Dunkin’ Donuts is known for their wide variety of donuts and breakfast sandwiches. One of their most popular breakfast items is their bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich which features Applewood smoked bacon. With its smoky, sweet flavor, Dunkin’s bacon has become a customer favorite. But what exactly does Dunkin’ do to their bacon to give it its iconic taste? Here is an in-depth look at how Dunkin’ prepares and flavors their irresistible bacon.
Where does Dunkin’ source their bacon from?
All of the bacon served at Dunkin’ locations comes from pork belly. Pork belly is the cut of meat from the belly of a pig. It contains both lean meat and fat, which gives it a distinctive marbling when cured into bacon. Dunkin’ sources their pork bellies from producers in the Midwest United States. They look for high quality pork that meets their standards for flavor, fat content, and consistency. The pork bellies are cured and smoked before being shipped to stores.
How is Dunkin’s bacon cured and smoked?
Curing and smoking are key steps that impart flavor, preserve the bacon, and prolong its shelf life. After being trimmed to Dunkin’s specifications, the pork bellies are dry cured. Dry curing involves rubbing salt, spices, and curing agents directly onto the meat’s surface. The bellies cure for up to 2 weeks. This draws out moisture, firms up the texture, and allows the spices and salt to thoroughly penetrate the meat. Many bacon producers use a wet brine cure. But dry curing results in a richer, more concentrated pork flavor.
After curing, the pork goes into a smoker. Dunkin’ uses real Applewood chips to naturally smoke their bacon. It smokes at low temperatures for up to 14 hours. This gently imparts a smoky, sweet nuance while cooking the bacon. The long, slow smoking period allows the smoke to deeply permeate the bacon. Industrial bacon is often quickly smoked with artificial flavors that don’t compare to real wood smoking. The Applewood smoke is what gives Dunkin’s bacon its memorable aroma and wood-kissed taste.
What ingredients flavor Dunkin’s bacon?
In addition to smoke, Dunkin’ uses select seasonings and ingredients to flavor their bacon. While their exact spice blend is proprietary, it contains ingredients like:
- Salt – For curing and enhancing flavor
- Sugar – To counterbalance the saltiness
- Curing salt – Sodium nitrite to preserve color and kill bacteria
- Spices – Likely pepper, garlic, paprika, red pepper
- Maple syrup powder – For subtle sweetness
The combination of salt, subtle sweetness, and savory spices gives Dunkin’s bacon a mouthwatering flavor profile. The natural Applewood smoke ties everything together. Other artificial flavors, MSG, or liquid smoke are never used when curing or smoking the bacon.
How is the bacon prepared in store?
To serve their famous bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches, Dunkin’ stores finish cooking the pre-smoked, pre-sliced bacon on a grill. The bacon is grilled plain – no butter, oil, or other additives are used. Grilling gives the bacon a crispy texture and enhances the smoky flavor. The bacon is cooked in small batches throughout the day so it’s served fresh. Employees follow cooking procedures to ensure it’s properly prepared.
Nutritional Information
Like most bacon, Dunkin’s is high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol. But it packs a savory flavor that bacon lovers crave. Here is the nutritional breakdown for a slice of Dunkin’ bacon (21g):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 45 |
| Fat | 3.5g |
| Sodium | 320mg |
| Carbs | 0g |
| Protein | 3g |
Is Dunkin’ bacon good for you?
While Dunkin’s bacon is tasty, it’s high in saturated fat and sodium like most pork bacon. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat and sodium intake to reduce risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Dunkin’s bacon is probably best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat. Going for a whole wheat bagel and egg white sandwich may be a healthier choice.
Ordering Tips
To enjoy the best tasting bacon from Dunkin’, here are some useful ordering tips:
- Order it extra crispy – this enhances the texture and flavor
- Add it to any sandwich – the classic bacon egg and cheese is a tasty choice
- Try it on a breakfast sandwich with egg whites and spinach for a healthier option
- Pair it with sweeter flavors like maple or honey
- Request thick-cut bacon when available for thicker, meatier slices
- Customize your sandwich with extra bacon
- Substitute turkey bacon to reduce fat, sodium, and calories
Dunkin’s Applewood smoked bacon can be added to any hot or cold sandwich for a savory boost of flavor. Customizing your order is a great way to enjoy their signature bacon to suit your taste.
How to Make Dunkin’ Style Bacon at Home
While nothing quite matches the flavor of Dunkin’s handcrafted bacon, you can recreate something similar at home. Here is a recipe and method to prepare Applewood smoked bacon with a sweet and savory Dunkin’-style flavor profile:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound pork belly, skin removed
- 1/4 cup maple sugar or brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon curing salt
Instructions:
- Trim pork belly to even thickness.
- Combine dry ingredients and rub mixture evenly over pork.
- Place pork in an airtight container and refrigerate for 7 days, flipping occasionally.
- Rinse pork and pat dry, then air dry in the refrigerator overnight.
- Hot smoke with Applewood chips at 180°F for 2-3 hours until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Let bacon cool before slicing. Store refrigerated up to 1 week.
This recipe uses a dry brine cure followed by genuine Applewood smoked flavor to mimic Dunkin’s bacon. Feel free to experiment with different woods, spices, sweeteners, and smoking times until you achieve the perfect flavor.
Conclusion
With its proprietary blend of seasonings, authentic Applewood smoking method, and perfect crispy texture, Dunkin’ Donuts has mastered the art of irresistible bacon. Although their exact techniques are secret, they use high-quality pork and real smoking to achieve signature flavor. The Applewood smoke in particular gives Dunkin’s bacon its sweet, smoky identity. While it may not be the healthiest choice, Dunkin’s bacon is hard to beat when you’re craving the perfect complement to an egg sandwich or bakery treat. So next time you visit, don’t forget to order it extra crispy!