What is Sunday Bacon? A Complete Guide to This Delicious Breakfast Meat

Bacon is a breakfast staple loved by many. There are many different types of bacon available today, from thick-cut to turkey bacon. One tasty variety is Sunday bacon. But what exactly is Sunday bacon?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this delicious breakfast meat.

What is Sunday Bacon?

Sunday bacon refers to a certain style of cured and smoked pork belly. It gets its name from the tradition of having a big bacon breakfast on Sundays.

Sunday bacon has a few distinctive features:

• It’s made from pork belly that’s been cured and smoked over hardwood This gives it a robust, smoky flavor

• It’s sliced from the pork belly in long, thin strips rather than short slices. The strips can be several inches long.

• It has a good balance of meaty flavor and fat. The fat content gives it a tender moist texture when cooked.

The History and Origins of Sunday Bacon

The origins of Sunday bacon tie into family and religious traditions. In Christian faiths that observe the sabbath on Sunday, it was customary to enjoy a large family breakfast after church services. Bacon became a breakfast staple because it could be cooked ahead and kept warm until the family was ready to eat.

Over time, certain bacon products were marketed as “Sunday bacon” to evoke these family breakfast traditions. The long, drapable slices were well suited for breakfast dishes like bacon and eggs.

While Sunday breakfast traditions have changed over the generations, Sunday bacon remains popular today. It’s most commonly found in American and Canadian supermarkets. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with other long-cut bacon products.

How Is Sunday Bacon Made?

Sunday bacon goes through a similar process as other cured and smoked pork belly products. Here are the basic steps:

• Selecting the pork belly: Pork bellies are chosen that have a good balance of fat and lean meat. Too much fat can make the bacon greasy.

• Curing: The pork belly is cured by rubbing a salt-based mixture over the meat. This draws out moisture and preserves the meat. Nitrates or nitrites may be included.

• Smoking: The cured pork belly is hot smoked over a hardwood fire. Apple, hickory, maple and other woods are commonly used.

• Slicing: The bacon is sliced into long, thin strips rather than shorter slices. This showcases the meaty layers in the pork belly.

• Packaging: The Sunday bacon strips are packaged together in vacuum-sealed bags or trays.

While techniques vary between producers, this basic process results in the characteristic smoky, tender strips of Sunday bacon.

Buying and Cooking Sunday Bacon

Sunday bacon can be found alongside regular bacon in many grocery stores, especially in the US. It may also be ordered online through specialty meat retailers. Here are some tips for buying and cooking it:

• Check the label: Look for packages marked “Sunday bacon” and examine the ingredient list. Quality versions contain just pork, salt, sugar, and smoke flavoring.

• Go thick-cut: Opt for thicker sliced Sunday bacon, at least 1/8 inch per slice. Thinner bacon tends to overcook too quickly.

• Store properly: Keep Sunday bacon refrigerated. It can be frozen for longer term storage.

• Cook low and slow: The best way to cook Sunday bacon is in a skillet over medium-low heat. The low temperature prevents burning.

• Blot grease: Drain cooked Sunday bacon on paper towels to blot grease for a crispier texture.

• Add spices or glazes: For flavor twists, coat the bacon with black pepper, maple syrup, brown sugar or other spices before cooking.

With its signature long slices and smoky taste, Sunday bacon is easy to incorporate into breakfast dishes and sandwiches. Just take care not to overcook it!

Popular Brands of Sunday Bacon

There are a few major brands that produce high-quality Sunday bacon:

• Applegate Naturals Sunday Bacon: This popular Sunday bacon is made with pork raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. It contains no added nitrates or nitrites.

• Hormel Sunday Bacon: Hormel’s version of Sunday bacon is another leading brand. It’s smoked over applewood for robust flavor.

• Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon: Nueske’s award-winning Sunday bacon is smoked for 24 hours using Wisconsin applewood.

• Wright Brand Sunday Bacon: This bacon contains no added nitrates and is hand-trimmed. It’s dried cured using Smithfield recipes.

