Quick Answer
Two slices of Kirkland Signature Fully Cooked Bacon contain approximately 60 calories. Kirkland Signature bacon is sold at Costco in 1 pound packages containing approximately 16 slices. So each slice contains around 30 calories. Therefore, 2 slices would contain about 60 calories.
Calorie Count for Kirkland Bacon
Kirkland Signature Fully Cooked Bacon is one of the most popular bacon brands sold at Costco. It comes in 1 pound vacuum sealed packages containing about 16 slices per package.
Here are the nutrition facts for 2 slices (28g) of Kirkland bacon:
Calories: 60
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 290mg
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 4g
As you can see, two slices of Kirkland bacon contains 60 calories, which is quite low compared to other brands of bacon. Kirkland bacon is lower in fat, sodium and cholesterol compared to many supermarket bacon brands.
Some key highlights regarding the calorie content in Kirkland bacon:
– Each 1 pound package contains approximately 16 slices.
– Each slice weighs around 28 grams or 1 ounce.
– So there are about 453 grams (1 pound) per package / 16 slices = 28 grams per slice.
– Each 28 gram slice contains 30 calories.
– Therefore, 2 slices (56 grams) contains 60 calories.
The low calorie count per slice makes Kirkland one of the leanest commercial bacon brands available. While most bacon slices contain 40-50 calories, Kirkland bacon only has 30 calories per slice.
Calorie Count Comparison
To understand how the calorie count of Kirkland bacon compares, let’s look at the calorie content in some other popular bacon brands:
| Bacon Brand | Calories per slice |
|---|---|
| Oscar Mayer Bacon | 40 |
| Hormel Black Label Bacon | 50 |
| Smithfield Thick Sliced Bacon | 40 |
| Farmland Hickory Smoked Bacon | 60 |
| Kirkland Signature Bacon | 30 |
As you can see from the table, Kirkland bacon contains significantly fewer calories per slice compared to these other popular brands.
Oscar Mayer and Hormel bacon, two of the most popular bacon brands, have 40-50 calories per slice. Kirkland bacon has only 30 calories per slice, or 25-33% less calories than these other brands.
So Kirkland Signature bacon stacks up very favorably in terms of calorie content. The lean slices help you save on calories and fat.
Reasons for Lower Calorie Count
There are a few reasons why Kirkland bacon is lower in calories than most other bacon brands:
– It’s a thinner slice. Kirkland bacon slices are thinner than many other bacons. The thinner cut helps reduce the calorie count per slice.
– Less fat marbling. Kirkland bacon appears to have fewer fat streaks running through the lean meat as compared to other commercial bacons. Less fat marbling again reduces the overall fat and calorie content.
– Minimal ingredients. Kirkland bacon contains only pork, water, sea salt, natural smoke flavor, sugar, and sodium phosphates. It does not contain any preservatives or chemicals that add extra calories.
– Precise portion control. The bacon is precisely cut into uniform, thin slices weighing 28 grams each. This portion control also helps keep calories in check.
So in summary, the thin slices, lower fat marbling, minimal ingredients, and precise weight control help give Kirkland bacon a lower calorie count versus other brands.
Nutritional Benefits
Despite being lower in calories, Kirkland bacon still offers nutritional benefits:
– Protein. Each slice contains 4g of protein. Protein helps satisfy hunger and provides energy.
– B Vitamins. Bacon contains small amounts of nutrients like niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
– Selenium. Bacon is a source of the antioxidant mineral selenium, which supports immune function.
– Healthy fats. Bacon fat contains about 50% monounsaturated fat, the heart healthy fat found in olive oil.
So in moderation, Kirkland bacon can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet. It offers protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
Just be mindful of portion sizes, as even healthy fats are high in calories if consumed in large amounts. Stick to 1 or 2 slices per serving for balance.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To enjoy Kirkland bacon as part of a healthy diet, keep these cooking and serving tips in mind:
– Choose leaner cooking methods like baking in the oven or on a wire rack to allow fat to drip away. Avoid frying in butter or oils, which adds extra calories.
– Microwave in a paper towel lined plate for a quick cooking option that requires minimal added fat.
– Opt for thinner and crispier slices rather than chewy thick cuts to minimize fat and calories.
– Measure portion sizes with a kitchen scale or measuring cup for accuracy. Stick to 28 gram or 1 ounce servings.
– Incorporate it as a flavor enhancer in salads, omelets, sandwiches and wraps rather than eating it alone.
– Pair it with antioxidant rich vegetables like spinach, kale or avocado.
– Avoid eating charred or burnt bacon, which can contain carcinogens. Stop cooking before it blackens.
Enjoy Kirkland Signature bacon in balance and moderation to benefit from its taste and nutrition while minimizing fat and calorie intake. This popular Costco exclusive bacon gives you plenty of flavor at a calorie savings!
How Many Calories In Different Serving Sizes
Here is a breakdown of the calorie count in different serving sizes of Kirkland bacon:
1 slice (28g): 30 calories
2 slices (56g): 60 calories
3 slices (84g): 90 calories
4 slices (112g): 120 calories
Entire 1 pound package: Approximately 480 calories
As you increase the serving size, the calories add up quickly. To keep calories in a healthy range, stick to 1-2 bacon slices per person when eating it.
