What is White Bacon?

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Americans love bacon. This salt-cured meat cut that comes from the back or belly of a pig has been enjoyed by people for centuries. There are several different types of bacon available, each with its unique flavor and texture. White bacon is one of them.

So, what is white bacon? White bacon is a product rather than a ‘type’ of bacon, which is made in Spain from the hog’s skin and a layer of bacon attached to it.

Read on to find out more about white bacon, its unique characteristics, how it can be enjoyed, and some of the most popular types of bacon.

What Is Bacon?

Bacon is a fatty cut of meat that is typically made from the belly of the pig. The meat is first cured in a mixture of salt, sugar, and other seasonings.

It is left to cure anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the flavor and texture of the final product. After the curing process, the bacon is smoked over wood to give it its characteristic flavor and aroma.

Bacon isn’t a new type of meat. It has been around since the early civilizations when pigs were domesticated for their meat.

The process of making bacon has evolved but the basic concept of curing it with salt, smoke, and other seasonings remains unchanged.

Bacon is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Commonly used as a topping for salads or a sandwich filling, BLT sandwiches in particular, it can also be used to add flavor to soups, stews, and casseroles.

You can chop it up and add it to your favorite pasta dish or use it as a wrapping for vegetables. It is also often paired with eggs and enjoyed for breakfast.

Although bacon is particularly popular in the US, it is also used in various other countries around the world such as the UK, Germany, and Italy.

Types of Bacon

Here is a summary of some of the most popular types of bacon enjoyed all over the world:

Type of Bacon	Description
American Bacon	Also known as streaky bacon, side bacon, and belly bacon, it is made of thin slices of pork belly and adds a crunchy texture to whatever it is added to.
Canadian Bacon	Known as back bacon in Canada, it consists of thick, round slices of pork loin with a flavor similar to ham.
Cured Bacon	Pork belly preserved with salt and chemical additives to extend its shelf life and prevent spoilage and bacterial growth.
Pancetta	Also called Italian bacon, it is seasoned and salt-cured meat from the underside of the pig and is a key component in carbonara.
Pork Belly	It is a prime cut of meat that comes from the underside of the pig and contains the fattiest meat.
Prosciutto	Salt-cured hind leg of the pig with a rosy color and soft, buttery texture most commonly enjoyed uncooked.
Salt Pork	Made by packing or rubbing fatty parts of the pig with salt or submerging them in salty brine.
Speck	Similar to pancetta, it is a smoked variety of ham made from salt-cured or pickled pork belly, back, or hind leg.

If you’ve ever heard the term white bacon and wondered what it is, it is a typical Spanish product that is made using the pig’s skin and a layer of bacon attached to it.

It is made by a company from Teruel by the name of Jamones Carbó that specializes in a variety of pork products including bacon, ham, and Spanish sausages, and a variety of appetizers and drinks.

It is prepared in strips that are 1cm thick and at least 15cm long. The meat is obtained from the pig’s skin and consists of the skin itself in addition to a layer of pork fat.

White bacon is a raw product that needs to be cooked before being eaten. It can be fried or baked and the result is juicy bacon with very crispy skin.

It has a straw-white color that turns light brown when cooked and takes on a hard and crispy exterior. Cooked white bacon is also often known as torrenzos and has an intense, fatty, and delicious flavor.

How to Cook White Bacon?

There are three basic ways to cook white bacon: on the stove, in the oven, and in the microwave.

Method 1: On the Stove

Cooking bacon on the stove is the classic way to crisp up those fatty pieces of pig meat to perfection. Here are step-by-step instructions to do so:

Lay out the white bacon strips on a cold pan. Avoid overlapping them.
Turn the stove on low.
In a while, you will see that the bacon strips will start to release some of their fat.
When the bacon starts to curl up, use a pair of tongs to loosen them up and turn each strip on the other side.
Keep flipping and turning the sides so that the bacon browns evenly.
If the bacon is greasy and you notice the pan filling up with grease, remove the excess grease using a bulb baster and squeeze it into a separate glass, metal, or ceramic container.
Cook until the bacon is done to your desired level of crispiness.
Remove the bacon pieces from the pan using tongs and allow them to drain onto some paper towels.

Method 2: In the Oven

Baking bacon in the oven is the ideal method if you have a big batch to prepare and wish to keep your stovetop free. Here are step-by-step instructions to do so:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, making sure it overhangs from all 4 sides for an easier clean-up.
Arrange the bacon strips on the baking sheet in a single layer. Avoid overlapping them or they will stick during cooking.
Put the baking sheet on the middle rack in the oven and let the bacon bake until it turns crispy and takes on a deep golden-brown color. (The baking time will depend on the level of crispiness you like and can range from 12 to 18 minutes).
When the bacon is ready, use tongs to transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels so that it can drain and finish crisping up.

Method 3: In the Microwave

This method works best when you want to cook just a few pieces of bacon for a quick sandwich or salad. It does, however, require a lot of paper towels! Here are step-by-step instructions to cook white bacon in the microwave:

Line the bottom of a dish with at least 4 layers of paper towels to soak up the bacon grease.
Lay the strips of bacon in a single layer on the paper towels. They can be close together but make sure to not overlap them.
Cover the bacon with another 2 layers of paper towels.
If you have more bacon to cook, you can add it in additional layers, making sure to separate each layer with at least 2 paper towels. Make sure to add a final 2 layers of paper towels on the very top.
Place the dish with the bacon inside the microwave and heat it on high for 1 minute per slice.
Check the bacon after a minute and, if needed, let it cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Transfer the bacon to a separate plate, making sure to discard the paper towels as the bacon may start to stick to them once it starts to cool off.
Drain any excess grease using some fresh paper towels and enjoy.

Best Ways to Enjoy White Bacon

In our opinion, any way that you eat bacon is the best way! That’s how delicious it is. You can enjoy it on its own or pair it with other ingredients for a proper bacon fest. Here are some of the best ways you can enjoy bacon:

BLT sandwiches – BLT stands for bacon, lettuce, and tomato, and is a popular sandwich that simply never gets old;
Bacon and eggs – a perfect breakfast combination that you simply can’t say no to;
Bacon pasta – bacon is a common ingredient in many pasta dishes, especially carbonara;
Bacon mac and cheese – you can take your mac n cheese game to the next level by adding bacon to it;
Bacon pizza topping – you can top your favorite pizza with anything, and what’s better than some crispy bacon?

You can also use bacon to enhance the flavor of your soups, stews, salads, and rice. The options are simply endless!

What is White Bacon? – Essential Guide

What Is Bacon?

Types of Bacon