What is Picnic Bacon? A Complete Guide to This Unique and Affordable Bacon Cut

For bacon lovers on a budget, picnic bacon offers a tasty and affordable alternative to traditional bacon from the pork belly. But what exactly is picnic bacon? Where does it come from and how does it differ from regular bacon? This complete guide will explain everything you need to know about this unique bacon cut

What is the Picnic Cut?

First, it helps to understand where picnic bacon is sourced from on the pig. Picnic bacon comes from the pork shoulder, also known as the “picnic cut” or “picnic ham”.

The picnic cut refers to the lower portion of the front leg and shoulder beneath the blade bone It’s a well-exercised area with a good balance of fat and lean meat, though it is overall leaner than the belly where standard bacon originates

How Picnic Bacon is Made

To make picnic bacon, the picnic cut is put through a curing and smoking process:

• Extra fat is cut off of the raw pork shoulder, and it is soaked in a brine or dry cure made of salt, sugar, and spices. This cures the meat and adds flavor.

• The cured meat is then hot smoked slowly over a wood fire. To add a rich, smoky flavor, apple, hickory, maple, and other hardwoods are often used.

• After smoking, the meat is cooled, sliced, and packaged for sale as picnic bacon. It can be sold with or without the skin on.

Key Characteristics of Picnic Bacon

So what makes picnic bacon different from regular pork belly bacon? Here are some of the most important differences:

• Leaner – With less fat marbling than pork belly, picnic bacon is relatively lean. It has a higher meat-to-fat ratio.

• Meatier Texture – The muscles in the shoulder result in a denser, chewier texture compared to the tender and fatty belly meat.

• Stronger Flavor – The abundant connective tissue in the shoulder absorbs the smoke and seasoning, producing a more intensely flavored bacon.

• Versatile – Picnic bacon can be sliced and cooked like regular bacon or diced into lardons for adding smoky flavor to soups, stews and more.

• More Affordable – As a less premium cut, picnic bacon costs 25-50% less than belly bacon on average.

How to Cook with Picnic Bacon

To get the most out of picnic bacon, keep these cooking tips in mind:

• Remove the rind before cooking for the best texture. It can be tough and chewy when cooked.

• Opt for dry heat methods like baking, broiling or pan-frying over sautéing. The leaner bacon releases less fat during cooking.

• Cook over medium to medium-low heat to render the fat slowly without overbrowning the meat.

• Bake on a rack set over a sheet pan to allow fat to drip away from the bacon as it cooks.

• Chop or dice picnic bacon for salads, soups, pizza and pasta dishes to maximize the meaty texture.

• Pair strong flavors like garlic, herbs and spices with picnic bacon to balance the robust smoky taste.

Creative Recipe Ideas with Picnic Bacon

Beyond breakfast, picnic bacon can add smoky, salty flavor to all kinds of dishes:

• Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Pasta – Toss hot cooked pasta with crispy diced picnic bacon, shredded Brussels sprouts, Parmesan and lemon.

• Warm Spinach Salad – Top fresh spinach with hard-boiled eggs, picnic bacon crumbles, mushrooms, tomatoes and warm bacon vinaigrette.

• Baked Potato Soup – Saute onion, garlic and diced picnic bacon, then add to creamy potato soup. Garnish with more crispy crumbled bacon.

• Picnic Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf – Wrap your meatloaf in a blanket of picnic bacon before baking for incredible flavor.

• Bacon Jam – Slow cook diced picnic bacon with onions, vinegar, maple syrup and spices into a sweet-savory bacon jam.

• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizzas – Top pizza crust with diced grilled chicken, crumbled picnic bacon, tomatoes, onion and drizzled ranch dressing.

How to Buy Picnic Bacon

You can find picnic bacon at many major grocery stores, wholesale clubs and butcher shops. It may also be labeled as “shoulder bacon”. When buying:

• Look for bright pink to red color without dry or brown spots.

• Opt for bacon with ample marbling for balance of fat and lean meat.

• Inspect the packaging – avoid torn or leaking packages.

• Check the sell-by date and use within 1 week of opening.

You can also order picnic bacon online through specialty meat purveyors for delivery right to your door.

Is Picnic Bacon Worth Trying?

For bacon aficionados or those on a budget, picnic bacon is absolutely worth trying for its unique flavor and texture. While it differs from the tender, fatty belly bacon most are accustomed to, it offers a pleasantly meaty chew and robust smoky taste. Picnic bacon is an excellent source of protein and makes a versatile, budget-friendly addition to all kinds of dishes. Consider adding this new bacon style into your cooking repertoire!

Frequency of Entities:

picnic bacon: 23 times
bacon: 20 times
pork: 5 times
shoulder: 5 times
meat: 4 times
flavor: 3 times
smoky: 3 times
fat: 3 times
lean: 2 times
belly: 2 times