Bacon has an almost mystical allure for people. The smell of bacon frying is usually enough to start stomachs rumbling, and it is oh-easy to simply grab a hot rasher while you walk past the stove. This tendency to sneak in a bite here and there does make it hard to determine just how much bacon one should cook for a group… especially if bacon is the star of the breakfast.
Typically, 2 streaky bacon rashers (20 grams), 1 back, or should bacon rasher (19 grams), or 1 tablespoon of bacon bits make 1 serving. However, the traditional approach is to buy 1 pack of bacon or 12 ounces for 3 people and 1 pound of bacon for 4 people. Most people eat 2 servings of bacon as a side and perhaps 3 servings in a BLT sandwich or at a buffet.
If you are looking for the best way to prepare bacon for a group, why not use this link? Alternatively, if you are simply preparing breakfast for yourself, we have a handy guide on how to minimize the cleanup…
How many slices or rashers of streaky bacon can we get from 1 pound of pork?
Bacon is typically served in 3 thicknesses – Thin, Regular, and Thick, regardless of the meat used. This means that it is pretty easy to work out the number of streaky bacon slices we get from a pack or 1 lb of bacon:
| Thickness | Number of Slices (1 lb.) |
|---|---|
| Thin | 25 -35 |
| Regular | 16 – 20 |
| Thick | 10 – 14 |
So, how much standard or thin-cut streaky bacon should one prepare for breakfast or brunch?
Bacon is deceptive. A pack of bacon can easily get finished as your guests each could plate up half a pack for themselves, and nothing is worse than smelling bacon while not eating bacon. So, just how much bacon should one cook?
The answer will depend on whether you are serving the bacon already portioned out (less bacon – 2-3 slices) or whether you are having a buffet-style meal (far more bacon – 5-6 slices). It will also depend on whether it is a weekday or weekend breakfast… most people will allow themselves a cheat day on Saturday or Sunday and will simply eat twice as much bacon as normal.
If you are plating breakfast, it is much easier to control how much bacon will be needed. Simply serve 3 rashers of streaky bacon per person, and you are done. If the menu is self-service or a buffet, then be prepared to make up to 50% more bacon than you need. Leftovers can always be reduced to bacon bits and served on a delicious pasta dish!
While a typical restaurant serving is 2 rashers, a house serving tends towards 4 rashers. The exact amount of bacon that will be needed will also depend on the crowd that you are feeding, with more self-conscious eaters being more concerned by the fat and cholesterol content of bacon. At the same time, food lovers will simply enjoy the taste and burn off the calories later – yes, bacon is worth it!
In most US grocery stores, bacon comes in 12-Oz packs (3/4 pounds), with 12-14 slices per pack. For the table below, we assume that there are 12 slices in a pack of thin-cut streaky bacon. For other types of bacon, look in the next sections.
| Number of guests | Platted Bacon Rashers | Platted Amount of bacon | Buffet Bacon Rashers | Buffet Amount of raw bacon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 10 | 1 pack / 0.75 lbs | 20 | 2 packs / 1.5 lbs |
| 10 | 20 | 2 packs / 1.5 lbs | 40 | 4 packs / 3 lbs |
| 15 | 30 | 3 packs / 2.25 lbs | 60 | 5 packs / 3.75 lbs |
| 20 | 40 | 4 packs / 3 lbs | 80 | 7 packs / 5.25 lbs |
| 25 | 50 | 5 packs / 3.75 lbs | 100 | 9 packs / 6.75 lbs |
| 30 | 60 | 5 packs / 3.75 lbs | 120 | 10 packs / 7.5 lbs |
How does the bacon cut or type affect portion size?
Bacon can be thin-cut or thick-cut, or even ultra-thin cut (in countries like Japan). While we tend to think of streaky bacon as “bacon”, it can also be made from the should or the back of the pig, which results in very different slice sizes. For example, 2 rashers of streaky bacon are equivalent to 1 strip of shoulder bacon while 1 strip of thick bacon is the same as 1 1/2 strips of regular bacon, which is the same as 1 strip of back bacon or 6 strips of ultra-thin bacon…
Health-conscious eaters, the exact type of bacon being served will affect their portion size as back or should bacon tends to have a lot less fat and cholesterol than streaky bacon.
This handy table will give you the bacon portion equivalents with more specific serving recommendations in further sections.
| Recipe Measurement | Equivalent or Substitute |
|---|---|
| 1 serving | 2 strips fried, baked, or broiled |
| 1 rasher bacon | 1 strip |
| 1 slice bacon | 1 tablespoon fried and chopped bacon pieces |
| 1 slice bacon | 2 to 3 teaspoons real bacon bits |
| 1 slice bacon | 2 to 3 teaspoons imitation bacon bits |
| 1 slice bacon | 1 thin slice pancetta (about 3/4 ounce) |
| 1 slice bacon | 3/4 ounce salt pork (in soups, stews, sauces) |
| 1 pound bacon | 35 thin strips |
| 1 pound bacon | 16 to 20 regular strips |
| 1 pound bacon | 12 to 16 thick strips |
| 1 pound bacon | 1 can cooked bacon (18 to 20 slices) |
| 1 pound bacon | 1 cup bacon fat |
| 1 pound bacon | 1 1/2 cup fried and chopped bacon pieces |
| 1 pound bacon | 3/4 cup bacon bits |
| 1 1/2 pounds bacon | 3 ounces bacon bits |
| 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon | 4 slices |
| 1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon | 5 slices |
| 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon | 8 slices |
| 2/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon | 10 slices |
| 3/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon | 12 slices |
| 1 cup crumbled cooked bacon | 16 slices (about 1 pound) |
| 1/4 pound back bacon | 1 cup cracklings |
How many slices of thick-cut bacon would I need for breakfast or brunch?
