How Much Does a Slab of Bacon Weigh? A Detailed Guide to Bacon Slabs

Bacon is one of America’s most beloved breakfast meats. The savory, smoky flavor combines with the satisfying crunch of the fatty meat to create a mouthwatering treat. While most people are familiar with bacon in its sliced form, bacon slabs offer some unique benefits. But exactly how much does a full slab of bacon weigh?

A bacon slab refers to a full unsliced portion of bacon. Rather than being pre-cut into individual strips, slab bacon comes in one large, rectangular segment. The size can vary, but slabs generally range from 8-15 pounds each.

Slab bacon is most commonly sold to consumers at butcher shops, meat markets, and warehouse stores. It allows buyers to portion and slice the bacon to their preferences. The slabs can be cut into thick-cut breakfast strips, thinner strips for wrapping around foods, or diced for adding to recipes.

Average Bacon Slab Weight

The average weight of a full slab of bacon is approximately 10 pounds. However, weights commonly range from

• 8-9 pounds
• 10-12 pounds
• 13-15 pounds

As you can see slab sizes can vary pretty significantly. The bacon cut source, and specific retailer will all impact the final slab weight.

Factors Affecting Bacon Slab Weight

There are a few reasons why bacon slab weights fluctuate

• Source of the Pork Belly – Bacon is made from pork belly. Hogs can range considerably in size and fat content based on breed, diet, and age when processed. Larger pork bellies make heavier bacon slabs.

• Type of Bacon – Basic supermarket bacon comes from the pork belly. But other bacon varieties like buckboard bacon (from the pork shoulder) and jowl bacon (from facial meat) will weigh differently.

• Trim and Processing – Leaner bacon has more external fat trimmed off. The more that gets removed, the lighter the remaining slab. Mechanical pumping of curing solution can also add weight.

• Retailer Practices – Butchers and companies slice their slabs to varying weights. A small butcher may sell 5 lb slabs, while big box stores stock 10+ lb versions.

• Shrinkage – Bacon loses moisture during smoking and cooling, so the final weight is less than the fresh belly. Levels of shrinkage will depend on factors like smokehouse time.

So slab weights depend heavily on the specific source and prep methods used to make the bacon. Expect a range based on these factors.

Average Thickness and Dimensions

In addition to weight, the size and thickness of bacon slabs can vary:

• Thickness – Most slabs range from 2.0-2.5 inches thick. Thinner versions hover around 1.5 inches, while thick-cut may reach 3 inches.

• Length – Typical lengths are 18-24 inches long. Shorter cuts around 16 inches or longer cuts up to 30 inches can be found too.

• Width – Bacon slab widths average 8-12 inches across. They may be cut narrower or wider.

• Surface Area – With these average dimensions, slab surface area is often 1.5-3.5 square feet.

So you can expect substantial, thick pieces ranging up to 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. The large format allows for customized slicing.

Weight Range Examples from Retailers

To give an idea of real-world slab weights, here are some examples from major meat sources:

• Costco – Their Kirkland Signature Bacon slab weighs 15 lbs. It’s their largest format.

• Sam’s Club – Sam’s Club stocks Members Mark Bacon Slabs ranging from 10-14 lbs.

• Restaurant Depot – Their Wilson Certified Pork Belly slabs are 20 lbs. But they also offer smaller 5-7 lb slabs.

• Butcher Box – Their sustainably-raised slabs weigh 10 lbs on average.

• Local Butchers – Specialty meat shops offer slabs from 8 lbs up to 20 lbs. Many let you custom order exact sizes.

The slab weights sold depend on factors like target audience, pricing, and intended use. Bacon for restaurants may come in 20+ lb sizes, while consumer-focused retailers stick to smaller cuts under 15 lbs.

Average Price Per Pound of Bacon Slabs

In addition to varying in size, the price per pound also fluctuates between different sources for slab bacon:

• Supermarkets – Pre-packaged sliced bacon costs $6-8 per lb on average.

• Warehouse Stores – Bulk slab bacon at Costco or Sam’s Club runs $3-5 per lb.

