With its distinctive red packaging and memorable jingles, Oscar Mayer is one of the most recognizable bacon brands in American grocery stores But where exactly is Oscar Mayer bacon made?
The famous wiener company has a long history in the U.S. meat industry. Let’s go behind the scenes to learn about how this iconic brand makes its beloved bacon products.
Oscar Mayer’s American Roots
Oscar F. Mayer founded his namesake company in Chicago in 1883 after immigrating from Germany. It started as a small butcher shop producing sausages and deli meats.
In 1919, Oscar Mayer expanded into bacon production The company also introduced innovations like vacuum-sealed packaging and refrigerated delivery trucks
By the 1950s Oscar Mayer’s little wiener song had become a popular jingle. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile also debuted, bringing hotdog joy nationwide.
Today Oscar Mayer employs over 2,800 people. While no longer family-owned, the brand remains committed to its American heritage.
Where Oscar Mayer Bacon is Produced
Oscar Mayer owns just one plant dedicated to bacon production located in Madison, Wisconsin.
Some key facts about the Madison facility:
- Over 400 employees work at the plant
- Opened in 2019 after $200 million renovation
- Processes 24,000 pigs daily
- Produces up to 8 million pounds of bacon weekly
This high-tech facility employs the latest in automation and food safety technology. Workers meticulously monitor the process from start to finish.
Oscar Mayer also operates large meat processing plants in other states like Iowa and Kansas. But the Madison location is specially designed for bacon manufacturing.
Step-by-Step Bacon Production
Oscar Mayer bacon takes about 9 days to transform from raw pork bellies into packaged slices. Here are the steps:
- Pork bellies arrive refrigerated.
- Bellies are trimmed to Oscar Mayer’s exact size and thickness specifications.
- A brine of water, salt, sugar and nitrites cures the pork for 3-5 days.
- Smoke from natural hardwoods like apple and cherry impart flavor.
- The bacon is cooked and cooled.
- High-speed slicers cut into individual slices.
- Slices are packaged and boxed.
- Packages are date stamped and palletized for shipping.
- Refrigerated trucks transport to grocery stores.
Oscar Mayer bacon stays fresh in the fridge for 7-10 days unopened. The careful curing, smoking, and packaging processes extend shelf life.
Range of Bacon Products
While the Madison plant focuses solely on traditional sliced bacon, Oscar Mayer offers other bacon varieties:
- Turkey bacon
- Pre-cooked bacon
- Thicker cut bacon
- Lower sodium bacon
- Bacon bits
Oscar Mayer owns brands like Louis Rich and Claus’ Harvest, which produce these specialty bacon products. They follow similar processes but may use turkey meat or different cuts of pork.
Why Oscar Mayer Bacon is Popular
From its vintage jingles to the Wienermobile, Oscar Mayer knows how to win consumers’ hearts. But nostalgia aside, their bacon deserves its praise:
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Carefully sourced pork – Made from hand-trimmed, quality pork bellies
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Natural hardwood smoke – Apple, cherry, and other woods provide authentic flavor
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Precision slicing – Thin and uniform slices fry up consistently delicious
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Minimal ingredients – Just pork, salt, sugar, and curing agents
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Vacuum-sealed – Locks in freshness and shelf life
Oscar Mayer may have history on its side, but it keeps innovating with state-of-the-art production methods. This commitment to quality has kept the brand sizzling for over 130 years – and should keep it going for 130 more!
BACON | How It’s Made
FAQ
Is Oscar Mayer made in USA?
Where is Oscar Mayer bacon produced?
Does China own Oscar Mayer?
Was there a recall on Oscar Mayer bacon?
When did Oscar Mayer start making bacon?
In 1924, the company introduced packaged sliced bacon under the Oscar Mayer brand name. A Milwaukee branch was also opened that year. By 1928, the company had 25 different varieties of “Approved Brand” sausages on the market. That year, Oscar F. Mayer was elected to chair the board, and Oscar G. Mayer was named company president.
Does Oscar Mayer make bacon crispy?
(That’s right, the pig gets no credit.) Oscar Mayer uses a fairly standard set of ingredients for industrial-cured bacon: water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphate, sodium ascorbate, and sodium nitrite. The verdict: We want crispy. We want crunchy. We do not want bacon that shatters into bits on the first bite, as Oscar Mayer’s did.
Does Oscar Mayer eat bacon?
Based in Chicago, Oscar Mayer is primarily known for making hot dogs (and for its infamous Wienermobile ), so we had high hopes for its bacon. Senior service editor Kelsey Jane Youngman found that a bite of bacon coated her mouth in grease, and associate cooking and SEO editor Zoe Denenberg said it “disintegrates.”
Where are Oscar Mayer sliced meats sold?
The company’s sliced meats and other products are sold across North America and in parts of South America and Asia. Oscar Mayer’s product line includes a wide range of popular meats, including hot dogs, bacon, and prepackaged lunch combinations.
