The 6 Worst And 5 Best Bacon Brands

[@MashedFood]

What is your favorite bacon brand?

[@Laserguy2009]

Kirkland from Costco!!

[@noahnorman6877]

Dietz & Watson

[@KatiTheButcher]

Belschners

[@MrCookin1981]

Indiana Kitchen

[@CMeister28]

Hormel, Black label is far better than Oscar Meyer

[@ahollingsworth457]

Smithfield Packing Company established in 1936 by Joseph W. Luter was sold to a Chinese firm in 2013 for nearly $5 billion. The quality of Smithfield products has suffered ever since.

[@guitarcomet5]

This may be true, but the bacon is still top-notch.

[@johnburkey7051]

Boycott anything that’s owned by the Chinese in this country

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

@@guitarcomet5 I wont buy it....company is managed by Communists

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

Same CCP company also owns Nathans hot dogs and Farmer John....I womnt buy their products

[@larryreinke6136]

Once Smithfield was sold I stopped buying anything related to Smithfield. And now what Tyson did, I've stopped buying their products.

[@patriciayohn6136]

I am fortunately from Lancaster, PA where we have Kunzlers bacon and hams made in Lancaster for over 100 years I believe it is still family owned and it is the only brand I will buy.

[@richardgoff6739]

I always bought Smithfield, but the last couple of times has been disappointing. The quality has really gone down hill as the price has gone up. I no longer buy this brand.

[@eyemduckk]

I used to be a Smithfield praiser...but lately not so much..inconsistent slices that aren't "thick" as the label advertises

[@phillipbranch8291]

I've bought Great Value bacon many times and never had a problem with it!

[@bearwill4737]

China bought 53% controlling interest in walmart-china-mart, we've gotten sick on all of their supposed Organic foods, even our puppies, ignorance is bliss. Trust Communists who want our country & all of us dead. Trust the vile smile of deception.

[@Lee-yy2lr]

But if you spend extra money and buy a top shelf bacon you will see a vast difference. I know people want to save money but they get used to low quality products.

[@walkure48]

Wright is the only commercial brand I enjoy. The other two are at a local meat market and a local Wegmans where they slice it for you in their delis. Anytime I think of Smithfield, I think of the many times that they were busted by the EPA for dumping foamy waste water into Chesapeake Bay.

[@teddymartinii1979]

Ya' know, I'm glad they mentioned the Smithfield bacon, because I've noticed that Smithfield products don't seem to be good anymore. I guess it isn't just me that has noticed.

[@donnamoss7480]

owned by china totally disappeared recently

[@annecollins1741]

I like Smithfield's ham, but their bacon has a very odd taste to it. JMO.

[@burtbacarach5034]

I'm glad some folks pass up Great Value bacon-saves more for me.Strangely,seems like everytime I go in Wally World the GV bacon is almost always sold out....

[@retiredatc8720]

The BEST bacon, that will change your life, is bacon fron Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams in Madisonville, TN. It is cured the old fashioned way for 28 days (IIRC) in salt and sugar, then smoked. Once the curing is complete, it needs no refrigeration. It's so good it is used as a feature ingredient by chefs across the country.

[@wadegannaway9069]

Just looked at their website. The 24 month aged ham looks good.

[@barrymargolis5369]

@@wadegannaway9069 Too darn expensive

[@wadegannaway9069]

@@barrymargolis5369 understandable. We received our bacon and ham. hot dang is it good. It was pricey

[@stevefoote9995]

@ $9.00 A pound

[@brandonarnett3860]

Stopped eating Smithfield when I found out, they are owned by the Chinese. I know someone who worked on a pasture for them, she send the pigs go to China for butchering, and there's no telling on what they do or add during a curing process. Then they come back over pre packaging and sent to stores. Best bacon, check out bearded butchers how to make at home bacon.

[@hardybryan]

You're saying the company pays to constantly ship thousands of pigs from America to China just to butcher them, then ships them back? Yeah, no, that's not happening.

