HormelReal Bacon Crumble Topping, 4.3 Oz Pouch

WHAT YOU GET> There are several listing on Amazon for "Hormel Bacon Bits" or "Hormel Crumbled Bacon", sometimes accompanied with the adjectives or descriptive phrases "Real", "Premium", "with Picnic Ham, "30% less fat", or "50% less fat"; at prices between $11 and over $42 per 20oz bag. Most of the descriptions and photos are of older packaging. In fact, there are no "varieties". There is only one product, "HORMEL REAL CRUMBLED BACON";"50% LESS FAT" You'd think that for $42 you are getting a better product (or a larger package) than for $11, but in fact, it is exactly the same product and size. Be careful not to order the 4.3 oz packages by accident.> This is NOT "crumbled bacon", nor imitation bacon-flavored "bits". Think "chipped dry smoked ham". This stuff is obviously the "sawdust", and small left-over pieces, from slicing quality smoked ham for pre-packaged lunchmeat, etc. The size of the chips varies greatly from package to package. Some packages are mostly big chips, up to 1/2 inch. Some packages are mostly "dust"> Being ham rather than bacon, it is genuinely much "less fat" than bacon.> Oscar Meyer, Kirkland, etc. "bacon bits" are indeed very fatty cooked and crumbled bacon. If that's what you want, this is NOT it. I think the Hormel is far superior, but that is a matter of opinionUSES> I mostly use the chipped ham in omelettes, for which it is wonderful.> If you have a package with large chip you can use it to convert potato soup to "potato and ham soup", or as a very tasty addition to any vegetable soup. Mix a quarter cup of ham chips, half an onion (finely diced), (optionally) half a carrot (diced) and a can of sweet peas, cook on low for a half-hour and you've got great "ham and split pea soup".> You can cook the ham chips with rice for great "ham and rice". You can spread mayo on a slice of bread and add a layer of ham chips for a terrific ham sandwich. Or make a fabulous "grilled-cheese and ham" sandwich. Mix with cream cheese for a great spread, or dilute with a little milk for a great dip.> My Southern grandmother added "seasoning" to all vegetable dishes, from collards to squash to lima beans. What she meant by "seasoning" was a slice of "fat back" (thick mostly-fat bacon). And I must admit, her vegies were wonderful. You can accomplish the same thing (in a much more healthy way) with a teaspoon of ham chips and a couple tablespoons of good olive oil. I often add a tablespoon or so to "stir-fry" dishes---even those which feature chicken or beef---the ham flavor goes unnoticed, but pops up the flavor of everything else.RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS> The potential uses are almost limitless. Considering that the price of real smoked ham (which isn't half pumped-in water) often exceeds $35 per pound (and is impossible to find in most areas), $16 (the price at the time of this writing) is a good deal for 20oz.> You can sometimes buy it for $9 or $10 at some "big box"/ membership discount stores. If you find it for <$10/bag, consider yourself very lucky, and consider buying alot.> Caution: The ham chips are pretty salty, so always add them BEFORE adding any additional salt.> Since this is dry ham---it keeps very well in the frig, no need to freeze it in normal situations. In my house a 20 oz package never lasts more than 2-3 weeks. Because it keeps so well (and is so tasty that open packages don't last long), there is no need to buy it in the smaller 4 oz packages---except perhaps for camping or emergency food.> Why the confusion about whether this is bacon or ham among so many reviewers? Probably because most folks have no idea what real smoked ham is. Premium dry smoked ham (which can sell for more than $1000/leg) is fabulous stuff. The pumped-full-of water "material" sold in grocery stores should be labeled "imitation ham". Like everyone else, I buy sliced "ham-like material" in the grocery store for sandwiches. Why does almost no-one know that real ham is? Unless sliced paper thin (prosciutto, etc) or prepared by someone who knows how (which typically involves several long soakings in fresh water) real dry smoked ham is hard, salty, and dry---not "ready to eat". So, what most people think is ham is really pork processed to resemble ham, which is pumped full of salty water (because that reduces the cost) and sold as "ham". If you know the difference between "American Cheese" and "American Processed Cheese Product", then you have some idea about the difference between grocery store ham and real ham.> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.

Good flavor with mixed sized pieces in the bag but some shredded too. It works great on my twice baked potatoes, in au gratin potatoes, in omelets ..... many uses.

Delicious bacon bits. Reasonable price, good value. Large quantity. Fresh. Fast shipping. Nice packaging.

Tasty!

Good product

These are in my opinion the very best bacon bits out there - not fake, they are made from "real bacon". For some unknown reason Amazon has these listed in two different listings, both "sold and shipped" by Amazon, same identical product. The price on these is normally around $15, but it will suddenly jump to $25 for a few weeks, then back to $15 for a few weeks, then back to $25, etc etc etc. The seal on these is terrible - after opening / closing a few times, it stops working entirely.

For anyone that is on a clean eating or low carb based lifestyle, these are perfect for adding in extra protein! They are moist and pack great flavor. Not like the ones in grocery stores where you feel like you might have chipped a tooth by eating them because they're so hard, like rocks, and lack flavor. We keep these on our shelves via subscribe and save. Don't want to be without them!

Very good.