The best bacon for the carnivore diet is Naked Bacon Original Sugar Free. Naked Bacon states 100% sugar free with no sugar substitutes. The 5 pack costs $75.99.
If you want the lowest price, Applegate is the better choice at $9.29 for 8 oz. If you want to store bacon in the freezer, Pederson's 4 pack is the better choice. If you want thick slices, Tender Belly is the better choice. If you shop at Whole Foods, 365 is the better choice.
Karen and I speak with our clients every week, and that regular accountability helps people stay consistent. But what happens between those calls often comes down to what is already in the pantry, because those are the choices clients actually have available when hunger hits. This article was not commissioned or requested by any of the brands included, and none of them were allowed to review it before publication. We independently purchased, tested, and ranked the products according to our published testing protocol.
Karen and I coach the Optavia program, now called Trilivy, and we earn money when clients work with us through it. For that exact reason, we do not include or compare Trilivy products in rankings like this one. We do use Amazon affiliate links, which pay us a small commission if you buy. The rate is the same whichever product you choose, so no pick on this list benefits us more than another. Below are the top 5 bacon picks for the carnivore diet, tested and compared. Priced listings range from $9.29 to $75.99.
- Naked Bacon Original Sugar Free Bacon, 5 Pack
- Applegate Organic No Sugar Uncured Bacon, 8 oz
- Pederson's Farms Organic Pork Bacon, 4 Pack, 8 oz
- Tender Belly No Sugar Thick Cut Bacon, 10 oz
- 365 by Whole Foods Market No Sugar Added Uncured Pork Bacon, 12 oz
1. Naked Bacon Original Sugar Free Bacon, 5 Pack
Naked Bacon sells a five package multipack of sugar free bacon. The listing states 100% sugar free with no sugar substitutes. The listing also states Whole30 approved, Paleo, and Keto. The 5 pack costs $75.99.
What we liked: We like that the brand's SmartLabel page lists 0g of sugar and 0g of carbohydrate per serving. The only hands-on review we found came from a Whole30 blogger who now prefers no sugar added bacon. We found no large independent taste test, so view the praise as early.
About the Brand: Naked Bacon states it hand cures and slowly smokes its bacon in small batches.
Availability: Naked Bacon is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 5 pack costs $75.99.
Pros:
- 100% sugar free, no substitutes
- Nitrate free
- In stock at review time
Cons:
- Highest price on this list at $75.99
- Not fully cooked, so cook it thoroughly
- Five packages need freezer space
Recommendation: Choose Naked Bacon if you want the strictest no sugar claim and plan to buy in bulk.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | NB Naked Bacon |
| Size | 5 packages |
| Meat | Pork bacon |
| Sugar | None, no substitutes |
| Fat | 44% less than other bacon (brand claim) |
| Average Price | $75.99 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
2. Applegate Organic No Sugar Uncured Bacon, 8 oz
Applegate sells USDA Organic uncured bacon with no sugar. The listing states sugar free, gluten free, and dairy free. The listing also states Whole30 approval and no chemical nitrites or nitrates. The 8 oz pack costs $9.29.
What we liked: We like that retailer pages list organic pork, water, sea salt, and celery powder. Safeway shows 4.5 stars from 91 reviews for this bacon. One shopper called the price high, and another wanted thicker slices.
About the Brand: Applegate sells natural and organic meats and states that its animals are humanely raised.
Availability: Applegate shows limited stock on Amazon as of this review. The 8 oz pack costs $9.29.
Pros:
- Sugar free
- USDA Organic
- Whole30 approved
Cons:
- Celery powder is a natural nitrite source
- One shopper found only 5 strips in a pack
- Limited stock
Recommendation: Choose Applegate if you want the lowest price for a sugar free organic bacon.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Applegate |
| Size | 8 oz |
| Meat | Pork bacon |
| Sugar | None added |
| Certification | USDA Organic, Whole30 |
| Average Price | $9.29 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
3. Pederson's Farms Organic Pork Bacon, 4 Pack, 8 oz
Pederson's sells a four pack of organic pork bacon in 8 oz packs. The title states no sugar added, uncured, and no nitrites or nitrates. The title also lists Whole30, Keto, and Paleo diet friendly. The 4 pack costs $46.99.
What we liked: We like that the brand sells bacon without added sugar in several sizes. A paleo blogger called the slices not too thick, and not too thin. Most praise we found came from paleo focused sources, so view it with care.
About the Brand: Pederson's Natural Farms states its pork is humanely raised with no antibiotics or hormones.
Availability: Pederson's is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 4 pack costs $46.99, about $11.75 per pack.
