What is Wayside Bacon? A Complete Guide to This Unique Type of Bacon

Bacon lovers, are you bored with the usual breakfast staple and looking to try something new? If so, you may want to consider wayside bacon. This lesser-known variety of bacon also goes by other names like “cottage bacon” and offers a tasty alternative to traditional pork belly bacon

In this article I’ll give you a complete guide to wayside bacon. We’ll cover everything from what it’s made of and how it compares to other bacons to cooking tips and recipe ideas. Whether you’re a bacon aficionado or new to this meaty delicacy, read on to learn all about wayside bacon!

What Exactly is Wayside Bacon?

Wayside bacon is a type of bacon made from pork shoulder, which is also known as pork butt or Boston butt. It involves taking the pork shoulder and slicing it thinly to create oval or round slices of bacon.

Compared to regular bacon from pork belly, wayside bacon has less fat and more meat. This gives it a pleasantly chewy texture and a meatier, ham-like flavor. The leanness also means it produces less grease when cooked.

Wayside bacon is sometimes referred to as “cottage bacon.” It’s a common choice for breakfast dishes but also makes a tasty topping for burgers sandwiches and more.

A Brief Overview of Different Bacon Types

Before we dive deeper into wayside bacon, let’s do a quick overview of some other common bacon varieties:

• Regular or American-style: The typical bacon made from pork belly that you find in supermarkets. Known for long layers of fat that get crispy when cooked.

• Canadian bacon: Leaner than American-style, this comes from the pork loin.

• Pancetta: An Italian bacon seasoned with peppercorns, salt, and cloves. Sold rolled up like sausage.

• Back bacon: Also called Irish or rashers, this leaner bacon comes from the pork loin and eye.

• Turkey bacon: A lower-fat alternative made from sliced turkey.

There are many other specialty bacons too, like jowl bacon, but the above covers some of the most popular types you’ll encounter. Now let’s see how wayside fits in.

How Wayside Bacon Compares to Traditional Pork Belly Bacon

Pork belly bacon has those long, lovely layers of fat running through it that fry up all crispy and delicious. But with wayside bacon, you get something quite different.

Made from the fattier pork shoulder instead of belly, wayside bacon is more meat than fat. This gives it a pleasantly chewy, almost ham-like texture when cooked instead of being crispy.

Flavour-wise, pork belly bacon is smoky and salty from the curing process. Wayside has a milder, more subtly bacon-y taste.

• Texture: Chewy for wayside, crispy for pork belly.

• Fat content: Leaner for wayside, much fattier for pork belly.

• Flavor: Milder taste for wayside, smoky and salty for pork belly.

Neither one is necessarily “better”—just different! Choosing between them comes down to personal taste and what you plan to use them for.

Is Uncured Bacon Healthier?

Traditional bacons are cured using nitrites to preserve the meat and give it that pink hue. But there’s an alternative: uncured bacon. Uncured bacons skip the nitrites in favor of ingredients like celery juice.

But are they actually healthier? The jury is still out. While uncured bacons don’t contain added nitrites, they still have naturally occurring nitrites present. It’s unclear if these are safer than added nitrites.

Additionally, all bacon is high in saturated fat and sodium, even without curing. Moderation is key, as bacon should be enjoyed as an occasional treat, not a daily indulgence.

When choosing uncured bacon, read labels closely to verify no nitrites were added. Opting for high-quality, local brands may provide better sourcing and standards.

Overall, bacon is a treat best enjoyed in moderation, whether you go cured or uncured. Focus on an overall healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

Cooking Tips for Perfect Wayside Bacon

Cooking up wayside bacon is simple. Here are some tips for getting ideal results:

• Cook at 425°F for 6 minutes per side, or about 12 minutes total. Wayside takes a bit longer than pork belly.

• Line the baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.

• Use a cooling rack over the bacon to minimize grease splatter.

• Flip halfway through for even cooking on both sides.

As wayside bacon is leaner, it likely won’t yield as much grease. But you’ll still want to drain it on paper towels before serving.

Now let’s look at some tasty ways to use wayside bacon in recipes!

Creative and Delicious Wayside Bacon Recipe Ideas

From breakfast to dessert, here are 5 recipe ideas to inspire you:

1. Wayside Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

Fry an egg and toast an English muffin. Top with wayside bacon, cheese and a dollop of mayo or hot sauce for a satisfying handheld breakfast.

2. Twice-Baked Potatoes with Wayside Bacon

Scoop out baked potatoes and mash the insides with cheese, cream and crispy crumbled wayside bacon. Stuff back into the potato skins and bake until heated through and browned.

3. Wayside Bacon Carbonara

Sauté wayside bacon bits in the pan first to render the fat. Toss with hot cooked spaghetti, Parmesan, eggs, and black pepper. The heat from the pasta cooks the egg sauce.

4. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Wayside Bacon

Toss halved brussel sprouts in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Roast at 400°F for 15 minutes then top with crumbled wayside bacon and roast 5 minutes more.

5. Maple Wayside Bacon Donuts

Make baked donut holes and brush with maple syrup glaze. Roll them in chopped cooked wayside bacon for a sweet and salty treat.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless with this underrated form of bacon! It adds hearty flavor to everything from breakfast tacos to burgers and beyond.

Give Wayside Bacon a Try for a Tasty Change of Bacon Pace

If you love bacon but want to change up your usual pork belly, consider giving wayside bacon a try. This chewier, meatier bacon made from pork shoulder provides a pleasantly different texture and flavor. It shines in both savory and sweet recipes.

Wayside bacon is easy to find at many grocery stores, often less expensive than artisanal pork belly bacons. It stores and cooks just like regular bacon. Just allow a bit more time when baking or frying.

Next time you’re shopping for bacon, why not grab a pack of wayside bacon too? A taste test is the best way to experience how it’s similar yet unique from other bacon varieties.

So go ahead, think outside the pork belly and add some wayside bacon to your breakfast, burgers, vegetables, pasta, sandwiches, salads or desserts. Let us know your favorite ways to enjoy this underappreciated form of cured pork!