8 Best Tocino in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian

When it comes to tocino, this brand will probably be the first one to come to mind. Pampanga's best has been manufacturing premium-quality frozen products, like tocino, for 50 years now—no wonder its bestselling tocino has that classic sweet and salty taste we all love.

This particular tocino is made from 100% premium meat, so you'll surely enjoy its distinguishable tenderness and taste. Because of the tenderness of its meat, it does not need to be boiled prior to frying. Aside from that, it is also free of salitre and MSG.

If you've had enough of tocinos that are a bit hard to chew, this one is right up your alley. It is made from 100% young pork, known for its very tender and soft meat. Hence, it requires no boiling, and you can pan fry it right away once it has thawed, which is ideal if you need a quick meal during a busy day.

With Funtastyk, every bite will make you crave additional rice, as this tocino is very soft, it almost feels like the pieces are melting in your mouth. It is also not fatty and has the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. This tocino will surely make a great breakfast option; some even have it for lunch and dinner, too!

For those who love chicken, this tocino by Pampanga's Best might just be your new favorite. It is made of boneless chicken meat covered with the brand's classic sweet and salty flavoring, plus hints of barbecue. Since it is made of chicken meat, it can be a low-fat alternative to the delicious pork tocino.

It is slightly masarsa, which can add extra sweetness to your rice meal. After pan-frying the tocino, you use the extra "sauce" to make your fried rice more savory. You can also use this chicken tocino as a palaman for your bread to enjoy a snack similar to a chicken teriyaki sandwich! 

This tocino would seem like a typical one at first, but it is completely plant-based, making it a perfect pick for vegans. It is made with only a few ingredients, including soy protein, water, vegetable oil, spices, brown sugar, sea salt, and vinegar. Despite having no meat, it has that recognizable sweet and salty taste of regular tocino.

Its juiciness also comes at par with its pork counterparts, you can serve it for breakfast, and no one will suspect it's not meat. To give it the pinkish-red color that regular tocinos have, it is colored with annatto, a plant-derived food coloring. With this, you can enjoy the taste of real tocino with less guilt!

If you prefer your tocino more flavorful than usual, look no further than this one. It is glazed with honey flavor, giving it a sweet, savory, and slightly smoky taste that is almost similar to ham. Purefoods uses their special Kapit-Lasa marinade to make sure that every piece contains the unique honey-tamis flavor.

It is a good pick if you like the masarsa type of tocino, as this one comes with syrup or glaze that also gives it that glistening and saucy appearance. Compared to other chicken tocinos, it also has larger cuts that are roughly palm-sized!

Coming from a well-loved brand that is almost a staple in Filipino kitchens, this tocino is sure to give you a delightful mealtime. It offers a perfect balance of sweet and smoky flavor, coupled with very juicy meat that tastes even better when cooked right.

However, this tocino requires to be boiled in water before frying to attain the right tenderness. Once boiled, you can pan-fry it in just 10 minutes. When cooked perfectly, it also has a generous amount of caramelized glaze that you'll love to use as a sarsa for your rice. 

If you want to enjoy pork tocino with less guilt, this is the one for you. Despite having the distinctive sweet and salty flavor of the original tocino, this one comes without worries as it is made of fatless premium pork. It is the perfect choice for people who are closely watching their diet or on a calorie count. 

Although made with lean meat, it remains soft and tender, so no need to boil before pan-frying. It is also guaranteed to be free of salitre. You can also drop the thinking that healthier foods are supposed to be bland, as this one possesses a similar taste, texture, and quality to the original variant.

If you're all for everything spicy, you might also love this flavored tocino. Unlike regular tocinos with a sweet and salty taste, this one is marinated in a special sauce that delivers the perfect harmony of sweet and spicy flavors. It will certainly create a feast for your palate.

It is perfect for days when you crave an extra kick of spiciness, but one that is not too overwhelming. To fully enjoy this tocino, pair it with hot rice or sinangag, and you'll surely have an exciting and filling almusal. You can also bring this to the office as your baon for lunch.