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Chef Jet has been cooking with award-winning Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon for over 15 years and loves its variety.
“This is one of the best bacon brands out there, period,” he says. “The balance of smoke, fat, and meat is right where it should be, and it cooks clean without burning. You get great texture and flavor every time.”

Benton’s Bacon is a brand prized by chefs for its flavor and craftsmanship.
“It’s big, bold, and smoky,” says Chef Jet. “This is bacon with a real personality. It’s intense, so you don’t need much, but it can completely transform a dish.”

Wright Brand Thick Cut Bacon is another go-to for Chef Jet because it’s “straightforward and reliable.” He explains, “The thicker cut gives you control over the cook, so you can get it crispy on the outside while keeping some bite. It’s a great all-around option.”

For health-conscious shoppers, Chef Jet recommends Applegate Naturals Sunday Bacon. It’s a “cleaner option that still performs well,” he says. “It cooks evenly and holds its shape, which makes it easy to work with. Good choice if you want something a little more conscious without sacrificing function.”

Costco shoppers know that the warehouse’s private label, Kirkland Signature, offers high-quality products at competitive prices — and Chef Jet Tila is a fan of its bacon. For a balance of budget and performance, Chef Jet says, “This is one of the best value options out there. The slices are thick, the fat-to-meat ratio is solid, and it cooks consistently in large batches.” He adds, “Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want something reliable that performs every time, this one delivers.”
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I recently got a ButcherBox filled with steaks, chicken, chicken nuggets, and even the Applewood Smoked uncured bacon, and it was divine. According to the brand, it is made from humanely raised pork and has no nitrates or sugar, but comes with a smoky taste you will love.

Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon is the gold standard, smoked for 24 hours over glowing applewood logs. In fact, some of the best restaurants I have been to serve it. “For generations, the Nueske family has been dedicated to creating the most flavorful smoked bacon you’ve ever tasted. It’s a process we’ve perfected over time, starting with hand-trimmed pork bellies to create a truly premium bacon,” the brand writes. “Each slab is patiently smoked for up to 24 hours over sweet Applewood embers, a method that has earned our gourmet bacon awards from culinary experts and the loyalty of top chefs. With its signature rich flavor and minimal shrinkage, this is the bacon your breakfast deserves.” And, foodies love it. “Very Smokey and Melt in your mouth delicious. Love it,” writes an Amazon shopper.

Niman Ranch is another brand that high-end restaurants serve, and it is also available at Whole Foods. The Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Bacon is super legit and delicious, made with humanely raised pork that is then naturally smoked.
RELATED: 7 Best Bacon Brands With No Added Sugar

Traditional hardwood smoke with a clean label and no chemical nitrites.
Mild taste, not super smoky tasting like all the rest. Very good!
Absolutely obsessed. I didn’t know about this cut, it is delicious!!

Slow-cured and naturally smoked without water injections or liquid flavor.
Wellshire Thick-Sliced Dry-Rubbed Uncured Bacon is another option I will pick up at Whole Foods. It is slow-cured and naturally smoked sans water injections or liquid flavor, naturally cured, nitrate-free, and made with minimal ingredients. However, it does list organic cane sugar as an ingredient.

Tender Belly is “on a mission to craft the most crazy tasty bacon on planet Earth,” and its No Sugar Dry Rub Uncured Bacon is the champion of the line. The brand uses “heritage breed pigs that are raised crate-free on 100% vegetarian diets.” They also refuse to inject water into their uncured bacon. “We rub our pork bellies with freshly ground spices and let the tasty dry rub soak in for days. We then slow smoke our bacon for hours using real cherry wood. No antibiotics ever. No nitrates or nitrites added.”

Beeler’s prides itself on offering family-farmed pork with a clean label. Beeler’s Uncured Hickory Smoked Bacon has no nitrates or nitrites added except for the naturally occurring nitrates in sea salt, celery powder, and no antibiotics. It is also casein and gluten-free. The pigs are fed a vegetarian diet and are not raised in gestation crates.
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Applegate Naturals Hickory Smoked No Sugar Uncured Bacon is a delicious, better-for-you option made with quality ingredients. “Applegate products always hit the mark for me and this bacon doesn’t disappoint,” one shopper said. “I love that it’s all natural and uncured. It was perfectly salty, unlike cured bacon which is always too salty for me. We love this bacon and I highly recommend it!”

