salt pork

American  

noun

1. pork cured with salt, especially the fat pork taken from the back, sides, and belly.

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salt pork British  

noun

1. pork, esp the fat pork taken from the back, sides, and belly, that has been cured with salt

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Etymology

Origin of salt pork

First recorded in 1715–25

Compare meaning

How does salt-pork compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• salt pork vs. pork belly
• salt pork vs. pancetta

Example Sentences

Another influence that comes to mind is the old wagon-train western, if packed alongside the salt pork were a few speakers capable of blasting dance music loud enough to shake the Rockies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

“Traditionally, Hoppin’ John consists of black-eyed peas, rice, red peppers, and salt pork, and it is believed to bring good fortune to those who eat it,” the museum says.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2023

The inspiration was the French bistro staple salade frisée au lardons, typically made with bitter frisée lettuce, a poached egg and meaty chunks of salt pork.

From Washington Times • Dec. 22, 2023

And during the 20th century, pellagra was widespread in the South where low-wage Black laborers like Flemmie’s sister Mabel lived off of salt pork, corn meal, and molasses.

From Scientific American • Oct. 26, 2023

But the sausage balls, or the salt pork, or the smoked hams and the venison, Ma could get for herself from the shed or the attic.

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder