Some things dont need to be bought in bulk, but Costcos Kirkland Signature bacon isnt one of them.
The bacon, according to the Wall Street Journal, is about 20% cheaper than comparable brands. People are aware of this deal because the wholesale store has reportedly seen a rise in demand for the item due to the coronavirus pandemic.
I was interested when I read an article from Consumer Reports that compared Kirkland Signature bacon to Oscar Mayer, Trader Joes, and Niman Ranch and said it was “the only excellent product.”
But I also read some new customer reviews that said Costco was “bait and switch” by putting smaller, fattier pieces of bacon under bigger, meatier slices of bacon in the packaging. Advertisement.
Because of this, I chose to try both types of bacon—regular and thick-sliced—to see if they lived up to the hype or left me wanting more.
Bacon is one of the most popular foods found in home kitchens and restaurants alike. This tasty cured pork product has a smoky, salty, savory flavor that enhances everything from breakfasts to burgers. For bacon lovers, buying in bulk can mean big savings. As a leading warehouse club retailer, Costco offers some of the best bacon prices around. Read on to learn all about Costco’s bacon selection and pricing.
Overview of Costco’s Bacon Options
Costco sells a wide variety of high-quality bacon through their stores and online delivery service Here are some of the major bacon choices available at Costco
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Kirkland Signature Bacon – Costco’s premium private label Kirkland Signature bacon comes in both regular sliced and thicker cut options. It’s hickory smoked for robust flavor.
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Hormel Black Label Bacon – A top national brand, Hormel Black Label is a tasty lower-sodium bacon.
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Oscar Mayer Bacon – Oscar Mayer is another well-known bacon brand sold at Costco. Both regular and center-cut options available.
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Wright Brand Bacon – Wright bacon is smoked over applewood for sweet, savory flavor It comes in thick-cut style
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Precooked Bacon – For fast heat-and-eat convenience Costco sells fully cooked bacon from brands like Oscar Mayer.
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Organic & Uncured Bacon – Specialty bacon like organic and nitrate-free uncured bacon can also be found at some locations.
Bacon is sold pre-packaged in 1-5 pound packages, often bundled in cost-saving multi-packs. Overall, Costco aims to provide quality bacon at affordable club prices.
How Much Does Bacon Cost at Costco? Bacon Prices
Bacon prices at Costco will vary depending on brand, cut, specials and location. Here is a general overview of Costco bacon pricing:
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Kirkland Signature Sliced Bacon – $2.99 to $3.99 per pound
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Hormel Black Label Bacon – $6.99 for 2 pounds
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Oscar Mayer Center Cut Bacon – $8.99 for 4 pounds
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Wright Thick Cut Applewood Bacon – $13.99 for 5 pounds
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Hormel Precooked Bacon – $11.99 for 64 ounces (4 pounds)
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Organic Uncured Bacon – $6.99 per pound
As you can see, prices range widely from just under $3 per pound for basic Kirkland bacon up to $14 or more per pound for premium organic and precooked bacon. However, buying in multi-pack bulk brings the per pound cost down.
How to Find the Best Bacon Deals at Costco
Here are some tips for getting the lowest prices on bacon at Costco:
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Opt for Kirkland brand bacon to get the same great quality for less.
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Check the monthly Costco coupon book for bacon promotions and instant savings.
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Look for bonus multi-pack deals, like “Buy 3, Get $3 off”.
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Stock up when you see bacon markdowns or manager specials for quick sale.
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Take advantage of online only bacon sales found on Costco.com.
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Compare prices between the Costco Business Center and regular warehouses.
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Join Executive Membership for 2% reward on bacon purchases.
With some strategic shopping, you can bring home tasty bacon from Costco for as little as $2.50-3.50 per pound.
Buying Bacon at Costco vs. Grocery Stores
Compared to traditional supermarkets, Costco offers much lower bacon prices. Here’s a pricing comparison on a few top products:
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Kirkland Bacon – $3.49/lb at Costco vs. $6.99/lb for supermarket house brand
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Hormel Black Label Bacon – $3.50/lb at Costco vs. $5.99/lb at supermarket
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Oscar Mayer Center Cut Bacon – $2.25/lb at Costco vs. $4.99/lb at supermarket
Grocery store bacon is often at least $2-3 higher per pound compared to Costco. The warehouse buying power delivers big savings that get passed onto members.
Buying Bacon at Costco: Tips and Advice
To make the most of buying bacon at Costco, keep these shopping tips in mind:
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Inspect packaging for any leaks, tears or signs of freezing/thawing.
