The bacon we most often encounter in the U. This streaky bacon, also known as side bacon, features layers of fat alternating with layers of muscle that run parallel to the skin of the pig, also called the rind. Bacon can also be sourced from the back, collar, shoulder, and jowls.
In the U. Oftentimes, the bacon featured most prominently at the grocery store contains unhealthy compounds like nitrates and nitrites for color and extended shelf-life.
Bacon without these compounds are often carried by some grocery stores, but they can be more difficult to find. ButcherBox bacon , on the other hand, is sourced from heritage-breed pigs. Instead, pork belly is the whole slab cut from the fleshy underside of a pig.
Streaky pork bacon is cut from this slab. Pork belly will also take a lot longer to cook. The large quantity of fat will take time to render down. If time is on your side, pork belly is an option. Bacon is like a Swiss army knife in the kitchen — it can be used in dozens of potential meals.
Use bacon as the star of the dish or as a supporting ingredient in burgers , casseroles, soups, pizza, and many more recipes. Bacon even has a place in sweet food. The saltiness of bacon pairs deliciously with sweet vanilla or chocolate homemade ice cream. In most cases, pork belly will be the hero of the dish.
Cooked well, it looks stunning on the plate paired with a side of vegetables. Pork belly and bacon are both cuts of meat that come from the pig. Although bacon is made from pork belly, it can also come from other parts of the pig. Cook it wrong, and the meat will be rubbery, dry, and unpleasant. Let us know in the comments below.
However, pork belly is a similar cut and is equally versatile. The question becomes, are they the same? While technically, they are similar. Sometimes it's difficult to determine exactly where a cut of bacon was derived from on the pig.
Labels will sometimes be very specific, however it's not always that obvious. While bacon can be sourced from the pork belly, there are some technical differences that you'll want to understand. Just as the name suggests, pork belly is sourced from the belly of a pig. This cut is uncured and used for a variety of recipes. It can be purchased in a regular grocery store, or you can purchase a full slab from your local butcher.
It's typically cooked in a deep fryer, braised, or roasted. It's tender and has a soft fattiness to it that allows it to melt in your mouth. Bacon is made primarily from pork belly.
In the United States, it's exclusively from the belly cut. However, bacon has several origins and different variants. It can also be cut from the back, loin, jowls, butt, shoulder, and sides. Sure, we love its savory taste, which makes it one of the most popular foods across the U. The long curing process, the additives, and the high amount of salt needed to turn bacon into the food we all know strongly decrease the ratio between benefits and detriments, in favor of the latter.
Both bacon and pork belly are extremely versatile in their own way. It can be fried not deep-fried , braised, baked, or roasted. It can be added to sweet dishes as well because its saltiness matches sweet flavors and produces great salty-sweet snacks. Despite being uncured and milder, pork belly adds a rich layer to dishes and it can be cooked almost in every way. In fact, it can be roasted, fried, grilled, and braised.
Unlike bacon, pork belly is not a good addition to sweet dishes, but it can be the main protein source of your meal. Pork belly is a large slab cut of very rich and fatty meat that comes from the belly of the pig. Pork belly adapts well to different types of cooking and its deliciousness is popular all over the world, particularly in East and South Asian cuisine, including recipes from China and the Philippines.
This cut of meat makes for a perfect main dish when paired with vegetables , potatoes , beans , or other side-dishes. When cooked properly, pork belly becomes very tender and will melt in your mouth, while the crispness of the skin gives it a crunchy and delicious kick.
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