What Is Blanched Bacon Rind? A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Bacon is one of the most beloved breakfast foods out there. Crispy, salty, smoky – it’s hard to resist those tasty strips of pork belly. But if you’ve ever prepared your own bacon, you may have noticed there’s more to it than just the fatty meat part. On one side of the bacon is a layer of skin, known as bacon rind.

While most people simply discard the rind it can actually be a very useful ingredient if utilized properly. In particular, blanching the bacon rind is a technique that can transform it into a tasty addition to various dishes. But what exactly is blanched bacon rind? Let’s find out!

What is Bacon Rind?

Bacon rind refers to the skin on the side of a slice of pork belly that hasn’t been cured or smoked. It’s the part that people normally cut off and throw away when preparing bacon. The skin contains a lot of collagen which makes it quite tough and chewy when raw. It also has a fairly strong pork flavor.

On its own, raw bacon rind isn’t very palatable. But with the right preparations like blanching, it can be turned into a versatile ingredient that adds texture and depth of flavor to various dishes.

What is Blanching?

Blanching is a simple cooking technique where an ingredient is briefly immersed in boiling water, then removed and plunged into ice cold water to stop the cooking process.

When it comes to vegetables, blanching helps lock in color, texture, and nutrients. With bacon rind, blanching serves multiple purposes:

• Removes excess salt and impurities from the skin
• Partially renders some of the fat
• Softens up the rind so it’s not so chewy
• Mildly infuses flavor into the water, which can be used for stocks or soups

After blanching, the bacon rind becomes pleasantly soft with a concentrated porky flavor. The fat also becomes deliciously rendered.

How to Blanch Bacon Rind

Blanching bacon rind is easy and only takes about 10 minutes. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

• Bacon rind (removed from pork belly)
• Water
• Ice water bath

Instructions:

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Make sure you use enough water to fully submerge the rind later.

2. Once boiling, add the bacon rind and let it cook for 7-10 minutes. This will partially render the fat and soften up the skin.

3. Drain the rind and immediately plunge it into a bowl of ice water for 1 minute to stop the cooking process.

4. Take the blanched rind out of the ice bath and pat dry. It’s now ready to use in recipes.

And that’s it! With just three simple steps, you can transform the often discarded bacon rind into a useful ingredient.

How to Use Blanch Bacon Rind

Now that you know how to blanch bacon rind, let’s look at some of the delicious ways it can be used:

Add to bean soups

Blanched rind adds great texture and flavor when diced up and added to hearty bean soups like split pea or lentil soup.

Use in stew recipes

Add blanched rind to beef stew, Coq au Vin, or any braise for extra richness.

Make bacon lardons

Slice blanched rind into lardons (small matchsticks) and render in a pan until crispy. Scatter over salads, pasta, or anywhere you’d use bacon bits.

Infuse flavor into stocks and broths

Simmer blanched rind in stock or broth for an hour to impart a subtle smoky pork flavor.

Bake into bread

For savory baked goods, try dicing blanched rind and kneading it into the dough for a bacon flavor twist.

Garnish for roasted veggies

Dice, pan fry until crispy, and use as garnish over roasted potatoes, brussels sprouts, etc.

Seasoning for bean dishes

Add finely chopped blanched rind to dried beans as they cook for extra flavor.

Flavor boost for scrambled eggs

Fry some diced rind in the pan before scrambling eggs for breakfast.

Add crunch to mac and cheese

Mix crispy bacon rind into macaroni and cheese for delicious crunch.

Make pet treats

Fry the rind until crispy, let cool, and break into pieces to make tasty treats for dogs.

As you can see, the possibilities are nearly endless! Blanching transforms the rind into a handy flavor enhancer for both sweet and savory applications.

Storing and Freezing Blanch Bacon Rind

Like regular bacon, blanched bacon rind should be consumed within 5-7 days if refrigerated in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for longer term storage.

To freeze, first pat the blanched rind dry, then tightly wrap in plastic wrap or place in freezer bags. Properly wrapped, it will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer.

Thaw frozen rind overnight in the fridge before using. The thawed rind can go straight into cooking applications.

Is Blanched Bacon Rind Healthy?

While bacon rind will never be considered a “health food”, blanching does make it a slightly healthier alternative to regular bacon.

Blanching helps reduce the salt content considerably by leaching it out into the boiling water. Some of the fat is also rendered out in the process.

Nutritionally, bacon rind contains a decent amount of protein and various minerals like iron, zinc, and potassium. It’s also rich in collagen, which provides skin and joint health benefits when consumed.

Of course, moderation is still key when enjoying any processed pork product. But in reasonable amounts, blanched bacon rind can be part of a balanced diet.

Common Questions about Bacon Rind

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about working with bacon rind:

Can you eat raw bacon rind?

It’s not recommended to eat raw bacon rind. The rind needs to be cooked in some way to become tender and palatable. Blanching is the easiest method.

Is bacon rind good for dogs?

In small amounts, bacon rind can be a tasty treat for dogs. Make sure it’s blanched first and be mindful of salt content. Monitor your dog closely when introducing any new treat.

What’s the white stuff on bacon rind?

The white substance you sometimes see on raw rind is called pork bloom. It’s a mixture of water, protein, and minerals that leaches out from inside the meat. It’s harmless but can be rinsed off before blanching if desired.

Can you freeze raw bacon rind?

Yes, you can freeze raw rind for later use. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped. Thaw overnight in the fridge before blanching or cooking.

Is bacon rind Keto friendly?

Since it’s nearly pure fat and protein with no carbs, blanched bacon rind can definitely fit into a Keto diet when used in moderation. Just account for the calories.

Get Creative with Bacon Rind!

Now that you know all about blanched bacon rind and how to use it, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen! Treat the rind as a versatile ingredient rather than a waste product.

Blanch up a batch of rind and experiment by adding it to your favorite recipes for a smoky, savory twist. You may just find it becomes an indispensable seasoning secret in your cooking arsenal.