During the late seventies and eighties, Sizzlean was a popular bacon alternative produced by Swift & Co. The breakfast strips were sold as a healthier alternative to bacon because they had less fat and shrunk less than regular pork bacon. Sizzlean was supposedly 50% leaner than pork belly bacon, in fact, although it actually contained 37% fat. And let’s be honest, if it didn’t, it wouldn’t have tasted as good. Most sites that talk about nostalgia or food history seem to think of Sizzlean as one of those crazy 1980s ideas that should be thrown away.
People think that products are only taken off the market because they don’t sell, which isn’t true. In truth, Sizzlean did not fail, at least not in that way. Did it outsell bacon? No. Was it successful? Yes.
As a child of the 80s I have fond memories of crispy Sizzlean bacon sizzling in the pan on weekend mornings. That smoky aroma and satisfying crunch made breakfast a treat. Today finding Sizzlean bacon requires some detective work, as this iconic fake bacon disappeared from grocery shelves over a decade ago.
In this article, we’ll go on a nostalgic exploration to uncover what exactly Sizzlean bacon was, why it vanished, and where we might find it today to relive those tasty breakfast memories. Get ready for a sizzling trip down memory lane!
What Was Sizzlean Bacon?
For those unfamiliar, Sizzlean was a fabricated bacon product introduced in the late 1970s by Swift & Company. It featured pressed and formed strips made from a blend of ground turkey, pork, and beef.
Sizzlean was marketed as a lower-fat alternative to regular pork bacon, with 50% less fat. It delivered on satisfying bacon flavor and texture while catering to the era’s fascination with lower-fat foods.
I loved Sizzlean’s smoky, meaty taste and chewy texture as a kid. While not exactly like bacon, it delivered on the bacon experience for a young breakfast lover.
Why Did Sizzlean Vanish?
Though many internet sites paint Sizzlean as a failed product, it actually enjoyed steady sales for over 20 years. So why did it disappear in the early 2000s?
After being acquired by ConAgra Foods in 1990, Sizzlean was likely discontinued as ConAgra streamlined brands. As a niche product, Sizzlean may not have been commercially viable long-term.
While fondly remembered, Sizzlean never achieved major market share against bacon. Declining sales and lack of advertising support probably sealed its fate. Though not a total failure, Sizzlean faded as priorities shifted.
The Hunt to Find Sizzlean Today
As a lover of fun breakfast foods, my curiosity was piqued – where might diehard Sizzlean fans find it today? Being discontinued, Sizzlean won’t be found in stores But other avenues exist for this phantom bacon
Online Specialty Food Stores
Sites like eBay or Etsy may offer vintage boxes or packages of Sizzlean from sellers cleaning out old pantries. Availability is limited, but I found some listings for those truly dedicated.
Fake Bacon Alternatives
Turkey or beef bacon products share similarities with Sizzlean. While not exact, they may evoke nostalgic flavors for brand devotees. Explore your grocer’s bacon section.
Call ConAgra Foods
This is a long shot, but ConAgra may have insights on production or product similarities. Customer service agents may be able to track down leads.
Petition for Sizzlean’s Return
If enough interest exists, ConAgra could license the brand and bring back some version of Sizzlean. Social media campaigns do influence companies nowadays.
Make Your Own Sizzlean Bacon
Get creative in the kitchen! Blend ground meats with spices in a food processor, form into strips, then fry or bake. You can reinvent Sizzlean your way.
Reliving Sizzlean Magic in New Ways
My search makes it clear authentic Sizzlean won’t arrive on my breakfast table anytime soon. While production has ceased, I realized the magic of Sizzlean lies in the memories it created, not the product itself.
I’m learning to re-create those nostalgic feelings using new breakfast routines with my own kids:
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Weekend pancake breakfasts – we take turns choosing fun add-ins like chocolate chips or blueberries to customize our cakes.
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Breakfast charcuterie boards – salami, cheese, jam, and fruit make an artful, savory spread we assemble together.
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Eggy sandwiches – we toast English muffins, fry eggs, and build sandwiches, just like diners do.
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Breakfast kebabs – we thread fruit chunks and cheese cubes onto skewers for a playful morning meal.
Sizzlean played a memorable role in my childhood breakfasts. Now making new memories with my own family helps me appreciate those times even more. Who needs Sizzlean when you have lasting bonds over shared mornings and meals? I’ll savor the moments, even without the sizzle.
Your Turn: Share Your Sizzlean Stories
Did you enjoy Sizzlean bacon back in the day? What breakfast foods bring you nostalgia? I’d love to hear your favorite food memories!
What Was Sizzlean Made Of?
Sizzlean could be compared to today’s turkey bacon in that it was a fabricated breakfast strip product. This means it consisted of meat products there were ground up very fine and then pressed into form.
Regular Sizzlean was not a beef bacon, as some sources seem to think. It contained not only turkey but leaner cuts of pork shoulder and beef. An “all-beef” version was also introduced, although it still contained added turkey.
What Did Sizzlean Taste Like?
I remember quite liking Sizzlean as a kid. And reading the message boards and comments from people who remember it makes me feel like I’m not the only one. Many others, on the other hand, share their disgust at the product.
Shawn, at Branded in the ’80s, shares my fond remembrance. He also remembers the taste and texture much better than I do. He said it felt more like jerky, which makes sense—who doesn’t love jerky?—and reminded me of the little fat bubbles that would form in the strips.
It tasted, as I remember, very much like bacon except with a meatier and chewier texture. If I could choose between chewy and crispy bacon, I would. But at the time, I still liked real bacon.
Some have claimed that Sizzlean did not fry up as crisp as bacon. I’m pretty sure, and so are others, that you could get a crisp texture, but maybe not a crunchy one. Crispy bacon, however, is not as popular as “crisp-chewy” bacon.
At the time, consumers said that Sizzlean was not as good as regular bacon but better than turkey bacon in terms of texture, taste, and appearance.
Sizzlean Bacon commercial 1978
FAQ
Do they still sell sizzlean bacon?
When did they stop making sizzlean?
What was sizzling bacon made of?
Where can I buy Sizzlean Bacon?
Sizzlean is a premium bacon made from lean, hormone-free pork. It’s the perfect choice for those looking for a healthier bacon option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. So where can you buy Sizzlean bacon? You can find it at select grocery stores and online retailers. Or, you can buy it direct from the Sizzlean website. So what are you waiting for?
Is Sizzlean a beef bacon?
Sizzlean was a cured meat product that was marketed as a healthier alternative to bacon and was manufactured throughout the 1970s and 1980s. A beef bacon, in general, is a bacon that is made from beef rather than pork. Pork belly slices are frequently used to make pork bacon. In addition to traditional bacon, beef can be used to make beef bacon.
Is Sizzlean a bacon substitute?
Sizzlean was supposedly a lower calorie, less fattening bacon substitute product that was smoked and cured like bacon, but made from pork shoulder instead of pork bellies (where bacon comes from.) Pork shoulder is ironically one of the key ingredients of Spam, one of the most fattening foods on earth.
Is Sizzlean healthier than bacon?
Sizzlean, a cured beef product, was said to be healthier than bacon. This product was created and sold by Swift in 1977 and began appearing in major markets the following year. Swift was acquired by ConAgra Foods in 1990 and discontinued before eventually being sold off its meat-related brands.