Bacon Chop vs Pork Chop: What’s the Difference?

We have been banging on about bacon chops a bit recently, which has led us down a rather short path to a question we probably should have seen coming: what is the difference between a bacon chop and a pork chop?

They look similar, they both come from the pork loin, and they are both usually cut nice and thick. But there is one very important difference.

A bacon chop is cured. A pork chop is fresh.

What is a bacon chop?

As outlined in our guide to what a bacon chop is, a bacon chop is basically a thick cut rasher of bacon.

Bacon chops are cut from whole bacon loins. These are pork loins that have been cured with salt, in much the same way as traditional back bacon. That means a bacon chop comes from the same part of the pig as back bacon, but it is cut much thicker.

The result is a meaty chop with that familiar salty bacon flavour. Think of it as bacon with a bit more bite.

What is a pork chop?

A pork chop is also cut from the pork loin, but it is not cured. It is fresh pork, cut from the loin and sold as a chop.

Because it has not been cured, a pork chop has a more natural pork flavour rather than the salty, savoury flavour you get from bacon.

A good pork chop is usually cut thick enough to pan-fry, grill, roast or barbecue, and it works well with classic sides like potatoes, vegetables, gravy, apple sauce or mustard.

Bacon chop vs pork chop: the main difference

The main difference between a bacon chop and a pork chop is curing.

A bacon chop is made from cured pork loin, which gives it that salty bacon flavour. A pork chop is made from fresh pork loin, so it tastes more like traditional pork.

They may come from a similar part of the pig, but they eat very differently. A bacon chop is closer to a thick rasher of bacon or a gammon-style steak. A pork chop is more like a fresh pork steak on the bone or off the bone, depending on how it has been cut.

Which one should you choose?

It is hard to say one is better than the other, because they suit different meals.

A bacon chop is perfect with egg and chips, on a cooked breakfast, or anywhere you might usually use gammon. It gives you that salty, cured flavour and feels like a proper centrepiece on the plate.

A pork chop is better when you want a more traditional pork dinner. Think roast potatoes, gravy, vegetables, apple sauce, mustard, or a simple pan-fried chop with buttery mash.

So really, it is horses for courses. Bacon chops are for when you want bacon flavour in chop form. Pork chops are for when you want the clean, natural flavour of pork.

Can you cook them the same way?

You can cook bacon chops and pork chops in similar ways, but they do not taste the same and they may need slightly different handling.

Bacon chops are cured, so they already bring plenty of salty flavour. They are great grilled, pan-fried or oven cooked until piping hot throughout.

Pork chops are fresh, so they benefit from seasoning before cooking. They can be pan-fried, grilled, roasted or barbecued, but they should be cooked properly and allowed to rest before serving.

If you are cooking bacon chops, our guide on how to cook bacon gives useful general advice for cured pork cuts.

Are bacon chops and pork chops from the same part of the pig?

Yes, both bacon chops and pork chops usually come from the pork loin.

The difference is what happens after butchery. Pork chops are sold fresh. Bacon chops are cut from cured pork loin, which is why they have that bacon-like flavour.

If you want to learn more about different bacon cuts, read our guide to types of bacon.

FAQs about bacon chops and pork chops

Is a bacon chop just a pork chop?

Not quite. A bacon chop and a pork chop can both come from the loin, but a bacon chop is cured and a pork chop is fresh.

Does a bacon chop taste like bacon?

Yes, a bacon chop has that familiar cured bacon flavour, but it is cut much thicker than a normal rasher of bacon.

Can I use a bacon chop instead of a pork chop?

You can, but the finished meal will taste different. A bacon chop is saltier and more like bacon or gammon, while a pork chop has a fresh pork flavour.

Can I use a pork chop instead of a bacon chop?

You can, but you will not get the same cured flavour. A pork chop is better for classic pork dinners, while a bacon chop is better when you want that salty bacon-style taste.

Which is better for breakfast?

A bacon chop is usually better for breakfast because it has the same cured flavour as bacon, but in a thicker, meatier cut.