Sizzling Selection: Top Brands for Ultimate Bacon Bliss

Bacon is a breakfast staple that has carved out a permanent place in the hearts and kitchens of many across the globe. With its irresistible aroma and savory flavor, the quality of bacon can significantly vary based on the brand. From artisanal craftsmanship to mass-market favorites, various brands have established themselves as leaders in delivering the perfect slice. Curious to find out which brands have made their mark in the world of bacon? Discover our curated list below.

Illustration of bacon

Best brands of bacon in 2025

Smithfield

Smithfield Foods is a leading producer of bacon, renowned for its high-quality products and extensive market presence. As the largest pig and pork producer in the world, Smithfield processes over 27 million pigs annually and produces billions of pounds of pork, including a significant portion of bacon. The company's bacon products, such as the Hometown Original Bacon, are popular for their authentic, naturally hickory-smoked flavor and lack of artificial colors and MSG. Smithfield's dominance in the bacon market is further highlighted by its control of 10-15% of the U.S. hog production as of 2006. The company's global reach and innovative product offerings continue to drive its success in the bacon industry.

Oscar Mayer

Oscar Mayer is a leading brand in the bacon market, known for its high-quality and diverse range of bacon products. In 2024, Oscar Mayer ranked as the second-leading refrigerated bacon brand in the United States, with sales of approximately $204 million over a 12-week period. The brand generated an estimated $3.5 billion in net sales in the previous year, with a 14% EBITDA margin. Oscar Mayer's products, such as its Naturally Hardwood Smoked Bacon and Fully Cooked Bacon, are popular for their taste and convenience. The brand's sales growth is also driven by increasing demand for protein-rich diets and innovative bacon flavors.

Wright Brand

Wright Brand, a renowned bacon producer, has been a staple in the industry since its founding in 1922 by Roy Wright and Fay Eggleston. Known for its 100-year-old proprietary curing recipe, Wright Brand offers thick, smoky bacon that is hand selected and hand trimmed, ensuring uncompromising flavor in every slice. As part of Tyson Foods since 2001, Wright Brand has continued to specialize in processing, leading to significant growth and making it one of the largest bacon and ham producers in the Southwest. Thick-cut bacon from Wright Brand accounts for a significant portion of the growing thick-cut bacon market, which makes up 23% of all bacon sales. The brand's annual flavor rotations, such as Barrel Aged Bourbon and Sweet Barbecue, continue to attract new consumers and enhance the category. Learn more about Wright Brand's offerings and innovations on their official website.

Applegate

Applegate, a leading brand in the natural and organic meat sector, has established itself as a premier producer of bacon, particularly with its natural and organic lines. Founded in 1987, Applegate was acquired by Hormel Foods in 2015 for $775 million and continues to operate as an independent brand. The company is renowned for its Applegate Naturals and Applegate Organics bacon products, including the popular No Sugar Bacon, which aligns with consumer trends such as reducing sugar intake, with 65% of adults aiming to cut down or avoid sugar. Applegate's bacon portfolio, which includes both pork and turkey options, has seen significant growth, with the category predicted to reach $5 billion in sales by 2020. As the No. 1 natural and organic meat brand, Applegate's commitment to USDA organic regulations and humane practices further solidifies its market position. For more insights on Applegate's bacon specialization, visit Food Business News.

Nueske's

Nueske's Applewood Smoked Meats is renowned for producing some of the finest artisan bacon, with a smoking process that involves 20-24 hours in smokehouses heated by open fires of applewood logs, resulting in a lean and cordovan-colored product. Founded during the Great Depression, Nueske's has expanded to offer 30 products, with its core bacon products outselling all other products combined by about two to one. The company's bacon is praised by the New York Times as the "beluga of bacon, the Rolls-Royce of rashers," and it has won multiple gold Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation (sofi) awards. Nueske's bacon slabs spend 24 hours in brine, and the hogs are fed a diet rich in barley, contributing to the intense flavor. The company's commitment to quality involves continuous inspection and tasting of every batch, ensuring perfection in each product.

Hormel Black Label

Hormel Black Label is a renowned brand in the bacon market, known for its premium, naturally hardwood-smoked bacon made from fresh, never frozen hand-trimmed bellies and proprietary brines. This brand is part of Hormel Foods Corporation, a leading player in the US bacon market, which has seen significant growth with a projected CAGR of 3.61% from 2020 to 2025. Hormel Black Label bacon is popular for its unique flavor and high quality, contributing to the brand's strong market presence, with sales figures reflecting its popularity among consumers. In the top 10 refrigerated bacon brands, Hormel Black Label holds a notable position, highlighting its market influence. The brand's innovative product variations, such as cherrywood real bacon crumbles, further enhance its market standing. You can explore more about their offerings on the Hormel Black Label bacon page.

Boar's Head

Boar's Head is renowned for its premium bacon products, meticulously crafted and generously sliced to provide a rich, indulgent bite. Despite recent recalls due to a listeria outbreak, the brand's commitment to quality and flavor remains unwavering. Boar's Head bacon is part of a broader category that generated $6.3 billion in sales in the U.S. over the past year, with pork-based bacon, which Boar's Head specializes in, dominating about 94% of the market. The brand's products are freshly sliced by hand to ensure uncompromising flavor and are available in various sensational varieties. However, it is crucial to check the current product status due to the recent recall affecting products produced between May 10 and July 29, 2024.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's is often praised by its loyal customer base for its diverse and high-quality bacon offerings, despite some recent complaints about the fat content in their Uncured Dry Rubbed Sliced Bacon. However, many customers swear by Trader Joe's Uncured Black Forest Bacon, which they consider to be one of the best bacon options available. This preference is evident in the strong customer feedback, with some users even comparing it favorably to other leading brands. While bacon sales overall have seen a rise in dollar sales, with a 5.2% increase in the 52 weeks ending July 31, 2022, Trader Joe's maintains its reputation for unique and tasty products. For more details on Trader Joe's bacon offerings, visit the Trader Joe's bacon review.

Farmland

Farmland Foods is a leading manufacturer of high-quality bacon and other pork products, processing approximately 70,000 hogs daily. Since 1959, the company has been committed to quality and innovation, introducing products like the Simply Natural line in 2006 to cater to health-conscious consumers. Farmland Foods has a strong global presence, selling its products in all 50 U.S. states and internationally in markets such as Mexico, China, and Japan. The company is recognized for its advanced environmental stewardship and animal welfare programs, having won several awards including the American Meat Institute's Tier 4 award. Farmland Foods continues to innovate, meeting the increasing demand for convenient and customizable bacon products, such as their Hickory Smoked Bacon Classic Cut.

D'Artagnan

D'Artagnan is a leading producer of high-quality, all-natural bacon, known for its commitment to humane and sustainable farming practices. The company, founded by Ariane Daguin in 1985, offers a range of bacon products, including uncured applewood-smoked bacon and smoked duck bacon, made from heritage-breed pork and Moulard duck breasts, respectively. Notably, D'Artagnan saw a significant increase in e-commerce sales, up by approximately 500%, and retail demand rose by 83% during the pandemic, highlighting the strong consumer demand for their products. Their bacon is free from antibiotics, growth hormones, and artificial preservatives, ensuring a superior taste and quality. D'Artagnan's products are highly regarded for their rich, smoky flavor and lower fat content compared to traditional bacon.