Demystifying Subway Bacon: Discovering What’s Inside Those Tantalizing Strips

As a frequent Subway customer, you’ve likely indulged in their crispy bacon topping countless times. But have you ever wondered exactly what those smokey, salty strips are made of? Let’s unravel the mystery of what gives Subway bacon its signature flavor and texture.

Subway’s tasty bacon topping comes pre-cooked and ready to heat and serve. But to create that perfect balance of smokiness and crunch there’s more going on than just throwing some pork belly into a smoker. Let’s look at the four main ingredients used to make Subway’s Bacon

Pork

Obviously, pork is the main ingredient in Subway’s bacon. According to their website, Subway only uses high-quality pork. Most bacon is made from pork belly, the fattiest section of the pig that runs along the underside

Pork belly has streaks of fat running through the lean meat that renders out during cooking, leaving bits of tasty fat in each bite. This gives the bacon a crispier, more indulgent texture compared to leaner cuts like pork loin.

So for flavor and fat content, pork belly seems the likely source of the pork in Subway’s bacon.

Salt

Salt is an essential ingredient in cured and smoked meats like bacon. Salt penetrates deep into the meat to enhance flavor. It also draws out moisture, helping preserve the bacon.

Most bacon is dry cured by packing salt and spices onto the raw meat to sit for days or weeks. This long curing time distributes flavor and salt evenly.

For faster production, Subway’s bacon is likely wet cured by injecting a salty brine deep into the meat. Either way, salt is key to curing Subway’s bacon and giving that salty, savory taste.

Sugar

Sugar offsets some of the saltiness in bacon by caramelizing during cooking. It adds subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.

Subway bacon contains brown sugar for its hint of molasses-like richness. The sugar also promotes browning and crisping when the bacon is cooked.

By balancing salty, sweet, smoky and umami flavors, the touch of sugar elevates Subway’s bacon to the next level.

Preservatives

To extend shelf life and prevent spoilage, most cured meats contain preservatives like nitrites or nitrates. In the tiny amounts used, these help control bacteria growth and enhance color.

Subway’s bacon likely contains sodium nitrite, a common preservative in processed meats. When used appropriately in regulatory limits, nitrites allow bacon to stay fresh longer without health risks.

The bottom line is Subway uses preservatives sparingly for food safety, while relying more on salt, sugar and smoke for old-fashioned flavor.

Smoked Over Real Hardwoods

While not a listed ingredient, smoking is a key part of making Subway’s bacon. According to their website, they smoke their bacon for up to ten hours over real applewood and hickory.

This long, slow smoking cooks the bacon gently while infusing incredible smoky flavor. Natural smoke encapsulates the pork in each thin, supple slice. It gives Subway bacon aroma, depth and nuance beyond just salt, sweet and porky notes.

Smoking remains more art than science. Subway likely tweaks their smoking process to give bacon a perfect degree of smokiness every time.

Ready-to-Heat Convenience

Subway cooks their bacon 75% of the way. This pre-cooking means less time under heat lamps before serving. It also allows the bacon to be quickly reheated to a crisp finish in their ovens.

Fully cooked bacon tends to dry out when held hot for long periods. Subway’s method keeps the bacon juicy yet convenient. Customers get hot, crisp bacon without the wait.

Subway Bacon Hits All the Right Notes

With only four simple listed ingredients – pork, salt, sugar and preservatives – Subway creates crave-worthy bacon through time-honored smoking techniques. The premium pork belly likely provides fatty, meaty flavor. A touch of brown sugar balances the saltiness. And applewood smoking brings it all to life.

While the ingredient list may seem straightforward, achieving the perfect texture and taste requires artistry. Next time you grab a BLT loaded with Subway bacon, you’ll appreciate the culinary skill of crafting something so delicious from so few components.

So go ahead – pile that bacon high and savor the smoky, salty magic in each bite! Those subtly sweet, sublimely crispy strips will have you coming back to Subway every time.