Pork fatback is fat that comes from between the skin and the meat along the pig’s back.
It will be around 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick.
It is firm and dense fat, with a high smoke point.
Fatback is sold unsalted most often, though occasionally you can find it salted.
Pork fatback is used a lot in American southern cooking.
It can be can be used for lard or cracklings. It can be cut thinly and wrapped around other cuts of meat to help keep them moist while cooking, or to line terrine or pate moulds with.
When it is cut thinly enough to be used to line such moulds with or wrap meat with, the French refer to these thin sheets as “bardes.”
Pork fatback is not the same as salt pork.
Storage Hints
Unsalted can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week; salted, up to 1 month.