How many pieces of bacon is 70g? A complete guide to measuring

December 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to BBC Good Food, a typical 70g portion of red meat, such as processed bacon, equates to approximately two thick rashers. However, the number of slices you get for 70g depends entirely on their thickness, brand, and how it is cut. This guide breaks down the variables to help you accurately measure your bacon every time.

Quick Summary

The number of bacon pieces in 70 grams is not a fixed quantity but depends primarily on the slice's thickness. This detailed breakdown explains the significant differences between thin, regular, and thick-cut slices and offers a comprehensive guide to accurately measuring and portioning bacon.

Key Points

Variable Pieces: The number of pieces in 70g of bacon depends primarily on the slice thickness.
Thin vs. Thick: Expect significantly more slices with thin-cut bacon and fewer with thick-cut bacon for the same 70g weight.
Raw vs. Cooked Weight: Raw bacon loses roughly half its weight during cooking, so 70g cooked is more than 70g raw.
Measure Accurately: For precise portions, a digital kitchen scale is the most reliable tool for measuring bacon.
Nutritional Snapshot: A 70g portion of thick-cut bacon can contain around 362 calories, mainly from fat and protein.
Cooking Method Matters: Cooking bacon in a cold pan or in the oven helps ensure even cooking and better texture.

Understanding Bacon Slice Thickness

The most significant factor determining how many pieces of bacon make up 70g is the thickness of each slice. Bacon slices can range widely in weight, from paper-thin to very thick, which drastically changes the number of pieces needed for a 70g serving. For instance, thin-cut bacon might yield many more slices than a thick-cut variety for the same weight.

Thin-Cut Bacon

Thin-cut bacon is often around 1/32 of an inch thick, meaning more slices are needed to reach the desired weight. For a 70g portion, you might expect to get between 4 to 6 slices, depending on the specific product and size. These delicate slices cook quickly and become very crispy, making them ideal for crumbling over salads or soups.

Regular-Cut Bacon

Regular-cut bacon is a standard thickness, typically around 1/16 of an inch. This is the most common bacon found in supermarkets. For 70g, you can generally expect to get around 3 to 4 slices. This thickness offers a good balance of crispiness and chewiness and is perfect for sandwiches, like a classic BLT.

Thick-Cut Bacon

Thick-cut bacon, which can be up to 1/8 of an inch thick, provides a heartier, more substantial bite. Because each slice is heavier, fewer are needed to reach 70g. As reported by BBC Good Food, two thick rashers can be equivalent to 70g. This type of bacon is excellent for breakfast platters and any recipe where a robust bacon flavour is desired. Thick-cut slices also render fat more slowly, resulting in a more even cook.

Raw vs. Cooked Weight: The Shrinkage Factor

It is important to remember that bacon loses a significant amount of weight during the cooking process. This is primarily due to the rendering of fat and the evaporation of moisture. A slice of raw bacon might weigh around 26g, but after cooking, it could be closer to 12g. The 70g weight mentioned in nutritional guidelines, such as those from the NHS, usually refers to the cooked weight. Therefore, if you are measuring for a cooked meal, you will need to start with more than 70g of raw bacon to end up with the same weight of cooked bacon.

Comparison Table: 70g Bacon by Thickness


Bacon Thickness	Approx. Raw Slices (per 70g)	Approx. Cooked Slices (per 70g)
Thin-Cut	5–7	10–12
Regular-Cut	3–4	5–6
Thick-Cut	2	2–3

How to Measure Your 70g Portion Accurately

For those who need to be precise, such as for nutritional tracking or specific recipes, a digital kitchen scale is the most accurate method. To measure your portion correctly, follow these simple steps:

Place a plate or container on your digital kitchen scale.
Press the 'tare' or zero button to reset the weight to 0.
Add slices of bacon one by one until the display reads 70g. If measuring for a cooked weight, you will need to estimate the weight loss during cooking. As a general rule, raw bacon loses about 50% of its weight when cooked, so you would weigh out approximately 140g of raw bacon to get 70g cooked.

Nutritional Profile of a 70g Serving

Beyond the count of pieces, understanding the nutritional content of 70g of bacon is beneficial. According to nutritional data, a 70g serving of thick-cut sliced bacon contains approximately 362 calories, with a significant amount of protein and fat. The exact values will vary by brand and preparation method, but it provides a good snapshot of the portion size's impact on your daily intake.

Cooking Tips for a 70g Portion

Cooking a small portion of bacon requires careful attention to detail to ensure it's cooked perfectly. Here are a few tips:

Cold Pan Start: Begin with a cold pan and add the bacon. This allows the fat to render slowly and evenly, preventing the meat from burning and resulting in a crispier texture.
Don't Overcrowd: Whether on the stovetop or in the oven, cook the bacon in a single layer without overlapping. This ensures each slice cooks evenly.
Baking for Consistency: For multiple slices, baking in the oven is an excellent method for consistent results. Lay the bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 200°C (392°F) for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Drain Excess Fat: After cooking, place the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat. This enhances the texture and reduces the overall fat content.

Conclusion: Getting the Right Amount for Your Recipe

The number of pieces in 70g of bacon is not a single, universal number. It is a measurement that is highly dependent on the thickness of the cut. By understanding the differences between thin, regular, and thick slices, and the weight loss during cooking, you can confidently and accurately measure your bacon portion. A kitchen scale is the most reliable tool for precision, while a visual approximation based on the bacon's thickness can suffice for less stringent purposes. Whether you are counting calories or simply following a recipe, knowing your bacon's thickness is the key to getting the right amount. For more information on daily intake recommendations, consult the NHS guidelines on meat consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

The weight of a single slice of bacon varies significantly with its thickness. For example, a thin slice might weigh around 8 grams when raw, while a thick slice could be 20-30 grams or more. It is best to check the nutritional information on the packaging or use a kitchen scale for accuracy.

From a nutritional standpoint, 70g of red and processed meat is the daily limit recommended by the UK's NHS. While it may not look like a large portion on a plate (e.g., just two thick rashers), it represents the maximum recommended daily intake for health purposes.

A 70g portion of thick-cut bacon contains approximately 362 calories, though this can vary slightly depending on the exact cut and how it is cooked. Frying will result in more calories than a method like baking on a rack, which allows fat to drain.

Raw bacon weighs more than cooked bacon. The cooking process renders a significant amount of fat and removes moisture, causing the overall weight of the bacon to decrease, sometimes by as much as 50%.

Bacon thickness varies based on the manufacturer's cut specifications. Some brands specialize in thin cuts for faster cooking, while others offer thick cuts for a heartier texture. These variations cater to different cooking preferences and culinary uses.

For thin-cut bacon, you can expect to get approximately 5 to 7 raw slices for 70g. If you are aiming for a cooked weight of 70g, you would need significantly more slices to account for the weight loss during cooking.

If using thick-cut bacon, you would only need about two slices to reach 70g. This is because each slice is heavier and contains more meat and fat compared to thinner cuts.