International Bacon Day (Saturday before US Labor Day)

One weird holiday on the Saturday before Labor Day is International Bacon Day. Check out the other weird September holidays!

International Bacon Day, observed on the Saturday before Labor Day each year, is a celebration of one of the most beloved and versatile foods in the world. Bacon, known for its rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture, has become a staple in various cuisines, inspiring an almost cult-like devotion among its fans.

This day offers bacon enthusiasts a chance to indulge in their favorite food, experiment with new recipes, and enjoy bacon-themed events. Read on to learn more about International Bacon Day and to get a long list of delicious bacon-centered recipes.

When is International Bacon Day?

International Bacon Day takes place each year on the Saturday before Labor Day in the United States. Here are the dates for International Bacon Day for the next 10 years, celebrated on the Saturday before Labor Day:

Saturday, September 03, 2033
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Saturday, September 05, 2026
Saturday, September 04, 2027
Saturday, September 02, 2028
Saturday, September 01, 2029
Saturday, August 31, 2030
Saturday, August 30, 2031
Saturday, September 04, 2032

Who Invented International Bacon Day?

International Bacon Day was invented by a group of graduate students from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2004: Seth Rittenhouse, Evan Salim, and Alexa Halford. These three students decided to dedicate a day to celebrating bacon, a food they loved, and they chose the Saturday before Labor Day to observe this new culinary holiday.

The idea quickly caught on, spreading through word of mouth, social media, and various food blogs, leading to widespread recognition and celebration. This day has grown into a global event where bacon enthusiasts indulge in and experiment with this beloved food, highlighting its versatility and enduring popularity in culinary traditions around the world.

The History of Bacon

Bacon’s origins date back thousands of years to ancient China, around 1500 BC, where pork bellies were first cured to create an early form of the delicacy we know today. The word “bacon” itself comes from the Middle English term “bacoun,” which referred to all pork in general. Over the centuries, bacon has evolved and integrated into many cultural cuisines, becoming especially prominent in Western breakfasts, gourmet cooking, and even in sweets as an adventurous addition.

In the United States, bacon is typically made from the pork belly and is smoked and cured. In other parts of the world, such as the UK and Canada, bacon comes from different cuts of pork and varies in flavor and texture. This adaptability has helped bacon maintain its popularity across diverse culinary landscapes.

Health and Enjoyment

While bacon is often celebrated for its taste, it’s also recognized for its less-than-ideal health aspects when consumed in large amounts. However, enjoyed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, bacon can be part of culinary traditions that bring joy and flavor to various dishes.

Typical Uses of Bacon

Bacon’s uses in cuisine are almost limitless:

Breakfast: Commonly served with eggs, pancakes, and toast.
Sandwiches: Adds a savory depth to BLTs or club sandwiches.
Salads: Crumbled as a topping for salads to add a crunchy texture.
Wraps and Rolls: Used to wrap around other meats or vegetables before cooking to add flavor and moisture.
Garnishes: Added to soups, pastas, and baked goods for enhanced flavor.

Ideas to Celebrate International Bacon Day

Celebrating International Bacon Day can be a delightful gastronomic adventure. Here are ten fun and creative ideas to make the most out of this sizzling day:

Host a Bacon-Themed Potluck: Invite friends and family to bring a bacon-themed dish. This could include everything from bacon-wrapped appetizers to bacon desserts. It’s a fun way to explore the versatility of bacon in various recipes.
Bacon Tasting Party: Source different types of bacon from local butchers or gourmet food stores, including varieties like applewood-smoked, hickory-smoked, maple-flavored, and peppered bacon. Set up a tasting station with notes on the origin and flavor profiles of each type.
Bacon Cooking Class: Either host a cooking class at home with a few friends or sign up for a professional class if available. Learn to make new dishes that feature bacon as a central ingredient, such as bacon jam or bacon-infused chocolate truffles.
Visit a Bacon Festival: Many cities hold bacon festivals, complete with vendors, live music, and bacon-themed activities. It’s a great way to celebrate the day with fellow bacon lovers.
Bacon Happy Hour: Host a happy hour at home where all snacks feature bacon. Think bacon-stuffed mushrooms, bacon and cheese croquettes, and bacon-topped sliders. Pair each dish with a complementary cocktail or craft beer.
Movie Night with Bacon Snacks: Organize a movie night featuring films like “Babe” or “Charlotte’s Web” and serve a variety of bacon snacks, like bacon popcorn, bacon-wrapped jalapeños, or even a bacon pizza.
Create Bacon-Infused Drinks: Experiment with bacon-infused bourbon or vodka to make savory cocktails. Bacon bloody Marys or bacon old-fashioned cocktails can add a twist to your celebration.
Bacon Dessert Bake-off: Challenge your friends to a dessert bake-off where the main ingredient is bacon. Dishes could include bacon ice cream, bacon donuts, or chocolate bacon cupcakes.
Charitable Bacon Breakfast: Organize a community breakfast where you serve various bacon dishes, and all proceeds go to a local charity. It’s a way to spread love for bacon while giving back to the community.
Social Media Bacon Photo Contest: Host a photo contest on social media where participants share their best bacon-themed photos. It could be pictures of dishes they’ve cooked or fun and creative bacon art. Offer a small prize for the best photo, like a gift card to a local butcher shop.

These ideas not only celebrate the deliciousness of bacon but also bring people together for memorable experiences. Whether through cooking, tasting, or creating, there’s no shortage of ways to honor the beloved bacon on National Bacon Lovers Day.

Fun Facts About Bacon

Bacon’s Ancient Roots: Bacon’s history dates back nearly 3,000 years to 1500 B.C. The Chinese were among the first to cook salted pork belly, which is now known as the earliest form of bacon.
Presidential Preference: Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, was known for his love of bacon. He even included it regularly in his breakfast while serving as president.
Bacon in Space: In 2013, scientists sent a sculpture of a bacon double cheeseburger into space, using a high-altitude balloon. While the sculpture wasn’t actual food, it symbolizes bacon’s iconic status even in the most unusual experiments.
Record-Breaking Bacon: In 2013, the world record for the longest piece of bacon was set by Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams in Madisonville, Tennessee. The strip measured 2,983 feet (910 meters) long.
Bacon’s Economic Impact: In the United States, bacon is a billion-dollar industry. In 2018, Americans spent nearly $5 billion on bacon. The demand for bacon not only supports pig farmers but also drives a significant portion of the meat processing industry.
Literary Bacon: The phrase “bringing home the bacon” is believed to have originated from the 12th century when a church in Great Dunmow, England, promised a side of bacon to any man who could swear before God and the congregation that he had not quarreled with his wife for a year and a day. Successful couples were said to be “bringing home the bacon.”
Bacon at Weddings: In traditional Romanian weddings, a popular gift for attending guests is a small packet of bacon, symbolizing the hope of prosperity and a life as full as the rich flavor of bacon.
World Records: The world’s largest bacon and egg pie was made in New Zealand in 1992, weighing over 2,000 pounds.
Flavored Bacons: Beyond the traditional smoked varieties, bacon now comes in a range of flavors thanks to artisanal butchers and chefs. These include chocolate-covered bacon, bourbon barrel-smoked bacon, and even sriracha-flavored bacon.
The Bacon Explosion: This culinary invention consists of bacon strips woven around seasoned sausage and more bacon, then rolled, wrapped, and smoked. It became an internet sensation and is now a staple in the world of barbecue.
Bacon’s Health Research: Contrary to its unhealthy reputation, 2015 research from the University of Zurich suggested that modest bacon consumption could lower the risk of dying from heart disease, provided the rest of the diet was nutritionally balanced.