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Bacon has always been a special treat for me. As a kid, it was reserved for Christmas morning, Easter Sunday, and other holidays. Now, as an adult—and registered dietitian—it’s still categorized as a celebratory food. So when I serve it, I truly savor it.
The saltiness, chewiness, and smoky flavor of this breakfast favorite make it incredibly satisfying. And when I am going to enjoy bacon, I always prefer thick-cut for a more unctuous bite. But since I don’t buy bacon all that often, I was curious which brand chefs choose, so I can be well-prepared the next time I shop for it. Interestingly, they all recommend the same one!
The Experts
Emmy Clinton: Chef, founder, and recipe developer at Entirely Emmy
Credit: Simply Recipes / Applegate
The Best Thick-Cut Bacon, According to Experts
According to these food pros, Applegate Naturals Thick Cut Bacon is one of the best. “This is the thick-cut bacon I buy the most. It has just a few ingredients, and I can pronounce them all,” says Stevens. “It’s a little less smoky than some brands, but still has big flavor. Even a single slice with eggs and toast on a weekend morning is genuinely satisfying. It also doesn’t get lost in a breakfast sandwich or disappear into a soup.”
Clinton is also a fan of the short ingredient list. “It’s very simple and provides the classic and delicious hardwood-smoked bacon flavor. It’s not overly greasy or salty and is minimally processed.” Gallagher prefers the texture of Applegate’s thick-cut bacon. “When you cook it slowly, it renders nicely while staying tender in the middle.”
For a close runner-up, these foodies also reach for Wright Applewood Real Wood Smoked Thick-Cut Bacon. “Wright is always a great option when it comes to bacon. It is made with high-quality pork and slow-smoked for a sweet and deep flavor. The thick-cut version also has minimal shrinkage when cooking, which is exactly what I am looking for,” says Phelps. Gallagher loves this brand, too, sharing that it crisps nicely and has an excellent savory flavor that’s especially great for BLTs.
Clinton also gets Wright’s bacon frequently, adding that it’s “very thick, meaty, and hickory-smoked, giving it a classic, rich, and full flavor. It’s also sold at Sam’s Club, so it can be bought in bulk.”
Both brands can be purchased for around $10 per pack and found at grocery chains nationwide, including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and King Soopers.
How Chefs Use Thick-Cut Bacon
These food pros have no shortage of delicious ideas on how to use thick-cut bacon at home—for breakfast and beyond. “One creative way I love to use thick-cut bacon is by crisping it up to toss with garlicky sautéed kale, then topping everything with a soft-cooked egg and serving it over buttery toast for a hearty, flavorful breakfast,” says Gallagher.
“Dice it up and add it to soups like potato soup. Crisp it up and crumble it over a homemade wedge salad or Caesar salad. It works well as a substitute for pancetta in dishes like coq au vin or carbonara pasta. You can also use it for classic appetizers like jalapeño poppers or loaded potato skins, or sprinkle it on top of deviled eggs. I use bacon on my loaded baked potatoes, because bacon is literally the cherry on top,” adds Phelps.
Clinton also loves using this pork product on salads and wrapping it around veggies, though she turns to thick-cut bacon to create sweet and savory combinations. “I love to use bacon bits on top of maple-flavored desserts or pancakes for a beautiful contrast of sweet and salty.”
Meanwhile, Stevens’ thick-cut bacon often ends up in her favorite fried rice recipe. “I chop it up, crisp it in a skillet, then remove it. Then fry the eggs and rice in the rendered fat and add the bacon back at the end.”
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Dining and Cooking