Determining how many tablespoons are in a slice of bacon can be useful for recipe conversions and nutrition tracking. The answer depends on the size and thickness of the bacon slices. On average, most nutrition databases estimate around 1 tablespoon of bacon fat per slice of cooked bacon. However, this can vary based on the brand, cut, and cooking method. Read on for a deeper look at measuring bacon fat content and converting between slices, tablespoons, grams, and cups.
How Much Fat is in a Slice of Bacon?
Bacon contains a high amount of fat. Most of the calories and over half the weight of a slice of bacon comes from fat. According to the USDA, a slice of cooked bacon contains around 8 grams of total fat. Of this, about 5 grams is saturated fat. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats make up the rest.
Here is a nutrition breakdown for a typical slice of pan-fried bacon:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 43 |
| Total Fat | 3.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
As you can see, over 75% of the calories in bacon come from fat. The majority is saturated fat, which has been linked to increased cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.
Bacon Fat Content Varies
Keep in mind that the exact fat and calorie content can vary depending on the specific brand, type of bacon, cooking method, and thickness of slice.
For example, thick-cut bacon contains more fat since it is sliced from the fattier belly area of the pork belly. Thinner sliced bacon comes from the leaner meat near the loin.
Turkey bacon and other leaner bacons contain less fat, with closer to 4-5 grams per slice.
The packaging nutrition label or online nutrition data can provide more details on the fat content of a particular bacon product. In general, expect pan-fried bacon to have around 5 grams of fat per medium slice.
How Many Tablespoons of Fat in Bacon?
Now that we know how much fat is in a slice of bacon, we can estimate the tablespoon equivalent.
There are a few steps to determine this:
1. There are about 5 grams of fat in a medium slice of pan fried bacon
2. 1 tablespoon of fat weighs around 13 grams
3. So if there are 5 grams of fat in a slice of bacon, and 13 grams in a tablespoon, then a slice of bacon contains about 0.4 tablespoons of fat (5/13 = 0.38)
Therefore, the answer is that **a slice of bacon contains approximately 0.4 tablespoons of fat.**
This means:
– 2 slices of bacon would have about 0.8 tablespoons fat
– 3 slices would be around 1.2 tablespoons
– 4 slices around 1.6 tablespoons
And so on.
Again, the exact amount may be a little more or less depending on the thickness and leanness of the bacon. But on average, around 0.4 tablespoons or a little less than half a tablespoon is a good estimate for one slice.
Measuring Bacon Drippings
When you cook bacon, you can also collect the drippings – the melted fat that cooks off the bacon in the pan.
Many recipes call for bacon grease or bacon drippings to add flavor. How much fat drips off will depend on the cooking method. If you bake bacon on a rack, less will render out compared to frying in a pan.
As a rough estimate, expect around 1-2 tablespoons of drippings per 4 strips of bacon. So a full package of say 16 strips may yield 5-6 tablespoons drippings.
Save any extra in a jar in the fridge to use for cooking eggs, Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes and other dishes that benefit from a smoky, salty flavor.
Bacon Slices to Tablespoons Conversion
Based on the average fat content of bacon, here is a quick conversion guide:
| Bacon Slices | Tablespoons of Fat |
|---|---|
| 1 slice | 0.4 tbsp |
| 2 slices | 0.8 tbsp |
| 3 slices | 1.2 tbsp |
| 4 slices | 1.6 tbsp |
| 8 slices (1/2 package) | 3 tbsp |
| 12 slices (3/4 package) | 5 tbsp |
| 16 slices (1 package) | 6 tbsp |
You can use this handy reference guide to make conversions in recipes. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of bacon fat, you would need approximately 5 slices of bacon to yield that amount.
Converting Bacon Slices to Grams and Cups
In addition to tablespoons, it can also be useful to know bacon conversions to grams and cups.
