How Many Slices of Bacon Are in 500g? A Breakdown by Bacon Type

Bacon is one of those versatile ingredients that can make almost any dish taste better. From breakfast sandwiches to burgers, salads, appetizers, and more, crispy, salty bacon is a consummate flavor enhancer. Many recipes call for a certain weight of bacon, like 500g. But how many actual slices make up 500g? The number can vary based on the bacon type.

In this article, we’ll break down how many slices you get per 500g for different kinds of bacon Whether you’re meal prepping, following a recipe, or just love bacon, this guide will help you figure out quantities and portions

Factors That Affect Slices Per 500g

Several factors impact how many slices of bacon are in a 500g package:

• Bacon cut – Thick cut bacon weighs more per slice than regular or thin.

• Inclusion of rind – 500g of rind-on bacon contains less meat than rindless

• Cooking method – Dry cured bacon shrinks less than wet cured when cooked.

• Brand – Bacon slice sizes vary slightly by producer.

• Country – Bacon cuts differ between countries like the US and UK.

To get an accurate count, check the packaging and weigh your slices. Here’s a rough estimate for common bacon types.

Back Bacon (Canadian Bacon)

Back bacon comes from the lean pork loin. It has less fat than belly bacon but still great flavor.

• Raw – About 14-16 slices per 500g
• Cooked – Around 28-32 slices per 500g

Back bacon shrinks significantly when cooked since it loses moisture. So 500g raw yields about double the slices after cooking.

Smoked Streaky Bacon

Streaky bacon comes from pork belly. It has long streaks of fat and a stronger smoke flavor.

• Raw – Approximately 20 slices per 500g
• Cooked – Around 35 slices per 500g

Again, cooking condenses streaky bacon slices since the fat renders out.

Dry Cured Short Back Bacon

This British cut uses meat from the pork loin but leaves a bit more fat on.

• Raw – Roughly 12-14 slices per 500g
• Cooked – Around 20-22 slices per 500g

Short back bacon has a higher fat content than Canadian bacon so doesn’t shrink as much during cooking.

Thick Cut Bacon

Thick sliced bacon weighs more per slice than thin cut bacon.

• Raw – About 10-12 slices per 500g
• Cooked – Approximately 16-18 slices per 500g

The thicker the bacon, the fewer slices in a 500g package. But thicker bacon makes for great BLTs!

Vacuum-Packed Raw Bacon

Pre-sliced, vacuum-packed raw bacon often contains added water and preservatives. This makes it heavier.

• Raw – Around 16 slices per 500g
• Cooked – About 24-26 slices per 500g

The added water weight reduces shrinkage during cooking. Check the ingredients list for additives.

Artisan Dry Cured Bacon

Some specialty producers make bacon using old-fashioned dry curing methods. This bacon has deeper flavor.

• Raw – Approximately 15 slices per 500g
• Cooked – Roughly 22-24 slices per 500g

Dry cured artisan bacon loses less moisture when cooked, resulting in more finished slices.

How Many Slices Do You Get?

To get a precise bacon slice count for a 500g package, follow these steps:

1. Weigh each slice on a kitchen scale as you separate them.

2. Add up the individual slice weights until you reach 500g.

3. Count the number of slices.

4. Note the average slice weight by dividing total weight by slices.

This gives you an exact slice count and weight for that package of bacon. Remember the numbers above are general estimates. The actual yield varies.

Storing Bacon Properly

To get the most slices out of your 500g bacon purchase:

• Store unopened packs as recommended on the label.

• Once opened, rewrap bacon tightly in plastic wrap or parchment.

• Refrigerate unused bacon in the coldest part of the fridge.

• Cooked bacon keeps for 5-7 days in an airtight container.

• Freeze bacon for longer storage. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Proper storage prevents your bacon from drying out, molding, or smelling off before you can use all the slices.

Getting 500g of Bacon for Recipes

When a recipe calls for 500g of bacon, use the guides above to see how many slices you need to cook based on the bacon type. Some tips:

• Pick a bacon that best suits the recipe – like back for a salad or streaky for a sandwich.

• Cook extra – leftover cooked bacon keeps for recipes all week.

• Weigh slices after cooking to portion exactly 500g for a recipe.

• Freeze extra cooked bacon in recipe-ready portions.

With this handy guide to slices per 500g, you’ll get the perfect bacon quantity for any recipe.

Enjoying 500g of Bacon

A 500g pack provides plenty of bacon for multiple meals. Here are delicious ways to use it up:

• Breakfast sandwiches

• Quiche, frittata, or omelet filling

• Salad topping

• Deviled eggs

• Brussels sprouts with bacon

• Baked beans or soup

• Potato, pasta, or green bean side dish

• Bacon jam or baked brie appetizer

• Sandwich topping – BLT, club, etc.

• Burger or hot dog topping

• Wrapped bacon appetizers – shrimp, scallops, chicken

With proper storage and preparation, 500g of bacon goes a long way. Just follow this slice guide to know exactly how many cooked or raw strips your 500g contains.