[@SKI1333]

Wright is the “wright” buy.

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

It’s quality has decreased recently. I used to buy that brand religiously, but if you noticed they stop using the Ziploc on the packaging and also, more importantly, the bacon is clearly thinner than it used to be. Shrinkflation even hit Wright.

[@douglasbunch3313]

@@chiarosuburekeni9325 bought some literally yesterday. Ziploc packaging is still there, as is the quality and thickness

[@douglasbunch3313]

I discovered Wright a couple years ago from KZbin comments. Only thing I’ll even consider buying now.

[@HappyArchaeology-mm4ng]

100 percent. I but it, everytime.

[@lassiejr2115]

I like Sugardale , and Brookshire store brand , and then Great Value , I used to like Wrights but they got overpriced . I like thin and Crispy with a slight bite not crumbly or Chewy .

[@linbehl7822]

Tell us about fully cooked.. some of us r not able to use it otherwise

[@darthxellaa912]

Nueske's Cherry Wood Smoked bacon is amazing!

[@rickysand1900]

Wittenberg. Good stuff!

[@jackhendrickson8940]

It is wonderful! If you ever get the chance go to their factory store. All sorts of yummy things.

[@fondew2004]

Been consuming nothing but Neuske's since 1991. When living in WI, visited many times. There are simply none better. ❤

[@davidkomen5283]

Half of these brands, I've never heard of. I'm willing to bet that there are local brands, that still make good bacon.

[@organrick]

I’ve had most of them, and I’ve been OK with them. There were a couple of brands on the list that I’ve never had, Applegate, and Wright, even though they’re available in my area. Some of those brands are from stores like Sam’s Club (Member’s Mark) and Aldi (Appleton Farms.) The only one on the list with a brand that I’m not familiar with is Greenfield, but at the same time, it’s probably been there at the store, but just haven’t seen it…

[@ClarenceObert]

Upper Midwest here ... Cloverdale. A little pricey, but it's great. I especially love the 3lb end pieces.

[@winstonelston5743]

I remember many years ago there was a store brand at Winn-Dixie called _Hickory Sweet._ It was pretty good, but we haven't had a Winn-Dixie in our region in thirty years or more. I stick with Oscar-Meyer.

[@qwertyuiop273]

Smithfield bacon is a Chinese company-- Smithfield is not an American Company any more.

[@patriciayohn6136]

I learned about Smithfield being owned by the Chinese years ago and HAVE NOT PURCHASED ANY SMITHFIELD PRODUCTS SINCE!!!

[@ralphschueler9437]

Smithfield is Chinese made that's a fact and the Chinese don't have regulations on their food products so they can get anything any slop and it is all slap meet pretty bad

[@lynnehill652]

When China bought Smithfield, I guit buying it.

[@Uprightfossil]

No more Smithfield for our household

[@lenaadams786]

Smithfield was partially owned by Chinese for years. As of 2 years ago, China owns the whole lot. 1 year ago American Steele was sold to Japan. China has been buying up portions of land in the u.s. for the last 3 years. I wonder how they were able to do this??? 😂

[@robertquinn1945]

Indiana kitchen thick cut bacon 🥓 is really delicious 😋 kinda pricey but it’s well worth it ❤❤❤!!!!

[@OldSchool-dr5ql]

Agree with most of your reviews however disagree on Aldi's Appleton. I think it's very good. Not overly fatty. Cooks consistent and a reasonable price.

[@brucecoleman7412]

I’m quite surprised that Costco bacon didn’t make this list! It’s really good and you get a lot for your money. Rumor has it that Wright makes it but that is unconfirmed. It is similar in cut and flavor.

[@fannyfreckle]

True…I can’t buy it as it’s too much for one person, but friends have served it to me and the maple kind is amazing! I also love Boar’s Head bacon (Safeway sells it).

[@BeverlySmithJohnson]

Petit Jean bacon and hams processed in Arkansas is our favorite. We do get Wright’s bacon too.

