Bacon bits sure come in handy when it comes to elevating a variety of already awesome salad recipes. They add an irresistible burst of flavor and a satisfying crunch to every bite. From the best mac and cheese and rich omelets to soups and, of course, loaded baked potatoes, you can sprinkle them on just about anything for a deliciously crispy texture thats sure to keep you coming back for more.
Sure, you could fry up a few pieces of bacon on the stove and crumble them up into tiny pieces, but grocery store bacon bits make for a faster — and grease-splattering-free — option. Of the many brands to choose from, McCormick is, perhaps, one of the more well-known store-bought options. The companys Bacn Pieces, which are available as bits or in the form of chunkier chips, certainly pack plenty of bacony flavors. However, they actually dont contain any real bacon at all. Turns out, theyre basically just flavored bits of textured soy — and theyre not the only ones.
Bacon bits are small pieces of cooked, crispy bacon that are commonly used as a topping for salads, baked potatoes, and other dishes. They are typically made by cooking thin slices of bacon until they are crispy, then chopping or crumbling the bacon into small pieces.
Many store-bought bacon bits are made with soy
So, if McCormicks Bacn Pieces arent real bacon, what are they? The Bacon Flavored Bits are made with texturized soy flour, a type of protein-rich powder thats derived from either whole soybeans or defatted soybean flakes. They also feature other ingredients, such as canola oil, salt, caramel color, yeast extract, natural and artificial flavors, as well as other flavor enhancers to give them their great bacon-tasting flavor. Similarly, the brands bacon chips are made with textured soy protein, which is typically made from the defatted soy flour and then shaped into whatever meat-like protein its supposed to replicate — in this case, bacon-like chunks that sizzle in flavor and crunchable texture just the same.
The pork-free chips appear to be safe to be enjoyed by vegans and vegetarians alike, or just anyone whos looking to reduce their animal protein intake. However, McCormicks Bacn Pieces arent the only meat-free option on the market. Walmarts Great Value Bacon Flavored Bits, Badia Bacon Bits, Krogers Bacn Buds, and Its Delish Imitation Bacon Bits are also free of any real bacon and are made with soy flour instead. Its important to note that not every brand will be safe to consume for vegans or vegetarians, so always be sure to carefully read the ingredients label before purchasing.
To find out what’s really in a jar of bacon bits, I checked out two popular brands: Hormel Real Bacon Bits and McCormick Bacn Pieces.
McCormick’s version of the product, labeled as “bacon flavored bits,” do not contain any bacon. In fact, McCormick’s “bac’n” is actually totally vegan. The main ingredient is textured soy flour, a protein-rich meal made from ground soybeans. The soy flour is mixed with canola oil and salt for texture and seasoning.
Finally, the “bac’n” contains maltodextrin, an additive used as a thickener; lactic acid, a flavoring agent and preservative; disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, salty flavor enhancers; and yeast extract, a processed yeast product that creates an umami flavor.
Hormel’s bacon bits are made with “real” bacon, which, according to the label, is “cured with water, salt, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite.” The last two ingredients are food additives commonly found in cured meats to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. While both are FDA-approved, sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite are often blamed for causing headaches and fatigue in people who are sensitive to the preservatives. Hormel’s package says the bacon “may also contain smoke flavoring, sugar, dextrose, brown sugar, sodium phosphate, and potassium chloride,” all of which are natural and artificial sugars and salts—except for the smoke flavoring, which is essentially smoke suspended in water.
The “bac’n” is dyed with caramel color and red 40 dye. Caramel color is made from food-grade carbohydrates and acids. Also a main ingredient in colas and fake maple syrup, unfortunately caramel color is regulated by the FDA for potentially containing dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, and mercury. Red 40 (labeled as “FD&C Red 40”) is synthetically derived from petroleum, and although it is the most common food dye used in the US, can cause a host of complications.
Is There Actual Bacon In Bacon Bits?
FAQ
Are bacon bits real or fake?
Are store bought bacon bits real bacon?
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