Can You Order a Side of Bacon at McDonald’s?

Nothing quite beats the taste of crispy, smoky bacon. When a bacon craving hits, you may wonder – can you order a side of bacon at McDonald’s to add to your meal? Or is bacon only available on select menu items? Here’s what to know about getting a side of McDonald’s bacon.

Does McDonald’s Sell Bacon as a Side?

Unfortunately, McDonald’s does not offer bacon as a standalone side item that you can add to any order Bacon is only included as an ingredient in specific menu items Some examples are

• Quarter Pounder with Bacon
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel
• Bacon Ranch Salad with Buttermilk Crispy Chicken
• Bacon Smokehouse Burger

So if you want bacon at McDonald’s, you need to order a menu item that already comes with it. There is no way to add extra bacon to other sandwiches or burgers that don’t normally have it.

Why Can’t You Get Bacon as a Side?

There are a few reasons why McDonald’s doesn’t sell plain bacon as a side dish

• Pre-portioned bacon – McDonald’s cooks and portions bacon in specific amounts for each menu item Having ready-to-serve strips on hand would lead to waste

• Food safety – Leaving cooked bacon sitting risks decreased quality and food safety issues. McDonald’s avoids this by only cooking what’s needed per order.

• Consistency – Not offering plain bacon helps ensure consistent product quality and flavor.

• Speed – Cooking made-to-order sides would slow down service at busy times. Pre-made portions keep things moving.

So for logistical reasons, McDonald’s chooses not to offer a la carte bacon. Customizing orders with add-on ingredients would disrupt their assembly line-style production.

Ideas to Get More Bacon at McDonald’s

If you really want extra bacon when dining at McDonald’s, here are a few suggestions:

• Order multiple bacon-inclusive sandwiches like the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit.

• Choose a bigger sandwich with double patties and bacon like the Double Quarter Pounder with Bacon.

• Ask for extra bacon crumbles on a salad or side item if available.

• Order a side of Ranch dipping sauce for dipping bacon sandwiches.

• Mix and match items from the breakfast and regular menus to get both pancakes and a bacon burger.

• Customize a breakfast sandwich with extra bacon instead of other meats like sausage.

While not an official menu hack, these tips can help maximize your bacon enjoyment at McDonald’s! Just don’t expect to get plain strips on the side.

Nutrition Information for McDonald’s Bacon

Since bacon is not listed individually, nutrition details vary based on the menu item:

• Quarter Pounder with Bacon: 1 slice provides 45 calories, 3.5g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 145mg sodium.

• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit: 2 slices has 150 calories, 10g fat, 3g saturated fat, 560mg sodium.

• Bacon Ranch Salad with Buttermilk Crispy Chicken: Topped with 8 bacon pieces totaling 60 calories, 5g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 170mg sodium.

As you can see, bacon adds a hefty dose of sodium, fat and calories. Going easy on add-ons or substituting turkey bacon can provide a leaner option.

Can You Get Bacon at McDonald’s Breakfast All Day?

The good news is McDonald’s serves breakfast items including bacon sandwiches and McGriddles with bacon all day long. So you can satisfy a bacon craving morning, noon or night.

Just keep in mind that restaurants stop serving breakfast foods a little before normal closing time to transition to lunch and dinner. But you’ll generally have 10+ hours to order breakfast menu favorites whenever hunger strikes.

Taste the Applewood Smoked Bacon Difference

Part of what makes Mickey D’s bacon so craveable is the sweet, smoky applewood flavor. They smoke their pork bacon over applewood chips to naturally infuse it with rich, wood-fired taste. So don’t expect plain jane bacon here – it’s the gourmet stuff!

Next time a bacon bounty calls your name, head to McDonald’s to get it on their signature sandwiches and burgers. While a side order isn’t possible, with a little creativity, you can still get your fill!