Oh, bacon bits… they're so delicious in so many ways,
but there's so much we still don't know about them.
"Mmm, this is just so delicious… I just don't know
if I've ever had salad as good as this. Bac-O's? Even better."
If you're anything like us, you have a stash of bacon bits chillaxing in your cupboard
right now. Well, here's everything you should know about these tasty little morsels.
If you buy your bacon bits at the store, they're pretty much guaranteed to contain
some highly processed ingredients… even if they make your greens taste better.
"Psst, hey lady."
"... Huh?"
"Wanna make a bettah salad?"
"A better salad?"
"Try Bac-O's."
The food website Wide Open Eats tested three popular brands
and found that even Oscar Mayer's "Real Bacon Bits" contained harmful ingredients,
despite its self-proclaimed authenticity. Oscar Mayer bacon bits do contain cured pork meat,
but they also contain artificial hickory smoke flavoring and sodium nitrate, a
chemical that's commonly used in the production of fertilizers, explosives, and high-strength glass.
Meanwhile, McCormick is one of most famous distributors of bacon bits,
but they evidently don't contain any real bacon at all. As it turns out,
McCormick's so-called Bac'n Pieces mostly consist of soy treated with artificial flavors
like red dye #40, caramel coloring, and a handful of rather unpronounceable chemicals.
Hmm… What else can we tell you about bacon bits?
"One thing every good chef should know about is Bac-O's.
Crunchy, delicious bits of bacon-like flavor…"
Well, if you happen to turn your nose up at imitation meat but sprinkle your food with
Bac'n Pieces, you might want to sit down. They taste just as salty and smoky as real meat,
but the ingredients listed on the label are really quite
similar to what you'll find in vegan and vegetarian bacon bits, too.
Take LightLife's meatless "Smart Bacon," for example. It's a cruelty-free alternative to
everyone's favorite breakfast side. The first ingredient listed on a container of McCormick's
Bac'n Pieces is textured soy flour, which is also known as textured vegetable protein, or TVP.
According to How Stuff Works, this textured soy is an artificial product
made out of soy protein isolate. Incidentally, soy protein isolate also
happens to be the second ingredient in Smart Bacon. You see? Bacon bits can surprise you.
The most frequently purchased bacon bits on Amazon turn out to be Oscar Mayer's Real Bacon Bits.
And it turns out they are in fact rather real – there's no soy to
be found in the product at all. As one consumer wrote in their Amazon review,
"There's no weird, processed flavor. I've eaten it straight from the bag
and it tastes like it should — [it tastes like] real bacon."
Coming in at number two:
Stop the presses, it's McCormick's Bac'n Pieces! Although Amazon customers don't
seem to find it quite as satisfying as Oscar Mayer's product, it still reportedly packs
some serious flavor. One enthusiastic Amazon shopper wrote in their review of the product,
"They taste almost better than real bacon."
You know, if we're being brutally honest, we've never met a bacon bit we didn't like.
"Flavor up, crunch up… with Bac-O's." "New Bac-O's
from Betty Crocker. Has flavor like bacon and a crispy crunch."
Everyone knows bacon bits taste fantastic on baked potatoes… but there are so many
delicious possibilities when you start to do a little digging. Southern Living
suggests using bacon bits as a topping for guacamole, grilled corn,
and even pancakes. Doesn't that sound like the ultimate breakfast indulgence?
Truth be told, bacon bits can be sprinkled onto pretty much anything.
"Flavor up, crunch up… Crunch up a salad with Bac-O's. Flavor like bacon and a crispy crunch."
When it comes to bacon bits, different brands have different expiration dates.
McCormick's Bac'n Pieces can last up to two years from the manufacture date. More authentic versions
of the product have a much shorter shelf-life. As a general rule of thumb: if there aren't a
lot of preservatives in the product, you have less time you have to enjoy it. But enjoy it you will.
"Mmm, they do taste better."
"Pour on the flavor."
"That's using your head."
McCormick's Bac'n Pieces have been rumored to last for years
past their official expiration date. One Amazon consumer, a self-described "prepper," claims her
Bac'n Pieces have remained edible for almost a decade. We don't know why she's decided to
hold onto these bacon bits for nearly ten years, but still: Great to know, right?
Bacon bits certainly can't be considered a healthy thing to eat… but one publication
suggests there's a way to make them a little bit better for you.
"Couple things to remember: One,
never tell your real age. And two, any salad's better with Bac-O's."
Prepare and Nourish strongly suggests making your bacon bits from scratch using
thick-cut organic bacon. Make sure this bacon is free of nitrites and
all those other chemicals that are often found in store-bought bacon bits.
By cooking your bacon in the oven, you can create even and crispy slices that
are perfect for cutting into bite-sized pieces. And by making your own bacon bits,
you can reportedly ensure you're sidestepping some of those harsh
chemicals found in store-bought bacon bits. Hey, it's better than nothing, isn't it?
A few years ago, it seemed like there was bacon in
everything — including cakes and cookies. Though it's usually considered a savory food,
bacon can add saltiness and complexity to baked goods and desserts, making it the perfect addition
to pretty much any homemade treat. Bacon bits can definitely spruce up your chocolate chip
cookies or even add new depths of flavor to your chocolate cupcakes. Options? You got 'em.
"Forget something?" "Bac-O's!"
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