Definition

Noun: A side of bacon is a specific cut of pork consisting of the salted and cured abdominal wall from one lateral half of a pig's carcass. It is a large, flat section that includes the belly meat, which is processed (cured and often smoked) to become bacon.

Usage

This term is used primarily in butchery, culinary arts, and food commerce to refer to the whole, unsliced unit of bacon before it is cut into rashers or slices. - It is typically purchased by restaurants, butchers, or for large-scale home cooking. - The term specifies the cut's origin (the side or flank of the pig) and its processed state (cured).

Examples

• The chef ordered a whole side of bacon to prepare for the weekend brunch service.
• After curing for two weeks, the butcher will slice the side of bacon into packages for sale.
• A traditional English breakfast might use rashers cut from a thick side of bacon.

Advanced Usage

• "To bring home the bacon": This idiom means to earn a living or achieve success. While it references bacon as a valuable commodity, it does not specifically refer to a "side of bacon."
  • He worked hard all his life to bring home the bacon for his family.

Variants and Related Words

• Bacon (n): The more general term for the cured and sliced meat from a pig, especially from the sides, back, or belly.
• Pork belly (n): The uncured cut from the same abdominal region; it becomes bacon after curing and smoking.
• Rasher (n): A thin slice of bacon.
• Flitch (n): Another term, though less common, for a side of bacon or salted pork.

Synonyms

• Flitch of bacon: A synonym, though "flitch" can also refer to a side of unsmoked or cured pork.
• Slab of bacon: A more informal term emphasizing the solid, unsliced form.

Related Phrases

• "Side of pork": This is the raw, uncured cut. A side of bacon is specifically the cured product of a side of pork.

Noun

1. salted and cured abdominal wall of a side of pork