How Benton's Turns 12,000 Pounds of Pork Belly into Bacon Every Week - How to Make It

On today's episode of How to Make It, chef Katie Pickens is at Benton's, a world-famous bacon maker.
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[@capitaleño]

I like how respectful this guy is, "yes ma'am, no ma'am"

[@gizmogoose.2486]

He's one of them who doesn't need "respect" himself... ...because he has *Self* *Respect* !!!

[@devdattajoshi1949]

I knoooow right!!?! I loved that aspect so much.

[@borisjanssen5446]

Just wanted to say the same

[@rockstawxp]

That’s southern hospitality for ya

[@LydiaApril]

That's how it is in the South, I wasn't used to it either. Now it's natural. Love that too.

[@amandabellamy7146]

Thats my brother people! And yes, he is actually as wonderful as he seems. 👍

[@MrJreed1000]

Wow that's ur brother? I bet ur as beautiful as he is?.... Wait.. that came out wrong.. I flirt weird🙄

[@naga3316]

What...

[@chimmy906]

Did Yeti pay him for that 9:46 minute add space?

[@Bluelineboys764]

@@chimmy906 I can positively confirm they did not lol. He almost wore his Glock perfection hat but it was being held ransom by his 3 yr old nephew at the time of this video.

[@cathkamala6920]

Amanda Copen awh. I want a husband like him 💕

[@lalajohnson7194]

The Benton's guy behavior is great! His courtesy, honesty and how well he explains everything shows a strong commitment of professionalism. May all their employees have the same skills to shine bright!

[@jeffcherylynburns9713]

As a chef, I had my first experience of Benton's bacon at a restaurant I used to work at. Years later I ordered a couple of pounds and gifted one to my friend. Which he enjoyed thoroughly and to quote him "my house smelled like a god damn campfire." Needless to say, he's a big fan too.

[@Nnnope]

This guy has the most stereotypical southern accent I have ever heard, I love the way he says "yes ma'am" and "no ma'am"

[@creativemindplay]

you're pretty cute tho

[@Nnnope]

@ncsam 000000 I know you do and I love it

[@thatssotayler]

That's how we talk down here. It's a sign of respect and a sign of correct discipline

[@brunoonoahu]

Amazing what politeness sounds like huh?

[@allenrichards9949]

I'm not from the south and I say "Yes Ma'am/Sir or No Ma'am/Sir. It's how I was raised and to show respect.

[@ryankarcher3414]

Not even joking this is the best bacon on earth, I stock pile it whenever I go to TN on vacation. I bake it in the oven at 375 for around 20 minutes and save the grease in a mason jar for frying eggs in. OMG.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

I've never baked bacon. Is that better than pan frying?

[@0623kaboom]

not even bacon .... bacon is a SMOKE ONLY PROCESS ... they salted it first ... and made pancetta ... which is salt cured and then smoked.

[@static79]

@@0623kaboom Get over it. It's bacon.

[@JGriffin2001]

Hey dumbas_ the difference between pancetta and bacon is simply that bacon is smoked and pancetta is not! Both are cured similar. Go back to whatever hole you live in!

[@bryred9299]

@@nofurtherwest3474 I've baked in and pan fried. I prefer baking. Baking is easier to control the crispiness and it's not as greasy. But it takes longer. I say that but the last time I baked bacon was years ago. Pan frying i keep the grease and make eggs in the same pan.

[@Wbtbwb22]

Yes, ma'am.

[@professionalconch7108]

No, ma'am.

[@nafiulshelim6194]

We smoke ha'am

[@otto432]

Its ma’am

[@countrydestroy4673]

So I was driving to work one day and was wondering why there was a camera crew infront of benton's now I know

[@eater]

👋

[@hiatusmode989]

Country Destroy haha u should’ve said hi to them 🤣

[@TheAlpine49]

Yes mam..

[@nateprice8261]

Whoever raised this man deserves an award. And where do I find one like him in Arizona?

[@texasstadium]

From Arizona ...................just received my first ever order from Benton's (bacon). I immediately started a gentle fry on the bacon for a BLT breakfast. The sliced thickness was perfect, and the flavor was excellent REAL SMOKE old-fashioned taste. Next, I will order a ham. These are excellent products.