[@Goat67]

We buy Hannaford thick cut and it's awesome every time. 16 ounces for $3.99

[@BubbaThaumaturge]

I'll stick with Wright.

[@gzsprout]

I know, wright!?!

[@tomtalley2192]

I am retired now, and shop 4-5 times a week, at many different stores. And I have never seen Wright bacon. I do buy the Hormel Center cut bacon. But like everything, the quality is not what it used to be.

[@9aspengold5]

Wright Applewood. Really good. I wait for sales and date mark downs.

[@sparkyth67]

@@gzsprout I see what you did there

[@sparkyth67]

Wright, Farmland or Conecuh which is more local here. I have had John Morrel too and it was good

[@Lostboy811]

If the bacon doesn't shrink while cooking then you have better check if it really is bacon. Meat shrinks when cooking a lot of that has to do with water evaporation pretty much the only bacon that doesn't shrink is vegan bacon 😂 so yeah shrinking bacon is a thing.

[@MikeMPharmaCyclist]

It's not really as much to do with water evaporation as much as rendering the oil when it comes to bacon.

[@Lostboy811]

@MikeMPharmaCyclist Not really sure about it but makes sense

[@Timmycoo]

@@MikeMPharmaCyclist rendering fat* and that stuff is liquid gold.

[@4clover279]

Me not happy

[@petepeterson5337]

I know all about Wright's good bacon, but for me the best quality/value is Kirkland thick cut. Perhaps a little too regional is Falls brand; very good bacon.

[@bkm2797]

What region?

[@petepeterson5337]

@@bkm2797 They are based in Twin Falls Idaho, and I BELIEVE my parents got it at Walmart in Yelm, WA. To my knowledge, it is no longer available there.

[@bkm2797]

petepeterson5337, Not too far from me (San Francisco), Safeway probably has it, just never knew to look for that brand, I like Hobb's Applewood thick sliced, or Boars Head thick sliced. Thanks

[@billgrandone3552]

I've traded bacon for sausage in my breakfast fare, More bang for the buck. But for BLTs and to dress up salads, especially German potato salad, its always been Oscar Mayer.

[@RedClover1987]

Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon Whittenberg, Wisconsin

[@Lee-yy2lr]

The best bacon I ever had.👍

[@EdwinStone-bw6bm]

Hempler's bacon, from Bellingham WA is the leanest and tastiest bacon

[@michaelwelch3753]

Not from Bellingham. From Ferndale. I would never eat any thing else. I love the European cut, and this is the only cut I buy.

[@stephanieyvonne9436]

I honestly don’t eat a lot bacon but when I do, I buy Wright brand. It is a little pricey but it’s worth it. Also, Wright just so happens to be my last name which is why I tried it in the first place. 🥓

[@masterlee4370]

I actually love Hormel and Great Value Bacon. They are usually at good price points. I have wanted to try the Wrights thick Bacon. I stay away from Smithfield as it is China owned now.

[@Turfsurfer62]

Great value is just fine.

[@12HpyPws]

Hormel has always been good for me.

[@katsiduzynski488]

Black label thick or regular cut bacon is wonderful. Being from Minnesota I am proud of Hormel products.

[@barrymargolis5369]

For my taste, Daily's thick cut is one the best, hands down.

[@2ndestate]

I bought a couple lbs of that black lable bacon last month and you called that one right, it's awful.

[@Turfsurfer62]

ive told my wife who rarely does the grocery shopping to quit buying black label. ive never liked how it cooks or taste

[@LoriL010]

I buy my bacon by the pound in the meat market..and Wright brand is good...but with todays prices, whatever is on sale is the best....

[@Timmycoo]

Not sure I would spend an exorbitant amount of money on bacon that I'm going to cut up into little pieces and add to a dish as a "flavor enhancer" lol. I usually buy Farmland whenever I get bacon and it's really not that expensive. Also every bacon should shrink at least a little, especially depending how you cook whether it fry or bake. Since it's pork belly, it has a lot of fat and if you're not rendering that down, you're eating chewy bacon and I guess that's some people's taste. I personally save the bacon fat (or as some people call it "grease") for cooking later and you're missing out if you aren't. Soo good for frying up eggs, hash, or whatever for breakfast.

