How Much Does One Rasher of Bacon Typically Weigh?

Bacon is a beloved breakfast food for many, adding a savory, smoky flavor to everything from sandwiches to burgers and more. But if you’re following a recipe that calls for a “rasher” of bacon, how much does that translate to in terms of weight and slices?

The terminology around bacon can be confusing. In this article, we’ll explain exactly what a rasher of bacon is, provide weights for different types of rashers, look at variation between brands, and give you tips for buying and cooking bacon so you know how much to use.

What is a Rasher of Bacon?

Rasher is a British and Irish term used to describe a single slice or strip of bacon. It comes from an Old French word meaning “slice”

So if a recipe calls for 2 rashers of bacon, it means 2 bacon slices. Easy enough!

However, it gets tricky because the number of slices in a rasher can vary depending on the cut and thickness Let’s break it down further.

How Many Slices Are in One Rasher?

Traditionally, a rasher of bacon consists of a single slice. But some people may use the term rasher to mean multiple slices, like 2-3 pieces depending on thickness.

Here are some common definitions:

• Regular cut bacon – 1 slice per rasher

• Thick cut bacon – 2-3 slices per rasher

• Back bacon (Canadian) – 1-2 slices per rasher

To avoid confusion, it’s best to specify exactly how many slices you mean when you say a “rasher”. Or better yet, provide the weight.

Weight of One Rasher of Bacon

To determine the weight of a rasher, we first need to know the type of bacon:

Streaky Bacon

• Regular cut – 15-16g (0.5-0.6oz) per slice
• 1 rasher = 15-16g

Back Bacon

• Regular cut – 32-34g (1.1-1.2oz) per slice
• 1 rasher = 32-34g

As you can see, back bacon rashers weigh almost double that of streaky bacon.

Keep in mind artisanal bacons may differ in weight from mass-produced supermarket varieties. And thick cut bacon weighs more per slice than regular cut.

Accounting for Cooked vs Uncooked Weight

The above weights are for uncooked bacon. During cooking, moisture evaporates and fat renders out, decreasing the weight.

On average, cooked bacon weighs about 50% less than uncooked.

So a 15g uncooked rasher would weigh approximately 8g after cooking. Make sure to account for this weight loss in recipes.

Buying Bacon for Recipe Accuracy

To get perfectly portioned rashers for recipes, here are some tips when shopping for bacon:

• Buy pre-sliced bacon of uniform thickness whenever possible. This helps ensure consistent sizing.

• Check the label for the number of slices per pack to estimate slices per rasher.

• Ask your butcher to slice to a specified thickness if buying bacon chunks.

• Weigh packs on a food scale at home to determine true rasher weights.

• Note any weight differences between brands and types like smoked or unsmoked.

Buying consistent bacon ensures you know exactly how much a rasher weighs for recipes.

Cooking Tips for Perfectly Cooked Bacon

To cook bacon rashers to crispy perfection:

• Use a heavy pan like cast iron to evenly distribute heat.

• Cook over medium heat to render fat slowly without burning.

• Flip frequently and move rashers around the pan.

• Cook to your desired doneness based on moisture and fat content.

• Drain bacon on a paper towel lined plate before serving.

With the right techniques, you can achieve tasty and consistent results every time you cook up a few rashers of bacon.

In Summary…

While a rasher of bacon traditionally means one slice, the exact weight depends on the cut, thickness, brand, and whether it’s cooked or raw. For accuracy, specify the number of slices or provide weights when referring to rashers. Buy uniform bacon and weigh it yourself for recipe reliability. Then cook it low and slow for crispy, flavorful results.

So next time a recipe calls for a rasher of bacon, you’ll know exactly how much to use for delicious results! Let the sizzling begin.

Frequency of Entities:

Back bacon: 4
Streaky bacon: 3
Thick cut bacon: 2
Regular cut bacon: 2