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Check sell-by date to ensure freshness, especially if not freezing.
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Open package to check for fatty marbling and meaty lean layers.
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Estimate planned use to avoid waste when buying large packs.
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Separate bulk packs into meal portions and freeze upon returning home.
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Let bacon thaw overnight in fridge before cooking frozen bacon.
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Cook extra bacon in the oven and use leftovers all week for meals.
With proper storage in the freezer, unopened bacon can keep 6 months to 1 year for enjoyment long after purchase.
Is a Costco Membership Worth it for Bacon Savings?
For those who love bacon, a Costco membership can easily pay for itself through bacon savings alone. If you buy bacon weekly, the numbers add up fast:
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2 lbs bacon/week at $5/lb retail price = $520 annually
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2 lbs bacon/week at $3/lb Costco price = $312 annually
That’s a yearly bacon savings of $208 with a Costco membership! Factor in savings on other groceries and goods, and Costco gives you exceptional value.
The regular bacon seemed too thin and unfortunately had a good amount of fat
I’ve noticed that the bacon I’ve been buying at the store has been a little fattier than usual since the pandemic began. So I kept that in mind as I inspected the Costco package.
I put my bacon strips in a cold cast-iron skillet, turned the heat up to medium, and flipped them a few times until they were done.
In general, I noticed that it was kind of difficult to make sure the bacon cooked evenly. Advertisement
As expected, some of the pieces got very small in the pan, and because they had different amounts of fat, they burned a bit. However, I like my bacon more “done,” so this turned out to be a good thing for me.
Cooking the regular bacon in the oven was significantly easier than frying. I popped the strips in for 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping them halfway through.
That the bacon didn’t shrink as much, which made it look meatier, and I think the pieces cooked more evenly.
Flavor-wise, I didnt get the hickory-smoke taste as much as I thought I would. But there was smoke, and the bacon was salty and crispy, so it was still enjoyable to eat even though it wasn’t restaurant-quality. Advertisement.
This bacon is in high demand, so I was happy to find it in stock
It was lucky that I could find a package of regular bacon for $13 that had four 1-pound bags. 49 (or $3. 37 a pound). I looked at the package to make sure it didn’t have a lot of fat, thin, or broken pieces that I could see.
I also picked up a package of the Kirkland Signature thick-sliced bacon, which cost $10. 99 for three pounds (or $3. 66 a pound). Advertisement.
I was ready to cook them in both a frying pan and an oven at home to see which was better once I had them.
We Finally Know Why Costco’s Bacon Is So Cheap
Does Costco have Bacon?
Costco’s bacon is a fan favorite. Lara Walsh for Insider Costco’s Kirkland Signature bacon has seen a spike in demand during the pandemic. It’s cheaper than its competitors at under $4 a pound for both the regular and thick-sliced strips. The regular bacon wasn’t special, but the thick-sliced strips were some of the best I’ve tasted.
How much does Bacon cost in Canada?
T he price of the bacon – The price of this bacon fluctuates. I’ve found the four packs can cost anywhere from $14.99 Canadian to $21.99 Canadian. For that price, you get four separate 500 gram packages. Most other bacon packages I’ve noticed seen only have about 375 grams of bacon and can cost more per pack.
How much does Kirkland Bacon cost?
I also picked up a package of the Kirkland Signature thick-sliced bacon, which cost $10.99 for three pounds (or $3.66 a pound). Once I had the products, I was ready to take them home and cook them both in a frying pan and in the oven to compare. I cooked the bacon in a skillet and in the oven to compare.
How much does a pound of bacon cost?
It’s cheaper than its competitors at under $4 a pound for both the regular and thick-sliced strips. The regular bacon wasn’t special, but the thick-sliced strips were some of the best I’ve tasted. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our and .
How much does Kirkland Hormel Bacon cost?
I paid $16.99 Canadian (not on sale) for the 500 gram package of Costco Kirkland Signature Hormel Fully Cooked Bacon. Not exactly cheap but also not that expensive considering how convenient this is. You’re definitely paying for the packaging and convenience. The reason why I bought this bacon is for convenience!
Is Kirkland Bacon a staple at Costco?
It’s always fun to shop the newest items at Costco, whether it’s a seasonal bakery find or an unexpected salty-sweet snack. But, if you’re a seasoned shopper, you know there are also staples to never leave the store without. And, one of the products that has a permanent place on our Costco list is the Kirkland Signature Bacon.