Where to Buy Gwaltney Beef Bacon: The Ultimate Guide

Gwaltney beef bacon is a tasty high-quality sliced bacon made from 100% beef. If you love bacon but want to avoid pork for dietary reasons Gwaltney’s beef bacon is a great alternative. I’ve been eating it for years and love the thick, meaty slices with that signature bacon flavor.

But finding Gwaltney beef bacon can be tricky since it’s not as widely available as pork bacon Over the years, I’ve hunted down the stores and online retailers that reliably carry it.

In this ultimate guide, I’ll share all my tips on where to buy Gwaltney beef bacon so you can find it for yourself!

Checking Larger Grocery Stores

Your best bet for finding Gwaltney beef bacon is to check larger grocery store chains in your area. Here are the ones that often carry it:

• Walmart – Walmart stocks Gwaltney beef bacon in the refrigerated meat section. It’s usually in 12 oz vacuum sealed packages. The price is very reasonable too – often under $4 a pack!

• Kroger – Kroger is another major grocery chain that stocks Gwaltney beef bacon at many of their stores. Check the packaged sliced bacon section in the meat department.

• HEB – Shoppers in Texas will have luck finding Gwaltney beef bacon at HEB grocery stores. It’s not always in stock, but I see it there frequently enough.

• Albertsons – Some Albertsons locations carry Gwaltney in the bacon aisle, though not all of them. Call ahead to ask if your local Albertson’s has it.

• WinCo – For folks on the west coast, WinCo is a good store to find Gwaltney. They have a huge selection of groceries at discount prices.

The key is checking the refrigerated meat/bacon section thoroughly. Staff can also point you towards the beef bacon if the store carries it.

Searching at Specialty Meat Shops

If the major grocery chains don’t pan out, your next stop should be specialty meat markets and butcher shops. These stores are more likely to carry unique products like beef bacon.

Ask at the counter if they stock Gwaltney or any other brand of beef bacon. Some shops will even slice it fresh for you.

You can also special order beef bacon. Leave your name and number so they can call when it comes in.

Local butcher shops and meat markets are less convenient than supermarkets but worth a try if you really want that beefy bacon!

Scouring Alternative Stores

Don’t forget to check natural food stores, wholesale clubs and online retailers:

• Whole Foods Market – Whole Foods is notorious for carrying all sorts of specialty food items, including alternative bacons. Check the meat fridge or ask an employee.

• Costco – Costco often has massive packages of Gwaltney beef bacon perfect for bacon-loving households. Just take what you need and freeze the rest!

• Sam’s Club – Like Costco, Sam’s Club may carry Gwaltney in bulk sizes. It never hurts to call ahead though, since inventory changes.

• Thrive Market – This online natural foods store sells Gwaltney beef bacon. Sign up for a membership or order as a guest.

• Amazon – Search Amazon for Gwaltney beef bacon and you can find packs shipped right to your door! Prime members get free delivery too.

Natural food stores, warehouse clubs and online shopping are good alternatives if you can’t find Gwaltney locally. Shop around for the best shipping rates and bulk pricing.

Trying National Chains If All Else Fails

As a last resort, stop by any national supermarket chains near you. Even if they normally don’t have Gwaltney beef bacon, you can get lucky:

• Publix
• Safeway
• Trader Joe’s
• Harris Teeter
• Piggly Wiggly
• Food Lion

Call customer service first to check if they carry Gwaltney beef bacon. Then inspection the bacon selection in person.

While it’s a long shot, you never know what you might find! Explore every bacon avenue possible in your beef bacon quest.

Hacks for Finding Gwaltney Beef Bacon

Here are my pro tips for hunting down packs of Gwaltney:

• Ask the butcher counter – Tell them exactly what you’re looking for. They may have it in the back.

• Check bottom shelves – Products can get “lost” on lower shelves. Dig deep in the bacon section.

• Try ethnic markets – International stores may carry alternative bacon like beef.

• Call ahead to stores – An employee can tell you if it’s in stock.

• Set in-stock alerts – Online stores let you know when items come back in stock.

• Substitute other brands – Niman Ranch and other brands also make beef bacon.

With some persistence and creativity, you can get your hands on delicious Gwaltney beef bacon!

Why Get Beef Bacon Instead of Pork?

There are a few good reasons to seek out beef bacon rather than traditional pork bacon:

• Religious restrictions – Certain religions prohibit pork consumption, making beef bacon a great alternative.

• Nutritional benefits – Beef bacon is lower in fat and calories than pork bacon. It has a similar protein content.

• Unique flavor – The flavor is subtly different with a bit of beefy juiciness.

• Red meat lovers – Beef fans will enjoy the heartier texture and meatiness of beef bacon.

• Food sensitivities – Some people report stomach issues from pork but not beef bacon.

At the end of the day, it offers a nice change from plain old pork bacon. Try it at least once if you get the chance!

How to Cook Gwaltney Beef Bacon Perfectly

Once you’ve secured the coveted packs of Gwaltney beef bacon, it’s time to fry it up right!

Here is a simple step-by-step method for cooking crispy, delicious Gwaltney beef bacon:

• Start with a cold pan – Place raw strips in a chilled skillet. Crowding will cause steaming instead of crisping.

• Cook over medium heat – Let the pan gradually heat up as the bacon cooks. Keep the temperature moderate.

• Flip occasionally – Flip each slice every 2-3 minutes for even cooking. Beef bacon takes 10-15 minutes total.

• Drain on paper towels – Once slightly crisped and cooked through, transfer to towels to absorb grease.

• Blot with more towels – For ultra crispy bacon, gently press with additional paper towels to remove any remaining grease.

• Season as desired – Sprinkle with black pepper, brown sugar, cayenne, thyme or other spices you enjoy.

Now you’re ready to enjoy that delicious Gwaltney beefy goodness! Getting perfect crispness and flavor takes some practice, but you’ll get the hang of it.

Tips for Preparing and Storing Beef Bacon

Here are some final tips on preparing and storing Gwaltney beef bacon:

• Keep refrigerated until ready to use. Eat within 1 week of opening.

• To extend shelf life, store unopened packages in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.

• Heat sealed packages under warm running water for easier opening.

• Use beef bacon grease for cooking veggies or eggs. Pour into a jar and store in the fridge.

• Microwave single slices between paper towels for quick cooking.

• Bake a whole batch at once on a foil-lined sheet for easy meal prep.

With proper storage methods, you can enjoy Gwaltney beef bacon when the craving strikes!

The Bottom Line

Gwaltney makes a tasty beef bacon that provides all the bacon flavor you love without the pork. It can take some searching, but you can find it at major grocery stores, specialty meat shops, natural food stores, wholesale clubs or online. Just utilize these tips for tracking it down in your area.