Think Twice Before Buying This Great Value Breakfast Item From Walmart

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There may be several false things you believe about grocery shopping at Walmart. For example, while some people think its produce is subpar and the private labels aren't worth purchasing, you can actually find good deals and quality food at the chain store. However, there's a Great Value breakfast item that some customers avoid: hickory-smoked, thick-cut sliced bacon.

In keeping with the private label, one of the product's high points is its low price of $4.24 per pound. That is markedly cheaper than the national average of $6.76 reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis as of September 2026. Despite this, some shoppers consider it one of the lowest-quality bacon brands. "The thickness is inconsistent, despite the thick-cut label. [I] generally find that there's excessive fat ... it is a price-driven choice," one Walmart reviewer explained. "Not worth the savings. Very grisly, hard to chew," concluded another. A third person said, "This rips easily, and sometimes stretches instead of separating cleanly ... The pieces ... are inconsistent in width, which makes it harder to cook evenly ... I'd rather spend a bit more and go with a different brand next time."

The bacon comes in a 1-pound package. It's naturally smoked, cured, and sliced, so it's ready to cook after opening. The pork is cured with salt, sugar, sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite. While there are several ways to cook the bacon (such as baking, frying, broiling, or grilling), some folks might feel inclined to roast it verbally based on the above issues.

Despite the hate, Great Value thick-cut, hickory smoked bacon has mostly positive reviews. "Great Value has better tasting bacon than big-brand bacon. The slices are thicker and don't shrink ... The taste is fresh, and the smell ... will inspire some very creative meals," one Walmart reviewer raved. A different fan also praised the product's versatility: "Good for any recipe you would like to make—macaroni and cheese with bacon, salads, sandwiches ... Price is much lower than name brands and the quality is still really good." Another consumer remarked, "It cooks up with a great smoky flavor ... It has a good balance of meat and fat, so it gets crispy without feeling too thin or flimsy."

One serving of bacon is two slices, and a package provides seven servings. Each contains 140 calories, 12 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, and 0 grams of carbs, sugar, and fiber. The product has been sold at Walmart since at least 2016.

If you decide to give the divisive Great Value product a try, there are countless recipes to use it in. Whether you're craving a BLT, bacon cheeseburger, or breakfast sandwich, it just might get the job done if it's to your liking, and you'll save a few bucks too. Just avoid the biggest mistakes everyone makes when cooking bacon, which include overcrowding the pan or using an improper one (cast iron is best).