• Farmer John Sunday Bacon: Made by Smithfield, this is a reasonably priced Sunday bacon choice. It’s hickory smoked and sliced from the leanest part of the pork belly.

No matter which brand you choose, look for Sunday bacon made using traditional smoking methods. This ensures the most authentic flavor.

How Does Sunday Bacon Differ from Other Types of Bacon?

There are a few ways that Sunday bacon stands apart from other bacon varieties:

• Thicker cut: Sunday bacon is cut thicker than many types of bacon, usually around 1/8 inch per slice. This prevents it from becoming too crisp or dried out.

• Long slices: Rather than small slices, Sunday bacon is cut into long, drapable strips 4 inches or more in length.

• Heavier smoke flavor: Hardwood smoking over applewood or other woods gives Sunday bacon a robust, smoky taste.

• Higher fat ratio: There is a slightly higher fat content compared to other bacons. This keeps the meat tender and adds flavor.

• No artificial ingredients: Quality Sunday bacons avoid artificial nitrates or nitrites, relying just on salt for curing.

Popular Uses for Sunday Bacon

The versatile flavor and long slices of Sunday bacon make it perfect for all kinds of breakfast dishes and sandwiches. Here are some of the most popular ways to enjoy it:

• Bacon and eggs: A breakfast classic! Fry the eggs in the bacon grease for extra flavor.

• BLT sandwich: Stack crispy Sunday bacon with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on toasted bread.

• Breakfast burrito: Chopped Sunday bacon is tasty in a breakfast burrito with eggs, cheese and potatoes.

• Bacon avocado toast: Top avocado toast with crispy Sunday bacon strips for a fresh twist.

• Waffles and pancakes: Add crumbled Sunday bacon to waffle or pancake batter. Or use it as a crunchy topping.

• Bacon mac and cheese: Stir crispy Sunday bacon into macaroni and cheese. It adds a smoky, salty flavor.

• Salads: Garnish a salad with crumbled Sunday bacon for a tasty accent.

The smokiness and fat content of Sunday bacon means a little goes a long way. Just a few strips can add bold bacon flavor to all kinds of dishes.

Health Considerations with Sunday Bacon

Like most cured and smoked pork products, Sunday bacon is high in sodium and saturated fat. Here are some healthy tips for enjoying it in moderation:

• Use just 1-2 strips as a flavoring in a recipe rather than eating multiple pieces alone.

• Limit sodium intake the rest of the day to account for the salt in the bacon.

• Opt for turkey bacon or veggie bacon for a lower fat alternative.

• Drain bacon grease after cooking and blot with paper towels to reduce excess fat.

• Avoid charring bacon when cooking at high heat. This can form carcinogenic compounds.

• Look for uncured Sunday bacon without artificial preservatives like nitrites.

People with certain health conditions like hypertension and heart disease should use caution with bacon and check with their doctor about consumption. But for most people, Sunday bacon can still be enjoyed occasionally as part of an overall balanced diet.

Fun Facts About Sunday Bacon

• There is a National Bacon Day on the Saturday before Labor Day each year to celebrate all things bacon.

• In a survey by Hormel, 47% of people preferred crispy bacon, while 42% liked it chewy.

• According to the National Pork Board, approximately 67% of Americans eat bacon regularly.

• Oscar Mayer reported selling enough bacon in 2021 to encircle the equator more than 5 times.

• In the 1960s, a combination of bacon and eggs was referred to as a “Heart attack on a plate” due to the high saturated fat. Nutrition guidance has evolved a lot since then!

• Researchers say the delicious smell of bacon cooking triggers a desire to eat fatty and carb-rich foods in many people due to food psychology.

• Applewood smoked bacon sales have surged in recent years, replaced hickory smoked as the most popular variety.

So there you have it – everything you need to know about Sunday bacon! From its smoky, salty flavor to the fun breakfast recipes you can make, Sunday bacon is a cherished staple of weekend mornings. While it should be enjoyed in moderation, this traditional bacon variety remains a tasty addition to any well-rounded diet.