If you like bacon, you may have seen platter-style bacon on restaurant menus and in high-end grocery stores. But what is platter style bacon, and how is it different from sliced bacon?
This full guide will tell you everything you need to know about this type of bacon that is becoming more and more popular. Platter style bacon is different from regular bacon. We’ll talk about how to make it, how to cook it, and fun ways to eat it.
Whether you’re a bacon aficionado or simply bacon curious, read on to get the full scoop on platter style bacon!
What Is Platter Style Bacon?
Platter style bacon is a thick, hearty slab of uncured pork belly that has been smoked and seasoned. It’s called “platter style” because it’s served in a solid plank meant to be sliced tableside, rather than being pre-sliced into thin strips.
You may also hear it referred to as slab bacon thick-cut bacon or artisanal bacon. All these terms refer to the same thing a thick slab of tasty, smoky bacon.
The slab is typically 1 to 1. 5 inches thick and can weigh 1 to 2 pounds. This allows for thick, juicy slices when you cut into it.
How Is Platter Style Bacon Made?
Making platter style bacon is an artisanal process that results in deeper flavor than regular sliced bacon. Here are the basic steps:
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It starts with a fresh, high-quality pork belly. The meat is usually locally-sourced.
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The pork belly is dry cured. It’s rubbed with a mixture of salt, sugar, spices, and sometimes smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
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Next, it’s smoked slowly over a wood fire, often using flavorful hardwoods like hickory or applewood. This is what gives it that irresistible smoky essence.
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Finally, the bacon slab is chilled, sliced into a plank, and packaged. No further cooking is done before selling it.
The entire process takes patience, care, and expertise. But the result is incredibly rich, smoky bacon that’s a world apart from the paper-thin slices you buy at the supermarket.
What’s the Difference Between Platter Style and Regular Sliced Bacon?
There are a few key differences that set platter style bacon apart from what you’re used to:
Thickness – The slices are much thicker, usually around 1/4 inch. This allows the meat to retain more moisture when cooking.
Smoky essence – The prolonged cold smoking process gives platter style bacon a deeper, more robust smoky flavor.
Preparation – It’s sold in a slab, so you get to slice it fresh yourself. This gives you total control over thickness.
Quality – Platter style bacon tends to come from small-scale artisanal producers rather than big commercial operations. The pork and curing process is of higher quality.
Fat content – With its thick cut and artisanal preparation, platter style bacon usually has a higher fat ratio compared to regular sliced bacon.
Price – Due to its premium status, platter style bacon costs more per pound than regular sliced bacon. But a little goes a long way due to the thick cut.
Benefits of Cooking and Eating Platter Style Bacon
Beyond its incredibly rich and smoky essence, cooking and eating platter style bacon offers several benefits:
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Total control over thickness – You can cut the slices as thick or thin as you want. Thinner slices cook up nice and crisp, while thicker slices remain chewy.
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Retains moisture – The juices have less surface area to escape from, so the meat stays tender and flavorful.
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Infuses recipes with smoky flavor – Adds incredible depth and savoriness when used to make soups, beans, omelets, etc.
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Easy portion control – With its rigid slab shape, platter style bacon is easy to cut into smaller portions. This can help reduce intake for those watching their weight.
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Impressive presentation – Served whole and sliced tableside, platter style bacon has an appetizing, rustic aesthetic.
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Adds excitement to meals – It’s a special treat that livens up everyday dishes like breakfast, burgers, baked potatoes, salads, and more!
Tips for Cooking Platter Style Bacon
Cooking platter style bacon correctly is important, as you don’t want to ruin the precious slab! Here are some top tips:
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Use a thick, heavy pan – This helps the bacon cook evenly. Cast iron or stainless steel work best.
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Start with a cold pan – Place the bacon in the cold pan before heating. This prevents curling.
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Cook over medium-low heat – The thick cut needs to render slowly. High heat causes burning.
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Pour off excess fat – Tilt the pan periodically to let rendered fat drain off so the bacon fries evenly.
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Flip carefully – Use tongs to gently flip the slab over. Don’t puncture the meat.
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Cook to desired doneness – For tender, sliceable bacon, cook just until it starts to firm up but still has some wiggle.
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Let rest before slicing – Allow the cooked bacon to cool for 5-10 minutes. This makes slicing easier.
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Save the drippings – The rendered fat has luscious bacon essence. Use it to cook other foods or make vinaigrettes.
Get Creative with Platter Style Bacon!
While platter style bacon is delicious eaten by itself, it can also inspire creative cooking. Here are some fun ways to enjoy it:
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Feature beautiful bacon plank on a breakfast or brunch buffet spread and slice it to order.
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Use flavorful bacon drippings to roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts or other veggies.
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Wrap boneless chicken thighs or pork chops in bacon before roasting or grilling.
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Chop bacon into lardons and render until crispy, then use them to top salads, pizza, soups, etc.
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Make incredible loaded baked potatoes with sliced bacon, cheese, scallions, and sour cream.
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Toss thick bacon slices into bean dishes like pork and beans or white bean chicken chili.
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Weave bacon slices into an lattice pattern over meatloaf or stuffed peppers before baking.
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Use pre-cooked bacon crumbles as crunchy garnish for mac and cheese.
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Sear scallops or shrimp wrapped in thin bacon slices for an elegant appetizer.
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Skewer cubed bacon and pineapple chunks and grill for a sweet and savory kebab.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless with platter style bacon! It adds smoky depth and texture to all kinds of dishes.
Where to Buy Platter Style Bacon
In the past, platter style bacon was hard to find outside of expensive restaurants and gourmet butcher shops. But these days, it’s becoming more widely available as its popularity grows.
Here are some places to buy it:
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Specialty food stores – Check the bacon section at gourmet markets like Whole Foods or Central Market.
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Butcher counters – Many traditional butcher shops sell platter style bacon. Chat with the butcher for recommendations.
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Online mail order – Several online specialty food companies sell plank bacon and ship it packed in dry ice.
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Big box stores – Even some warehouse stores like Costco have started stocking platter style bacon options.
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Farmers markets – Ask at local markets if any pig farmers sell slab bacon. It’s often very fresh.
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Direct from producers – Some artisanal bacon companies sell directly to consumers online and will ship.
Wherever you buy it, look for bacon slabs that are thick-cut and cleanly trimmed with no irregular off-cuts. The surface should look smooth and not dried out. Top-quality platter style bacon is well worth the price for a special treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Platter Style Bacon
If you’re new to platter style bacon, chances are you have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common queries:
How long does platter style bacon last? It has a shorter shelf life than thin sliced bacon, but maintains quality for 1-2 weeks in the fridge and 2-3 months in the freezer.
Is platter style bacon already cooked? It is smoked but not pre-cooked. It needs to be cooked before eating like regular raw bacon.
Is it okay to freeze platter style bacon? Yes, freezing extends its life. Wrap the slab tightly in plastic and foil. Defrost in the fridge before using.
Do you have to cook the whole slab at once? Nope! Cut the slab into smaller portions and just thaw and cook what you need.
Do you need special tools to slice it? A sharp chef’s knife works well, but a meat slicer makes perfectly even slices.
Can you use a bacon press with it? You can, but it’s not necessary. The thick cut crisps up nicely in the pan without being flattened.
Enjoy the Divine Flavor of Platter Style Bacon
From choosing the perfect slab to cooking it up just right and serving it in creative ways, you’re now a total platter style bacon expert! So go forth and enjoy this marvelous meat any day of the week. Your taste buds will thank you.
