Thick, juicy and flavorful, side pork is like the bacon of your dreams. Unprocessed and cut from the coveted pork belly, it will rock your breakfast.
If there’s one single reason I’d never become a vegetarian, it’s probably bacon. It tastes great on its own and in recipes. I can’t think of another food that tastes as good.
But side pork has won over my heart. Thick, flavorful and even more succulent than bacon, it’s a little bite of heaven. And this Side Pork Recipe is sooo simple. Fry the slices and season them with salt. If you want, you can strain the fat because it’s great for frying or making savory pie crusts!
Side pork, also known as pork belly or fresh bacon, refers to the uncured meat from the belly of a pig. While not as widely known or used as traditional smoked bacon, side pork imparts a delicious, meaty pork flavor to dishes when cooked properly. Read on to learn all about what side pork is, where to find it, how to cook it, and the many ways it can be used in recipes.
What Exactly is Side Pork?
Side pork comes from the belly of the pig and is the same cut of meat used to make bacon before it is cured, smoked, and spiced. Unlike bacon, side pork is simply the raw pork belly meat with no additional flavorings or preservatives.
It has a similar marbled fat-to-meat ratio as bacon, but the fat has not been rendered out during a curing process. So side pork will have a chewier, meatier texture compared to smoked bacon. The flavor is a pure, rich pork taste.
Other common names for side pork include fresh side pork pork belly or fresh bacon. It’s sometimes confused with salt pork, which is cured in salt as a preservative. Side pork is always sold fresh rather than cured or smoked.
Where Can I Buy Side Pork?
Side pork can be found at butcher shops, especially those specializing in whole animal butchery Farmers markets are another good place to check for local side pork
Many major grocery stores with full-service butcher counters may also carry it, but you may have to special order it ahead of time. It’s less common than bacon at regular supermarkets.
You can also purchase side pork online from meat purveyors if you can’t find it locally. It’s usually sold in vacuum-sealed packs, slab cuts, or sliced into strips or cubes.
How is Side Pork Used?
The most common uses for side pork are:
- Pan-fried for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
- Added to soups, stews, chili, etc. for flavor
- Used in place of bacon in recipes
- Roasted or braised for pulled pork
- Added to vegetables while cooking
- Used to make lard or schmaltz
- Diced into stir fries, fried rice, etc.
Side pork imparts a delicious richness and depth of flavor to dishes thanks to its high fat content. It can be used in savory applications where you want a pure pork taste without smoky or spicy seasonings.
How to Cook Side Pork
Side pork is easy to cook like bacon in a skillet. The key is rendering the fat properly to achieve crunchy, delicious meaty bites. Here are some tips:
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Cut side pork into strips, cubes, or slices. Leaving the rind on will help it hold its shape better.
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Cook over medium-high heat in a cast iron or nonstick skillet to render the fat.
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Once fat starts releasing, turn heat down to medium-low to prevent burning.
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Stir frequently to cook evenly until desired level of crispiness.
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Drain on paper towels before eating or adding to recipes.
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Save the rendered pork fat for cooking other foods!
The meat will shrink and become crispy as the fat renders out. Be patient, render slowly on lower heat, and stir often for the best texture.
Side Pork Recipes to Try
Here are some tasty ways to use side pork:
Breakfast Side Pork and Eggs
Pan fry side pork and eggs in the rendered pork fat for an easy protein-packed breakfast.
Pork Belly Ramen
Simmer pork belly in broth along with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and ramen noodles for a hearty noodle soup.
Cuban Black Bean Soup
Sauteed side pork adds richness to this classic Cuban black bean and vegetable soup.
Collard Greens with Pork
Slow cooked collards get boosted with flavor from diced side pork.
Pork Fried Rice
Stir small cubes of crispy pork belly into the classic fried rice recipe.
Pork Chili Verde
Braise chunks of side pork in green chili sauce for amazing chili verde.
The possibilities are endless! Side pork can lend its porky goodness to all types of soups, stews, beans, grains, vegetables, pasta, and more. It’s a versatile ingredient to always have on hand.
Side Pork Tips
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Look for side pork with an even ratio of fat to meat. Too lean and it will be dry.
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Store wrapped in freezer paper in the freezer if not using soon. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.
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Cook gently over medium or medium low heat to properly render fat without burning the meat.
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Save excess rendered fat for cooking eggs, vegetables, making roux, etc. It freezes well too.
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Add salt, pepper, spices, or marinades to flavor the side pork before cooking if desired.
With its high fat content and rich pork flavor, side pork can add delicious taste and texture when used properly. Now that you know all about how to source, cook, and use side pork, it’s time to add this underutilized gem to your cooking repertoire!
Why You’ll Love This!
Crisp & juicy. I like bacon. But side pork is like bacon on steroids (in a good way). Extra juicy, almost unctuous, it’s like the bacon of your dreams.
Preservative free. Side pork doesn’t contain nitrates. And it may even be organic and pastured. Who’s trying to cut down on processed food?.
Fat for other uses. A fringe benefit of side pork is that it gives you useful extra fat! If your side pork is organic, pastured, and especially if it is corn and soy free, the fat is healthier than many alternatives–and very useful for frying. It is similar to Lard, praised here by the Spruce Eats, except that it has some fried bacon flavor to it.
- Side Pork, aka sliced pork belly. If it’s organic and raised on pasture, buy it.
- Salt. Since this is unprocessed you really need the salt.
- No special tools are needed.
Step by Step Directions
Preheat a large skillet. When hot, add side pork to pan. Cook on medium low, turning as needed to achieve a crisp golden brown on both sides.
When done, remove from pan and salt.
Save the fat, staining as needed, if desired.
Note: I haven’t tried it but side pork can also be oven baked (just as bacon can).
How to Butcher an Entire Pig: Every Cut of Pork Explained | Handcrafted | Bon Appetit
FAQ
Is side pork the same as bacon?
What cut of meat is side pork?
What does fresh side pork taste like?
What’s the difference between pork belly and side pork?
What is side pork used for?
It is commonly used in stews, soups, and casseroles to impart a rich and savory flavor. Many people also enjoy side pork as a breakfast meat, serving it alongside eggs or in a breakfast hash. Side pork can be prepared in a variety of ways, including frying, grilling, baking, or braising.
How to cook side pork?
When it comes to cooking side pork, the first step is to prepare the meat. Side pork is a cut of pork taken from the belly of the pig, similar to bacon, but without the curing process. Start by slicing the side pork into strips or chunks, depending on your preference and recipe.
What is fresh side pork?
Fresh side pork, also known as pork belly, is a cut of meat obtained from the belly of the pig. It is a fatty and flavorful meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is commonly used in Asian cuisine for dishes like braised pork belly or in Western cuisine for bacon. How do I choose fresh side pork at the grocery store?
What is a side pork belly?
Or “fresh pork belly.” That’s right. The side (or belly) yields a cut known as side pork (or pork belly). In other words, remove the bones (and a couple of other small bits) from a belly, and you get pork belly. Put another way, remove the bones (and other bits) from a side, and you get side pork. All the other permutations are also correct.