Demystifying Wayside Bacon: Your Complete Guide to This Unique Type of Bacon

As a bacon enthusiast who loves discovering new and interesting varieties, I was intrigued when I first heard about wayside bacon While classic pork belly bacon may be the most popular, there are so many other types of bacon out there with their own unique traits

In this article, I’ll uncover everything you need to know about wayside bacon – what makes it different, how to cook with it, and delicious recipe ideas. Whether you’re looking to expand your bacon horizons or just curious about this lesser-known bacon variety, read on for the full wayside bacon guide!

What Exactly is Wayside Bacon?

Wayside bacon comes from the pork shoulder or “Boston butt” rather than the belly. It features long thin slices that are around 2-3 inches wide.

Since it doesn’t contain as much fat, wayside bacon has a meatier, chewier texture compared to regular bacon. The flavor is milder too – more similar to ham than smoky, salty pork belly bacon.

Wayside bacon is sometimes called “cottage bacon” and is often oval or rectangular in shape when raw. It provides a leaner alternative for those looking to reduce fat without sacrificing bacon taste.

How Wayside Bacon Originated

The term “wayside” refers to small meat markets and butcher shops that once dotted roadsides across America. Farmers would deliver pork to these local wayside markets for processing into bacon.

Wayside bacon likely originated in the Midwest as these small markets crafted bacon from the pork shoulder rather than belly. The Boston butt allows for larger, uniform slices ideal for wayside bacon production. This variety grew popular through small-scale wayside purveyors.

Comparing Wayside Bacon to Other Styles

To highlight what makes wayside bacon unique, let’s compare it to a few other common bacon varieties:

• Pork belly – Most traditional bacon comes from pork belly which contains high fat content. This yields crispy bacon with a salty, smoky flavor.

• Canadian bacon – This lean back bacon comes from pork loin. It has a mild ham-like taste and texture.

• Turkey bacon – Made from ground, formed turkey, turkey bacon is extra lean with a delicate flavor.

• Wayside bacon – From pork shoulder, wayside bacon is also lean but with a chewy, meaty texture unlike other bacons. The flavor is mild like ham.

So wayside bacon provides the meatiness of ham with a hint of bacon flavor. Its distinguishing quality is the pork shoulder cut.

Buying and Storing Wayside Bacon

While wayside bacon may not be as readily available as regular pork belly bacon, you can find it in select stores or order online:

• Specialty meat shops and butchers
• Direct from pig farms and meat processors
• Online stores for specialty meats

Unopened wayside bacon lasts about 2 weeks in the fridge. Once opened, use within 1 week. For longer storage, wayside bacon can be frozen for 2-3 months. Be sure to wrap it airtight to prevent freezer burn.

Cooking with Wayside Bacon

The lean meatiness of wayside bacon lends itself well to certain cooking methods:

• Oven baked into breakfast casseroles and stratas
• Chopped in beans, soups and stews for flavor
• Wrapped around smoked sausages before grilling
• Grilled wayside bacon sandwiches with BBQ sauce
• Baked wayside bacon dip with cheese, scallions and spices

Since it’s leaner than belly bacon, wayside bacon can dry out if cooked too long over high heat. Adjust timing and temperatures to avoid overcooking.

Delicious Wayside Bacon Recipes to Try

Here are just a few tasty recipe ideas for wayside bacon:

• Hash brown breakfast casserole – Combine diced wayside bacon, frozen shredded hash browns, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and bake.

• Baked bean soup – Saute chopped onions, garlic, wayside bacon and spices, then add cans of baked beans and chicken broth.

• Grilled wayside BLT – Layer wayside bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on toasted bread after grilling bacon 2-3 minutes per side.

• Loaded wayside potato skins – Bake potato skins stuffed with wayside bacon, cheddar cheese, scallions and ranch dressing.

• Bacon pickled deviled eggs – Top deviled egg halves with a small slice of wayside bacon and a pickle slice.

With its distinct texture and flavor, wayside bacon can elevate everything from breakfast plates to soups and sandwiches. The options are endless for creative ways to enjoy this unique bacon variety!