Pedersons Farms The Original No Sugar Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon is a fan-favorite option made with 7 simple recognizable ingredients. “As close to perfect bacon there is,” one shopper said. “I was in search of a sugar free clean bacon and fortunately my search is over. This stuff is excellent and cooks out even better.”
RELATED: 6 Best Thick-Cut Bacon Brands for Crispy Strips Every Time

Good & Gather No Sugar Thick Cut Uncured Bacon is all natural, minimally processed with no artificial ingredients, no added nitrates or nitrites, offering you a go-to option when preparing your dishes. “One of the best bacon with no added sugar no add nitrates, healthy and the price is alright. Good for breakfast lunch or dinner,” one Target shopper said.

Wild Fork Sugar Free Uncured Berkshire Bacon is another popular option made with excellent ingredients. “I really like this bacon. It’s less fatty than bacon from club stores or the supermarket and cheaper than gourmet bacon,” one shopper said.

Niman Ranch No Sugar Uncured Applewood Smoked Bacon is hand rubbed with just a few ingredients and smoked over real hardwood, resulting in a flavorful addition to any meal, the brand says. “Simple ingredients and tasty,” one Vons customer said. “Hard to find good bacon. This brand is delicious,” another agreed.

True Story Kurobuta Uncured Bacon is a delicious sugar-free option made from heirloom breed pork. “This special pork is known for its marbling and rich pink hue. Subtly seasoned and thickly sliced, this sugar-free bacon is the most delicious we’ve ever had,” the brand says.

Greenfield No Sugar Thick Cut Smoked Uncured Bacon is sugar free and made from pork raised with no antibiotics. Shoppers love the clean ingredients and great taste of this thick-cut bacon, and mention that it cooks nicely in the microwave.
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Wellshire Farms Dry Rubbed Uncured Pork Bacon is made from applewood-smoked center cut pork, with no added water, nitrates, or nitrites. “I try not to eat bacon often, but when I do this is what I will splurge on,” one Amazon shopper said. “It’s definitely the best flavor I’ve ever had and I like that it’s uncured and organic… I think that organic diet pays off in the perfect flavor. Highly recommend!”

Applegate Organics No Sugar Uncured Bacon is an excellent choice we regularly stock up on, especially if it’s on sale. “If you love bacon, but are concerned about nitrates or added sugar, then this is it! Delicious quality bacon! My favorite item at Sprouts,” one shopper said.
RELATED: 6 Best Thick-Cut Bacon Brands for Crispy Strips Every Time

Pederson’s Organic No Sugar Added Uncured Smoked Bacon is a quality option shoppers rave about. “Delicious bacon & so authentic with a tasty smoky flavor!” one said. “No sugar or preservatives such as nitrates adds to the feel-good shift to this yummy bacon because I’m not feeding my kids bad stuff that they don’t need anyway. And they’ll NEVER tell the difference between this bacon & ones with the bad stuff.”

Hormel Natural Choice Uncured Bacon is made with no preservatives, artificial ingredients, added nitrates or nitrites. “So I’m a huge bacon fan as the rest of my family! We absolutely love this bacon! Lean and meaty and has a great flavor! Fries up nicely and it tastes great with EVERYTHING!” one enthusiastic Walmart shopper said.

Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon is a fan-favorite bacon which is smoked for up to 24 hours for a beautiful texture and taste. “This isn’t just bacon — it’s bacon royalty. The applewood smoke is rich and smooth, the slices are thick and meaty, and the flavor? Absolute perfection,” one shopper raved in the reviews.

Sprouts Applewood Smoked Uncured Thick Cut Bacon is another fan-favorite choice with clean ingredients and great taste. “Thicker cut, cooks up nice and crispy. Some bacon tastes like liquid smoke but this tastes wonderful. I’m thinking this is our new favorite,” one shopper said.

Trader Joe’s Uncured Dry Rubbed Sliced Bacon is made from pork raised without antibiotics, and has no added preservatives, nitrates, nitrites, or artificial ingredients. “The dry rubbed uncured bacon is the way to go. It is soooooo good,” one shopper shared.
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Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Triple-Thick Cut Bacon is practically a bacon steak, it’s so hefty. “Chefs aren’t the only ones enjoying our hefty Applewood bacon and Wild Cherrywood smoked uncured bacon slices (1/4″ average thickness),” the brand says. “This Triple-Thick Butcher Cut Bacon is the best treat ever! Prepared it on the grill as I saw on the video. It was delicious! This bacon was a Christmas gift, and it will be on my list again,” one shopper wrote in the reviews.
RELATED: 7 Best Bacon Brands Made With Just Natural Ingredients, Not Junk

Sprouts Applewood Smoked Uncured Thick Cut Bacon is an all-natural option made with pork raised in an open pen with no antibiotics, ever. “I sauteed it in water in a pot and it was thick and juicy and soft with a small crisp. Exactly how I like it,” one Sprouts shopper said.