[@Spanishfutbol2010]

Just got an uncut belly and an aged ham from Bentons. Amazing flavour. Their hams are closer to a Serrano ham from my native homeland and their bacon has such a smoky complex flavour. I’m in love with their product

[@mkivy]

U can tell he’s a southern boy...nice quality of a human being...respect is how it’s spelled!

[@SheldonBeldon]

Host is great, she seems really sweet and genuine.

[@michaelgildersleeve5330]

I live like 10 minutes away from Benton's, it's one of the best places to get any smoked barnyard meat you need.

[@davidaston9487]

The best bacon in the world! If you are ever close you should visit. Hopefully the whistling man 2:39 in the red plaid shirt will help you! Be sure and get a couple of lbs of breakfast sausage too. Seasoning meat should also be on your list, then make a big pot of beans with it. My son would tell you Alan has the cheapest Dr.Pepper machine in the county as it is only $.25 !! All you mail order people get on an plane and visit Madisonville TN.

[@Bluelineboys764]

Sadly my friend the whistling man has passed away. His name was Author Atkins....he worked for us for 43 years. The man in the red plaid is shirt is Randy Watson...he has been at Bentons for 23 years also a great choice to help with any of your questions.

[@briangleason5597]

I will do. The pot of beans sounds delicious, the meat is beautiful.

[@0623kaboom]

it aint bacon it is pancetta ... bacon is a smoke only process ... pancetta is a salt cured pork that is smoked when it is properly made the smoke process is done low and slow over 3 to 5 days which allows the meat to turn its natural salts into flavour inside the meat ... by adding salt to the process from the begining you are making an italian pancetta or italian bacon ... it is NOT BACON ... the salt cured ham id it isnt smoked is porchetta . sadly americans dont know the difference between bacon and pancetta

[@mikereid4653]

I pulled up their products and don't see breakfast sausage 😒

[@jaystell314]

No, this is Tennessee Southern salt cured bacon that we have been putting LOVE into for 200 plus years. This is our thang, so leave the pancetta to Europe.

[@kzanderardenflaas2238]

"Yes ma'am, that axe will need to be sharpened now."

[@mbm2355]

LOL Oh boy.. that hurt. I literally said out-loud “She’s gonna overstrike that concrete.” And I didn’t have to wait long, hahah! But hey... no tips for a beginner? Wuddya expect?

[@stephenhill1716]

As a southerner. Yes. Yes ma’am and no ma’am (and sir) is every damn day. We’re raised right. Love that.

[@virginiaoflaherty2983]

Good manners that's one of the reasons why i love the south.

[@staytight6340]

Yeah thats the way you talk to strangers. I guarantee you dont talk to your wife and kids like that. You want some more bacon hunny? No mam

[@jimmyatxallday9924]

Don’t come south stay away!!!

[@corbinhbucknerjr558]

@@staytight6340 And you would be wrong.

[@williampaz2092]

I learned it when I was in the US Navy.

[@w.hishmeh]

The first time I had Benton's bacon was the last time I had any other bacon. It's a rare treat when you come across something that's tops in it's class.

[@kojak013]

Amen! Some people still have standards in this world! This is the kind of home made quality that is so hard to find now a days.. beauty bacon!

[@austinburras2993]

That cuz the demand to high

[@robertnewell4054]

@Shawn Sutherland ...... and with it comes the commiserate higher price tag. Folks want the quality but kick against paying the costs

[@kevinkelly3880]

This is why Benton's is the best bacon ever - I keep seeing it show up on restaurant menus all over the Southeast - chefs know!

[@tosht2515]

Many of us know about and have had Benton's hams and bacon but have no understanding of the process. So interesting. Katie is such an excellent host and this is a very entertaining/educational series. 👍

[@recoil53]

And this time she didn't have a creepy guy hitting on her. Added plus!

[@SuckMyRightToe]

The way she asked if the rub imparted flavour made me kinda hate her..

[@robertsmathers7959]

A textbook Southern Gentleman. Pride in one's labor and kind respect for others until it is unwarranted. Even then, the good manners often remain.

