Salami Meat Sources

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MeatCharter

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Jan 31, 2019
88
41
I'm trying to find back fat. I've called like 10 places today (Supermarkets, Restaurant Depot, various Butchers.). I'm in San Diego.

1. Vons/Ralphs (supermarket) have no idea what back fat is. One guy in the meat department told me they aren't even trimming anything anymore. Everything comes in pre-cut. They just package it and put it out.
2. I called the butcher where I got my Coppa from. The Coppa was $8.99/lb. They quoted me $13 a lb for back fat. $13!! Not sure if the person on the phone knew what they were talking about. Don't get how it could be so costly for fat.
3. Asian Supermarkets. I called a market here called Zion Supermarket. They told me they only sell pork belly. No fat by itself.
4. Costco Business has pork bellies, pork shoulders, pork sirloin, pork cushion, pork shoulder (both boneless and bone-in). No fat.

Any other ideas? Any online vendors that are somewhat reasonable and have good quality?

I saw there guys but with free shipping and the time, it doesn't look like they ship overnight and refrigerated which seems weird:

Another question I have is when a recipe calls for lean pork. What does that mean exactly? How lean? Tenderloin? Loin? Lean pork from a pork shoulder/pork butt? What's the best cut here for "lean." Can it be too lean?
 
Tried that. I can't really afford $13 a lb for back fat.
Go to Chinese or Asian market. They almost always sell backfat. I get mine in Phx for $2.50/lb. It's already prepackaged even, at my place.

ALSO, just go buy a pork shoulder for $1.70 a pound on sale at Vons! Pick out the fattiest ones, save extra fat for projects, or cook up meat as carnitas! You could throw the meat away and still be ahead! I buy pork butts on sale for $1.70 / lb every month, pick the fattest ones, and cut off the fat cap with meat to use for Buckboard bacon. WAY CHEAPER than pork belly and way more available.
 
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Go to Chinese or Asian market. They almost always sell backfat. I get mine in Phx for $2.50/lb. It's already prepackaged even, at my place.

ALSO, just go buy a pork shoulder for $1.70 a pound on sale at Vons! Pick out the fattiest ones, save extra fat for projects, or cook up meat as carnitas! You could throw the meat away and still be ahead! I buy pork butts on sale for $1.70 / lb every month, pick the fattest ones, and cut off the fat cap with meat to use for Buckboard bacon. WAY CHEAPER than pork belly and way more available.
That sounds good.

Do you use the fat from the pork butt for salami? Is it firm enough like back fat?
 
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