top of page
Search

Why Fresh Hog Jowl Deserves a Spot in Your Kitchen (Yes, Even if You Already Love Bacon!)

If there’s one cut on the pig that deserves a comeback tour, it’s fresh hog jowl.


Most people who visit our market booth look right past it until I nudge them with a, “Hey, do you like bacon?”


Then their eyes light up, and suddenly we’re having a whole conversation about Grandma’s cooking.


Because the truth is, jowl is an old-fashioned staple that somehow slipped out of modern kitchens. And that’s a shame, because it’s downright delicious.


crispy cooked jowl bacon on breakfast plate




What Exactly Is Hog Jowl?


Hog jowl comes from the cheek of the pig, and when it’s sliced and cooked, it behaves a whole lot like bacon: crispy edges, rich fat, savory flavor, all the good things.


But unlike store-bought bacon, our fresh jowl is:


  • forest-raised,

  • never treated with junk,

  • and packed with that clean, full flavor animals only get from living real pig lives outdoors.


raw fresh hog jowl from pasture-raised pigs




How Do You Cook It?


This is the part where everyone relaxes because it’s ridiculously simple. You can:


  • Fry it just like bacon

  • Add it and sauté for beans, greens, potatoes, or soups

  • Crisp it up for the ultimate BLT

  • Use it anywhere you want a boost of savory richness


The fat renders beautifully and the flavor is next-level.


sliced hog jowl frying in a cast iron skillet




Why We Love It on the Farm


Around here, we believe in honoring the whole animal.


Cuts like jowl remind us that nothing needs to be fancy to be delicious, it just needs to be raised right.


That’s why our pigs spend their days in the forest, rooting, munching, exploring, and expressing their “pig-ness,” as we like to say.


Happy pigs = better meat. And with jowl, you can taste that difference in every crisp bite.


forest-raised pigs at Edwards Family Farms



Ready to Try It?


If you’re feeling adventurous, or if you just want to make breakfast extra amazing... fresh hog jowl is the cut to grab.


It sells out fast because we only get so much with each harvest, so if you see it in stock… take it as a sign.


Click HERE to shop fresh hog jowl in the online farm store and bring a little old-school flavor back to your kitchen. 😉





Edwards Family Farms NC | McDowell County's favorite pasture-raised meats. Serving western NC with the best pasture-raised meats straight from the farm. Local pick up only.


Comments

bottom of page