Sizzling Bacon Math: Calculating Slices in 8 Ounces of Bacon

Nothing starts the day quite like the aroma of sizzling bacon. Whether you prefer chewy or extra crispy, bacon is the perfect complement to eggs, pancakes, and other breakfast favorites. But if you’ve ever puzzled over just how many slices come in 8 ounces of bacon, you’re not alone!

In this article we’ll break down the bacon math and provide a detailed look at the number of slices found in 8 ounces based on various bacon factors. Read on to become a bacon portion pro!

Overview of an 8 Ounce Bacon Package

First, let’s orient ourselves around some bacon basics:

• 8 ounces is a very common package size for bacon sold in American grocery stores Packages are often around 12 inches long

• An 8 ounce package is about 1/2 pound of bacon A full pound of bacon is 16 ounces.

• Raw bacon will shrink quite a bit when cooked – around 20-30% of the original weight.

• Bacon packaging typically contains a range of approximate slice counts like “14-18 slices”.

• Nutrition info on 8 ounce bacon:

  • Calories: 515

  • Fat: 37g

  • Protein: 32g

  • Carbs: 0g

So an 8 ounce pack is a standard bacon package, containing roughly half a pound of raw bacon slices. But how many slices does that actually entail? Let’s crunch the numbers.

Slices in 8 Ounces – The Formula

The number of slices in 8 ounces of bacon ultimately depends on:

• Thickness of the bacon slices

• Average weight of each slice

• Amount of fat/meat per slice

• Brand of bacon and cut

To estimate the count, here is a simple formula:

1. Find the average weight of one raw slice of your bacon in grams

• Thick cut bacon: 36-40g per slice

• Regular cut bacon: 23-26g per slice

• Thin cut bacon: 12-14g per slice

2. Divide 8 ounces (226g) by the average slice weight

• 226g / 40g (thick cut) = ~5-6 slices

• 226g / 25g (regular cut) = 9 slices

• 226g / 13g (thin cut) = ~17 slices

So based on the math, 8 ounces of bacon contains anywhere from 5 slices (thick cut) to 17 slices (thin)! Pretty big range.

Now let’s look at how other factors affect the numbers.

Factors That Impact 8 Ounce Bacon Slices

While the formula provides a baseline, the actual number of slices in 8 ounces can be modified by:

• Cut Thickness – Thicker sliced bacon packs fewer slices into 8 ounces. Thinner slices increase the count.

• Pork Belly vs. Back Bacon – Bacon from the pork belly tends to be fattier than back bacon, impacting weight.

• Brand – Bacon brands have their own slicing standards, altering slice counts.

• Cooking – Raw 8 ounce bacon can shrink 20-30% when cooked, reducing the slice count.

• Water Content – Higher water content increases bacon’s weight, meaning potentially fewer slices in 8 ounces.

• Sell By Weight – Pre-packaged butcher bacon is sold by exact weight, which will dictate slice count.

• Diced Bacon – One cup of diced bacon pieces equals around 8 ounces. But unable to determine slice count.

So while the math gives us a starting point, the final tally can flex based on these various attributes. Where does this leave us?

Typical 8 Ounce Bacon Slice Range

Given all these factors, here is the typical range for an 8 ounce package:

• Thick cut bacon – 5 to 7 slices

• Regular cut bacon – 8 to 10 slices

• Thin cut bacon – 12 to 15 slices

Of course there is variability, but this covers the normal slice counts for different bacon cuts. Thick cut provides the fewest slices, while thin cut maximizes the numbers from 8 ounces.

Visualizing 8 Ounces of Bacon

To help visualize portion sizes, here are some examples of 8 ounces of bacon:

• 8 ounces of thick cut bacon is usually about 6 large, fatty slices.

• 8 ounces of regular bacon is around 10 average sized slices.

• 8 ounces of thin bacon can be 14 smaller, thinner slices.

• 8 ounces of pre-diced bacon fills about 1 cup.

So the photos provide a general sense of what 8 ounce bacon looks like based on cut and format.

Common Uses for 8 Ounces of Bacon

To wrap up, here are some popular ways that 8 ounce bacon packages are used:

• 2 servings of bacon for breakfast – 4 slices per serving.

• Adding crumbled bacon to sandwiches and burgers.

• Salad and baked potato topper.

• Ingredient for soups, pasta, Brussels sprouts.

• Wrapping foods like scallops, shrimp, chicken breasts.

• Cooking collard greens or other vegetables.

• Candied bacon strips for garnish.

• Snacking, antennas, and other fun uses!

An 8 ounce pack covers a solid 2 servings of bacon, with plenty left over for other recipes and bacon activities.

Takeaway on 8 Ounce Bacon Slices

Bacon slices may be small, but they pack a big punch of flavor. Now go sizzle up the perfect 8 ounce portion!