• Butcher Shops – Smaller meat markets sell slabs for $4-7 per lb typically.

• Online – Online butcher box companies offer slab bacon for around $5-6 per lb.

Buying full slabs generally saves at least a few dollars per pound compared to packaged bacon strips. But pricing still ranges based on factors like quality, sourcing, and quantity purchased.

Calculating Total Slab Cost

To find the total cost of a slab, simply multiply the price per pound by the weight:

Total Cost = Price per Pound X Slab Weight

Here are some examples of slab bacon prices:

• 10 lb Slab at $5/lb = $50 Total

• 7 lb Slab at $4/lb = $28 Total

• 15 lb Slab at $3.50/lb = $52.50 Total

Buying larger slabs typically provides the best value for your dollar, since you pay less per pound. A 15 lb slab may cost over $100, but saves $15 compared to buying pre-sliced packs.

How Many Packages Does a Slab Yield?

When portioning your slab, the total poundage dictates how many packages of bacon strips you can yield:

• 10 lb Slab = approx. 10 packages (1 lb each)

• 7 lb Slab = approx. 7 packages (1 lb each)

• 15 lb Slab = approx. 15 packages (1 lb each)

Of course you can slice to any preferred thickness and package size. Thicker slices mean less per package, while thinner strips yield more. Share extras with family and friends!

Storing and Freezing Bacon Slabs

Since slab bacon comes in large formats, proper storage is important. Follow these tips:

• Keep refrigerated at all times, loosely wrapped in butcher paper.

• Minimize exposure to air and light to prevent drying.

• Use within 2-3 weeks for best freshness and quality.

• Bacon slabs can be frozen for 4-6 months in vacuum sealed packs.

• Thaw frozen slabs overnight in the fridge before slicing to prevent moisture loss.

Buying big slabs allows you to stock up. Just break it into smaller portions for gradual use.

Slab Bacon Uses

The possibilities are endless when cooking with full bacon slabs:

• Breakfast – Slice thick or thin depending on preference. Cook until crisp.

• Burgers/Sandwiches – Dice bacon for even distribution on sandwiches.

• Soups/Stews – Chop into small bits as a smoky seasoning.

• Salads – Toss crispy cooked bacon crumbles on lettuces and greens.

• Seasoning – Add cooked bacon crumbles to everything from pizza to potatoes.

• Wraps – Use thin strips to wrap scallops, shrimp, chicken, and more before cooking.

• Recipes – Bake strips on roasted vegetables. Stir into mac and cheese. Fold into omelets. And much more!

With a full slab, you can easily cook bacon in bulk for recipes and other uses all week long.

Benefits of Buying Full Bacon Slabs

Here are some of the biggest perks of purchasing bacon in full slab form:

• Custom Slicing – Slice to any thickness you want from thin to ultra-thick.

• Better Value – Buying whole slabs saves at least a few dollars per pound over packaged strips.

• More Versatile – Use the slab for diverse bacon needs from breakfast strips to crumbles and wraps.

• Buy in Bulk – Stock up on one big slab rather than multiple packs. Less packaging waste too.

• More Options – Choose specialty high-quality slabs at butcher shops.

For the greatest flexibility and bang for your buck, consider getting your bacon in slab form.

Weighing Slabs for Partial Quantities

When cooking for smaller groups, you can weigh out partial amounts from a slab:

• Use a kitchen scale for accuracy. Digital scales provide exact measurements.

• Calculate weight needed. For 4 people eating 3 oz each, need a 12 oz/0.75 lb slab portion.

• Slice off the portion needed and return the rest to the fridge.

• For frequent use, consider slicing the slab into 1 lb batches right away.

Get in the habit of weighing slabs for recipes requiring specific bacon amounts. No wasted ingredients!

Ready to Enjoy Versatile Bacon Slabs?

If you’re a true bacon lover, picking up full slabs offers the best experience. You get more for your money while enjoying custom-cut strips for any recipe. Typical slabs weigh 8-15 pounds, providing ample breakfasts or cooking for a crowd. Just be sure to store properly and slice off what you need!