This Is The Best Thick-Cut Bacon You Can Buy In Stores

When it comes to the best thick-cut bacon brand, there is one that stands above the rest, and it might not be an obvious choice. When our taster tried and ranked an array of thick-cut bacon brands, they put Smithfield's Naturally Hickory Smoked Thick-Cut Bacon at the top. So what made it the winner? The Daily Meal's taste tester preferred Smithfield bacon based on its taste and texture. It offered a substantial, meaty bite that was crunchy, crispy, smoky, and everything that makes it a pillar of American exceptionalism. But let's break it down a little further.

Taste is everything when it comes to bacon. Smithfield thick-cut bacon is naturally smoked with hickory chips. That's a big difference maker. When this bacon is cooked in the oven to perfection on a foil-lined sheet pan, each bite becomes crisp, sweet, bold, and smoky, yet not overpowering. This combination is largely what pushed it to the top of the list. It is the type of bacon that needs to be sitting next to a short stack of pancakes or piled high on your favorite breakfast sandwich.

Smithfield is one of America's largest pork producers, and while being the biggest can lead to cutting corners, that's not the case here. Its "best" moniker starts with the fact that it delivers on its promise. Smithfield bacon is, indeed, a thick cut. This is extremely important because if you've ever cooked thin cuts of bacon, then you know it tends to fall apart once it sizzles and crunches up. Smithfield bacon is thick from the outset. It also isn't just all meat or all fat. There is a balance, leaving you with a nice meaty bite once it is cooked rather than bacon chips. 

The price of Smithfield is comparable to other bacons. At the time of writing, you can generally find a 16-ounce package of Smithfield Thick Cut Hickory Smoked Bacon for a little over $7. For comparison, a 16-ounce package of Oscar Mayer thick-cut bacon runs about $7.50. And artisan bacons are going to be considerably more. For example, a 20-ounce package of Boar's Head Butcher Craft extra thick-cut bacon is about $12. So, the next time you are looking for thick-cut bacon, give Smithfield a try. But don't just take our word for it.

The Daily Meal's taster isn't the only one to appreciate Smithfield hickory thick-cut bacon. One reviewer wrote, "The meaty bacon is delectable and cooks down leaving a ton of fat rendered and juicy[,] packing a flavorful punch in each bite." Another offered, "It cooks well and crispy. I also recommend trying to make these in the air fryer if you have one! It takes the taste to another level. Overall, the bacon was a huge hit!"