Is McDonald’s Bacon Really Made from Pork?

The irresistible smell of sizzling bacon is one of the highlights of walking into a McDonald’s for breakfast. There’s just something about that smoky, salty bacon flavor that completes an Egg McMuffin or breakfast sandwich.

But is the bacon at McDonald’s actually made from pork, or is it artificial? I decided to dig into the ingredients and details to find out.

The Short Answer

After extensive research, it seems clear that the bacon served at McDonald’s is indeed made from real cured and smoked pork belly McDonald’s uses pork bacon in the majority of their breakfast sandwiches as well as on bacon-topped burgers

While not the highest quality or healthiest bacon around, McDonald’s bacon does appear to contain real pork and not artificial flavors or substitutes. But there are some caveats to keep in mind when it comes to how the pork is sourced and processed

Where McDonald’s Gets Their Bacon

According to McDonald’s own website, they source their bacon from pork bellies provided by multiple US pork suppliers. The company states they only partner with suppliers who provide quality pork raised under humane standards.

The pork bacon is then processed and prepared by Lopez Foods, a meat supplier that produces many of the proteins for McDonald’s menu items. They smoke and cure the pork belly into finished bacon slices.

So while not made fully in-house, McDonald’s bacon does come from real pork bellies rather than being artificially flavored.

Bacon Ingredients at McDonald’s

Looking at the ingredients list for McDonald’s bacon provides more clues that it’s made from real cured pork:

• Pork bellies
• Water
• Salt
• Sugar
• Smoke flavoring
• Sodium phosphate
• Sodium erythorbate
• Sodium nitrite

The pork bellies provide the fatty meat that becomes bacon when cured. The other ingredients help preserve the bacon and add the signature smoky, salty flavor through smoking and curing agents.

When buying any bacon product, checking the ingredients helps verify there is actual pork content instead of artificial flavorings. McDonald’s bacon passes this test.

How McDonald’s Bacon is Made

Here is an overview of how McDonald’s takes pork bellies and turns them into crispy bacon:

• Pork bellies are trimmed of skin and excess fat
• Bellies are cut into strips or pieces
• Cured using water, salt, sugar and curing agents like sodium nitrite
• Smoked to add signature flavor
• Cooked or partially cooked
• Packaged into boxes and frozen
• Shipped to McDonald’s locations
• Reheated on the grill or griddle before serving

It’s a fairly standard process used to make most cured and smoked commercial bacon. While not the highest quality artisanal preparation, McDonald’s process does transform real pork into recognizable bacon.

McDonald’s Pork Supply Chain Controversies

While McDonald’s claims their pork is humanely raised, they have faced criticism regarding pork suppliers:

• In 2011, pork supplier Smithfield was accused of animal cruelty by the Humane Society for use of gestation crates.

• In 2015, a McDonald’s pork supplier was attached for abuse and health violations.

• McDonald’s still does not stipulate pigs must be raised cage-free or crate-free.

So while the bacon at McDonald’s does appear to contain real cured pork, consumers should be aware of these supply chain controversies before making purchasing choices.

Does It Taste Like Real Bacon?

The final test – does McDonald’s bacon taste like the real deal? Well, taste is subjective. But most patrons seem to agree McDonald’s bacon delivers familiar smokey, porky flavor.

Some bacon purists argue mass-market bacon can never replicate artisanal flavor. It may contain less natural juice compared to premium bacon. And the smoking process uses artificial liquid smoke rather than true wood smoking.

But to an average consumer, McDonald’s bacon tastes like recognizable, satisfying bacon, albeit not gourmet quality. The proof is in the tasting for most bacon aficionados.

Health and Sustainability Concerns

While McDonald’s bacon contains real pork, there are health and sustainability factors to consider:

• High in sodium – 820mg per serving
• Suspected carcinogens when charred
• Lean pork belly meat, but still high in saturated fat
• Pork production contributes to environment concerns
• Lack of transparency in supply chain

As with any fast food, moderation is key. And sourcing quality ingredients in ethical, sustainable ways is an ongoing issue for McDonald’s and other chains.

But for a convenient meal, McDonald’s pork bacon satisfies cravings by using real cured and smoked pork belly. Those looking for premium artisanal bacon may need to go elsewhere.

The Verdict on McDonald’s Bacon

Based on my research into their ingredients, suppliers, cooking process and taste, the bacon at McDonald’s does appear to contain true smoked and cured pork belly meat.

It provides familiar bacon flavor, though perhaps not the highest quality pork compared to artisanal bacon. There are legitimate concerns over pork suppliers and health risks of processed meats as well.

But for a quick egg sandwich or burger with quintessential bacon flavor, McDonald’s pork bacon hits the spot. Just don’t expect it to compete with your local butcher’s bacon in terms of premium ingredients and curing process.

So while not the healthiest or highest quality bacon around, the smoky strips you get in a McDonald’s breakfast sandwich are indeed the real deal pork.