Does Costco Sell Pre-Cooked Bacon? What to Know About This Convenient Breakfast Staple

As a busy parent, I love shortcuts that make breakfast a little easier. So I was curious – does Costco sell pre-cooked bacon that’s ready to eat? Their affordable prices and bulk sizes would really come in handy!

In researching this question, I uncovered the skinny on Costco’s convenient pre-cooked bacon options Keep reading to learn

• What is pre-cooked bacon?
• Does Costco sell pre-cooked bacon?
• Costco pre-cooked bacon nutrition facts
• Costco pre-cooked bacon reviews
• How to cook regular bacon from Costco
• Is pre-cooked bacon from Costco healthy?
• Tips for storing and using Costco pre-cooked bacon

If you love bacon but don’t always have time to cook it from scratch, Costco’s pre-cooked options may be for you. Let’s look at the details!

What Is Pre-Cooked Bacon?

Pre-cooked bacon comes pre-prepared so it’s ready to eat or heat up right out of the package. It has already been cooked fully until crispy.

Most pre-cooked bacon is pan-fried or oven-baked then flash frozen to lock in freshness. It’s then vacuum sealed so it stays fresh in the package for weeks.

To use pre-cooked bacon, you can simply thaw and serve it warm or room temp. Or give it a quick reheat in the skillet, microwave or oven.

The ease of pre-cooked bacon makes it ideal for busy mornings when you need breakfast in a hurry.

Does Costco Sell Pre-Cooked Bacon?

Yes, Costco does sell pre-cooked bacon under its popular Kirkland Signature brand. Kirkland pre-cooked bacon comes in two tasty flavors:

Hickory Smoked – Kirkland Signature Fully Cooked Bacon, Hickory Wood Smoked

Applewood Smoked – Kirkland Signature Fully Cooked Bacon, Applewood Smoked

Both varieties come in 1 lb vacuum sealed pouches containing about 40 pre-cooked bacon strips around 1 oz each.

Costco usually sells a 2-pack of 1 lb pouches for around $12-14. So you get 2 lbs of ready-to-eat bacon for under $1 per serving – an unbeatable value!

Nutrition Facts for Costco Pre-Cooked Bacon

Here are the nutrition facts per 1 oz (28g) serving of Kirkland pre-cooked hickory smoked bacon:

• Calories: 43
• Fat: 3g (Saturated 2g)
• Sodium: 380mg
• Protein: 4g

As you can see, the bacon is quite lean at only 3g fat per serving. It’s also high in protein.

However, the 380mg of sodium per serving is high at 16% of the daily value. As with regular bacon, enjoy pre-cooked bacon in moderation.

Costco Pre-Cooked Bacon Reviews

Reviews of Kirkland pre-cooked bacon report it has excellent flavor and texture. Most agree it tastes just like bacon fried up fresh at home.

Here are some highlights of Costco member reviews:

• “Tastes delicious cold right out of the pack or heated up.”
• “Crispy texture even when microwaved.”
• “Great smokey flavor, low sodium variety.”
• “Convenient for quick breakfasts but still tastes homemade.”
• “Packs nicely in lunchboxes for BLTs.”

Negative reviews mention the bacon can have a lot of fat pockets or unbalanced meat-to-fat ratio. But this can be mitigated by blotting strips with a paper towel before heating.

How to Cook Regular Bacon from Costco

If you prefer to cook your bacon from scratch, Costco also sells high-quality raw bacon in bulk.

Popular varieties include:

• Kirkland Signature Bacon
• Hormel Black Label Thick Cut Bacon
• Applegate Organic Natural Bacon

Raw bacon from Costco ranges from $2.50-4 per pound. You get excellent bacon for a fraction of supermarket prices!

To cook, lay strips flat on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. For less splatter, bake bacon in the oven instead of pan frying.

Let cool slightly before crisping further in the microwave if needed. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Is Pre-Cooked Bacon From Costco Healthy?

While tasty and convenient, keep in mind that bacon is still a processed meat high in sodium and saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends limiting processed meat intake for better heart health.

Pre-cooked bacon can contain preservatives like sodium nitrite as well. And cooking at high temperatures can create carcinogens in charred meat.

That said, Kirkland pre-cooked bacon is quite lean compared to regular bacon. Enjoying a couple strips in a balanced breakfast a few times a week should be fine for most people.

To make your bacon healthier, opt for nitrite-free pre-cooked bacon when possible or buy raw bacon and cook at lower temperatures. Pair bacon with antioxidant-rich foods like veggies.

Tips for Storing and Using Costco Pre-Cooked Bacon

If you buy Kirkland pre-cooked bacon at Costco, here are some serving tips:

• Refrigerate unopened packs and use within 2 weeks.

• Heat sealed pouches under warm running water for easier opening.

• Microwave individual slices 20-30 seconds for a quick reheat.

• Bake strips at 375°F for 5 minutes to recrisp if needed.

• Add crumbled bacon to salads, baked potatoes, pastas or soups.

• Mix into dips, spreads and appetizers for a smoky flavor boost.

With proper storage, you can enjoy convenient pre-cooked bacon from Costco anytime!

The Takeaway on Costco Pre-Cooked Bacon

So does Costco sell pre-cooked bacon that’s ready to eat? Yes! Their Kirkland Signature pre-cooked bacon provides a tasty, time-saving alternative to frying bacon from scratch.

Just pop a sealed pack in your cart on your next Costco trip. Refrigerate unopened pouches for up to 2 weeks, then enjoy the smoky, crispy bacon strips as needed – no mess and less time than cooking raw bacon.

While not the healthiest choice, pre-cooked bacon can be part of a balanced diet when eaten in moderation. For an extra health boost, pair your bacon with fresh fruit and veggies.

Now you can start your day with a warm, satisfying plate of bacon and eggs in minutes, thanks to Costco pre-cooked bacon. No need to wait for a skillet to heat up!

References

https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/kirkland-signature-fully-cooked-bacon%252C-hickory-wood-smoked%252C-1-lb.product.100462467.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/Costco/comments/16f405q/obsessed_with_kirkland_fully_cooked_bacon_need/

https://www.eatingwell.com/article/290864/precooked-bacon-is-it-worth-buying/

https://www.mashed.com/478073/heres-how-long-precooked-bacon-lasts-in-the-fridge/

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/meat-poultry-and-fish-picking-healthy-proteins

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/raising-children-and-heart-disease-prevention-should-bacon-be-on-the-menu-2016101710679