Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
As others have noted, bacon is both cured and smoked, so raw bacon does not exist.
If you're buying decent bacon it can taste great. For about 20 years I've been eating small pieces of bacon as it cures to taste it, and I've never once had a single problem. I do the same thing with a lot of meats that I cure without any problems. My grandmother used to pick at "raw" bacon every day when she made breakfast, and she never got sick once. She also lived to be 95. In general you won't get sick from any raw meat, as long as you're buying good quality meat - think steak tartare and sushi. There is no reason that modern pork is any different.
As others have noted, bacon is both cured and smoked, so raw bacon does not exist...
Not all bacon is created the same way - some varieties have been "flavored," some have been partially cured, some might have come from non-certified pork.
I know it's not truly raw, but I remember camping and there were a group of Europeans. They were happily eating bacon out of the packet uncooked and I was quite taken aback. I guess they were too impatient to cook it.
It's probably been somewhat sterilized, although some people say it's still not safe. i myself have no desire to eat raw bacon. It wouldn't taste anywhere near as nice all hot and crisp, but I'm wondering if anyone does this? Is it maybe a cultural thing? Maybe the Europeans thought it was cured ham or something like that?
Are you sure it was american style bacon? There are plenty of bacon like pork products that can be eaten raw. Heck, even Canadian bacon is common in the US and it doesn't need cooked.
Not all bacon is created the same way - some varieties have been "flavored," some have been partially cured, some might have come from non-certified pork.
Caveat emptor
Oh hell yeah - that's why I make my own bacon. Grocery store bacon is crap. I'm also comfortable eating "raw" bacon from the butchers I buy from.
I know it's not truly raw, but I remember camping and there were a group of Europeans. They were happily eating bacon out of the packet uncooked and I was quite taken aback. I guess they were too impatient to cook it.
Are you sure it was bacon and not some european product that looked like bacon?
,proscuitto comes to mind..
Eating actual raw bacon sounds like a very chewy ordeal.
As others have noted, bacon is both cured and smoked, so raw bacon does not exist.
Yes, bacon is never really raw. But I suspect you think about a cured and/or smoked.
Nothing wrong with that, and not different from eating smoked/cured ham...
The raw "bacon" would be pork belly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder
Not all bacon is created the same way - some varieties have been "flavored," some have been partially cured, some might have come from non-certified pork. Caveat emptor
^^^ Those descriptions have nothing to do with raw "bacon".
Bacon sold in the USA is always somehow prepared - smoked, cooked or cured.
Those are flavors: The Flavors
but the bacon is still smoked or/and cured. Even uncured bacon, is in fact, still cured - just without potentially harmful sodium nitrates. I always buy uncured bacon, and I eat it when I get a lean piece.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Thanks! I haven't had bacon for a while and now....I'm drooling! 
