Chefs share their favorite high-quality bacon products that you can easily buy at the grocery store.
Bacon is a breakfast that’s hard to beat. From the crispy strips that accompany eggs to the nutritious additions to sandwiches, salads, and more, there’s no denying it—but the type you choose makes a difference. Good bacon starts with quality, from the cut of the pig to the curing process and the right balance of smoke and seasoning. The best brands deliver consistent texture and deep, rich flavor, turning a simple dish into something truly desirable. For the best, Eat This, Not That! asked the chefs to share the best bacon products to take home.
Wright Brand
Wright Brand bacon because it hits the sweet spot that most grocery stores miss: crisp cuts, real smoke flavor, and consistent quality. It’s the method of Lisa Lotts, home cook, recipe developer, owner and publisher of Garlic and Zest when she makes bacon burgers (onion rings wrapped in bacon. “Wright Brand bacon is consistently thick, has a clean texture, and has a deep hickory flavor,” she says. Walker, GM & Culinary Director with Brennan’s of Houston, Houston, in Texas, and he’s a big fan of Wright’s good, tough, thick bacon that cooks well and has great flavor,” he says, “When I go back home to Missouri, I’ll pick up family-run bacon because the hamburgers are tough.
Neuske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon
Neuske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon is an award-winning product and is widely regarded as a premium, almost “savory” version of bacon—the kind chefs and serious foodies reach for when they’re looking for something better than the typical grocery store options. According to Lotts, this product “takes its time to smoke the meat (24 hours), is thicker than most and shrinks less than other brands, and the flavor is sweet and smoky with a deep, rich profile,” making it his favorite. Another culinary expert who enjoys the brand is Joe Cervantez, Executive Chef at Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House in San Leon, Texas. “It’s fun to cook with because you can taste the smoke, and the flavor goes well with the sweetness and salt,” he said.
Applegate
People like Applegate because it offers pure, natural bacon, with simple ingredients, humanely raised pork, and a flavor that feels less processed than many conventional products. “Applegate Natural is worth the extra dollar,” says Emma Sullivan, home cook and recipe developer at DailyCookingRecipe.com. He explains, “Most grocery store bacon is loaded with so much water that it just sizzles in the pan instead of sizzling. Applegate actually gets crispy and has a real smoky flavor.” Sullivan adds, “And nitrates, which are important when you’re feeding children.” Another standout in its lineup is Sunday Bacon, a fan favorite that highlights the brand’s commitment to quality with its balanced smoky flavor and straightforward ingredient list. “Applegate Sunday bacon delivers the perfect amount of smokiness and saltiness without overpowering anything healthy around it,” says Melanie Portman, chef and recipe developer for Droolrecipes.com. “I use it in my carbonara, and it makes pure fat the base of the sauce. There are no artificial flavors that compete with eggs and pecorino.”
Smithfield Thick Cut Maple Bacon
Smithfield Thick Cut Maple Bacon delivers a combination of sweet and savory flavor, thick texture, and reliable grocery store quality—an easy upgrade from basic bacon without being fancy or expensive. “This bacon is the best—it’s got the best smoky flavor, thick, hearty slices and a hint of maple sweetness for the perfect finish,” says Chef Carl Miller — Executive Chef at Rita’s Seaside Grille in Folly Beach, SC. “It takes a while to cook, but it fries nice and crisp in a cast-iron skillet.”
Niman Ranch Uncured Bacon
Niman Ranch Uncured Bacon is all about clean ingredients, ethical sourcing, and an authentic wood-smoked flavor, making it a high-quality, authentic option that delivers a rich, satisfying flavor and is a favorite among chefs. “It has a subtle smoky flavor and is cured, which produces a product with less salt,” says Chef Andres Kaifer of Customshopand Emmy Lou’s in Charlotte, NC. “Some store-bought bacon can be too salty, but Niman Ranch bacon is well seasoned and very tasty.”
Heather Newgen
Heather Newgen has twenty years of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather currently freelances for several publications. Read more about Heather
