What is Arkansas Bacon? A Complete Guide to This Unique and Delicious Pork Product

Arkansas bacon has developed quite a cult following among bacon lovers and pork enthusiasts alike. But what exactly is Arkansas bacon, and what makes it so special? In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this unique type of bacon, from how it’s made to why it tastes so good.

A Little Background on Arkansas Bacon

Arkansas bacon originated in the Natural State itself. It’s made from pork shoulders specifically from Arkansas-raised heritage hog breeds like Duroc, Yorkshire, and Hampshire. These heritage breeds have more intramuscular fat, which results in a juicier, more flavorful meat.

The specific cut used is the Boston butt or pork shoulder blade roast. This is prepared by removing the bone, fat cap, skin and any connective tissue, leaving just a lean, boneless roast of meat. Only up to 1/4 inch of fat can remain on the roast to be considered true Arkansas bacon.

Unlike regular bacon made from pork belly, Arkansas bacon contains very little fat. It’s also minimally processed without artificial ingredients. Only natural dry curing and smoking methods bring out the signature flavor.

What Makes Arkansas Bacon Unique?

There are a few key things that distinguish authentic Arkansas bacon from regular bacon

• Made from the pork shoulder or Boston butt: Uses a leaner, more flavorful cut than pork belly.

• Minimally processed: Simply dry cured and naturally smoked, without artificial ingredients.

• Higher omega-3 content: 2.5x more omega-3s than conventional pork due to special heritage hog diets.

• Thick cut: Sliced thicker than regular bacon for fuller bacon flavor and heartier texture.

• No-sugar cure: Cured with only salt, spices and natural celery powder without added sugars.

• Hickory smoked: Real hardwood smoke provides signature smoky flavor (no liquid smoke).

• Small batch production: Crafted in limited quantities for premium artisanal quality.

These traditional methods and attention to quality result in a bacon that’s meatier, smokier, and overall more flavorful than regular mass-produced bacon. The high omega-3 content from heritage hog feed also boosts the nutritional value.

How Arkansas Bacon is Made

Authentic Arkansas bacon goes through a time-honored process that dates back over 100 years:

1. Shoulders from heritage breed hogs are selected – The meat is sourced from heritage hog farms that use traditional breeds and feed.

2. The pork is trimmed and portioned – Specialty butchers remove the bones, fat cap, skin and connective tissue, leaving just the lean pork muscle.

3. A dry cure is applied – The pork is rubbed with a proprietary blend of sea salt, spices, and natural celery powder. No liquid brine or sugar is used.

4. The pork cures for 1-2 weeks – Curing draws out moisture and concentrates the porky flavor while the sea salt penetrates the meat.

5. Low and slow smoking – The pork shoulders are smoked for up to 18 hours using real hardwood like hickory for genuine smoky flavor.

6. Cooling and slicing – Once smoked, the pork shoulders are cooled overnight before hand-slicing into 1/4 to 1/2-inch slices.

7. Packaging and shipping – The thick-cut bacon slices are vacuum sealed and shipped to retailers and customers.

It’s a traditional process focused on quality ingredients, true smoking, and craftsmanship. And the end result is a hearty, savory bacon like no other.

The Unique Flavor of Arkansas Bacon

From the choice heritage breed pork to the specialized curing and smoking process, Arkansas bacon delivers an incredibly rich, well-rounded flavor you won’t find with mass-produced bacon. Here’s what makes it so tasty:

• Porky and rich – The flavor is deep and porky thanks to the fatty heritage breed and minimal processing that retains moisture.

• Smoky and savory – Real hardwood smoke provides authentic smoky notes while the salt and spice cure boosts savoriness.

• Slightly sweet – Natural flavors from the high-quality pork offer just a touch of sweetness to balance the smoke and salt.

• Peppery and herbaceous – Specialty seasoning blends add peppery spice and aromatic herbs.

• Umami-rich – Compounds like glutamates form during curing to give a mouthwatering umami taste.

• Satisfyingly salty – The dry cure provides the perfect level of saltiness you crave from great bacon.

