Freebie alert: McDonald's is giving away free bacon during Bacon Hour

For one day and one hour only, you can bring home the bacon for free.

McDonald’s is hosting a nationwide bacon bash and free bacon giveaway from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at participating locations nationwide to celebrate the pork's arrival on three menu classics.

“When we said there’s no such thing as too much bacon, we weren’t kidding,” said McDonald’s manager of culinary innovation Michael Haracz in a statement Wednesday. "January 29, we’ll be upping the bacon ante – the bac-ante, if you will – and celebrating this glorious food favorite like never before."

During "Bacon Hour," customers can get a free side of thick-cut, Applewood smoked bacon with any purchase, be it a Filet-O-Fish, hot fudge sundae or apple pie.

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“I love bacon. America loves bacon," Haracz said in the statement. "I really can’t wait to see the crazy and daring combinations our customers put together."

There's a limit of one free side of bacon, which is two half pieces of bacon, per person with any order. Prices for a side of bacon vary by location.

On Jan. 30, Cheesy Bacon Fries, the Big Mac Bacon burger and the Quarter Pounder Bacon burger join the McDonald's lineup for a limited time.

Limited-time bacon items

Prices for the trio of bacon items are determined at the individual restaurant level and may vary.

Cheesy Bacon Fries: Fries topped with cheddar cheese sauce and smoked bacon bits; average prices range from $3.15 to $3.45.

Big Mac Bacon: Three pieces of Applewood smoked bacon with two beef patties, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on a sesame seed bun; average prices range from $5.19 to $5.39.

Quarter Pounder Bacon: Three pieces of Applewood smoked bacon atop a burger, which at most restaurants in the contiguous U.S. is made with fresh beef; average prices range from $5.29 to $5.49.

Contributing: Zlati Meyer

Follow Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko