Bacon is a beloved breakfast staple that has been enjoyed for generations. Whether you prefer it crispy or chewy, bacon is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.
But have you ever wondered how much a package of bacon weighs? With so many different types and sizes of bacon available, it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re getting.
In this article, we’ll explore the weight of various types of bacon and provide you with easy-to-follow charts and information to help you calculate your weights and calorie counts accurately.
So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive into the world of bacon weights!
How Much Does A Package Of Bacon Weigh?
The weight of a package of bacon can vary depending on the type and brand you purchase. Most packages of bacon are either 12 ounces or 16 ounces, but it’s important to note that the quantity of sliced bacon may vary over time due to moisture content and weight of meat.
A pound of regular cut bacon typically contains 16-20 slices and has a thickness of roughly 0.062 inches. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the weight of raw bacon and cooked bacon can differ significantly.
To help you calculate your weights and calorie counts accurately, we’ve put together charts and images for various types of bacon. An average slice of uncooked supermarket streaky bacon weighs 15-16 grams (0.53-0.56 ounces), while the average weight of a slice of uncooked back bacon is 32-34 grams (1.13-1.2 ounces).
Understanding Bacon Packaging And Weight
When it comes to bacon packaging, it’s important to note that the weight of each package can vary depending on a few factors. The number of slices per pound can differ based on the thickness of each cut, and this can vary between brands and individual packages. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the weight of the package doesn’t necessarily indicate the number of slices you’ll receive.
Moreover, it’s important to understand the different types of bacon packaging available in the market. Traditional bacon packages are usually made of polyethylene/wax coated paper/polyethylene with an overwrap pouch, while new lightweight bacon packages are made of reverse printed oriented polypropylene/expanded polystyrene with adhesive, along with a lighter weight overwrap pouch. A recent study conducted a life cycle analysis of traditional and new lightweight bacon packages and found that changing the material of the original bacon package reduces more environmental burden than reducing the weight of the original bacon board material.
It’s also essential to be aware of the issue of added water in bacon packaging. Bacon that has been cured with brine (“wet-cured”) can leak coagulated, milky secretions while cooking, which is salt and water. The brine both gives the bacon a cured taste in a few hours and increases the weight of the bacon, which benefits manufacturers. However, owing to the added water, the bacon doesn’t cook properly and ends up steaming in the pan instead of browning and turning crisp and golden.
Average Weight Of A Package Of Bacon
When it comes to the weight of a package of bacon, the most common sizes are 12 ounces and 16 ounces. However, it’s important to note that the weight can vary depending on the type and brand of bacon you purchase. For example, thin cut bacon may have a thickness of about 0.031 inches and may range between 28-35 slices per pound.
It’s also worth noting that the weight of a package of bacon may not necessarily equate to the number of slices in the package. This is because the quantity of sliced bacon can vary over time due to moisture content and weight of meat.
To ensure you’re accurately calculating the weight and calorie counts of your bacon, it’s best to refer to the packaging for specific information. Some packages may also include a nutrition label with serving size and weight information.
Weight Variations In Different Types Of Bacon
When it comes to the weight of different types of bacon, there can be significant variations. For instance, thick-cut bacon is typically 0.111 inches thick, with only 10-14 slices per pound. This thickness increases its weight and reduces its quantity, which means that a pound of thick-cut bacon may contain fewer slices than a pound of regular cut bacon.
Moreover, the weight of a package of bacon can vary depending on the brand and type you purchase. For example, some packages may contain 12 ounces of bacon, while others may have 16 ounces. It’s important to note that the quantity of sliced bacon may also vary over time due to moisture content and weight of meat.
Additionally, the weight of raw bacon and cooked bacon can differ significantly. A cooked bacon strip will weigh approximately 31% less than an uncooked strip of the same size. This is because much of the fat in bacon is rendered out during the cooking process, and the high water concentration in uncooked bacon also evaporates, contributing to the weight loss.
To accurately calculate weights and calorie counts for different types of bacon, it’s essential to take into account these variations in weight between raw and cooked bacon, as well as the differences in weight between different types and cuts of bacon.
How To Calculate Calories In Bacon By Weight
Calculating the calories in bacon by weight can be a bit tricky, as the calorie count for raw and cooked bacon can differ significantly. Raw bacon has more calories than cooked bacon, as the fat and liquid are discarded after cooking. In the US, the calorie and nutrition information on the package label for bacon is normally for a fully cooked slice or two slices, as the US nutrition facts account for an average amount of fat lost in the cooking process. However, in other countries like Canada, the nutrition information is for a raw slice.
To calculate the calories in bacon by weight, it’s important to know the weight of both raw and cooked bacon. In the US, the raw weight of a normal slice of bacon is 1 ounce (28g), which on average has 117 calories, 4g protein, and 11g fat. If you discard the rendered fat and do not use it or consume it immediately, you should log the bacon as cooked and account for the rendered fat separately when you eventually use it.
When cooking bacon, it loses about 60% of its weight due to water and oil loss, making it more concentrated nutritionally but with fewer calories overall thanks to reduced fat content. For example, a single 28-gram (raw weight) rasher has a calorie count of 87 calories, but an 11-gram cooked rasher has only 48 calories.
To calculate the calories in a package of bacon by weight, weigh your raw bacon before cooking and use the calorie count for raw bacon. After cooking, weigh your cooked bacon and calculate the percentage of weight loss to determine how much of your cooked bacon is equivalent to one serving of raw bacon. Then use the calorie count for raw bacon to determine how many calories are in your cooked bacon serving.
Tips For Buying And Storing Bacon To Ensure Freshness And Quality
When it comes to buying and storing bacon, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure freshness and quality.
Firstly, when buying fresh bacon, make sure it is kept in a properly-refrigerated area and check to see that frozen bacon is fully frozen. Take note of any printed dates on the package and use them as guides. Avoid purchasing bacon after its sell-by date and eat the bacon within seven days after this date. Never eat bacon after its use-by date. Carefully inspect the packaging to check for any holes or other indications of tampering.
Next, look for any signs that the bacon has gone bad. No matter what type of bacon you’re purchasing, it should appear pink in color. If the meat looks gray, green, moldy, or otherwise discolored, pass on buying it. If it looks alright, pick up the package and smell it. No smell or a smoky scent is a good sign, while sour or otherwise funky odors likely indicate the meat has spoiled.
Once you’ve purchased your bacon, it’s important to store it properly to ensure freshness and quality. Bacon should be kept in an airtight container, such as the original package or a glass jar. If you’re storing raw bacon, keep it in the refrigerator and use it within one week of opening. Sealed packages of bacon can be frozen up to one month before the fat begins to go rancid. You can separate a package of bacon into 4-piece serving sizes for freezing. Be sure they are very tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, then foil, and labeled with the date. These frozen single portions will keep several weeks in the freezer.
When cooking bacon, don’t dispose of the grease! Bacon grease is a wonderful replacement for butter or oil in cooking. To store bacon grease correctly, remove any solids and leave just the fat. Those small particles of bacon meat are likely to go rancid before the fat, which can ruin the flavor of the grease and make it unedible. To remove the bacon pieces, line a fine mesh sieve with a paper towel, coffee filter, or cheesecloth. Put the sieve over a glass mason jar and pour the slightly cooled liquid fat through the sieve. The cheesecloth will collect the small cooked pieces while letting the fat drain through. Once separated, cover the jar and store the bacon grease in the fridge for up to three months. Try to keep it away from the door though so there is minimal temperature fluctuation to make the grease go bad. Bacon grease can also be frozen for up to 9 months but storing it in the fridge is ideal because it leaves the grease soft enough to scoop at leisure.