[@rayparks6854]

I have always had good luck with Oscar Meyer Center Cut. I like my bacon thin and this fits the bill.

[@jims1942]

WRIGHT brand bacon is the BEST I have ever found. It is the only brand I buy! :)

[@timothyshaneschaefer8289]

Talked with a retired restaurant owner at a grocery store here in Texas. Of course in the bacon isle. He stated and I agree great value they always liked even though no clue what was on their plate. I tend to agree

[@anthonygirard9760]

Wright is the best bacon I've ever had! Though a little pricey it's worth every penny!

[@gzsprout]

100% on the Members Mark Sams thin bacon. My wife grabbed some recently and it's horrible. Paper thin and, as they said, hard to separate when cooking.

[@patrickhenigin4805]

Sometimes it is pretty good, but quality is not consistent.

[@mgreg8134]

My favorite is Daily center cut honey cured bacon which can be hard to find in the grocery stores. It is available mostly to restaraunts but you can buy 15 lb boxes from likes of the chefs store. Of course that would require breaking it into smaller packages and freezing it.

[@mirror0000]

No preservatives Low sodium Real smoke Your thickness preference 😊 🤤

[@annecollins1741]

I love Heb's Applewood bacon. It tastes so good, and it's reasonably price. Oscar Mayer's is a very close second.

[@teddymartinii1979]

HEB has a lot of store brands that are very good, especially their Central Market products. Of course, anyone outside of Texas will have no idea what we are talking about.

[@annecollins1741]

@@teddymartinii1979 exactly.

[@bkm2797]

glennzanotti3346, Yeah, thought they meant Hobb's Applewood Smoked bacon which we have here in San Francisco, never heard of Heb's.

[@DwightSchnare]

Have recently been cooking up Kirkland (Costco Brand) bacon. Good flavor and smell. From a West Coast perspective I didn’t recognize some brands featured. 9:49 9:49

[@larryhubert8101]

I buy the Great Value Thick cut Hickory smoked bacon easily comes apart to fry or cook in the oven and price wise for 16 oz well worth it

[@ggressell4011]

Jimmy Dean Bacon and Sausage is my fav.

[@johnsheetz6639]

Around where I'm staying the big companies have raised the price that locally cured is the same price or less. Though that Kroger Brand in the deli meat case is very good

[@bobhope8412]

Great Value is really a great value. I don't agree with this list

[@FreedomAndLiberty2024]

I've tried all but one of the brands on this list and I agree with the results, but I would add Costco's Kirkland brand to the "Buy" list. Not only is it very good, but it's probably the best value for the money.

[@Dan-r9b4u]

Kirkland?

[@patrickhenigin4805]

I prefer Kirkland thick sliced.

[@robertallison9653]

HEB has some awesome bacon you didn't review! PS, growth hormones are illegal on pigs in the US.

[@robertweber1571]

Nueske's Applewood smoked

[@bkm2797]

Is that brand on the east coast, I've never heard of it. Love applewood smoked bacon.

[@wgfarley]

It’s available online from Wisconsin. Outstanding!!! Also available in the Chicago area and Naples, Florida in Fresh Market, but they don’t mention Nueskes. If you ask who makes their Applewood Smoked Bacon, they say Nueskes, at least that’s been my experience.

[@bkm2797]

princeismypitbull5432, Patriarchal Religious Dogma, but I have to say that this is one time (due to hoof and mouth disease in pigs back in those days), was a big danger, so Mohammad said God said to never eat pork, same with Jews (which is just a mirror image of your beliefs). The world will be a better place once we rid ourselves of Patriarchal Religious Dogma.

[@bkm2797]

wgfarley Thanks William, I will check it out!

[@ItzBwo]

@@princeismypitbull5432well, you convinced me to order extra bacon tomorrow morning, thanks & praise Jesus

[@johnmacdonald3070]

Smithfield bacon 🥓 is owned by a Chinese company now...we get it in canada, quality has gone down 👇 unfortunately.