Wright Brand Hickory Thick Cut Bacon is hand-trimmed and naturally wood smoked over hickory chips. “The flavor of this hickory smoked bacon is wonderful. I really like that it is thick cut and when cooked it just is more substantial than regular bacon. It comes out crisp yet chewy,” one shopper shared.

Great Value Hickory Smoked Thick Sliced Bacon crisps up perfectly every time. “I got this bacon because I wanted to try thick sliced for the first time since I like a little crunch to my bacon, and let me tell you it came out so good,” one shopper said. “The flavor is exactly how I’d imagine (how it’s advertised) and the pepper isn’t too strong, which is what I like.”

Farmer John Thick Cut Bacon has the perfect texture for crispy strips. “I like Farmer John Thick Cut Bacon because it has that perfect balance of crispy and meaty,” one Target shopper said. “The slices are nice and thick, so they don’t shrivel up too much when cooked, and the smoky flavor is just right—not too overpowering.”

Member’s Mark Double Smoked Thick Cut Bacon is a hit with Sam’s Club shoppers. “Love this bacon cuz it’s thick cut with not much fat. We usually cook it in our air fryer cuz it’s easier and makes less of a mess,” one shopper said.
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First Watch offers excellent breakfast platters and “Million Dollar Bacon” (four slices of signature hardwood-smoked bacon glazed with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne and a drizzle of maple syrup). “Love that bacon!!! I’ve always had good experiences there since I was a kid!” one diner shared.

Black Bear Diner is famous for huge, delicious portions of food including thick-cut bacon diners love. “The bacon was thick and crispy, I love it and I’m not a fan of bacon. Even the sausages were really good. The poached eggs were cooked just right for me,” one shared. “I chose the 2 eggs and bacon dish for lunch. I preferred my eggs over easy and the bacon was crispy and cooked to perfection. Each dish feels like a home cooked meal,” another commented.
RELATED: 7 Bacon Brands Shoppers Say Cook Up the Crispiest Strips

Bob Evans diners love the thick-cut bacon on the menu for dishes like The Whole Hog: Two strips of crispy bacon, two sausage patties, two sausage links, one slice of hickory-smoked ham, two farm-fresh eggs cooked-to-order, one hotcake, and one slice of brioche French toast, plus home fries or hash browns. “The food was hot and very good. I really enjoyed the bacon, Baked in the oven just like I like it,” one fan said.

The thick-cut bacon at Culver’s is outstanding, diners rave. “Our new bacon takes flavor to the next level – you’ll find the perfect balance of smoke and savory notes, with just a hint of sweetness, in each bite,” the chain says. “The upgrade they made to their bacon in the last year or so was a game changer,” one fan said. “Yes! Best fast food bacon in my opinion. Used to be Wendy’s but I think Culver’s surpassed it,” another agreed.

The Millionaire’s Bacon at Sweet Maple is a fan-favorite menu item: Thick, free-range bacon, baked with brown sugar, cayenne, red and black pepper. “Since the staff were all wearing millionaire bacon shirts we HAD to try it and yes, it lives up to the name. Best bacon I have EVER had. I would have ordered more had we not been so full of our other breakfast dishes – all tastefully presented and huge portions,” one diner shared.
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]]>Thickness: Thick-cut bacon should be meaty and chewy, not rubbery. Thin-cut ones should be crispy, not soggy.
Smoke flavor: No fake liquid smoke. We can tell. The putrid chemical can be smelled a mile away. The best bacon is smoked using
Maplewood, hickory, cherrywood, or applewood.
Meat to fat ratio: A good bacon has both meat and fat. And a perfect strip has a good marbling. If it’s too lean, it’s meat jerky. If it’s too fat, it’s rubber.
Flavor: This can be up to your preference, but it should be balanced.
For the best bacon, here are the top five places Chef Rena goes.

