Where to Buy Sizzlean Bacon in 2023

Sizzlean bacon had its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s as a lower fat alternative to regular pork bacon. With catchy ads boasting it was “leaner than bacon,” Sizzlean offered a tasty meaty texture and bacon flavor without as much fat and grease. Throughout the 80s and 90s it seemed like Sizzlean was everywhere. But by the early 2000s it slowly started disappearing from store shelves before being discontinued completely around 2005.

So what happened to Sizzlean bacon and where can you buy it today? As a big fan of Sizzlean myself, I did some digging to find out.

What Exactly Was Sizzlean?

Sizzlean was marketed as a healthier bacon alternative with 50% less fat than pork bacon It was made from a combination of turkey, pork shoulder, and beef This gave it a chewier, meatier texture than regular bacon.

While it wasn’t exactly low-fat, Sizzlean contained about 37% fat compared to around 49% found in pork belly bacon. It definitely had a better nutrition profile than regular bacon.

In taste, Sizzlean was described as having a smoky bacon flavor but with a slightly drier and chewier texture, similar to jerky. When cooked, it formed small bubbles of fat throughout the strips.

Overall, many Sizzlean fans remember it tasting close to real bacon, just with a less greasy mouthfeel. Some did complain it didn’t get as crispy as regular bacon, but you could achieve a good crispiness if you cooked it properly.

When and Why Was It Discontinued?

Sizzlean enjoyed strong sales throughout the 1980s and 90s. But in the early 2000s, stores slowly stopped carrying it. By 2005, it had been completely discontinued.

So why would they discontinue such a popular product?

The most likely reason is that Sizzlean was produced by a company called Swift & Co. In 1990, Swift was acquired by ConAgra Foods who later made the decision to discontinue Sizzlean before selling off Swift’s meat brands.

While Sizzlean maintained decent sales, it was still just a niche product compared to bacon’s market share. As a new company, ConAgra likely wanted to focus their resources on more mainstream products with bigger profit potential.

Sizzlean wasn’t a total failure, but it burned up profits and factory resources for what was realistically just a 2nd tier product. Even in its prime, it was never going to unseat bacon as America’s favorite pig meat. ConAgra made the calculated decision that the money and effort was better spent elsewhere.

This is a common story in the food industry. Big companies acquire smaller brands, then discontinue their less profitable niche products, even if they still have decent sales. At the end of the day, profit margins rule over nostalgia.

Where to Buy Sizzlean Bacon Today

Now we come to the golden question…where can you buy Sizzlean bacon today?

Unfortunately, the original Sizzlean brand is gone forever. ConAgra owns the trademark but isn’t doing anything with it. The good news is some alternative beef bacons are still around if you know where to look.

Check Smaller Grocery Chains

Your best bet is to check smaller regional supermarket chains, especially ones focused on healthy/organic foods. Although rare, some still carry beef bacon from niche producers. For example, Earth Fare and New Seasons sometimes have beef bacon hidden on their shelves or in the freezer section. Just ask the butchers.

You’re much less likely to find it major national chains who tend to only stock the biggest brands.

Search for Beef Bacon Online

A few specialty brands of beef bacon can also be found online, such as:

• Nueske’s Beef Bacon – Probably the most popular and highest quality beef bacon. It’s smoked with natural wood like their other products.

• Cameron’s Beef Bacon – Also well-reviewed. Cameron’s is known for their smoked meats.

• Oberto Beef Bacon – Oberto makes beef jerky and now has a beef bacon product.

• WIld Fork Beef Bacon – Wild Fork Foods sells grass-fed beef and bison products, including beef bacon.

• Jack & Ann’s Beef Bacon – A small family-run company focusd on alternative bacons.

• Trader Joe’s Beef Bacon Strips – These aren’t a true sliced bacon but TJ’s has their own version of beef breakfast strips.

You’ll often find the best price buying a few packs at once direct from the producer’s website. Make sure to factor in shipping costs though. Smaller amounts can also be found on Amazon.

Visit a Butcher Shop or Deli

Your other option is to check with local butcher shops and delis, especially ones focused on quality meats. The better butchers will sometimes carry more unique products or may even be able to specially order it for you upon request.

Again, highlight that you’re looking specifically for beef bacon, not just a lower-fat bacon alternative. You’re more likely to find beef bacon at specialty butcher shops than big supermarket chains.

Look for Beef Bacon at the Farmer’s Market

Don’t forget to check your local farmer’s market too! Look for stands selling locally raised beef and bison. Then ask them if they make any beef bacon products.

Smaller local farms are keeping niche products like beef bacon alive. Farmer’s markets are home to artisanal foods you won’t find in regular stores. Some farmers may even let you custom order beef bacon if they don’t already stock it.

Consider Making Your Own

When all else fails, you can always make your own homemade beef bacon! It takes more effort but could be worth it for thetrue Sizzlean experience.

Buy some good quality beef brisket, sirloin roast, or flank steak. The meat needs some fat marbling but should be nice and lean.

• Trim excess fat and slice the beef very thinly into “bacon” slices.

• Soak the slices in a brine cure overnight. Use a basic salt, sugar, spice brining solution. Add liquid smoke for extra flavor.

• Next, rinse the slices and lay them out on wire racks. Let them air dry in the fridge overnight.

• Finally, slowly smoke the beef bacon for hours until cooked through. Apple, maple, and hickory woods work great.

• You can also bake or fry the slices instead of smoking if you prefer.

Homemade beef bacon takes some work but lets you fully control the ingredients and flavor. Adjust the brine and smoking to your tastes. With trial and error, you might even be able to recreate the perfect Sizzlean bacon you remember!

Final Thoughts on Sizzlean Bacon

While the original Sizzlean brand is off the market for good, similar beef bacons are still around for devoted fans willing to search a little harder and shop small. Specialty butchers, niche grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and online mail order are your best sources to find a good beef bacon today.

For those feeling adventurous, even homemade beef bacon is an option to recreate the classic Sizzlean flavor. No, it’s not quite as convenient as picking up a pack at the supermarket. But isn’t finding lost nostalgic foods half the fun? The hunt for beef bacon makes finally cooking up those first sizzling slices again even more satisfying.

So don’t despair fellow beef bacon lovers! With determination and an exploring spirit, you can enjoy a hearty beefy breakfast again soon. It just might not be in the familiar red and yellow Sizzlean packaging we remember.