There are so many different types of bacon in the world today. If you aren’t an expert, it can be hard to figure out precisely what you’re buying.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the different types of bacon available on the market.
So that you can find the best product for your needs and make an informed decision.
Chocolate-Covered Bacon
We all love bacon, but have you ever tried chocolate-covered bacon? Coating strips make this delicious treat of bacon in melted chocolate.
The result is a sweet and savory snack that will have you hooked from the first bite of these different types of bacon.
Bacon chocolates are also great for parties or gifts as they can be served hot or cold. One of the best things about this recipe is it is easy to make.
All you need are some strips of bacon, your favorite chocolate (vegan-friendly options are available), a microwave-safe bowl, and a microwave.
Nevertheless, start by lining your baking sheet with parchment paper before laying the bacon slices on top.
Ensure they don’t overlap or touch each other too much to get evenly coated with chocolate without getting stuck together once cool.
Collar Bacon
Cut from the fattiest part of the pig’s neck, collar bacon is very heavy and has a lot of flavors. It’s often used in dishes where a little bacon goes a long way, like in carbonara or a BLT.
Hickory-smoked Bacon
Hickory-smoked bacon gets its flavor from smoking over hickory wood for hours. Nonetheless, the taste can be subtle and can’t be substituted with other types of bacon, like smoke flavoring.
Streaky Bacon
Streaky bacon is probably one of the most common types of bacon. It’s made from pork belly meat that has been cured and then smoked.
The meat is then cut into strips that are typically about 1/4-inch thick. Streaky bacon has a high-fat content, which gives it a lot of flavors.
Cottage Bacon (Buckboard Bacon)
Cottage bacon is made from the leanest part of the pork belly, which is why it’s also known as Buckboard bacon.
This type of bacon has less fat than other types, making it a healthier option.
It’s also less expensive than other portions of bacon. Cottage bacon can be used in recipes for pancetta or Canadian bacon.
Similarly, like all other types of bacon, cottage bacon should not be eaten raw. However, if you’re looking for a healthier option, this might be the best choice.
Country-style Bacon
Country-style bacon is usually about an inch thick and tends to be smoky and spicy with a little sweetness.
Often found sliced rather than rolled, country-style bacon is thinner and crispier than regular bacon.
On the other hand, some people prefer it because it doesn’t need to be cooked quite as long as regular bacon does.
This means it has fewer calories compared to some other types of bacon!
New York Strip Bacon
Unlike most different types of bacon of meat, strip loin bacon. Also,(the New York strip) comes from the back portion of the pig and near its ribs instead of from the belly.
Peameal Bacon/Cornmeal Bacon
Peameal bacon is made from lean boneless pork loins trimmed and rolled in cornmeal.
It’s a type of Canadian bacon popular in Toronto and often served sliced and grilled.
Peameal bacon has a milder flavor than other types and is less salty.
Nonetheless, If you’re looking for something sweet, peameal bacon pairs well with maple syrup; try cooking it with potatoes and onions for a savory meal.
Mild-flavored Bacon
Mild-flavored bacon is traditionally cured with salt and brown sugar or honey. It is then cold smoked over wood chips such as applewood or cherrywood to give it its distinctive smokey flavor.
They are not drying it out too much, as traditional hot smoking would.
The lack of curing ingredients means it doesn’t have much saltiness, either—just enough to enhance the natural flavors while not being too salty on its own.
Lardon
Lardon is a type of bacon made from cured pork belly cut into rectangular strips. It is often used as a flavoring agent or as a component of a dish, such as carbonara.
Lardons can also be fried and served as a side dish or used as a topping for salads and other containers of different types of bacon.
Bacon refers to any of the various cuts of meat taken from the back.
Or sides of a pig that may be cured and smoked. Streaky bacon, back bacon, smoked bacon, and pancetta are different types of bacon.
Jowl Bacon
Jowl bacon is made from a pig’s jowls or cheeks. These different types of bacon are very fatty and have a strong flavor.
It’s often used in dishes that need a lot of flavors, like stews or pasta sauces. Jowl bacon as different types of bacon:
Jowl bacon is made from a pig’s jowls or cheeks. This type of bacon is very fatty and has a strong flavor. It’s often used in dishes that need a lot of flavors, like stews or pasta sauces.
Slab Bacon
Slab bacon is the most common different type of bacon. It’s made from a pork belly that’s been cured and smoked.
More so, the meat is then cut into thin or thick slices. Thick-cut bacon is excellent for frying or grilling, while thin-cut bacon is perfect for wrapping around other foods.
American-style Canadian Bacon
It comes from the pig’s loin area, so it has less fat than regular slab bacon but still has plenty of flavors.
Side bacon is a strip of boneless pork loin trimmed to about 1/4 inch thick. Also, it can be used as an alternative to ham in dishes like egg salad sandwiches or deviled eggs.
Canadian Bacon
Cut from the eye of the loin, Canadian bacon is leaner and less smoky than other types.
It’s often used in breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict or omelets or as a pizza topping.
Therefore, unlike traditional types of bacon, it doesn’t shrink much when cooked. So you don’t need to use much more of it than you usually would.
Uncured Bacon
Uncured bacon is made from pork that has not been treated with salt or other preservatives.
These different types of bacon are often considered healthier than their cured counterparts.
This is to say, it doesn’t contain added nitrates or other chemicals. Uncured bacon can be found in most supermarkets but is easy to make at home.
Schinkenwurst (German Bacon)
Schinkenwurst is traditionally served with a potato salad. However, It is a dryer, leaner pork cut than other forms of bacon and tastes quite salty.
Canadian Bacon
This ham-like meat is not actually from Canada but was invented in America during WWII as an alternative to processed ham because it was rationed.
Pancetta
Pancetta is a strip of Italian bacon that is made from pork belly. It is typically cured with salt, pepper, and other spices. Pancetta can be eaten raw, cooked, or used as a flavoring agent.
Therefore, pancetta has a slightly sweet taste and a chewy texture. It is traditionally served in Italy alongside pasta dishes such as spaghetti alla carbonara.
Pancetta is also very popular among different types of bacon in many parts of Europe, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Romania, Ukraine, and Poland.
Moreover, in Japan, they are known as (pankēta). In China, they are known as (yóu wěi), which means fatty meat.
They are usually thinly sliced before being fried for about 10 minutes on both sides until crispy.
Turkey Bacon
Just because you’re trying to eat healthier doesn’t mean you must give up bacon.
Turkey bacon is an excellent alternative with lower fat and calories but still has that delicious bacon flavor.
Here’s everything you need to know about turkey bacon – Turkey bacon isn’t just for Thanksgiving! It’s perfect for those looking for an alternative to pork bacon.
Unlike traditional types of bacon, turkey bacon can be cooked on the stovetop or oven and served crispy or chewy, depending on your preference.
Notably, It is also lower in fat and calories, making it an even better choice if you watch your weight.
The only downside to this tasty option is that it does not taste as good when eaten cold. So make sure not to store it with anything else so it won’t get soggy.
Lap Yuk (Chinese Bacon)
Lap yuk is a type of Chinese bacon that is made from pork belly. It is typically cured with salt, sugar, and spices and then smoked. Lap yuk has a chewy texture and a sweet, smoky flavor.
In addition, some people like to slice it thinly for use in salads or stir-fries, while others prefer to fry it into crispy strips.
Lap yuk can be found at most Asian grocery stores or ordered online.
Coconut Bacon
Coconut bacon is one of the many types available today. It is made from coconut flakes and is usually used as a vegan or vegetarian alternative to traditional pork bacon.
However, coconut bacon has a flavor and texture similar to pork bacon but is lower in fat and calories.
When cooked, it can be used in many of the same ways as pork bacon, such as in sandwiches, salads, and wraps.
Regardless, It also tastes great when mixed with shredded cabbage for coleslaw or mixed into scrambled eggs.
Dry-Cured Pork Belly
The most popular type of bacon is dry-cured pork belly. Which must be cured for about ten days before being dried for another two weeks at low temperatures.
Dry-cured bacon is traditionally not smoked because the curing process removes enough moisture that smoking becomes unnecessary for preservation purposes.
However, some dry-cured slices of bacon are smoked to add a distinctive smoky flavor.
Duck Bacon
Many people don’t know that you can make bacon out of duck. Duck bacon is made from the belly meat of a duck and is usually smoked.
It has a richer flavor than pork bacon and is often used in fine dining.
Duck bacon is a great choice if you’re looking to impress your guests.
However, it can be quite expensive if you buy it at a restaurant. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make your duck bacon at home.
First, buy some uncooked slices of duck breast or another cut of skinless, boneless duck meat like breasts or legs, and season them with salt and pepper.
Pumpkin Spice Candied Bacon
If you love pumpkin spice, try this delicious twist on traditional candied bacon. First, the bacon is coated in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Then, it’s baked until crisp. The result is a sweet and savory treat perfect for breakfast or as an appetizer. Check out different types of bacon recipes here! –
Curry Pumpkin Spice Candied Bacon
Once again, everything pumpkin spice-related is back and better than ever with this yummy variation on the original version.
Instead of using brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for flavorings, curry powder was added to create a more intense flavor.
Maple Apple Candied Bacon
As fall approaches, so does apple season! Why not use your favorite fall fruit by making apple-infused candied bacon?
Exceptionally, be sure to use lots of grated apples. They’ll coat every inch of your bacon slices before baking them into something irresistible.
Irish Bacon
Irish bacon, also known as back bacon, is a type of bacon that comes from the back of the pig.
It’s leaner than other types of bacon and has a milder flavor. Irish bacon is often used in breakfast dishes like eggs and toast.
Finally, unlike regular types of bacon, it can be eaten raw. Because it doesn’t contain enough fat to be cooked through.
The higher fat content of Canadian bacon means it can be pan-fried or deep-fried if desired.
Australian Bacon (also called streaky)
It is similar to American bacon but with a slightly thinner cut. Unlike other types of bacon, it has no added preservatives, so it must be refrigerated after opening.
According to Wikipedia, authentic Canadian bacon contains maple syrup or brown sugar, which is added during the cooking process, giving the product its unique taste and texture.
British Bacon/English Bacon
British bacon, or English bacon, is a different type popular in the United Kingdom. It is made from the back or side of a pig and is usually smoked.
Overall, British bacon has a distinct flavor that is different from other types of bacon.
Due to its higher fat content, it is cooked at lower temperatures for extended periods than most American bacon.
Conclusion
There are many different types of bacon, each with its unique flavor and texture.
Whether you like your bacon thick or thin, smoked or unsmoked, there is a type of bacon for you.
So, try something new next time you’re at the grocery store. Also, pick up a different kind of bacon. Who knows, you might find your new favorite!
Although bacon is commonly made from pork belly, it can also be made from other cuts of pork.
