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If you’re like me you love sinking your teeth into a crispy slice of bacon. There’s just something about that perfect balance of salty smoky, and slightly sweet flavors that makes bacon an indulgence worth craving.
So when it comes to bacon, I don’t mess around. Wendy’s has always been my go-to for the best bacon in fast food. Their Applewood smoked bacon is cooked fresh daily and has the ideal crunch and craveable flavor that keeps me coming back.
But what makes Wendy’s bacon so irresistible? I did some digging to uncover the secrets behind their sensational smoked bacon to satisfy my curiosity. Keep reading to learn all about the special steps Wendy’s takes to deliver next-level bacon every single time.
Wendy’s Sources Premium Pork Bellies
The first step to perfect bacon is starting with the highest quality pork. Wendy’s sources fresh never-frozen pork bellies only from pigs raised without added hormones or steroids on family farms. They strictly monitor standards for animal care and handling.
This care in sourcing prime pork bellies ensures the bacon has a deliciously rich, porky flavor and the right balance of meat and fat for ideal texture after smoking and cooking. Lower quality or frozen pork bellies can lead to limp, greasy bacon that lacks robust flavor.
Applewood Smoking Infuses Big Bacon Flavor
What sets Wendy’s bacon apart is the Applewood smoking process. Applewood smoking uses a specific variety of hardwood that imparts a hint of sweetness and gentle smokiness.
The pork bellies are smoked for at least 8 hours using natural Applewood chips. This extended smoking time allows the bacon to fully absorb the Applewood smoke’s distinctive flavor and aroma.
Applewood smoking gives Wendy’s bacon a more complex, savory taste compared to bacon smoked using other hardwoods or artificial smoke flavor. You get layered notes of maple and brown sugar rather than an acrid or bitter smoke profile.
Cooking Method Maximizes Crispness
The final step to Wendy’s sensational bacon is how it’s cooked. Rather than frying or microwaving, the Applewood smoked bacon is oven-baked in each restaurant daily.
Baking allows the bacon to cook evenly, ensuring every slice has the perfect balance of pliable meat and shatteringly crispy edges. Wendy’s carefully controls the temperature and timing to get their bacon crunchy without going overdone.
Frying can make bacon greasy or chewy while microwaving produces uneven cooking. By baking the bacon, Wendy’s locks in the Applewood smoky flavor and achieves ideal texture.
Freshness You Can Taste
Because the bacon is smoked and cooked in-house rather than mass-produced and frozen, you get the freshest, most flavorful bacon possible at Wendy’s. The bacon stays crispy and full of flavor, even when served on burgers or sandwiches.
Microwaved or pre-cooked bacon often ends up limp and soggy once added to a sandwich. The just-cooked crispness of Wendy’s bacon elevates any menu item.
Wendy’s Stacks on the Bacon
Once you taste Wendy’s Applewood smoked bacon, it’s easy to see why they aren’t shy about piling it on. Signature bacon-loaded menu items include:
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Baconator – Wendy’s iconic burger featuring 6 (!) strips of Applewood smoked bacon.
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Big Bacon Cheddar Classic – Fresh beef patty topped with Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and zesty bourbon bacon sauce.
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Bacon Pub Cheeseburger – Pure beef patty, Applewood smoked bacon, melted cheddar cheese, fried onions, beer cheese sauce, and pub sauce.
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Power Breakfast Bowl – Sausage, Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, eggs, potatoes, salsa in a power bowl.
No other fast food bacon quite compares to the Applewood smoked bacon at Wendy’s. Because they go above and beyond with sourcing, smoking method, and daily baking, you get the best tasting bacon around.
Next time a bacon craving hits, make sure to stop by Wendy’s. Treat yourself to a few slices of their Applewood smoked bacon to enjoy why it’s so irresistible. The flavor and crunch you get from their fresh, never frozen, smoked daily bacon is seriously next level.
Find the Nearest Wendy’s to Me
You want to go to the burger place before you even read our review? If you’re already telling your Siri, Alexa, etc. to find the closest Wedny’s, then you do. we’ve got your back.
Click the big button below to find the Wendy’s closest to you (or any other location you want to look for):
How to make a Baconator at Wendy’s!
FAQ
What brand of bacon does Wendy’s use?
Does Wendy’s use precooked bacon?
Is Wendy’s bacon frozen?
How do Wendy’s cook their bacon?
What kind of bacon does Wendy’s use in Baconator Fries?
Applewood smoked bacon is the type of bacon Wendy’s uses in their Baconator Fries, but feel free to use your favorite. Use your favorite brand of frozen french fries, but if you want to replicate the ones Wendy’s serves, go with thin, skin-on fries like Alexia House Cut Fries with Sea Salt or Ore-Ida Country Style French Fries.
Does Wendy’s have Bacon?
Nothing beats a fresh, never frozen beef* Wendy’s cheeseburger topped with our hot, crispy and freshly cooked bacon. Our Applewood smoked bacon – cooked daily in our ovens – gives the cheeseburger a distinct hint of smokiness. And as the #1 seller of bacon cheeseburgers**, no one does bacon like Wendy’s.
What is Wendy’s Big Bacon Classic?
App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Wendy’s® Big Bacon Classic® is a ‘90s throwback you may remember. Made with fresh, never frozen beef topped with hot, crispy and freshly cooked bacon.
What makes Wendy’s Baconator so good?
Wendy’s Baconator is loaded with enough beef, American cheese, and savory bacon to satisfy even the biggest hunger. But there is no need to take a trip to your local Wendy’s when you can make a pretty good imitation at home with this copycat recipe. What Makes Wendy’s Baconator So Good? Isn’t it obvious? Six pieces of thick-cut bacon!