What are dried bacon bits made of?

Bacon bits are a popular topping for salads, baked potatoes, soups, and other dishes. They provide a salty, smoky, crunchy flavor that enhances many recipes. But what exactly are those little crispy bits made of? Here’s a look at how bacon bits are made and what ingredients they contain.

Table of Contents

The Main Ingredients

The primary ingredients in bacon bits are:

Bacon: Bits are usually made from cured and smoked pork belly trimmings. The fatty pork belly is where traditional bacon slices come from.
Salt: Salt is added for flavor and preservation.
Sugar: Sugar balances out the saltiness and adds sweetness.

Smoke flavoring: Most bacon bits contain natural or artificial smoke flavoring to mimic the taste of smoked bacon.
Preservatives: Preservatives like sodium nitrite and sodium erythorbate are often added to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.

In addition to these main ingredients, bacon bits may also contain:

Spices and seasonings: Things like black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper add extra flavor.
Maple flavoring: Some varieties are made with a touch of maple syrup or maple flavor for a sweet taste.
Binders: Binders and fillers like soy protein, wheat flour, or potato starch may be used to hold the bits together.

Anticaking agents: To prevent clumping, anticaking agents like silicon dioxide are sometimes added.

Real Bacon vs. Artificial Bacon Bits

There are two main types of bacon bits:

Real bacon bits: These are made from actual cured bacon. The bacon is cooked and then crumbled into bits.

Artificial bacon bits: Referred to as imitation bacon bits or vegetable bacon bits, these are made from soy protein instead of real pork. They don’t contain any meat.

Real bacon bits are usually more expensive but have a more authentic bacon flavor. Artificial bacon bits are cheaper and can be used as a vegetarian or vegan alternative to real bacon.

How Bacon Bits Are Made

For real bacon bits, here is the basic process:

Start with cured pork belly trimmings left over from slicing bacon.
Smoke the pork belly to add flavor.
Cook the smoked bacon pieces until crispy.

Chop or grind the cooked bacon into smaller bits.
Add seasonings and flavorings like salt, sugar, spices, smoke flavor.
Spread the bits on trays and bake again to further dry and crisp.

Allow to cool before packaging.

The entire process results in crispy, flavorful morsels of real bacon. Since they are pre-cooked, bacon bits just need to be sprinkled onto dishes without any further cooking required.

For soy-based artificial bacon bits, here is a simplified process:

Start with soy protein isolate.
Hydrate the soy protein and form it into bits.
Cook the soy bits until crisp.

Flavor with smoke flavor, salt, spices, maple, etc.
Dehydrate further to lower moisture.
Package and distribute.

The manufacturing process helps the soy form the crunchy, bacon-like texture that consumers expect from bacon bits.

Bacon Bit Nutrition Facts

The nutrition profile differs quite a bit between real bacon bits and artificial bacon bits:

Real bacon bits (based on a 2 tablespoon serving)

70-90 calories

5-7g fat
460-680mg sodium
5-8g protein

Minimal carbs

Artificial bacon bits (based on a 2 tablespoon serving)

25-40 calories
1-1.5g fat

380-500mg sodium
3-5g protein
2-4g carbs

As you can see, real bacon bits contain more fat and calories compared to the artificial ones. But they provide more protein as well. Depending on your dietary needs and preferences, one or the other may be a better choice.

Storing Bacon Bits

Properly stored, both real and artificial bacon bits will stay fresh for quite a while:

Keep bacon bits in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Refrigeration can help extend freshness – use within 3-4 weeks for best quality.
To maximize shelf life, consider freezing unused bacon bits in a well-sealed container.

Look for any signs of moisture, clumping or spoilage before using.
Discard if the bacon bits smell or look off.

With proper storage, most bacon bits stay good for several months past any “best by” date on the package. If they’re kept freezer-cold, they can last even longer.

Uses for Bacon Bits

The smoky, salty, crunchy quality of bacon bits makes them a popular topping for all kinds of dishes including:

Salads: Bacon bits add great texture and flavor sprinkled over green salads, potato salad, pasta salad.
Baked potatoes: Top baked russet or sweet potatoes with bacon bits, cheese, chives.

Soups and chowders: Add some bacon bit garnish to clam chowder, baked potato soup, broccoli cheese soup.
Pizza: Instead of regular bacon, use bacon bits as a pizza topping.
Casseroles: Stir some bacon bits into breakfast casseroles, mac and cheese, potato casserole.

Eggs: Sprinkle over fried eggs, scrambled eggs, omelets, and egg bakes.
Burgers: Garnish your burger with bacon bits for extra flavor.
Dips: Add to sour cream for a chip dip, sprinkle over hummus, stir into bean dips.

In recipes, you can generally substitute 2 tablespoons of bacon bits for 2-3 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon. Get creative and try sprinkling them over salads, soups, pastas, and more!

Conclusion

So in summary, real bacon bits are made from cured, smoked, and cooked pork belly while artificial bacon bits contain soy protein and other flavorings. While they may look similar, real bacon bits pack more calories, fat, and protein compared to the imitation kind.

Thanks to modern processing methods, both real and artificial bacon bits contain ingredients that preserve freshness and crunch. Storing them properly allows the bacon bits to retain their texture and taste for months.

With their intensely bacon-y flavor, bacon bits are a perfect way to add smoky accent and crunch to all kinds of dishes. Next time you enjoy a sprinkle of crunchy bacon bit goodness, you’ll know exactly what’s providing that tasty flavor and texture.