[@D3C0Y]

New drinking game. Take a shot every time you hear "Yes Ma'am".

[@JakeLovesSteak]

* dies of alcohol poisoning *

[@ItsSully604]

Decoy *dies*

[@nandinhocunha440]

I need a new liver

[@ZeliardFTW]

Yes Ma'am.

[@samuraijo2818]

liquor gets finished before video is over

[@kathyerickson9402]

I love this series! Katie's professional experience, curiosity and willingness to put on the gear and get in there make it really fun. Now I really want to try that bacon!

[@Nokenify]

I really like his respectfullness. You got my full respect, sir!

[@lowernorth9972]

This man is a role model

[@IDC0481]

I notice the food and all, also how great it all looked. But nothing stood out to me more than how polite and respectful this guy was. He was so.... he was a GENTLEMAN 🙂👌👍👍

[@curraheewolf]

I got mine last week and it was awesome! My boys and I devoured it! The day after I ordered seven more pounds for my boys, my friends and myself. Highly recommended! Excellent packing! I give it five stars! *****

[@linus3598]

Its almost 3 am and i now know how to make bacon.. neat!

[@JamesSmith-jx1sh]

That has got to be the best bacon in the history of bacon. I'm drooling like a pavlovs dog right now.

[@0623kaboom]

nope not even close .... they salted it first and made pancetta ... bacon is ONLY smoked ....

[@dg5450]

0623kaboom you’re wrong

[@dukehulsey4658]

This dude is so polite and also very knowledgable. Great job 👍👍👍

[@mozzle1250]

Instant purchase. Now the wait begins.

[@ThadonutRs]

This man is so damn nice, it's great

[@amandabellamy7146]

Thats my brother and he is a wonderful man!

[@plushpuppy32]

@@amandabellamy7146 it is obvious you and he were raised with manners

[@OmnipotentEnt]

@@plushpuppy32 Im from SoCal, but I've heard thats Southern values. I've been chewed out for calling a woman "ma'am" here. Too many vapid stuck up people in California :(

[@tannerlavares4776]

Dabbinstein they don’t call it commiefornia for nothing

[@OmnipotentEnt]

@@tannerlavares4776 Nah

[@joyvorn5168]

I could listen to the guy telling me anything all days. So blessed

[@douglynch9012]

This is without a doubt the best bacon I've ever eaten. If you like bacon you owe it to yourself to try Benton's bacon.

[@ivorscrotumic3556]

This bloke is brilliant. What a nice guy & a great sense of humour. So polite & respectful too.

[@M-Sixty]

This place is about 15 miles from where I live, I go there often! Wonderful place.

[@markgerard5585]

SUCCESS IN BUSINESS-love what you do, take pride in your work, simple quality ingredients, know your customers! And being awfully nice helps too! Great job guys...will be looking for your bacon from now on!👍

[@travajuche21]

This guy is so polite, I like him

[@deanwilliams93]

Had their bacon as a gift to myself almost 9 years ago. This just popped up in my recommendations and watching it made the experience of the bacon almost real again.

[@briangleason5597]

Bacon the perfect food. This brand looks delicious. The cuts of meat have me drooling.

[@nathanenfinger9559]

If more ppl around the world ate more bacon, I think we'd have world peace

[@rihamy2nd]

I live about an hour from there and have had the bacon and their country ham several times and it’s amazing.

[@jimmyatxallday9924]

Devils food bacon SWINE!!

[@johnyoung4061]

I was on vacation in the US and ordered some of Benton's bacon. WOW. The best I've ever had. Ordered more and brought it back to Canada to share with family. Thank you Benton's. On my next visit I'll be ordering more.

[@scottrackley4457]

Alan will ship it to you. You'd have to check with Canada customs though. I think some chef in Montreal uses it so they shouldn't have a problem with that.

[@A1Percenter]

My four packages arrived yesterday. Looking forward to trying this weekend. Looks amazing!

[@LKLK343]

Awesome craftsmanship !! Explained by a real nice and respectful fellow. Now i'm sittin in Germany, mouth full of water, thinking of ways to get my hands on this beautiful product.