A few ways to enjoy Kirkland bacon in moderate calorie servings:
– Breakfast sandwich with 1 slice bacon, egg, tomato, and avocado on whole grain toast.
– BLT salad with 2 slices crumbled bacon, lettuce, tomato, chicken, and dressing.
– Baked potato soup with 1-2 slices bacon, sauteed onions, and reduced fat milk.
– Pasta carbonara with 2 slices bacon, peas, and Parmesan.
These provide the delicious bacon taste while keeping calories around 300 or less per serving.
Cooking and Storage Tips
To get the most out of your Kirkland Signature bacon, follow these cooking and storage suggestions:
Cooking Tips
– Use medium low heat to cook bacon slowly for even crisping without burning.
– Bake bacon in the oven on a wire rack set over a foil lined pan to allow fat to drip off. Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes.
– Microwave 3-4 slices between paper towels for 1-2 minutes for quick crisping.
– Chop and add to salads, beans, potatoes, pasta or veggies for a bacon flavor boost.
– Add crumbled bacon to pizza, sandwiches, burgers or wraps.
Storage Tips
– Keep unopened bacon in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks past the sell by date.
– Once opened, reseal the package and use within 1 week.
– Freeze unused bacon slices in a single layer to prevent sticking, then place in a freezer bag. Will keep frozen up to 2 months.
– Defrost frozen bacon slowly in the fridge overnight rather than microwaving for best texture.
Following proper cooking and storage methods ensures you safely get the most out of Kirkland’s lean bacon during its shelf life.
Cost Savings of Kirkland Bacon
One of the biggest benefits of Kirkland bacon is the significant cost savings compared to other brands.
A 1 pound package of Kirkland bacon costs around $9-10. National brand bacons like Oscar Mayer or Hormel can cost $6-8 for just 12 ounces.
So Kirkland bacon is around 25-50% less expensive per pound compared to major grocery store brands. You get more bacon for less money.
Kirkland bacon also comes in bigger 1 pound packages, whereas most brands sell 12 or 16 ounce packs. The larger pack size offers more value per pound.
Some estimated cost savings on Kirkland bacon:
| Bacon Brand | Package Size | Price | Price Per Pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Mayer | 12 oz | $6.99 | $9.32 |
| Hormel Black Label | 12 oz | $7.99 | $10.65 |
| Kirkland Signature | 1 lb | $9.99 | $9.99 |
As you can see, the per pound price of other brands ranges from $9.32 to $10.65, while Kirkland bacon is just $9.99 per pound.
So choosing Kirkland bacon can lead to around $2-3 in savings per pound compared to other premium bacon options. Over time, these savings really add up!
Downsides of Kirkland Bacon
While Kirkland bacon has many benefits, there are a few downsides to consider:
– Only available at Costco. You need access to a Costco warehouse to purchase it.
– Contains sodium nitrate. While nitrates help preserve bacon, some health experts recommend choosing uncured or nitrate-free bacon.
– Higher sodium than some brands. Kirkland bacon has 290mg sodium per serving, which is on the higher side.
– Can be greasy if overcooked. Thinner bacon like Kirkland’s can get greasy and limp if cooked on too high heat.
– Special handling required. The thin slices are more delicate and prone to sticking together if not stored properly in the fridge or freezer.
– Limited flavor options. Kirkland only offers regular smoked bacon, not flavored varieties like maple or applewood smoked.
So in summary, the sodium content and lack of flavor choices are small drawbacks. But for most people, the lower price and calorie savings outweigh these limitations of Kirkland bacon.
Healthiest Ways to Eat Bacon
While bacon tastes great, it is still a processed meat high in sodium and saturated fat. Here are some healthy tips for enjoying bacon:
– Choose leaner bacon like Kirkland Signature whenever possible. The less fat streaking, the better.
– Eat no more than 2-3 slices per sitting and treat it as a side, not the main event.
– Incorporate bacon into salad, soup, veggie or grain dishes rather than eating it alone.
– Opt for oven-baked rather than pan fried to allow fat to drain off.
– Discard excess grease after cooking to reduce overall fat and calorie intake.
– Avoid charring or burning bacon, which can form carcinogens. Stop cooking before blackened.
– Pair bacon with antioxidant-rich foods like avocado, spinach, tomatoes, or nuts.
– Drink water with your meal to reduce the sodium impact and stay hydrated.
Overall, be smart about portion sizes and cooking methods. When enjoyed in moderation, bacon can be part of a balanced diet.
Conclusion
Kirkland Signature fully cooked bacon is a smart choice for anyone watching their calories and budget. With just 30 calories per slice, it contains 25-33% less calories than other leading bacon brands. Less fat marbling, thin slicing, and minimal ingredients like nitrates keep the calorie count lower.
Two slices of Kirkland bacon contain 60 calories total. Serving sizes of 3-4 slices will provide 90-120 calories. Compare this to other bacons that are 40-50 calories per slice.
In addition to lower calories, Kirkland bacon costs 25-50% less than rivals when compared per pound. You get great value along with lean nutrition.
Just be mindful of portion sizes, cooking methods, and limiting charring to keep this bacon healthy. Overall, for those looking for a lower calorie bacon option at Costco, Kirkland Signature is the top choice.
