Brands
We Tried The Most Popular Bacon Brands–These Are Our 8 Favorites
Southern Living Magazine
Ah, bacon. Sweet, salty, savory, smoky, beautiful bacon. Bacon is a Southern cooking staple, but choosing the right bacon at the supermarket can be a bit overwhelming. Standing in front of a refrigerator full of seemingly identical packages of bacon that have all sorts of different labels is intimidating. What’s the difference in natural and organic? Is double smoked better than smoked? What in the world is a center cut? You could spend a lot of time mulling over your choices, so to save some of it for you, we’ve rounded up few mainstay types of bacon you might see at the store and explained them for you. From thick cut to uncured and dry rubbed, here’s your guide to the different types of bacon at the supermarket.
Thick Cut
What It Means: Hefty, meaty slices. The thickness varies depending on the brand.
Best For: Sprinkling on soups and salads
Our Pick: Hormel® Black Label® Original Thick Cut Bacon
Organic
What It Means: Yes, bacon can be organic. According to the USDA, if the bacon is made from certified organic meat or poultry (they’ve been fed certified organic feed and haven’t been given antibiotics or growth hormones), then the bacon itself is organic.
Best For: Adding bacon flavor to healthy dishes without (as much) guilt
Our Pick: Applegate® Organics Hickory Smoked Uncured Sunday Bacon