The Curious Case of the Missing Beef Bacon

Bacon is one of the most beloved breakfast foods across America The savory, smoky flavor of cured and smoked pork belly is hard to resist Walk down the meat aisle and you’ll see countless options—thick cut, peppered, maple flavored, turkey, and more. But have you ever wondered why you don’t see beef bacon sold alongside the ubiquitous pork varieties?

The History of Bacon is Pork

To understand the lack of beef bacon, we must first look at the history of bacon itself. The word bacon simply refers to any meat that has been cured and smoked Pork belly happens to be perfectly suited for making bacon Its high fat content and mild flavor lend themselves beautifully to curing, smoking, and frying.

Over several centuries, bacon became synonymous with pork belly Traditional English and American recipes used pork because pigs were cheaper and easier to raise than cattle They mature faster and feeding them is less expensive. Plus, pork belly has that ideal bacon fat-to-meat ratio.

So although you can technically make “bacon” from other meats, bacon became tied to pork belly in common cuisine. Beef was reserved for steaks and roasts, not bacon.

The Rise and Fall of Beef Bacon

Beef bacon did enjoy some popularity in America during the first half of the 20th century. This was partly due to rationing during World War II that made pork hard to come by. Also, improvements in cattle breeding and feeding lowered beef prices, making it more affordable.

Some companies succeeded in commercial beef bacon production for a time. Emge Brand Beef Bacon was sold in stores from the 1930s to 1950s. Areas like Texas with a strong cattle culture embraced beef bacon as a point of local pride.

But ultimately pork’s advantages won out over beef when it came to curing, smoking, and selling bacon cheaply and easily. As pork belly got cheaper, most consumers gravitated back to the familiar taste. Beef bacon was gradually phased out by major meat packers.

Why Don’t We See Beef Bacon Today?

In the last couple decades, consumer interest in beef bacon has resurged. The keto and paleo diet crazes created demand for low-carb, high-protein meat products. Beef bacon fits the bill. Taste tests confirm its rich, meaty flavor is quite delicious.

So why has beef bacon failed to make a widespread comeback and compete with pork? Here are the key obstacles:

• Processing challenges – Beef is less fatty so doesn’t cure and smoke as easily into crisp, tender bacon.

• Cost – Due to cattle raising and butchering labor, beef bacon is far pricier to produce.

• Lack of demand – Most consumers don’t know or think to buy beef bacon over traditional pork.

• No big suppliers – Large meat companies still won’t invest in mass production of beef bacon.

While these barriers remain, beef bacon is unlikely to unseat pork bacon’s dominance anytime soon. Pork producers have the scale, efficiency, and consumer familiarity needed to maintain bacon market share.

Is Small-Scale Beef Bacon Making a Comeback?

Despite the challenges, some small beef farms and butchers are bringing back artisan beef bacon on a small scale. With care and creativity, they can craft high quality cure and smoke beef belly into tasty bacon.

Specialty stores and online food retailers now offer beef bacon options to adventurous bacon-lovers. The favorful meat and generous marbling make for a indulgent treat. Prices remain very high, putting it out of reach for everyday breakfasts. Still, beef bacon is gaining a niche following.

As more people discover its existence and appeal through specialty stores and social media, beef bacon may continue its quiet resurgence. It likely won’t dethrone pork belly’s bacon dominance, but could join turkey and other niche bacons as an alternative for pork-avoiding or daring diners.

The next time you browse the bacon offerings, keep an eye out for beef alongside the pork. Bringing home some thick-cut beef bacon can be a delicious change of pace from your usual strips. With its deep meaty flavor and hearty texture, you may become a beef bacon convert too.