What are Bacon Medallions?

Bacon medallions are somewhat unknown to many of our customers, but they are hugely popular with those looking for a leaner bacon option.

So, if you are looking to have a bit less fat in your diet, but you cannot quite face a life without bacon, you need to know about bacon medallions.

What are bacon medallions?

Bacon medallions are made from cured pork loin, in much the same way as normal back bacon. The difference is that bacon medallions are heavily trimmed, leaving mainly the lean eye of the loin.

The eye of the loin is the round muscle that runs through the pork loin, and it is the leanest part of a rasher of back bacon. On a normal rasher, this is the meaty section in the middle, usually with fat around the outside. With bacon medallions, most of that visible fat is removed.

This effectively means bacon medallions are a leaner bacon rasher. You still get the flavour and convenience of bacon, but with less visible fat than a standard rasher of back bacon.

What is the difference between bacon and bacon medallions?

Bacon medallions are, basically, rashers of back bacon that have been heavily trimmed of fat, leaving just the lean eye of the loin.

A normal rasher of back bacon usually includes the lean eye of the loin and some surrounding fat. A bacon medallion is trimmed from the same area, but the fatty outer edge is removed.

In simple terms, bacon medallions are the lean middle part of a back bacon rasher. If you want to understand the difference between other bacon cuts, our guide to streaky bacon vs back bacon is a good place to start.

Are bacon medallions free on Slimming World?

Bacon medallions have long been popular with people following diet plans such as Slimming World because they are much leaner than standard bacon.

However, diet plans can update their rules, points and allowances over time, so it is always best to check your current Slimming World app or official guidance before relying on them as free or low-syn.

How many calories are in a bacon medallion?

The calories in a bacon medallion will depend on the size of the rasher and the exact product. As a rough guide, a 30g bacon medallion is usually around 35 to 45 calories.

For the most accurate information, always check the nutritional details on the pack or product page.

Can you cook bacon medallions in the oven?

Yes, you can cook bacon medallions in the oven. Because they are very lean, you do need to be careful not to overcook them, as they can dry out more quickly than fattier bacon rashers.

To oven cook bacon medallions, place the rashers on a baking tray in a single layer and cook in a preheated oven at 190°C, 170°C fan, Gas Mark 5 for around 5 to 10 minutes, or until piping hot throughout.

You can also grill or pan-fry bacon medallions. Whichever method you choose, keep an eye on them and avoid cooking them for longer than needed. For more general bacon cooking advice, read our guide on how to cook bacon.

What bacon is the healthiest?

If lean meat or lower fat is what you are aiming for, bacon medallions are a good option because most of the visible fat has been trimmed away.

Turkey bacon can also be a useful alternative for customers looking for a leaner option, or for those wanting to reduce their red meat intake.

Of course, if flavour and crispy fat are your priority, traditional back bacon or streaky bacon may still be your favourite. If leanness is the goal, bacon medallions are hard to beat.

Are bacon medallions worth buying?

Yes, bacon medallions are worth buying if you want a leaner rasher of bacon. They work well in breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, salads, pasta dishes and meal prep.

You do lose some of the crispy fat that many people love in a traditional bacon rasher, but you gain a leaner, neater cut that is quick to cook and easy to use.

If you want to learn more about different bacon cuts, read our guide to types of bacon, or browse our full bacon collection.

FAQs

Are bacon medallions just back bacon?

Bacon medallions are made from the same pork loin area as back bacon, but they are trimmed much more closely. Most of the visible fat is removed, leaving the lean eye of the loin.

Do bacon medallions taste like normal bacon?

Yes, bacon medallions still taste like bacon because they are cured in a similar way to back bacon. The main difference is that they are leaner, so they do not have the same crispy fatty edge.

Can you fry bacon medallions?

Yes, you can fry bacon medallions. Cook them in a frying pan over a medium heat for a few minutes on each side until piping hot throughout. Because they are lean, avoid cooking them for too long.

Are bacon medallions good for sandwiches?

Yes, bacon medallions work well in sandwiches, especially if you want a leaner bacon sandwich. If you prefer crispy fat, traditional back bacon or streaky bacon may be a better choice.