Beloved for its blend of freshness, consistency, and atmosphere that sets it apart from typical breakfast chains, First Watch has earned cult status for its famous Million Dollar Bacon, a favorite of Chef Rena. “It’s that good,” she says. Smoky, sweet, peppery, and has a kick. It’s smoked using hardwood and the cut is thick.” Chef Rena explains, “But even if the cut is thick, it has that perfect crisp-chewy balance in every bite. If there’s one chain that treats their bacon like a specialty item, it’s First Watch. Many recommend the dish and they’re not wrong.”

Cracker Barrel is legendary for their Southern-inspired breakfast menu that tastes homemade and Chef Rena loves their bacon. “Their thick-sliced bacon is one of their most popular and well-loved side dishes,” she notes. “They are cooked as ordered, you can be assured that you’ll get it best every time. It’s dependable, and it’s exactly what you need if you also want eggs, pancakes, or a big breakfast.”
RELATED: 7 Best Bacon Brands Made With Just Natural Ingredients, Not Junk

IHOP might not be the first place you’d think a chef would go, but Chef Rena is a big fan. “Not many people may rave about them,” she says. “It’s also not as thick a slice as others, but I think their hickory-smoked bacon is classic, smoky, nostalgic, and evenly cooked.” She adds, “Their bacon is quite full of flavor for a big chain. What they also have is one of the biggest things for me, and that’s consistency.”

Five Guys is known for their fresh and delicious burgers, but a couple of strips of bacon takes it to the next level. “This restaurant chain treats their bacon with the same high esteem as they do their burgers: always cooked fresh and kept hot,” Chef Rena says. “Their bacon is never floppy or rubbery. In fact, they are being tested in the restaurant if they shatter. Talk about perfectionism. And I’m not complaining.”

Denny’s is a classic American diner that some customers say can be hit-or-miss, but Chef Rena advises not to dismiss the chain so quickly. “They’re masters of reliable and dependable bacon,” she states. “It’s an everyday bacon you’ll want. Their bacon is applewood-smoked so it’s a little sweet. It’s the kind that belongs in BLT sandwiches or pancakes and waffles or French toast. They sometimes offer a hickory-smoked one too.”
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Wright Brand Hickory Real Wood Smoked Thick Cut Sliced Bacon crisps up beautifully, shoppers say. “Very good bacon! I usually buy Wright applewood smoked bacon, but I tried the hickory smoked this time. It’s nice and thick and crisps up nicely. I highly recommend it,” one Walmart shopper said.

Greenfield Natural Meat Co.‘s Applewood Smoked Bacon is a treat, shoppers say. “Greenfield Natural Meat Co. bacon is golden. The quality speaks for itself,” one Redditor shared. “It’s delicious and full of flavor. It fries up crisp and crunchy. I enjoyed it on my salad as a great addition and I enjoyed just crunching away on it with my garden tomatoes,” another wrote in the reviews.
RELATED: 7 Best Bacon Brands Made With Just Natural Ingredients, Not Junk

The Kirkland Signature Fully-Cooked Bacon crisps up like a dream, shoppers say. “It’s also great for huge groups. I first bought it for a 3 year olds pancake birthday party. I dumped all 50 pieces onto a sheet pan and it still got crispy,” one Costco member said.

Applegate Naturals No Sugar Uncured Bacon is another one that crisps up perfectly every time. “I used this in 3 different ways…. Fried up in a pan, baked, and also I candied it with brown sugar in the oven. All 3 ways worked out amazingly! It was easy to get it to my desired crispness and the taste…. Well the ease was so great that it is now our new go-to for bacon!” one shopper said.

Farmer John Classic Premium Bacon can always be relied on to cook beautifully. “Tasty, crispy, and great quality for the price,” one fan said. “I really enjoyed this bacon! The packaging is easy to open and reseal, and the slices cook up evenly and crispy. It has a nice balance of fat and meat, and the flavor is rich without being overly salty. Great for breakfast or adding to sandwiches!”
RELATED: 7 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Bacon

Benton’s Hickory Smoked Country Bacon is amazing, customers say. “This is hands-down the BEST bacon I’ve ever had in my life!” one shopper raved. “Rich, smoky, and full of old-fashioned flavor. It doesn’t need refrigeration until opened, making it perfect for camping and off-grid adventures. It crisps up beautifully and turns any breakfast into something unforgettable.”

