Bacon comes from pork that has been cured with salt. In the UK, bacon most commonly comes from the loin of the pig, which is used to make back bacon. In other countries, especially America, bacon usually comes from the belly of the pig, which is what we call streaky bacon.

So when someone asks, “where does bacon come from?”, the answer depends on the type of bacon you are talking about.

Back bacon, streaky bacon, middle bacon, collar bacon and bacon medallions all come from different parts of the pig. They are all bacon, but they are not all the same cut.

What Is Bacon?

Bacon is pork that has been cured, usually with salt, and sometimes with sugar, spices, smoke or other flavourings.

Curing was originally used as a way of preserving meat before modern fridges and freezers. These days, curing is still used because it gives bacon its flavour, texture and character.

Good bacon should taste savoury, porky and slightly salty. Depending on how it is made, it may also be smoked, sweet, peppery or more traditional in flavour.

For more on how bacon is made, have a look at our guide to what dry cured bacon is.

Where Does Bacon Come From on a Pig?

Bacon can come from several parts of the pig, depending on the style of bacon being made.

The most common types are:

• Back bacon comes from the pork loin.
• Streaky bacon comes from the pork belly.
• Middle bacon comes from the loin and belly together.
• Collar bacon comes from the pork shoulder area.
• Bacon medallions come from the lean eye of the pork loin.
• Lardons are usually cut from streaky bacon or belly bacon.

That is why bacon can look, cook and taste very different depending on the cut.

Where Does Back Bacon Come From?

Back bacon comes from the pork loin, which runs along the back of the pig.

This is the most popular style of bacon in the UK. It is the classic bacon you would expect in a bacon sandwich or full English breakfast.

Back bacon usually has a lean eye of meat with a strip of fat around the edge. It is meatier and leaner than streaky bacon, which is why many UK customers prefer it for breakfast.

Where Does Streaky Bacon Come From?

Streaky bacon comes from the pork belly.

It has more fat running through it, which gives it the streaky appearance. That fat is exactly why streaky bacon crisps so well.

Streaky bacon is especially popular for crispy bacon, burgers, pancakes, pigs in blankets, loaded fries, toppings and American-style breakfasts.

For more detail, read our guide to streaky bacon vs back bacon.

Back Bacon vs Streaky Bacon

The main difference between back bacon and streaky bacon is where they come from on the pig.

Is Bacon Always Pork?

Traditional bacon is made from pork.

However, you can also get bacon-style products made from other meats, such as turkey bacon. Turkey bacon is not pork bacon, but it is cured and sliced in a similar way to bacon.

At True Bites, our turkey bacon is made from whole boneless turkey breast, cured in a bacon-style way, and sliced to specification. It is lower in fat than traditional pork bacon and has its own flavour and texture.

Where Did Bacon Originally Come From?

Bacon has a long history because curing pork was a practical way to preserve meat.

Salted pork was eaten by ancient civilisations, including the Romans, and cured pork became part of food culture across Europe over time. In Britain, bacon became especially popular because pigs were useful animals to keep and cured pork could be stored for longer than fresh meat.

Today, bacon is no longer just about preservation. It is about flavour, convenience and tradition.

How Is Bacon Made?

Bacon is made by curing pork with salt.

The pork may be dry cured or wet cured, depending on the method used. Dry cured bacon is made by rubbing the cure directly onto the meat and allowing time for the cure to work. Wet cured bacon is made using a brine, either by soaking or injection.

Dry cured bacon is the more traditional method and usually gives a firmer texture, stronger flavour and less water in the pan.

If you want to understand the difference properly, read our guide on dry cured bacon.

Why Does Bacon Taste So Good?

Bacon tastes good because it has the winning combination of pork, salt, fat and browning.

The curing process gives bacon its savoury flavour. The fat adds richness. Then, when bacon is cooked properly, the surface browns and crisps, giving you that classic bacon smell and taste.

That is also why different types of bacon suit different jobs. Back bacon gives you a meatier bite, while streaky bacon gives you more crisp and fat.

How to Cook Bacon

Bacon can be cooked in a pan, under the grill, in the oven or on the BBQ.

For most people, pan-frying is the classic method. Oven cooking is useful when you are cooking a larger batch, and grilling works well if you prefer a slightly leaner finish.

For full cooking advice, read our guides on how to cook bacon, how to cook bacon in a pan, how to cook bacon in the oven and how to grill bacon.

What Type of Bacon Should You Choose?

Choose back bacon if you want a classic bacon sandwich, full English breakfast or a leaner rasher.

Choose streaky bacon if you want crispy bacon, bacon for burgers, bacon for pancakes, or bacon to use as a topping.

Choose dry cured bacon if you want better flavour, less added water and less shrinkage in the pan.

Browse our full bacon range if you want to compare the different options.

Final Thoughts

Bacon comes from cured pork, but the exact part of the pig depends on the type of bacon.

In the UK, back bacon is the most common type and comes from the pork loin. Streaky bacon comes from the pork belly and is fattier, crispier and more common in American-style bacon.

Both have their place. Back bacon is perfect for a proper bacon sandwich, while streaky bacon is hard to beat when you want crispy, salty bacon with plenty of flavour.

FAQs

Where does bacon come from?

Bacon comes from pork that has been cured with salt. Different types of bacon come from different parts of the pig.

Where does bacon come from on a pig?

Back bacon comes from the pork loin, while streaky bacon comes from the pork belly. Other types of bacon can come from the shoulder, middle or lean eye of the loin.

What part of the pig is back bacon?

Back bacon comes from the pork loin, which is why it is leaner and meatier than streaky bacon.

What part of the pig is streaky bacon?

Streaky bacon comes from the pork belly. It has more fat running through it, which helps it crisp when cooked.

Is bacon always made from pork?

Traditional bacon is made from pork, but bacon-style products can also be made from other meats, such as turkey bacon.

What is the most common bacon in the UK?

Back bacon is the most common type of bacon in the UK. It is the classic rasher used for bacon sandwiches and full English breakfasts.

What is American bacon?

American bacon usually means streaky bacon, which comes from the pork belly.