Bacon Taste Test: Sainsbury's Cheapest vs Mid-Range vs Premium
Bacon is a beloved staple in UK households, featuring in everything from the full English breakfast to burger toppings at summer barbecues. With so many options on supermarket shelves, finding the best balance of taste and value can be challenging. Angela Patrone, Senior Lifestyle Reporter, conducted a taste test of three Sainsbury's smoked back bacon packs at different price points to see if paying more truly delivers better quality.
Method: Oven-Baked for Consistency
To ensure a fair comparison, all three bacon slices were cooked in the oven for 25 minutes, a method previously found to produce the crispiest results. The three contenders were Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Smoked Dry Cured Back Bacon (£4.15), Sainsbury's Smoked Back Bacon (£1.49), and Sainsbury's Stamford Street Co. Smoked Back Bacon (£1.25).
Taste The Difference: Premium at £4.15
The most expensive option, Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Smoked Dry Cured Back Bacon, cost £4.15 per pack. The rashers were larger but fewer in number, with less fat and a thick cut. However, the bacon did not crisp up as expected, and the smokiness was disappointingly mild. Patrone noted it felt more like eating a pork medallion than a bacon rasher. She rated it 3 out of 5.
Mid-Range Winner: Sainsbury's Smoked Back Bacon at £1.49
The mid-range bacon, priced at £1.49 for 10 rashers, had slightly more fat (0.6g more) than the premium option. The rashers were thinner but still easy to separate. After cooking, the bacon was perfectly crispy with a strong smoky flavour that surpassed the expensive bacon. Patrone gave it a perfect 5 out of 5, calling it the best overall for taste and texture.
Cheapest Option: Stamford Street Co. at £1.25
The cheapest bacon, Stamford Street Co. Smoked Back Bacon at £1.25, also contained 10 rashers but were smaller and had significantly more fat. The slices were slightly melded together, making them harder to separate. After cooking, the bacon was very crispy, almost too crispy, but the smoky flavour was present and stronger than the premium bacon. Patrone rated it 3.5 out of 5.
Verdict: Mid-Range Offers Best Value
Contrary to expectations, the most expensive bacon did not deliver the best experience. The mid-range £1.49 bacon emerged as the winner, combining ideal crispiness, robust smokiness, and the perfect thickness. Patrone concluded that this option provides the best value for money, outperforming both the budget and premium alternatives.
