I’d never really considered Canadian bacon before tackling this taste test and ranking. Before tasting through eight different Canadian bacon brands, I had really only enjoyed it as the meaty part of an eggs Benedict. And, when enjoyed in that fashion, it’s so doused in egg goo and hollandaise sauce, there’s really no way to tell if the Canadian bacon slices you’re enjoying are really good or bad. But, after this taste test, I can definitely tell you there is a difference between the best Canadian bacon and the rest.
The best Canadian bacon is thicker than ham with a noticeable rind and it should be about the size of my palm (for reference, my palm is about four inches across). It should be extremely meaty and satisfying and, if it’s smoked, it should be smoky. It should be thick enough to serve on the side of some scrambled eggs but not so thick that it will make for an unwieldy Benedict.
After trying all the Canadian style bacon I could find, am I a convert? Nope, I’ll still opt for regular American style bacon when it comes to a classic breakfast platter. But I would certainly choose it over turkey bacon. And I have found a new appreciation for sliced Canadian bacon, and I will only be buying the best. Here are the three Canadian bacon brands I vouch for.
- Kroger Sliced Canadian Bacon
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Yes, the Kroger brand Canadian bacon beat out Hormel Canadian bacon and Boar’s Head Canadian bacon. It’s slightly sweet and the rind is nicely smoky—it’s almost like a thicker black forest ham. And it’s the perfect shape to fit snugly on top of an English muffin to make an eggs Benedict. It also happens to be 97% fat free, if that matters to you. And you would never know it from the flavor. Plus, it’s nearly half the cost of the other Canadian bacons on this list.
Credit: Merc / Ralphs
- Wellshire Uncured Canadian Bacon
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This is the best Canadian bacon for your full Canadian bacon breakfast. It’s very thick and satisfying—like a slab of ham with a little something extra going on. You can and should eat this with a knife and fork. The flavor is bold and savory and it is juicy, juicy, juicy. This uncured Canadian bacon with fried eggs and hash browns? Hell yes. And if you’re wondering what “uncured” means, it simply means it was made without any synthetic nitrates or nitrites.
Credit: Merc / Instacart
- Jones Hickory Smoked Canadian Bacon
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You might know this as the Costco Canadian bacon, but I just know it as the best Canadian bacon I tasted. It’s the only smoked Canadian bacon I tried that had a smoky flavor that would actually satisfy your cravings for American bacon. I love the thick rind (something bacon strips usually lack) and the size and shape (circle) are perfect for a Benedict or Canadian bacon breakfast sandwich. It’s made from real pork loin so it’s extra lean and, like Kroger’s Canadian bacon, this one is also 97% fat free. It’s made in Wisconsin, so it might not be real Canadian bacon, but it’s still the best Canadian bacon slices I tried, eh?
Credit: Merc / Target
Best Budget
Best Uncured
Best of the Best
Other Canadian bacon brands we tried: Land O’ Frost Canadian Bacon, Member’s Mark Canadian Bacon, Niman Ranch Canadian Bacon, Hormel Black Label Canadian Bacon, Boar’s Head Canadian Bacon
Jones also sells an Uncured Canadian Bacon that I really like. It’s smoked in Cherrywood and you can normally get it at Sprouts.