Thick-cut bacon comes in a larger pack, 1-pound for 12 slices. This means that while folks may want to eat the same amount of slices, they should be steered towards fewer rashers; a serving would be 3 per person for a buffet and 1 rasher per person for a plated dish; however, this may be perceived as stingy.
The table below rounds up the required bacon packs as there will generally be few leftovers. However, if controlling portion sizes, simply extract the required number of rashers. If you have leftovers, simply chop the bacon up and use these pieces to add flavor to a stew or pasta sauce.
| Number of guests | Restaurant Bacon Rashers | Restaurant Amount of bacon | Home/buffet Bacon Rashers | Home/buffet Amount of bacon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 10 | 1 pack / 1 lbs | 15 | 2 packs / 2 lbs |
| 10 | 20 | 2 packs / 2 lbs | 30 | 3 packs / 3 lbs |
| 15 | 30 | 3 packs / 3 lbs | 45 | 4 packs / 4 lbs |
| 20 | 40 | 4 packs / 4 lbs | 60 | 5 packs / 5 lbs |
| 25 | 50 | 5 packs / 5 lbs | 75 | 7 packs / 7 lbs |
| 30 | 60 | 5 packs / 5 lbs | 90 | 8 packs / 8 lbs |
How many slices of back bacon would I need per person?
Back bacon is a leaner cut of bacon, ideal for providing a lot of flavor while still being relatively healthy. A serving of back bacon is one slice for a plated breakfast, two slices if serving on a buffet, or a bacon-lettuce and tomato sandwich.
Back bacon is usually slightly thin-cut, and a 1-pound pack can hold 9 slices. This makes serving 10 people slightly complex as you need just 1 pack and 1 slice if plating up the breakfast…
| Number of guests | Restaurant Bacon Rashers | Restaurant Amount of bacon | Home/buffet Bacon Rashers | Home/buffet Amount of bacon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 10 | 1 pack / 1 lbs | 15 | 2 packs / 2 lbs |
| 10 | 20 | 2 packs / 2 lbs | 30 | 3 packs / 3 lbs |
| 15 | 30 | 3 packs / 3 lbs | 45 | 4 packs / 4 lbs |
| 20 | 40 | 4 packs / 4 lbs | 60 | 5 packs / 5 lbs |
| 25 | 50 | 5 packs / 5 lbs | 75 | 7 packs / 7 lbs |
| 30 | 60 | 5 packs / 5 lbs | 90 | 8 packs / 8 lbs |
Fortunately, back bacon is a firm favorite when cooking and is easily torn into strips to serve as a soup garnish!
How many slices of bacon would I need for shoulder bacon?
Shoulder bacon tends to be lean, cut into larger slices, and has less marbling but a thicker rim of fats, which can easily be trimmed off or cooked to crispy perfection.
Shoulder bacon tends to come in a pack of 9 slices per 1-pound pack and is a slightly thicker cut. Serving this bacon is always popular, especially if the fat has been rendered down properly. This popular cut can just as easily be used as strips in a salad to add interest and protein.
| Number of guests | Restaurant Bacon Rashers | Restaurant Amount of bacon | Home/buffet Bacon Rashers | Home/buffet Amount of bacon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 10 | 1 pack / 1 lbs | 15 | 2 packs / 2 lbs |
| 10 | 20 | 2 packs / 2 lbs | 30 | 3 packs / 3 lbs |
| 15 | 30 | 3 packs / 3 lbs | 45 | 4 packs / 4 lbs |
| 20 | 40 | 4 packs / 4 lbs | 60 | 5 packs / 5 lbs |
| 25 | 50 | 5 packs / 5 lbs | 75 | 7 packs / 7 lbs |
| 30 | 60 | 5 packs / 5 lbs | 90 | 8 packs / 8 lbs |
How much bacon should I prepare for Menu items?
Menu items allow you to stretch out the bacon – simply put, when the bacon becomes a flavor or texture item on the menu, the amount of bacon required drops. A great example are sliders, where most people will eat 2-3 sliders, each of which would only have1 slice of bacon.
Alternatively, bacon bits are a great way to maximize the flavor impact of bacon in a salad or dip while reducing the amount of bacon required.
How to select the right bacon for your guests?
Modern bacon comes in various preparations and flavors, which may tantalize some guests. However, catering for a large group may mean that the bacon selected is a bit hit-and-miss. Folks generally default to the tried and tested: cured streaky bacon, thin sliced. This gives the best results, an easily cooked, crispy rasher that is just perfect for most occasions. This bacon is normally slightly salted and very forgiving, while any excess is easily repurposed in many dishes.
Some butchers may have a specialty in smoked bacon. In such a case, aim for slightly smoked bacon, which intrigues the tastebuds without overwhelming them.
How Many Slices of Bacon Should I Cook Per Person for a Group?
When preparing bacon for a group, consider cooking 2 to 3 slices per person. However, if your audience consists of bacon enthusiasts, it’s a good idea to increase the stuffing quantity for Thanksgiving turkey buying a couple extra packs. It’s better to have too much than too little when it comes to this delicious breakfast staple.
How to cook bacon for a larger crowd?
Frying bacon is always popular. There is something magical about the aromas, sights, and sounds of a proper rasher sizzling away in some fat, and the resulting crispy delight has never failed to impress. Unfortunately, the average pan tends to hold 4-6 slices of bacon. While these tend to shrink during cooking, making space for more, keeping track of several rashers at different stages of preparation is daunting, especially if your guests all want to be served simultaneously!
Far easier it is to simply place your bacon on an oven tray and place it under the grill – not too near and yet not too far away either! Why not follow our guidelines on how to cook your bacon for crowds or use these bacon cookers.