How Many Grams is a Rasher of Bacon? A Complete Guide

Bacon is a breakfast staple for many people Whether it’s used in a classic BLT sandwich, crumbled on top of a salad, or served alongside eggs and pancakes, crispy bacon enhances the flavor of any dish. But if you’ve ever tried to count calories or track your macros, you may be wondering exactly how much bacon counts as a “serving.” In particular, how many grams are in the average rasher of bacon?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about rasher sizes, nutritional information, and how to incorporate bacon into a healthy diet. Keep reading to become a bacon expert!

What is a Rasher of Bacon?

Let’s start with the basics – what is a rasher? A rasher is simply the traditional name for a strip or slice of bacon. The term originated in England, but is used today in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other countries.

Traditionally, a rasher referred to a thin slice cut from the side of a pig. However, modern bacon is often machine-sliced, so rashers can vary in thickness. On average, a rasher is roughly:

• 1/16 inch thick
• 4 inches long
• 2.5 inches wide

Rashers are usually cut perpendicular to the pork belly, so that each slice contains streaks of meat and fat running through it This gives bacon its characteristic marbling when cooked.

How Much Does a Rasher of Bacon Weigh?

The average weight of a rasher can vary quite a bit based on the thickness, brand, and specific cut. Here is the typical rasher weight range:

• Thin or regular cut bacon: Approximately 15-25 grams per slice
• Thick cut bacon: Approximately 25-40 grams per slice
• Middle bacon (from the center of the pork belly): Approximately 80-100 grams
• Canadian bacon (back bacon): Approximately 30-55 grams

As you can see, rasher weights span anywhere from 15 grams on the lighter end, up to 100 grams for a very thick, middle cut slice. The packaging should indicate the approximate weight.

For example, a 500g package of bacon contains about 20 thin slices, while a 500g pack of thick cut bacon would only contain 10-12 rashers. When in doubt, weighing rasher portions on a kitchen scale will provide the most accurate results.

Nutritional Profile of Bacon per Gram

Now that we know approximate rasher weights, let’s analyze the nutritional value of bacon. Getting details on calories, fat, carbs, and protein per gram will allow us to calculate the nutrition of any size portion.

Here is the typical nutrient profile for cured, pan-fried bacon based on a 100 gram serving:

• Calories: 417
• Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Carbs: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 29g
• Sodium: 1480mg

This breaks down to the following nutrition facts per gram:

• Calories: 4.17 calories
• Fat: 0.32g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1g
• Carbs: 0g
• Protein: 0.29g
• Sodium: 14.8mg

We can use these numbers to determine the nutrition for any weight of bacon. For instance, one 20 gram thin slice would contain approximately:

• 83 calories
• 6.4g fat
• 2g saturated fat
• 5.8g protein
• 296mg sodium

While a 50 gram thick slice would have roughly:

• 208 calories
• 16g fat
• 5g saturated fat
• 14.5g protein
• 740mg sodium

As you can see, the nutrition values scale linearly with weight. Heavier rashers mean more calories and nutrients in a serving.

Daily Nutrition Recommendations for Bacon

Just because bacon is delicious doesn’t mean you should eat it in unlimited amounts. The World Health Organization and dietary guidelines recommend:

• Limiting sodium to 2000mg per day
• Limiting saturated fat to 20-35g per day
• Limiting processed meats like bacon to 18 ounces (500g) per week

Given the high sodium and saturated fat content, it’s best to keep bacon portions in check. Here are some general daily intake recommendations:

• 1-2 slices per day as part of a balanced diet
• 3-4 slices maximum for occasional indulgences
• No more than 450-500g bacon total per week

Sticking within these limits allows you to enjoy bacon in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Try sprinkling some crumbled bacon on a salad, using a couple slices in a wrap or sandwich, or chopping it up for a breakfast hash.

Tips for Cooking Bacon

When cooking bacon, keep in mind that different methods result in different amounts of fat being rendered out. Here is how the calorie and fat contents compare for different cooking methods:

• Pan-fried: 417 calories and 32g fat per 100g
• Broiled: 353 calories and 23g fat per 100g
• Baked: 399 calories and 28g fat per 100g

Pan-frying results in the most fat, while broiling leads to the least amount of fat per gram. While baked bacon still has less fat than pan-fried, keep in mind that baking causes more shrinking.

Weighing the bacon raw and then again after cooking will give you the most accurate cooked weight for nutrition tracking. No matter which cooking method you use, start with raw weights and then adjust for any reduction in weight post-cooking.

Here are some extra bacon cooking tips:

• Use thick cut bacon for broiling or baking, which holds its shape better than thin slices
• Line baking sheets with foil or a pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup
• Drain bacon on paper towels after cooking to absorb excess grease
• Save bacon fat in a jar for cooking other dishes like eggs or Brussels sprouts

With the right techniques, you can enjoy all the bacon flavor while reducing the fat and calories.

Buying and Storing Bacon

When purchasing bacon, you’ll find different cuts and flavors available:

• Smoked vs unsmoked: Smoked bacon has a deeper, saltier flavor from being cured or smoked. Unsmoked bacon has a milder pork taste.
• Thick vs thin: Thicker slices take longer to cook but are great for baking or broiling. Thin slices yield crisper results when pan fried.
• Center cut vs side cut: Center cut bacon comes from the pork belly midsection and has a higher meat-to-fat ratio. Side bacon is fattier with more marbling.

Choose the cut based on your cooking method and taste preferences. For storage, keep bacon in the original packaging or wrap extra slices in plastic wrap. Uncooked bacon lasts 5-7 days in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer.

Healthy Recipes with Bacon

While bacon does contain saturated fat and sodium, it can still fit into a balanced diet. Here are some recipe ideas to enjoy the flavor while limiting less healthy ingredients:

• Brussels sprouts with bacon: Roast brussels sprouts and shallots with a small amount of chopped bacon for flavor.

• Spinach salad with bacon vinaigrette: Make a dressing with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and just a sprinkle of crumbled bacon.

• Loaded baked potato: Top a baked potato with plain Greek yogurt, chives, and a tablespoon of cooked chopped bacon.

• Bacon egg cups: Line a muffin tin with bacon strips, crack an egg into each cup, and bake for quick breakfast sandwiches.

• Chicken carbonara: Saute chicken in a nonstick pan, then toss with pasta, peas, and a little bacon and parmesan for a lighter take on carbonara.

• BLT lettuce wraps: Use lettuce leaves instead of bread for these BLT wraps with turkey bacon.

The possibilities are endless for giving classic recipes a healthier bacon makeover.

How Many Grams is a Rasher of Bacon? The Takeaway

• 15-25g for thin sliced bacon
• 25-40g for thick cut bacon
• 80-100g for middle bacon

To get the specifics, check the nutrition label and weigh the rasher portions as needed. Nutritionally, bacon contains about 417 calories and 32g fat for every 100g. Limit intake to 500g weekly and 1-2 rashers daily as part of a balanced diet.

With its incredible flavor and versatility, bacon can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Get creative cooking bacon in lighter, healthier ways or stick to a few slices here and there as a treat.