The number of people who are unaware other types of bacon exist is something we are on a mission to remedy. Belly meat is belly meat, whether you’re a pig, cow, lamb, or deer.
Beef bacon in particular is delicious and has a beefy, chewy texture that is perfect in so many dishes.
What is beef bacon?
Beef bacon is the cow equivalent of pork bacon. It is also cut from the belly, cured, and smoked. It can be subbed one-for-one with pork bacon and is higher in protein, tastes similar to smoked brisket, and tends to be a bit pricier than pork bacon.
Some people note that it also tastes a little saltier, but that depends on the cure, seasonings, and ratios of salt to beef.
Where does beef bacon come from?
Just like pork bacon, beef bacon is cut from the belly (navel) of the cow. This meat is part of the short plate primal and features alternating layers of fat and meat. Bacon producers may also cure, smoke, and slice cuts from the brisket or round primals as substitutes.
What does beef bacon taste like?
Beef bacon is chewier and meatier than pork bacon. You can think of it like thinly sliced and smoked beef brisket. It doesn’t crisp up quite as much, but it can be subbed perfectly one-for-one with pork bacon.
Beef bacon vs. pork bacon
The main difference between beef and pork bacon is the fundamental flavor difference between beef and pork, but beef bacon is higher in protein, has less fat, and has a meatier, chewier texture. Pork is more mild, generally cheaper, and has more fat.
Similarities
- Cut from the belly
- Good mix of fat and meat
- Crisps up
- Cooks quickly
- Rendered fat can be reused
- Versatile
Differences
- Beef has more protein
- Pork has more fat
- Beef is more expensive
- Pork bacon is a little less chewy
Is beef bacon healthy?
Like any cut of beef, 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef bacon from good sources is a great addition to a well-balanced diet. Yes, it is high in sodium and fat and you shouldn’t eat it every meal every day, but it is also high in protein and satiating.
A slice of organic, 100% grass-fed beef bacon has approximately:
- Calories: 48.7
- Total Fat: 4.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.87 g
- Trans Fat: 0.41 g
- Cholesterol: 8.8 mg
- Sodium: 97.3 mg
- Carbs: 0.018 g
- Protein: 2.6 g
How to prepare beef bacon
Cooking beef bacon is just like pork bacon. There is nothing to overthink.
Beef bacon in the oven
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Separate bacon onto a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes and flip.
- Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until it’s how you like it.
Beef bacon on the skillet
- Preheat a cast iron or skillet to medium heat.
- Place a few strips of bacon in. Make sure every slice has even contact with the pan.
- Flip after a few minutes when sufficiently browned.
- Cook until finished.
- Filter out drippings and reuse the fat.
What to make with beef bacon
Anything that pork bacon is good in, beef bacon will be as well. You can consider it just as versatile.
Here are a few ideas:
- Bacon and eggs (duh!)
- BLTs
- As a chili topping
- Bacon hash bowls
- In burgers
- As a salad topper
- Sneak it into the end of a pasta sauce to add a bit more depth
- Alongside pork bacon for multi-bacon deliciousness
- To wrap asparagus with
- Crushed on top of brussel sprouts with a balsamic glaze
- Wrapped jalapenos
You really can’t go wrong.
Why isn’t beef bacon more popular?
Beef bacon used to be more popular in the early 1900s when traditional preservation methods were still used in the majority of American households. With the rise of refrigeration and industrial farming, pork took its place as the cheapest and most popular type of bacon. Over time, market demand for more expensive meat bacon declined and pork cemented its position [*].
Where to buy the best beef bacon
The best beef bacon starts with the best cows. The best cows come from eating the best grass in perfect conditions for their entire lives. That means no grain feed. No added hormones. No antibiotics. If you have good farmers who raise their animals well, you don’t need to defend against rampant disease.
We take pride in working with exceptional farmers. Every cut we sell is from cows fed an exclusive diet of fresh grass — all the way to the end. Plus, we only work with farmers who prioritize sustainability and use regenerative farming techniques that keep us and our world healthy.
See how good 100% grass-fed beef bacon raised on the best grass in the world really is.
The bottom line on beef bacon
Beef bacon is delicious and should be more popular. It is more expensive, but that chewy, beefy taste with a perfect ratio of fat to meat should be experienced by all meat lovers.
Give it a shot and pack in some extra protein during your mornings — you won’t regret it.
Nathan Phelps
Nathan Phelps owns and writes for Crafted Copy, a boutique copywriting shop that finds the perfect words for interesting products. He is also an ethical foodie, outdoors-aficionado, and hails from Nashville, TN. He splits his time between helping sustainable businesses find new customers and managing his ever-increasing list of hobbies, which include playing guitar, baking bread, and creating board games.