Pederson’s No Sugar Added Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon is a must-have, shoppers say. “I love this bacon!! It gets super crispy and is always tasty,” one customer commented.
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You are going to pay more for Applegate Naturals No Sugar Bacon, but it’s worth it. The bacon is made with pork and sea salt, free from nitrates, fillers, and added sugars. One Target shopper calls it the “perfect” bacon. “Perfect for whole30! This bacon was also probably some of the best bacon we’ve bought, even though it’s pricey and a smaller package than most other bacons it’s worth it for your health.” Another adds: “This is the only bacon I’ve eaten for years. Very crispy, not too salty and a great flavor. Once you try this you won’t be able to eat any other bacon!”

When I buy bacon at Whole Foods, I always reach for Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Bacon. The brand is so good that many fine-dining restaurants purchase pork from the farm, as it is humanely raised and naturally smoked. This bacon is only pork and salt, and it is next-level delicious.
RELATED: 5 Bacon Brands Shoppers Say Are ‘Better Than Restaurant Bacon’

Pederson’s Natural Farms Uncured Bacon, sold at Thrive market and other healthier grocery stores, is a cleaner bacon with no sugar, no artificial ingredients, just pork and salt.. “Clean,” writes a shopper. “Nice to have this choice.” Another adds that it has “amazing” flavor. “I’m a bacon snob. I’m very picky about the flavor and how crispy I can get my bacon. This product has an amazing flavor and cooks up so nice and crispy. Had some awesome BLT’s.”

Wellshire Thick Sliced Dry Rubbed Uncured Bacon is another option I will pick up at Whole Foods, especially when I want a thicker slice. It is naturally cured, nitrate-free, and made with minimal ingredients. However, it does have organic cane sugar on the ingredient list.

Thick-Cut Coleman Natural Uncured Bacon is made with pork sourced from American family farms that raise their animals crate-free (pork and salt only) with no antibiotics or added hormones.

Beeler’s prides itself on offering family-farmed pork with a clean label. Beeler’s Uncured Hickory Smoked Bacon has no nitrates or nitrites added except for the naturally occurring nitrates in sea salt, celery powder, and no antibiotics. It is also casein and gluten-free. The pigs are vegetarian-fed and not raised in gestation crates.
RELATED: 7 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Bacon

Tender Belly is “on a mission to craft the most crazy tasty bacon on planet Earth,” and its No Sugar Dry Rub Uncured Bacon is the perfect example. It starts with using “heritage breed pigs that are raised crate-free on 100% vegetarian diets,” the brand states. The also don’t inject water into its uncured bacon. “We rub our pork bellies with freshly ground spices and let the tasty dry rub soak in for days. We then slow smoke our bacon for hours using real cherry wood. No antibiotics ever. No nitrates or nitrites added.”
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Shoppers rave about the Wright Brand Bacon Thick Cut Bacon, which is smoked “as long as needed to work the light, fruity and slightly sweet aroma of apple wood deep into the meat,” the company says. “That’s the only brand of bacon I buy. From my experience, it feels more like meat compared to the other brands. Other brands feel slimey,” one Redditor shared.

The Kirkland Signature Thick Sliced Bacon is a fan-favorite product, although some shoppers say there are issues with consistency. “I went camping years ago and cooked up 3 lbs of this bacon – I was the hero of the trip. Lol,” one Costco member said.

Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon is very high quality, and delicious. “All pork at Coleman Natural is sourced from American family farms, which never use antibiotics, artificial ingredients or added hormones and practice high standards for animal care,” the company says. “Coleman uncured is my fav, all the bacon that is cured is super salty,” one Redditor shared.
RELATED: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Bacon

Greenfield Natural Meat Co. Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon is another fan-favorite item.
“Greenfield Natural Meat Co. Bacon is Golden. The quality speaks for itself. Everytime I fix for guest they ask what type of bacon was it. Low fat, does not shrivel when cooked in oven, comes out perfect everytime. If you can get it on sale rack up (Publix, Kroger),” one fan said.

Daily’s Meats Original Thick Cut Bacon is one of the best you can get, shoppers say. “We are pork producers and it’s Daily’s for us 10/10 times,” one fan shared. “Better than our local meat locker which is an outstanding place. They’re booked out at least 3 years. But the Daily’s isn’t as well known and you won’t see it on the shelves at a lot of grocery stores but keep your eyes peeled and you might strike some bacon gold.”
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