When you think of bacon, the name Oscar Mayer likely pops into mind. As one of America’s most beloved and trusted brands, Oscar Mayer has been synonymous with delicious, quality bacon for over 90 years. But have you ever wondered exactly where Oscar Mayer bacon is made?
While headquartered in Chicago, Illinois Oscar Mayer bacon originates from multiple production facilities across the United States. Let’s explore the history manufacturing, and impact of Oscar Mayer’s iconic bacon brand.
Humble Midwestern Roots
Oscar F. Mayer opened his first butcher shop in Chicago in 1883 after training as an apprentice. In 1919, Oscar Mayer & Co. was incorporated, focusing on retailing meats and producing sausages and deli meats.
In 1924, Oscar Mayer revolutionized the bacon industry by being the first company to pre-slice and package bacon for retail sales. This innovation made bacon more convenient and accessible nationwide.
Over the decades, Oscar Mayer continued leading advancements in bacon production, like introducing the see-through “bacon window” packaging in 1973 Their bacon is crafted from premium pork belly using time-honored curing, smoking, and slicing techniques
Today Oscar Mayer remains a beloved bacon brand people trust for consistent quality and taste. They offer several bacon varieties, including original and lower sodium.
Where Oscar Mayer Bacon is Made
While their corporate headquarters is in Chicago, Oscar Mayer bacon originates from multiple production plants, including:
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Coshocton, OH – Processes ~2/3 of Oscar Mayer’s bacon varieties
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Kirksville, MO – Previously produced bacon but operations moved in 2015
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Other undisclosed plants across the United States
The Coshocton, OH plant underwent major expansion in 2015, doubling in size and workforce. This added 300 local jobs and boosted the small town’s economy. The bacon itself is made from premium pork belly that undergoes careful curing, smoking, slicing, and packaging.
Insights Into the Bacon Production Process
To transform pork belly into delicious bacon, it undergoes the following process:
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Pork belly selection – Highest quality bellies hand-picked
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Trimming – Precise trimming to size specifications
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Curing – Days of curing in salts, sugars, and nitrites
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Smoking – Natural hardwood smoking for authentic flavor
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Cooking – Cooked to perfect doneness
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Slicing – Thickness sliced to exact standards
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Packaging – Vacuum sealed for freshness
Skilled workers oversee each batch to guarantee consistency. Traditional smoking methods result in Oscar Mayer’s signature smoky, sweet bacon taste.
Range of Bacon Products
From original to turkey, Oscar Mayer provides diverse bacon selections including:
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Original – Classic smoked and sliced
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Center Cut – For sandwiches and breakfast
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Fully Cooked – Crispy ready-to-eat convenience
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Lower Sodium – Reduced sodium option
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Maple – Sweet maple-flavored
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Turkey – Reduced fat and sodium
Their array satisfies different cooking needs and diets. But all start with the same careful Oscar Mayer craftsmanship.
Why Oscar Mayer Bacon is Trusted
Several reasons make Oscar Mayer bacon a top choice:
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90+ years perfecting processes – Consistency from experience
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State-of-the-art safety standards – Carefully monitored
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Superior ingredients – Highest quality pork
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Skilled workers – Meticulous human oversight
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Range of products – Innovative varieties for all
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Customer feedback – Guides new product development
From locally-owned butcher shop to an iconic global brand, Oscar Mayer has earned generations of consumer loyalty through its exceptional bacon expertise.
Discover the Secret Behind Delicious Oscar Mayer Bacon
With a rich 125-year meatmaking legacy, Oscar Mayer is synonymous with bacon excellence. Though production facilities are located nationwide, the brand’s heart remains Midwestern. The original techniques for smoking and curing pork belly from the early Chicago butcher shop days still produce Oscar Mayer’s signature bacon today. So when you bite into that perfectly crispy, subtly sweet strip of Oscar Mayer bacon, you’re tasting a history of bacon mastery in the making.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oscar Mayer Bacon
When did Oscar Mayer start making bacon?
Oscar Mayer began producing packaged, pre-sliced bacon for retail in 1924, revolutionizing the consumer bacon industry.
Where is Oscar Mayer bacon manufactured?
Major bacon production takes place in Coshocton, OH which makes about two-thirds of their bacon portfolio. Other plants nationwide contribute to production.
What is Oscar Mayer bacon made of?
Oscar Mayer bacon is made from premium pork belly that is trimmed, cured, smoked with natural hardwoods, cooked, sliced, and vacuum sealed.
Does Oscar Mayer make turkey bacon?
Yes, Oscar Mayer produces reduced-fat turkey bacon as a alternative option that has less fat and sodium than their pork bacons.
How did the Coshocton plant expansion impact the town?
The 2015 plant expansion added 300 local jobs and millions in economic growth to the small Ohio town that had lost many manufacturing jobs.
