what part of the pig is bacon - American Beagle Club

Understanding the Context

Bacon comes from the pork belly, a versatile cut that spans the underside and lateral areas of the pig’s abdomen. While many people assume bacon comes entirely from one single part, it’s actually harvested from multiple sections of the belly, combined based on texture, fat content, and flavor preferences.

The Main Cut: Pork Belly — The Primary Source

The pork belly is the primary source of most commercial bacon. This wide cut runs along the pig’s belly, extending beneath the ribs, and includes both the abdominal fat and the along-the-spine pork slab. Because rich fat and lean meat alternation gives bacon its signature rich flavor and tantalizing crispness, butchers and brands choose cuts from different parts of the belly to achieve desired textures.

Inside the Pork Belly: Two Key Bacon Types

Key Insights

To simplify, bacon typically comes from two main regions within the pork belly, each offering a distinct profile:

1. Front Bacon (also called Crackling or Back Bacon)
   

   • From the upper outside corner of the belly
     
   • Has less fat but more lean meat, resulting in a firmer texture and bacon that’s slightly denser and less greasy
     
   • Often preferred by those who want bold flavor with less fat melt

2. Back Bacon (The Classic American Stimy Bacon)
   

   • From the lower, centrally located part of the pork belly
     
   • Richer, fattier, and juicier, with ample marbling creating that buttery mouthfeel
     
   • Most common in the U.S.; ideal for achieving crispness and deep smoky flavor when cured and smoked

Rare Alternative: Apple Bacon (Black Bacon)

Some premium bacon varieties, such as apple bacon, use the same pork belly but with added spices or charred finishes (and sometimes black lighting during cooking). Despite variations in seasoning or curing method, the base still comes from the belly — just with a twist to enhance flavor.

Final Thoughts

Why Knowing the Cut Matters

• Flavor and Texture: Choosing between back bacon and front bacon changes everything from crispness to taste. Back Bacon delivers rich smoke and fat mouthfeel, while front Bacon offers more lean flavor and structure.
  
• Curing and Smoking: Butchers cut and prepare different belly sections to optimize fat rendering and smoke absorption.
  
• Ethics and Sustainability: Understanding pork anatomy helps consumers make informed choices, such as selecting leaner cuts or sustainably raised pig parts.

Bottom Line: Bacon Is From the Pork Belly

To answer the question simply:
Bacon is primarily made from the pork belly — specifically, cuts from the lower region of the belly and its surrounding areas — combined to balance fat, lean meat, and flavor. Whether it’s back bacon for crispiness or front bacon for fat content, each piece comes from the same foundational part of the pig, cut and cured to create a globally cherished culinary treasure.

Final Tips: How to Pick the Right Bacon

• Decide based on desired flavor and texture: Rich and fatty = back bacon; juicy and smoky = front bacon.
  
• Look for labels specifying “pork belly” or “cured pork belly” for quality assurance.
  
• Explore artisanal brands that source specific cuts from the belly for optimal taste.