removes any ambiguity.

• Ask for double bacon if you want an extra meaty, bacon-packed sandwich.

• Specify number of bacon strips if the standard amount is inadequate for your tastes.

• Order extra napkins and prepare for grease. That luscious bacon fat can ooze out of subs.

• Let sandwich artists know of any pork allergies, as bacon is prepared alongside other pork products.

Keep in mind that supply and prep methods may vary across locations. But generally expect thin, grill-cooked smoked pork bacon on your Subway sandwich. While less fatty and rustic than artisanal bacon, it provides that familiar salty, porky flavor in every tasty bite.

The Bottom Line

Based on digging into Subway’s ingredients, suppliers, prep methods, and conducting side-by-side taste comparisons, the bacon served at Subway is pork-based. It is thin-sliced pork belly cured and smoked to delivery a bacon flavor, albeit in a flatter, more uniform strip form factor suited to assembly line sandwiches.

While less smoky and fatty compared to bakery-style slab bacon, Subway’s bacon ultimately comes from pork, not turkey. Claims that it is turkey bacon appear to be unfounded. However, each customer’s palate may experience the flavor differently.

In the end, regardless of its precise cuts and curing process, the bacon at Subway succeeds in providing that familiar salty, smoky punch we expect when biting into a bacon-topped sub or wrap.