Pros:
- No sugar added
- USDA Organic pork
- In stock at review time
Cons:
- About $23.50 per pound
- Four packs need freezer space
- Few independent buyer reviews
Recommendation: Choose Pederson's if you want an organic no sugar bacon to store in the freezer.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Pederson's Natural Farms |
| Size | 4 packs of 8 oz (2 lb) |
| Meat | Organic pork bacon |
| Sugar | None added |
| Average Price | $46.99 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
4. Tender Belly No Sugar Thick Cut Bacon, 10 oz
Tender Belly sells 10 oz of thick cut uncured bacon seasoned with a dry rub and no sugar. The listing states no sugar, no added nitrates or nitrites, and gluten free. The listing also states Paleo certification and no added water. Amazon showed no price for this listing at review time.
What we liked: We like that the listing describes a dry cure with no added water. We found no independent review of this no sugar version. One reviewer of another flavor said the slices remain thick after frying.
About the Brand: Tender Belly sells heritage breed pork and states its pigs are humanely raised and crate free.
Availability: Tender Belly shows out of stock on Amazon as of this review. Amazon listed no price.
Pros:
- Thick cut slices
- No sugar stated in the listing
- Paleo certified
Cons:
- Out of stock at review time
- Sources disagree on sugar, so read the label
- No independent reviews of this version
Recommendation: Choose Tender Belly if you want thick slices and can confirm the label shows no sugar.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Tender Belly |
| Size | 10 oz |
| Meat | Heritage breed pork bacon, thick cut |
| Sugar | No sugar stated in listing |
| Average Price | Not listed |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
5. 365 by Whole Foods Market No Sugar Added Uncured Pork Bacon, 12 oz
365 by Whole Foods Market sells 12 oz of no sugar added uncured pork bacon. The title states no sugar added and uncured. The listing states no added growth hormones or antibiotics. Amazon showed no price for this listing at review time.
What we liked: We like that the Whole Foods listing shows pork, water, salt, vinegar, and fruit and spice extracts. The list contains no celery powder. We found no independent reviews, so the product remains unproven.
About the Brand: 365 by Whole Foods Market is the store brand of Whole Foods Market.
Availability: 365 by Whole Foods Market shows out of stock on Amazon as of this review. Amazon listed no price.
Pros:
- No sugar added
- Short ingredient list
- No added hormones or antibiotics
Cons:
- Out of stock at review time
- No independent buyer reviews
- Other 365 bacons contain sugar
Recommendation: Choose 365 if you shop at Whole Foods and want a plain no sugar bacon.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | 365 by Whole Foods Market |
| Size | 12 oz |
| Meat | Pork bacon |
| Sugar | None added |
| Average Price | Not listed |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
What Should You Look for in Bacon for the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is a meat-based eating plan. Strict followers eat only animal foods, and flexible followers add eggs and dairy. Our carnivore diet guide explains both versions. Bacon fits either version when the label shows no added sugar.
Begin with sugar. Many bacons use brown sugar, maple syrup, or cane sugar in the cure. All five picks here state no sugar in their listings or titles.
Next, check the cure. Applegate lists celery powder, a natural nitrite source. Naked Bacon states nitrate free, and Tender Belly states no added nitrates or nitrites.
Finally, compare price and stock. Applegate costs $9.29 for 8 oz, and Pederson's costs about $23.50 per pound. Tender Belly and 365 showed no stock on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bacon for the Carnivore Diet
What is the best bacon for the carnivore diet?
Naked Bacon Original Sugar Free ranks first here. Naked Bacon states 100% sugar free with no sugar substitutes.
Is bacon allowed on the carnivore diet?
Bacon is pork, so many followers allow it. Strict followers check the label for sugar and curing ingredients.
Is sugar free bacon carnivore friendly?
Sugar free bacon matches the plan better than sweet cures. Read the ingredient list, because some listings disagree. Tender Belly is one example.
Is uncured bacon better for the carnivore diet?
Uncured bacon uses natural sources such as celery powder instead of synthetic nitrites. Applegate lists celery powder. Naked Bacon states nitrate free.
Can you eat turkey bacon on the carnivore diet?
Turkey bacon comes from turkey, not pork. We did not rank turkey bacon. Check the label for added ingredients first.
How much bacon can you eat on the carnivore diet?
Needs vary by body size and activity. Bacon also contains sodium and saturated fat. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian for a personal target.
Is bacon good for weight loss on the carnivore diet?
Weight loss depends on total calories and portions, not on one food. Bacon is calorie dense, so measure your servings. Confirm any big diet change with your doctor.
Final Word
Naked Bacon Original Sugar Free ranks first on this list. Naked Bacon states 100% sugar free with no sugar substitutes, and the 5 pack costs $75.99. For narrower needs, choose Applegate, Pederson's, Tender Belly, or 365.
Whichever bacon you choose, check the sugar, the cure, and the stock before you buy. Then confirm any big diet change with your doctor, because that check matters more than any brand.