[@savedin87ify]

Great value isn't that bad. I will eat it. I do love wright bacon. It has to be my favorite.

[@Boxpok]

From the local butcher...... Any yes it's more expensive but well worth it.

[@Laserguy2009]

you can also have them cut it as lean or fat as you want it.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

In Canada avoid Presidents Choice . Maple Leaf is # 1 . 🏆🏅🇨🇦 ( Kirkland was non edible )

[@johnmacdonald3070]

U crazy!! Kirkland bacon 🥓 good son!!!

[@cheybean57]

Wright is the best! But it HAS to beThickcut Applewood Smoked.

[@mdf3530]

I'm in the camp that loves the Smithfield bacon. I buy the thick sliced bacon and cook it until it is crisp but still has some chew to it.

[@Kangaroojacknicholson]

No mention of Bar-S on the avoid list?!

[@annecollins1741]

All of Bar-S meats taste disgusting 😝.

[@davidedwards9795]

You can usually tell if the strips will seperate good. The taste is usually great.

[@TheMischief9]

I always buy the Great Value bacon , no problem opening the package , comes apart ok , and taste great ....I always get the thick .

[@annpachini2155]

I usually buy Wright, the hickory smoked. I avoid anything that maple flavored even though it’s good but because you end up smelling like maple all day.

[@jkscott2602]

I stopped buying Oscar Mayer years ago. 1 peice was super thick and the next peice you could see through. Can't get it apart.

[@AnnacolleenEtters]

Wrights is incredibly tasty. Try it in a grilled cheese, using kraft Deli sharp American, or Cooper Sharp American Cheese, or a BLT, I never buy Hormel. I'd rather purchase an uncured by Oscar Mayer. If I use a nitrate containing bacon, I bake it in the oven, on a slotted pan. Smithfield changed, dramatically, after the company was bought by a Chinese company.

[@ritasmith9553]

Wright's bacon is my favorite. It tastes like it was done by a person, not a factory. (A very SKILLED person, but.. it is good)

[@1amstel1]

Boars Head brand-Excellent

[@KatiTheButcher]

Here to say Belschners bacon of Amherst Nebraska is the best!

[@tommysauer1]

I still like Smithfield. It's reasonably priced and fairly consistent.

[@williamcody5271]

Is "Mashed East Coast Based? have never seen a few of these brands. In Washington state "Hemplers" rules. They are correct about "Hormel's" Black Label, bought the Cherrywood smoked thick sliced and it was just 'okay'. As for Smithfield products, they are now Chinese owned and will not buy.

[@Rayjack-m9o]

Farmer John used to have really good Bacon and other meats Until Smithfield acquired the company and proceeded to destroy the Brand and replace Farmer John products with its own lower quality and flavor.

[@toddk4729]

Hormel black label is my go to bacon, so I can’t take this list seriously

[@kathykb8123]

I enjoy that brand, too

[@Tomatohater64]

I've never tried Wright's bacon, but I've heard nothing but good things about it. Going to have to try this one. Anybody try Boar's Head bacon? Any good?

[@patrickfreeman205]

I love all bacon! Yummmmm

[@Victor-lh3ph]

I always buy Wright's. It's the best.

[@botch3936]

Most of these bacons are so overly salty I can't eat them, a factor your review didn't even touch. Morrell's used to make a "Lower Sodium" bacon that I liked, but of course it doesn't seem to be available anymore.

[@paulmcmillen5925]

Smithfield ham is another item to avoid.

[@mimirendish6083]

Without a doubt, Nueske's Applewood Smoked Bacon cannot be beat. It is #1.

[@pl747]

we buy great value in the big packs. we pepper it good. Great bang for the buck.

[@dannypichler]

There one bacon that they did not talk about. Fanestil bacon out of Emporia Kansas. I have worked in meat shops for over 50 years and have used them all. Fantastic is the best.

