As both a passionate home cook and bacon enthusiast, I’m always on the hunt for the tastiest brands of bacon to cook up for weekend breakfasts. Crispy, savory bacon just makes mornings better! But with so many options at the grocery store, it can be tough to know which brand will give you the best bang for your buck. That’s why I was excited to hear that the test kitchen at Taste of Home magazine conducted a taste test of popular bacon brands to crown the best of the best.
Taste of Home’s expert test kitchen staff sampled eight top national brands, judging them on flavor, texture, appearance, and overall taste. They tasted store brands, artisanal bacons, thick-cut styles, applewood smoked, and more. After a thorough test, they decided on their top picks for best bacon brands in different categories. I was fascinated to find out which bacons came out on top!
According to the test kitchen, Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon is the worthwhile splurge if you want to go high-end This beloved Wisconsin brand has a serious bacon fanbase for good reason – it scored high marks across the board for its exceptionally balanced flavor, distinctive marbling, and satisfying texture At around $0.78 per ounce, it’s pricier than typical grocery store bacon, but devotees say it’s worth it for the premium taste. Consider it an investment for special weekend breakfasts or holiday mornings!
For the best supermarket option, the test kitchen gives top honors to Hormel Black Label thick cut applewood bacon. It has a great smoky, salty flavor and fries up with crispy edges and a nice chew. At just $0.58 per ounce, it’s a great everyday bacon for BLTs, breakfast tacos, etc. You can find it at most major grocery chains.
If thin and crispy bacon is more your jam, the test kitchen recommends Wright brand applewood smoked bacon. It cooked up deliciously thin and crunchy in their tests. The applewood flavor is mild, but overall it has a nice blend of savory pork flavor and saltiness. And at only $0.46 per ounce, this widely available bacon won’t break the bank.
For the best thick-cut artisanal bacon Benton’s hickory smoked country bacon from Tennessee shined in the taste test. Cut from heritage Berkshire pigs it has a wonderfully rich, nostalgic flavor with a nice chew. The sustainable family farm has been curing hams and bacon for decades, and it shows in their standout products. At $0.53 per ounce, it’s very fairly priced for small-batch bacon.
Beyond identifying the best brands, the test kitchen shared some of their top cooking methods for bacon. Frying is the most common, but they noted baking yields consistent results without the splatter. Air frying is another hands-off option if you want crispy bacon fast. Just remember to drain and store the grease properly after cooking up any style!
As a bacon-obsessed home cook, I really enjoyed getting the inside scoop on the test kitchen’s picks for the best bacon brands on the market right now. It’s always helpful to turn to the experts if you want tasty results without having to taste test every bacon at the store yourself. Now I can’t wait to try some of their top recommendations during my next grocery run! Nothing beats starting the weekend off right with a hearty bacon breakfast featuring one of the test kitchen’s approved brands.
Worthwhile Splurge: Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon
- Price: $24.99 for a two-pound package
- Price per ounce: $0.78 per ounce
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Crispiest: Wright Applewood Thick Cut Bacon
- Price: $10.98 for a 24-ounce package
- Price per ounce: $0.46 per ounce
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FAQ
What is the best bacon according to chefs?
Which bacon is best to eat?
Is Oscar Mayer the best bacon?
Which is the cheapest bacon brand?
One of the most affordable $6 for a 16 oz package options among the best bacon brands is hometown original. Another well-known brand is Oscar Mayer.
Is Wright a good brand of bacon?
Wright Brand Real Wood Smoked Applewood Thick Cut Bacon If loving bacon is wrong, I want it to be Wright. The brand offers one of the best thick-cut options on the market with a somewhat muted smoky flavor so that the pork speaks for itself.
Is all bacon good?
While bacon is a great way to add saltiness and crunch to any meal, not all bacon is good. Our Test Kitchen set out to find the top bacon brands that you can rely on. There are plenty of bacon brands out there to choose from.
How many bacon brands were tested in the article?
In the article, our culinary staff fried up eight bacon brands, including mom-and-pop options and the biggest name in the business, in efforts to find brands worthy of being called Test Kitchen-Preferred. Eight brands were tested in this delicious test, and each strip was judged according to these standards: