For many people watching their salt intake, traditional bacon is off the table due to its high sodium content. Luckily, low sodium bacon offers a healthier alternative that doesn’t skimp on flavor. But have you ever wondered how this better-for-you bacon is made? Let’s explore the manufacturing process and ingredients behind low sodium bacon.
Starts with Carefully Sourced Pork
All bacon begins with pork and low sodium producers choose high-quality pork bellies from responsible farmers. The pork is minimally processed with no injections of saline solution which is commonly used in regular bacon to increase weight and shelf life. This helps keep the sodium count down.
A Light Cure with Natural Ingredients
Instead of intense curing salts low sodium bacon is lightly cured and flavored with better-for-you ingredients
- Maple syrup or honey provide touch of sweetness
- Sea salt in moderation enhances flavor
- Spices like pepper, garlic, paprika add texture and taste
- Natural wood smoke (not liquid smoke) gives authentic smoky note
This delicate curing process results in bacon with about half the sodium compared to traditional bacon.
Careful Preparation for Low Sodium Content
Before cooking, low sodium bacon is:
- Rinsed to remove excess salt from the curing process
- Soaked in water to further desalinate the meat
- Patted dry to remove moisture that would inhibit crisping
Cooked Slowly at Low Temperatures
The cooking process is carefully controlled to minimize sodium levels:
- Low sodium bacon is slowly smoke-cooked at low temperatures between 150-180°F.
- This retains moisture so less sodium is needed for preservation.
- The long, slow cooking also tenderizes the meat.
- Wood smoke is naturally infused into the pork for rich flavor.
Why Low Sodium Bacon Looks Different
When shopping, you may notice low sodium bacon has a darker, reddish-pink color compared to the bright pink of regular bacon. This natural color results from the clean ingredients and wood smoking process. No artificial colors or flavors are added.
Special Packaging Extends Freshness
To maximize freshness, low sodium bacon is specially packaged:
- Wrapped in parchment paper to absorb excess moisture.
- Vacuum sealed to remove oxygen.
- Labeled with a use-by date for optimal taste and texture.
Proper Storage and Serving
For safety and quality, strictly follow storage guidelines:
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Refrigerate unopened low sodium bacon for up to 1 week past the use-by date.
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Once opened, use within 5-7 days.
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Freeze extras in air-tight packaging up to 2 months.
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Before eating, cook to 165°F and discard marinade juices to further reduce sodium.
With careful sourcing, curing, cooking and storage, you can enjoy all the meaty, smoky flavor of bacon with up to 70% less sodium. Explore different brands of low sodium bacon to find your favorite.
Get Creative with Low Sodium Bacon
While low sodium bacon can be enjoyed as-is, get creative by:
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Adding to salads, soups, chilis for a salty crunch
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Crumbling over potatoes, roasted veggies, tacos or pasta
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Making bacon bits for topping baked potatoes or casseroles
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Whipping up carbonara, quiche, frittatas, omelets and other egg dishes
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Using in place of ham in split pea or bean soup recipes
With a little innovation, low sodium bacon can still play a deliciously flavorful role in your cooking.
Health Benefits of Choosing Low Sodium Bacon
Beyond just reducing your sodium intake, low sodium bacon offers other bonuses for health:
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More potassium and less salt help lower blood pressure
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Decreased risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney problems
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May help reduce water retention and bloating
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Supports healthy muscle function
While no bacon is truly health food, low sodium makes an occasional indulgence less damaging. Just be sure to enjoy in moderation along with plenty of vegetables, fruits and lean proteins.
Low Sodium Bacon Supports a Heart Healthy Lifestyle
Rather than eliminating favorite salty foods, low sodium bacon offers a route to keep enjoying the smoky, savory flavor while supporting heart health. With some clever substitutions, you can craft satisfying low-sodium versions of classic bacon-filled dishes. Or simply indulge in an occasional low sodium BLT for the perfect salty crunch. By choosing low sodium bacon as part of an overall heart-smart diet, you can have your bacon and eat it too!
Homemade Bacon Recipe with low sodium and no preservatives. A nitrate free, salt reduced way to enjoy bacon; plus you can add flavours like maple, pepper, brown sugar, honey and spices to make your own individual version.
Originally published May 2016.
I’ve been making this Homemade bacon recipe using fresh, uncured pork belly for quite some time now. There are several different versions of it that I love.
Previously, I was a little reluctant to share this method because bacon can illicit strong reactions. “It’s the best thing in the world” to “How can you eat that salty, preservative-filled junk?” and everything in between.
While I don’t think there are any truly bad foods, I do think that it is possible to eat too many of them. A moderate amount of any indulgent food is always good advice.
It’s possible that I love bacon more than most people, but I don’t like the thought of huge amounts of salt or nitrates being used to cure and preserve it. These days, I’ve been using fresh pork belly instead of bacon because it tastes great without all the extra stuff.
Beyond this basic recipe.
Be sure to see the notes in this recipe for other suggestions of flavourful additions to this recipe. This recipe also cooks in two steps, but you can serve it right from the oven if you’d rather. The second stage happens only if you reheat it.
After baking in the oven, the bacon can be put in a container that won’t let air in and kept in the fridge. It can then be fried in smaller amounts throughout the week. You can also freeze it in single servings and fry them whenever you want. And wait until you try them on burgers instead of regular bacon!
Now that’s a delicious addition to make your homemade burgers even more special!
For one unique version, try brown sugar with a sprinkle of our Smokin’ Summer Spice Dry Rub!
You may also want to try our very popular recipe for Homemade Breakfast Sausages.
Our Breakfast section has a lot more great recipes just like this one.
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Low Sodium Bacon is Not the Answer – Lesson 4 with Dr. Shusterman
What is low sodium Bacon?
Low sodium bacon is a great way to enjoy the delicious flavor of bacon without the added sodium. The average piece of bacon contains about 160-180 milligrams of sodium, which is a significant amount. However, there are now many brands of low sodium bacon available that have less than 100 milligrams of sodium per slice.
How much sodium is in a slice of bacon?
And it still has enough salt that its pleasant, porky, savory flavor lingers in your mouth. It has only 115 mg of sodium per serving (which practically makes it real low sodium bacon), but a serving size is a single slice, which should probably be illegal. One slice of bacon is a tease; two slices is a serving.
How do you cook low sodium Bacon?
Choose Your Cooking Method Wisely: Different cooking methods can highlight different aspects of the bacon’s taste. For a softer texture, try baking your low sodium bacon in an oven at around 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes. If you prefer your bacon a bit more crispy, the stovetop is your friend.
Should you add salt to Bacon after cooking?
Season to Taste: Low sodium bacon allows you more control over the saltiness of your food. Feel free to add a light sprinkle of sea salt or kosher salt after cooking if you find the sodium content a little too low for your taste. Also Read: Best Frozen Beef Burritos
What brands of bacon have low sodium?
There are various brands that offer low sodium bacon. They include Applegate, Butterball, Farmer John, Market Pantry, Great Value, Smithfield, and more. Is low sodium bacon more expensive? This can vary by brand and store, but generally, low sodium bacon is comparably priced to regular bacon.
Can you make homemade bacon with no preservatives?
Homemade Bacon Recipe with low sodium and no preservatives. A nitrate free, salt reduced way to enjoy bacon; plus you can add flavours like maple, pepper, brown sugar, honey and spices to make your own individual version. Originally published May 2016.