What is the difference between pork belly and fatback? Besides, obviously, the location of the pig that they are taken from.
They look identical- like a slab of thick, streaky bacon. Can you sub one for the other?
Pork belly is pretty fatty to begin with fat-back is even fattier. You can cook with it but it'll be a grease slick.
Personally I think you'd be better served using it for charcuterie, sausage making, or just rendering it for lard.
>>7529083
But they're similar enough to use interchangeably then? I have some fatback that I was told could be used in place of pork belly for a recipe. I bought it on a whim because it was cheap enough. I know it'll be greasy, but I'll drain it and save the grease for late use.
>>7529069
Yes, if you cure fatback it is called lardo. You can sub, it is very similar.
>>7529128
Thanks, ano- Dustin Wang.
>>7529069
>They look identical- like a slab of thick, streaky bacon
They shouldn't look the same at all.
Fatback is 100% fat.
Belly has layers: Skin, fat, and meat. (Though sometimes pork bellies are sold with the skin removed)
>>7529122
If you're going to use it in place of pork belly and you're using slices, I'd trim some of the fat and save it for later or something.
>>7529157
You have a point. I've been googling it. Some images of fatback are all fat, but some look like pork belly.
Pic related is what I bought today... It looks more like pork belly, but was labeled as fatback. Maybe an error on their part?
>>7529186
Perhaps there is is one of those situations where the exact meaning varies from place to place? But that being said, I have bought "fatback" countless times for making sausage, and it has always been 100% fat. That's been from a few different butchers across three states.
>>7529200
I trust your word for buying from actual butchers and not corporate supermarkets like I just did. I think they dun goofed.
>>7529157
not really, it depends on how fat the pig was and the breed. A leaner hog can have some muscle in the fatback because it is smaller and the cap is not so thick.
