where to find pig belly?

[chevyjared]

I live in southern cali and making your own bacon, let alone smoking meat is not a big thing here.
I would really like to know where i can get some, if anyone lives in so cal and knows where to get it that woould be great.

jared

 

[hdsmoke]

I would guess that there is a butcher shop somewhere around you...i would start there.

 

[mballi3011]

It took me a while too. To find bellies but don't give up and you want a old school butcher for bellies. So keep on looking for a butcher thats been around for a while. If they don't carry them they can probally order then for you.

 

[formerlyfatguy]

I'm on the opposite coast and encounter the same problems.
I found pork bellies at local Asian Markets here, I'm sure you have some in your neck of the woods.

 

[chevyjared]

ill give a good looking and see if i can find some.
there are some asian markets around and ill try there.

thanks jared

 

[beer-b-q]

Talk to your grocer and see if they have or can order Fresh Side, same as bacon just not cured yet...

 

[mulepackin]

I had the same problem when I started my quest for bacon. Lots of hogs around here, not much bellies. I finally found a local almost neighborhood meat wholesaler that was willing to order me some with their weekly order. I've been pretty pleased with the quality of them. My last two, they even trimmed and squared for me without me asking, nor did they charge for it. Keep at it, you'll find something.

 

[rbranstner]

So far I have not found any either. I have looked at all the local grocery stores, Walmart and Sams Club. I have not not talked to anyone yet but when I get real serious I will ask around.

 

[hounds51]

I buy all my meat from a local butcher. But I'am in the middle of dutch country, and when it comes to meat, you can get here in our area fairly easily.
If you happen to find a good quality butcher locally, make him your friend. Let him know your into smoking meat for yourself. He probally will give you some hints and great advice in what types of meat to buy for the best job.
My butcher sells me all kinds of stuff like my cure, hangin bags, milk powder, even sold me some of his hickory sawdust. When I'am at my butchers, he's my best buddy.

 

[desertlites]

if you can't find the asian markets try a good mex. meat market,I'm sure you have a couple of those around you.

 

[ak1]

Can't help much. Here in my area, it's always available at my local grocery store.

 

[grogger27]

I was driving more than a hour to get pork bellies or even pork trim for sausage because I heard the local hog slaughter only deals in wholesale. Finally I got poking my nose around and turns out their idea of whole sale is 32 lbs per box of hog bellies and 50 lbs of trim. Not that much after all if you have room for it. So today I pick 75 lbs of hog bellies and a bunch of us are splitting up the bellies and curing them for bacon. Wholesale isn't too bad when you can split it up.
Good luck and remember just start snooping around the local butcher shops, they'll have the inside track.

 

[tjohnson]

I called the butcher who processes our beef every year, and he gave me a price of $3.49/lb! OUCH!!!

Started doing some calling around and can buy bellies in full cases for 1/2 his price.

Guess I'm gonna start looking for a new butcher too!!!



Todd

 

[formerlyfatguy]

I was paying $2.49 a pound in the Boston area.

 

[grogger27]

The local wholesale slaughter house I mentioned above quoted me $4.10/kg in a 17-18 kg case for skin off bellies. Thats $1.86/lb for 38lbs in a case. We're paying $5-8 per pound of bacon in the local grocery store depending on name brand and quality.

 

[tjohnson]

Found some locally in Minnesota. She called them "Canadian Bellies" for $1.99/lb w/no skin and $1.79/lb w/skin on. Price will vary based on market price.

Have to buy a case of 50 pounds.


Todd