With this perfect balance of tastes and textures, Arkansas bacon satisfies bacon lovers old and new.

Health Benefits of Arkansas Bacon

While most bacon is high in saturated fat, Arkansas bacon has some surprisingly nutritious qualities:

• High in protein – About 20 grams of protein per serving aids muscle growth and keeps you fuller longer.

• Rich in B vitamins – Important for energy, brain function, and converting food into energy.

• Lower in bad fats – Has less unhealthy saturated fat compared to regular bacon.

• Higher in good fats – Up to 2.5 times more anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids than pork bacon.

• No added nitrites – Cured with natural celery powder instead of potentially harmful sodium nitrite.

• No added sugar – The no-sugar cure eliminates unnecessary refined carbs and calories.

When enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, Arkansas bacon can be a nutritious addition to your day.

Best Ways to Cook Arkansas Bacon

The flavor and texture of Arkansas bacon lends itself perfectly to these cooking methods:

• Pan-fried – The thick slices retain their shape beautifully when fried over medium heat. Drain on paper towels and enjoy crispy.

• Oven-baked – Arrange slices on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until browned and sizzling.

• Grilled – Gets nice char marks and smoky flavor when grilled over direct heat. Goes great in a BLT!

• Chopped – Diced up bacon adds smoky porky flavor as a topping for things like baked potatoes, salads, pizza and more.

• Wrapped – Wrap around chicken, shrimp, scallops, steak, asparagus, and other foods before grilling or baking.

Thanks to its hardy texture and big flavor, Arkansas bacon excels in pretty much any cooking application.

Where to Buy Arkansas Bacon

To get your hands on authentic artisanal Arkansas bacon, look for these top producers:

• Coursey’s Smoked Meats – A famous roadside shop that’s been curing bacon for decades using old family recipes.

• Ozark Mountain Poultry – Specialty producer of heritage pork and poultry products raised on sustainably-run family farms.

• Petit Jean Meats – Classic Arkansas-style bacon smoked at the famous Morrilton Packing Company.

• Ham-I-Am – Small batch producer that dry cures and hickory smokes their bacon in true Arkansas tradition.

• Radical Roots Farm – Sustainably-raised heritage breed bacon from a diversified family farm in Harrison, AR.

Many high-end butcher shops and gourmet stores throughout Arkansas also carry locally made artisanal bacons. Check farmers markets too.

Ordering online directly from the producer is usually the best way to make sure you’re getting genuine no-sugar-cured, hickory-smoked Arkansas bacon.

Recipes with Arkansas Bacon

The rich, smoky flavor of Arkansas bacon makes it perfect for all kinds of recipes:

• Classic BLT – Crispy Arkansas bacon is the star ingredient of this quintessential sandwich.

• Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin – Take this recipe up a notch by wrapping the tenderloin in smoky bacon before roasting.

• Cowboy Baked Beans – Chopped bacon cooked right in the beans gives them incredible flavor.

• Bacon-Gouda Mac and Cheese – Bits of chewy bacon complement the creamy cheese sauce beautifully.

• Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf – Ground beef studded with cheese and bacon for the ultimate hearty comfort food.

• Brussels Sprouts with Bacon – Roasted Brussels sprouts are taken over the top with crispy, chopped bacon.

With its bold flavor and hearty texture, Arkansas bacon can take just about any dish from good to great.

Is Arkansas Bacon Worth Trying?

If you’re a true bacon lover, then Arkansas bacon is absolutely worth sampling. The deeply savory, smoky flavor from its artisanal dry curing and smoking process is beyond compare.

The rich, hearty texture and well-balanced taste make it perfect for everything from weekend breakfasts to gourmet dinners. And it’s minimally processed with higher omega-3 content than regular bacon.

For an authentic premium bacon experience packed with heritage flavor, be sure to seek out genuine dry-cured and hickory-smoked Arkansas bacon next time you’re shopping for this porky staple. Just one bite, and you’ll be hooked on this Ozark specialty!