How Much Does a Rasher of Streaky Bacon Weigh?

A rasher of bacon is a ubiquitous breakfast food loved by many. But how much does a rasher of streaky bacon actually weigh? This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of exactly what a rasher is, how much a rasher of streaky bacon weighs on average factors that affect bacon rasher weight, and tips for getting the most out of your bacon.

What is a Rasher of Bacon?

First, let’s clarify what exactly a rasher of bacon is. A rasher simply refers to a single strip or slice of bacon. The term is commonly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland Australia and New Zealand.

The word “rasher” comes from the French word “rasiere” which meant a portion of meat for one person. So a rasher of bacon was the amount of bacon served to one person.

There are a few different cuts of bacon that can be considered a rasher:

• Streaky Bacon – This is bacon from the pork belly with streaks of fat running through it. It is the most common type of bacon consumed in the UK and Ireland.

• Back Bacon – This comes from the loin of the pig and is leaner than streaky bacon. It is sometimes called Irish bacon or Canadian bacon.

• Middle Bacon – From the center cut of pork belly, with less fat than streaky bacon.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing specifically on the weight of a rasher of streaky bacon, since it is the most widely available type of bacon.

How Much Does a Streaky Bacon Rasher Weigh?

So how much does a single slice or strip of streaky bacon typically weigh? Here is the average bacon rasher weight:

• 25-35g – This is the typical weight range for a single rasher of streaky bacon. At major UK supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, streaky bacon rashers weigh roughly 30g on average.

However, there can be some variation in the exact weight depending on a few factors:

• Thickness – Thicker cut bacon will obviously weigh more than thinner sliced bacon. Thickness can range from ultra-thin to thick cut.

• Brand – Different bacon brands slice and package their bacon differently, leading to slight weight variations.

• Cooking method – The cooking method impacts weight, as frying can cause some shrinking.

• Packaging – If pre-packaged, factors like how tightly stacked the rashers are can affect overall weight.

So while the average streaky bacon rasher is around 30g, it’s not uncommon to see weights ranging from 20-40g depending on cut, brand and cooking method.

Buying Bacon by the Rasher

When purchasing bacon in the supermarket, you’ll usually find it sold in the following ways:

• Packs – This is streaky bacon sliced and stacked in packs ranging from 300-500g typically. A 300g pack would contain around 10-15 individual rashers.

• Loose – Some butcher counters will sell bacon loosely, either pre-sliced into rashers or sliced to order. This allows you to purchase exactly as many rashers as needed.

• Whole – Less common, but some butchers may sell pork belly for bacon as a whole slab, which you can then slice into rashers at home. This allows the most flexibility for customizing thickness.

For those who only need a few rashers at a time, buying pre-sliced and packaged bacon can be inconvenient and lead to waste. Purchasing loose bacon rashers from a butcher provides more flexibility.

Factors Affecting Rasher Weight

There are a few key factors that affect the weight of an individual rasher of streaky bacon:

1. Thickness of the Slice

• Thinner sliced bacon will weigh less than thick cut bacon. Typical slice thickness ranges from 2mm up to about 1cm thick.

• Many brands label bacon as thin, thick, or extra thick cut. Thick cut bacon can weigh nearly double a thin slice.

2. Length of the Slice

• Slices cut short or into odd shapes will weigh less than full long slices of the same thickness.

3. Percentage of Fat

• Bacon from the fattier, wider ends of the pork belly will weigh more than leaner pieces.

• Heritage breed or organic pork often has more fat marbling and weigh more.

4. Pre vs. Post-Cooking Weight

• Bacon shrinks and loses fat when cooked. The cooking method impacts shrinkage, with pan frying causing more than baking.

• 4-5 pre-cooked slices may weigh around 100g, while after frying could be 70-80g.

5. Tightness of Packaging

• The tighter the rashers are stacked and packaged, the less opportunity for natural variation in shape and size.

• Loosely packed bacon sold by the slice will have more variability in exact weights.

6. Moisture Content

• Fresh bacon just sliced will weigh slightly more than bacon that’s been sitting in a package as moisture evaporates.

Typical Rasher Package Sizes

To give a better idea of how rashers translate to full packaged quantities, here are some of the most common streaky bacon package sizes found in major supermarkets:

• 300g pack – Approximately 10 rashers
• 375-400g pack – 12-15 rashers
• 500g pack – 16-20+ rashers
• 1kg pack – 30-40+ rashers

So if you pick up a 375g pack of streaky bacon in the store, you can expect around 12-15 individual slices in that package on average. Of course, use the approximate rasher weight ranges mentioned earlier to fine tune quantity expectations.

For reference, a full pork belly from a butcher before slicing may weigh anywhere from 1.5 to 4kg. After removing the rib bones and slicing into rashers, this can yield 50 to 100+ individual streaky bacon rashers depending on size.

Getting the Most from Your Bacon

To get the most enjoyment and value from your bacon purchase:

• Buy thicker cut bacon if you prefer meatier, more indulgent rashers. Or go thin if you want them extra crispy.

• Inspect packaging and go with brands that arrange slices in a loose, staggered pattern to allow for natural shape variations. Avoid too tightly stacked.

• For ultimate control and customization, purchase pork belly whole and slice your own bacon thickness.

• Account for 15-20% loss in weight after cooking if measuring exact quantities for recipes.

• Freeze any unused portions in packs of 2-4 rashers to minimize waste and have bacon ready when needed.

The Takeaway

The next time you find yourself wondering how much that delicious rasher of bacon on your plate actually weighs, hopefully this provides some guidance. Now it’s time to sizzle up a fresh pan for the best part – enjoying the taste of amazing bacon! What’s your preferred bacon thickness and cooking method?