Here are some approximate conversions for cooked, pan fried bacon:
| 1 Slice Bacon | Grams | Cups |
|---|---|---|
| 1 slice | 10g | 1/8 cup |
| 2 slices | 20g | 1/4 cup |
| 4 slices | 40g | 1/2 cup |
| 8 slices | 80g | 1 cup |
| 16 slices | 160g | 2 cups |
As you can see, a single slice of bacon is around 10 grams or 1/8 cup when chopped.
2 slices makes 1/4 cup which is handy for recipes.
And a full 16 ounce package of bacon contains about 160 grams or 2 packed cups of chopped cooked bacon.
So in summary:
– 1 slice of bacon = 0.4 tablespoons fat = 10 grams = 1/8 cup chopped
– 16 slices (1 pound) = 6 tablespoons fat = 160 grams = 2 cups chopped
Precise Bacon Fat Measurement
For the most accurate measurement of bacon fat, cook the bacon properly, let it cool and strain the drippings.
– Fry or bake until crispy and pour onto paper towels to absorb excess grease.
– Let cool slightly so the fat solidifies.
– Pour into a measuring cup through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or paper towels to filter out any food particles.
– Press out the strainer to collect all the fat.
– You can then measure the precise tablespoon or cup amount.
This will give you clarified bacon fat for cooking or saving for later use.
Nutritional Value of Bacon Fat
Now that you know how much fat is in bacon, you may be wondering whether bacon grease is healthy or harmful.
Here is a look at the nutrition profile of bacon fat:
| Nutrient | 1 Tablespoon | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 120 | 6% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | N/A |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.2g | N/A |
As expected, bacon grease is 100% fat. The majority (71% of the total fat) is unsaturated fat, which has been linked to lower cholesterol levels when used in place of saturated fat.
However, the high saturated fat content is concerning. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 5-6% of total calories.
Just one tablespoon of bacon fat provides 25% of the daily recommended saturated fat limit. So use bacon drippings sparingly, and limit intake of bacon overall to avoid going over the recommended limits.
Healthier Cooking Oils
For a healthier fat for cooking and recipes, choose oils higher in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like:
– Olive oil
– Avocado oil
– Canola oil
– Safflower oil
– Peanut oil
These oils provide beneficial fats and contain no cholesterol. Olive oil, for example, contains about 2 grams saturated fat per tablespoon compared to 5 grams for bacon fat.
So consider olive oil tossed Brussels sprouts instead of bacon fat roasted ones to get delicious flavor without as much saturated fat.
Cooking and Storing Bacon Grease
If you do cook with bacon fat, here are some tips:
– Use in small amounts for flavoring
– Drizzle on steamed vegetables or baked potatoes
– Saute greens like kale or collards
– Brush on meats before grilling or roasting
– Add a spoonful to enhance the flavor of soups, stews and baked beans
– Take care not to overheat the fat so it smokes or burns
– Store extra fat in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 months
– Freeze for longer storage up to 6 months
Enjoy the deep bacon taste in moderation along with lots of healthy plant foods as part of an overall balanced diet.
Conclusion
To summarize, a single slice of pan-fried bacon contains around 0.4 tablespoons or 5 grams of fat. The amount of fat in bacon depends on the brand, cut and thickness. Cooked bacon drippings will yield about 1-2 tablespoons fat per 4 strips.
Converting bacon from slices to tablespoons, grams and cups can be helpful for recipe substitutions. In general:
– 1 slice = 0.4 tablespoon fat = 10 grams = 1/8 cup chopped
– 1 pound (16 slices) = 6 tablespoons fat = 160 grams = 2 cups chopped
While delicious, use bacon fat sparingly due to the high saturated fat content. Drizzle on foods or use small amounts to add depth of flavor. Instead, choose healthier cooking oils like olive and avocado oil whenever possible.
This guide provides a quick reference for bacon fat conversions and nutrition information. Knowing how much fat is in bacon can help inform recipe creation and modifications to meet your health goals.
