Please Help me identify “Slab Side Meat”

smbishop

Received this “teacher” gift today and thought it looked like pork belly or bacon. It is labeled Slab Side Meat, dry cured.  Suggested use is to add to beans, greens and garden vegetables...

Thanks!

ColtsFan

Pork belly and side slab are the same thing. All from the same cut.

I'd use it in beans 😎

smbishop

@ColtsFan Thanks!  So, is it bacon if I slice it ?

ColtsFan

I'd slice off a piece and try it. May be too salty but won't know until you try 

SGH

Side slab or side meat can and does vary from region to region. With that said, in Dixie side meat is cut from above the belly. It is cut from the short rib and lower back. It usually contains far thicker sections of fat than belly meat. Again, this is just how it is cut in the south and how we personally cut it ourselves when we slaughter hogs. I have no doubt that it varies in other areas. 

smbishop

@SGH Thank you!

ColtsFan

SGH said:

Side slab or side meat can and does vary from region to region. With that said, in Dixie side meat is cut from above the belly. It is cut from the short rib and lower back. It usually contains far thicker sections of fat than belly meat. Again, this is just how it is cut in the south and how we personally cut it ourselves when we slaughter hogs. I have no doubt that it varies in other areas. 

This.

SGH

smbishop said:

@SGH Thank you!

My pleasure my friend 

fishlessman

we use alot of salt pork up here, i would say its salt pork with seasoning, looks like pepper.  i cross hatch it and cover beans with it for an overnight low and slow cook in a bean pot.  you dont cook it like bacon, straight up its a salt lick

TigerTony

For good red beans and rice you gotta use pickle meat.