When it comes to low sodium bacon, I have good news and bad news. I’ll start with the bad news: Most of the reduced sodium bacon you’ll find at the grocery store doesn’t actually qualify as “low sodium.” According to the FDA, foods that are low sodium should contain 5% or less of your recommended daily value of sodium, which is 2,300 milligrams for most people (but probably less if you are on a low sodium diet). That means low sodium foods should have 115 grams of sodium or fewer per serving—and that’s also why you’ll notice most reduced sodium bacon is labeled “lower sodium” rather than “low sodium.” Also bad news (for my parents and husband, mostly): I am not a doctor! If you’re on a strict low sodium diet, you should probably discuss any and all bacon consumption with a medical professional.
And now the good news: If you’re casually looking to eat less salt, there are lots of delicious lower sodium bacon options. Honestly, if someone serves you lower sodium bacon, I think you’d be hard pressed to notice any difference between it and regular ol’ bacon. These still pack a salty, porky punch. Well, except for the turkey bacon, but you get it. Here’s the best lower sodium bacon we tried during a recent taste test.
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- Butterball Lower Sodium Turkey Bacon (80 mg per slice)
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I know, I know. If you’re in the mood for bacon, turkey bacon isn’t always going to do the trick. But if you’re cutting down on salt and fat and cholesterol, you might want to suck it up and make your next BLT a TBLT. This Butterball lower sodium turkey bacon has just 80 milligrams of sodium per serving (aka one slice). The fact that this turkey bacon has less salt really accentuates its pleasant sweetness—flavor-wise, it kind of reminded me of honey ham. Again, it’s turkey bacon. If your expectations are already a little lower, you’ll be just fine.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Oscar Mayer Lower Sodium Bacon Naturally Hardwood Smoked (240 mg per two slices)
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Oscar Mayer didn’t make the cut when we ranked regular bacon, but they do make a reliably tasty product. Sure, it helps that pretty much all bacon is at least a little bit good, but this lower sodium version of their hardwood smoked bacon is virtually indistinguishable from its source material, even though it has 30% less salt per two-slice serving. I will say that this bacon is very thin, and it makes me wonder if it’s lower sodium simply by virtue of being sliced into more delicate strips (food brands can be tricky like that!). And if you’re on a low sodium diet, this probably isn’t the move: It still has 240 milligrams of sodium per serving.
Credit: Liv Averett / Pavilions
- Farmer John Lower Sodium Bacon (115 mg per slice)
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If you like a less smoky bacon, Farmer John makes a really good low sodium bacon. Without the smoke, more of that good pork flavor comes through. In terms of texture, it’s very firm and satisfying with excellent bite. And it still has enough salt that its pleasant, porky, savory flavor lingers in your mouth. It has only 115 mg of sodium per serving (which practically makes it real low sodium bacon), but a serving size is a single slice, which should probably be illegal. One slice of bacon is a tease; two slices is a serving. You can quote me on that. Put it on a T-shirt!
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Great Value Naturally Hickory Smoked Lower Sodium Bacon (180 mg per two slices)
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Long story short: This bacon rules. It has just 180 milligrams of sodium per serving, and a serving is two slices, as god intended. It’s lusciously fatty, and whatever it lacks in salt it makes up for in rich, smoky flavor. I can’t imagine tasting this and even worrying about its sodium content, because it has so much flavor in general. It’s the best lower sodium bacon you can buy.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
Best Not Bacon
Best Greasy
Best Pork Flavor
Best of the Best
Other products we tried: Kroger Lower Sodium Bacon, Appleton Farms Lower Sodium Bacon