[@jmer3536]

You missed the Bar S brand! Im gonna say its one to avoid?

[@lyndonanderson2900]

So Cal here , Farmer John brand bacon and sausage

[@sandrabrown2132]

Don’t buy Smithfield. Don’t like the flavor anyway but they are owned by China and there is no telling what they do to it.

[@oltedders]

Ain't payin' no $7 for 12 oz of bacon.

[@NBZW]

I was told by a young fella never cook bacon in a skillet, it must be done in the microwave 😳😳I’m too old for this society and it’s hair brained ideas. When I was a much younger lad we bought our bacon by the slab and believe it or not, refrigerating was unnecessary.

[@KarenbutnotaKaren-k1j]

I do mine in the oven. Or skillet but never microwave. It doesn't taste the same.

[@NBZW]

@@KarenbutnotaKaren-k1j We had friends in Idaho years ago, near the town they lived was a smokehouse constructed on the side of a hill, smoked the best bacon, ham and other meats. We would purchase 30-40# of bacon and hammock... well guess what happened, the brain dead environmentalist under the Clinton administration put a Cease And Halt notice on that family owned business destroying it. Bacon is no longer adequately smoked it’s water injected , that’s the reason bacon doesn’t taste like bacon any longer.

[@therealcyber5]

Hormel black label now has a cinnamon toast crunch version...LOL

[@powderpuff3573]

Boarshead! ❤️😊

[@cheftomsd]

I love Wrights but more of the same, owned by mega-corp conglomerate Tyson.

[@robertallison9653]

Love the vids, but Applegate Bacon is awesome, just expensive! Wright Bacon is comparable at a cheaper price.

[@wolfpacva]

Smithfield is the same as Farmland bacon all made by Smothfield

[@Lostboy811]

Eating bacon right now 😂

[@deanormesher7429]

I try to buy the leanest Wright bacon. I like my bacon meaty not strips of fat. Not going to pay $9.00 a pound for fat.

[@therealcyber5]

Greenfield makes Kroger deli bacon, and its sliced to order...

[@barryhaley7430]

I prefer thinner bacon. I especially like Oscar Meyer center cut. I sometimes drive an hour from Canada to stock up.

[@DarrenShaw-ev5tb]

Myself I eat cheap bacon - I eat premium bacon - I just Luv Bacon !!

[@jimaustin6864]

I was a plant engineer in the Millard Nebraska area plant and most of the brand's are exactly the same processed in the same plant and just packaged differently

[@annpachini2155]

😂😂😂 that comment made me think about GE Washers. My husband worked at GE and in the washers area at one time. We had to buy a new washer and my supervisor at the time asked me what we bought. I said GE of course (my husband built them and we got a slight employee discount). She replied that she wouldn’t have a GE she would only buy a Kenmore. I started snickering she looked at me funny and I remarked yeah I think Kenmore was run down Bob’s line the other week. She just had a dumbfounded look on her face. I said you do know GE makes Kenmore. I don’t know if they still do but back in the 70’s they did. I could hear my co-works (with their heads bowed) snickering. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jimaustin6864]

@@annpachini2155 I'm really not joking at the time the plant was number 1 bacon processing plant in the country

[@annpachini2155]

@@jimaustin6864 didn’t think you were. Nor was I. I know very well that certain manufacturers make products for different companies. What did I say that made you think I thought you were joking. I agreed with you. I just gave another example. You worked for a company that produced bacon for different companies under different labels. My husband worked for GE that produced washers for different companies under different labels.

[@jimaustin6864]

@@annpachini2155 I wasn't coming at you I'm so sorry if it came off that way

[@cathynicodemus2603]

I like my bacon chrispy

[@Uprightfossil]

Crispy

[@davidedwards9795]

My favorite bacon brand is Walmarts reg cut smoked bacon.

[@LoyaFrostwind]

Oscar Mayer is decent bacon.

[@GloHernandez-vd8mz]

It really doesn't matter what bacon a person purchases as long as it tastes good