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International Bacon Day sizzles on the first Saturday of September, honoring the beloved cured pork product. This unofficial holiday is a global celebration of bacon’s irresistible flavor and versatility. Fry up some strips, experiment with new recipes, or visit your favorite diner for a bacon-packed meal.
Want to sponsor International Bacon Day? Learn how
Expected International Bacon Day Deals
As International Bacon Day approaches, expect a flurry of promotions from restaurants and grocery stores eager to celebrate this beloved food. In previous years, major fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King have offered discounted bacon cheeseburgers or free bacon add-ons. Grocery retailers such as Kroger, Walmart, and Target often run sales on various bacon brands, from thick-cut to uncured varieties. Specialty food stores like Whole Foods Market may highlight artisanal and heritage breed bacon. Keep an eye out for local diners and breakfast spots, like Denny’s and IHOP, which frequently feature bacon-themed specials and platters. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 5 approaches.
Platform Guide for International Bacon Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #InternationalBaconDay. Share mouth-watering photos and videos of your bacon dishes, from breakfast to dessert.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #InternationalBaconDay. Film creative bacon recipes, ASMR cooking videos, or hilarious bacon-related skits.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalBaconDay. Share your favorite bacon facts, recipes, and local restaurant specials with your community.
International Bacon Day Hero
Oscar F. Mayer
History of International Bacon Day
Salted pork was first served on the tables of the Chinese thousands of years ago. From there, the practice of curing pork spread throughout the Roman Empire. Bacon fat was also used by Anglo-Saxon peasants for cooking. The term bacon or ‘bacoun’ stems from Middle English, with French and German dialect elements to it. It was used to refer to all pork meat till the 16th Century.
The National Pork Board has labeled Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto as the ‘father of the American Pork Industry.’ Responsible for bringing 13 pigs with him to the New World in 1539, Soto’s herd grew to 700 in three years. The rest, as they say, is history.
Bacon Day, on the other hand, was founded by a group of Colorado-based CU Boulder graduate students in 2004. Students from Bucknell University have their own bacon day celebrations, gorging on as much meat as they can, and calling themselves ‘Meatheads.’ In the U.K., Bacon Day is celebrated some time around January 14, before the winter examinations, as a means of procrastination and fueling for revision.
In the U.S., bacon is the belly of a pig, whereas meat from the pig’s loin is called Canadian bacon. Bacon is smoked using mesquite, hickory, or maple wood, and extra ingredients may be added to further enhance the flavor. Bacon is mostly enjoyed for breakfast, in B.L.T. sandwiches, or simply on its own.
International Bacon Day timeline
A church in the English town of Great Dunmow creates a tradition of gifting bacon to married men who could take an oath that he had not argued with his spouse for a year and a day.
The term ‘bacoun’ is used for all pork meat.
John Harris opens the first bacon processing plant.
Bacon gets a bad reputation due to its high saturated fat and high sodium content.
How Businesses Can Celebrate International Bacon Day
Local restaurants and cafes can embrace International Bacon Day by featuring special bacon-centric menus, offering unique bacon flights, or creating limited-time dishes like bacon-wrapped appetizers or bacon-infused desserts. Butcher shops can host tasting events for different bacon varieties or offer discounts on bulk purchases of their premium cuts. Food trucks could specialize in gourmet bacon sandwiches or loaded bacon fries. Even non-food businesses can join in by offering bacon-themed merchandise or partnering with local eateries for cross-promotions, celebrating the universal love for this crispy treat.
International Bacon Day FAQs
When is International Bacon Day?
International Bacon Day 2026 falls on Saturday, September 5. It’s the perfect weekend opportunity to indulge in all things bacon, from a hearty breakfast to savory dinner additions.
How much bacon is consumed annually?
Americans alone consume approximately 1.1 billion pounds of bacon each year, making it one of the most popular breakfast meats and a versatile ingredient in countless dishes. This figure highlights bacon’s significant presence in the national diet.
What are the different types of bacon?
Beyond standard streaky bacon, varieties include Canadian bacon (leaner, made from pork loin), pancetta (Italian, cured but not smoked), and slab bacon (uncut, allowing for custom thickness). Each offers a unique texture and flavor profile for diverse culinary uses.
Is bacon healthy?
Bacon, while delicious, is high in fat and sodium. It can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Many brands now offer lower-sodium or uncured options, and cooking methods like baking or air frying can reduce some fat content.
International Bacon Day Activities
Have a cookout
Pull out your pans and cook some bacon! American-style, Rashers, Irish, Slab, Lardons, and more, try as many types of bacon as you can!
Have a bacon party
Why try out all the different types of bacon by yourself? What fun is that? Invite your friends and have a full-on bacon party.
Post on social media
For the love of bacon! Post your favorite bacon-related meal or photos from your gathering with the hashtag #InternationalBaconDay
5 Tasty Facts About Bacon To Chew On
The meaning of bacon
The word ‘bacon’ means “meat from the back of an animal.”
The Breakfast Club
In the U.S., 70% of all bacon is eaten at breakfast.
Bacon production
More than two billion pounds of bacon is produced every year in the U.S.
Bacon is old
Bacon is one of the oldest preserved foods in the world.
Bacon for making bombs
During World War II, citizens donated excess bacon fat to the army so they could make bombs using the extracted glycerin.
Why We Love International Bacon Day
We love bacon
Everyone at National Today loves bacon. Nuff’ said.
Bacon is delicious and a staple in American meals
We are so used to eating bacon, we don’t realize how deprived we’d be without it! Let’s spread the love for bacon.
The more we know
International Bacon Day is not only for eating bacon, but to also review our diets and see whether we are having too much of it. Too much of a good thing isn’t the best, even if it is bacon.
International Bacon Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 6 | Saturday |
| 2026 | September 5 | Saturday |
Social Media Tips for International Bacon Day
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