In this post I will outline the differences between pork belly and bacon and deep dive into what these meats are all about. Let’s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n So, let’s get started with pork belly – what is it<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the name suggests, it is a cut of meat from the belly of the pig. It is fatty and boneless. As a large slab, it can appear as a chunk of meat with a thick layer of flat running along the top. There are thinner layers of fat that present as marbling throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, you may be thinking to yourself, isn’t it pretty obvious what bacon is? I mean, you’ve probably been enjoying this delicious, crispy, salty treat since you were a child!<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, despite its popularity, a lot of people dont actually know what bacon is, so let’s break it down<\/a>. Bacon is most commonly taken from the belly of the pig too. That being said, it can be taken from the side and back as well.<\/p>\n\n\n Bacon taken from the back is aptly referred to as back bacon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, there is more to bacon than just where it comes from on a pig. What makes it truly special is the curing and smoking process. This cured meat is made by rubbing meat with salt, nitrates, and nitrites. These act as preservatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is uncured bacon as well, but it still has been processed. However, in this instance, the nitrates are from natural sources like celery salt and sea salt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I should point out that turkey bacon and beef bacon aren’t the same as pork bacon. Those cured meats come from turkeys and cows respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, here is an interesting question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is pork belly bacon or is bacon pork belly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, while both of these are pork cuts from pigs and they are technically pork belly cuts. They are also both side cuts. In this way, they are a similar cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That being said, they are treated as different cuts. In particular, you should be mindful of the fact that while not all pork belly is bacon and not all bacon is pork belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bacon pork belly comes specifically from the belly cut – it is also known as streaky bacon. Streaky pork bacon is the most common option in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whole smoked pork belly is known as slab bacon. As mentioned, bacon taken from other cuts are different. For instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bacon traditionally is also stripped of most of the fatty meat that is present on pork belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, unlike bacon, pork belly is uncured and considered a fresh and raw meat. It is a fatty cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, as you can imagine, in the case of pork belly vs bacon, what is better can be relative. After all, each person has their own preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nevertheless, in general, is considered the better pork cut. This has to do with the fact that it has a higher fat content. Thus, it produces juicier and more tender meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"pork](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/pork-belly-vs-bacon_.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\nWhat is Pork Belly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is Bacon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIs Pork Belly Bacon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Is Pork Belly Better Than Bacon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"pork](\"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/pork-cut-to-pieces.jpg\")
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