What is it?

Brined and smoked pork belly, bacon comes unsliced (called slab bacon) and, more commonly, sliced in either thin, regular, or thick slices. Its salty, smoky flavor and crisp texture makes it a welcome addition to salads, soups, vegetable dishes…well, let’s face it: anything tastes better with bacon. Bacon is often added to dishes in the form of lardons: small (about 1/2-inch-wide) strips that are browned to create a flavor foundation.

Kitchen math:

1 pound = about 16 regular slices

Don’t have it?

Pancetta is a good substitute, though it is unsmoked, and won’t contribute bacon’s smoky flavor.

How to choose:

There’s a wide variety of bacon styles available; your best best is to sample a few to see which style (lean and chewy; crisp and fatty) you like best. Look for a good ratio of fat to meat as the fat is what makes bacon so appealing. Thicker sliced bacon will be easier to slice (as in lardons) and while thinner slices will cook up the crispiest.

How to prep:

Start the bacon in a cold pan set over medium low, and you’ll get a nice steady sizzle in the pan instead of splatter on your stove. To make bacon lardons, cut strips crosswise into about 1/2-inch-wide pieces before cooking.

How to store:

Store unopened bacon in the refrigerator or, for longer storage, in the freezer. To freeze, wrap a few slices together in individual packets so it’s easy to thaw only the amount you need.

Cross Reference

slab bacon; pancetta

Recipes

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  Corn Chowder Salad

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  It’s amazing how the addition of tarragon plays with our notion of classic linguine and clam sauce. The herb makes it feel lighter and more summery.

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  Cloud Eggs with Spinach Salad

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  Lemony Peas with Bacon and Tarragon

  Sweet peas play well with smoky bacon and tangy lemon. This makes a stupendous side for seared or grilled salmon or crisp-skinned chicken.

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  BLT Pasta with Gremolata

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  Parchment-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Leek, Bacon, and Parmesan Stuffing

  Beef tenderloin is popular at Christmas, but few guests will have had it served this way, with a savory, smoky bread stuffing, baked to just the right amount of crisp…

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  This simple but festive side pairs beautifully with roast beef, making it a perfect element of a holiday meal.

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  Pork Chops with Watercress Mashed Potatoes

  The briny bite of the green peppercorns is essential to this sauce and pairs wonderfully with the rich flavors and textures of the dish. If you don’t have them on…