[@OnTheFritz602]

Need to find out where I can buy this in Michigan. Glad to see things made old school, no pink curing salt that seems to be used everywhere with anything "cured"!

[@smutz131]

order it from the website it's $32 not including shipping per four packs of bacon

[@peterherrington3300]

As an Englishman , I find his manners very respectful. Thick cut bacon looks gorgeous too 👍

[@MrJreed1000]

I've never wanted to eat anything more in my life..

[@Bongo_Fury]

I grew up in Texas and I say ma’am and sir to everyone. You’d be surprised at how well you are treated when you show people respect.

[@jameswhite170]

"is it imparting any flavor, the salt and brown sugar?" Hahaha

[@herefornow910]

James White lol the whole video. Hush up sweety let that southern gentleman explain what's goin on😉

[@jameswhite170]

@@herefornow910 haha...you got it

[@anniem.8803]

It's nice to see someone who truly believe and like what he's doing!! I wish I'd like my job as much as he does!!

[@christinelambert3740]

Stumbling across this just cost me $60 and I can't wait to try that bacon/ham

[@amyrivers9792]

I admire the handmade process that this company uses. I can really believe that is what we call the taste from the love when it's made.

[@jondury9450]

@4:08 "Do you switch arms?" Well, I certainly do.

[@greattobeadub]

Extremely polite and knowledgeable gentleman. Love the accent too. Greetings from Ireland.

[@vaughanellis7866]

Nice to see properly dry cured bacon, getting increasingly hard to get ahold of at a reasonable cost, even in the UK its rare I only know of two in the whole of the North of England.

[@brianpenland973]

ABSOLUTELY, the VERY BEST BACON and TRADITIONAL, COUNTRY HAM, "IN THE WORLD"!!! I love Benton's country ham products!!!

[@griinchxx6550]

Am I the only one that thinks the way hes talking is normal?

[@amandakelley1665]

Most definitely and now that I live in Idaho instead of home in Mississippi I miss it so much!

[@freindlycannuck1591]

No it's not normal. Normal would never sound so nice to hear. Nothing sounds better than that southern accent. Specially here up north in Canada.

[@CajunFyre92]

The accents vary in the Southern states. It’s hard to describe the accents of southern Louisiana, where I’m from. It’s kind of like this, but heavy French influence in some places

[@bestgospelmusicever]

@Wes McGee can you share the source of the bacon cutting machine?

[@mkivy]

We just finished the last of our bacon with my purple Cherokee tomatoes! That and some dukes mayo on white bread and Benton’s bacon! Yum...yum! Let me tell u...it’s the best BLT u will ever eat! The smoke comes through and the seasoning is spot on! Way to go all. Kudos to ur expert ways and technologies! All by hand!

[@geodinoso656]

We use Benton’s Bacon at Manresa Bread Cafe for our Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwich. It is definitely a delicious product. If you’re in Campbell, Ca give us a try :)

[@MrJreed1000]

Way to plug ur place on the very highkey

[@nathanbritto568]

@@MrJreed1000 you gotta do what you gotta do

[@MrJreed1000]

@@nathanbritto568 agreed... it worked too.... I googled that place and want to take trip to go there

[@nathanbritto568]

@@MrJreed1000 cool!

[@lovepcgaming2335]

Can't pay me enough to go to California. People have no respect, drive like animals and everything is too expensive. Can't wait till that fault line busts and ya'll become an island.

[@harrynewman7265]

I was born and raise in East Tenn and traveled hwy 411 right by Bentons all my life never knowing. I was in NY City at a Fine dining restaurant where the waiter was explaining the chiefs dish for the evening and he said “fracturing Bentons bacon”. I asked what is Bentons bacon? I figured out it was the small place I had passed a hundred times. When I got home I drove down to Bentons to discover it was owned by Allen Benton a old college buddy of mine I hadn’t seen since college. I bought several pounds of bacon and the best country ham I have ever eaten. We have a saying around our house “if it isn’t Bentons it isn’t worth eating” .

[@72hourbob61]

Yes, ma'am, No ma'am were the first two things he learned how to say and Yes Sir, No Sir. was the 3rd and 4th. fine young man.

[@robcochran6213]

Spent my summers as a kid eating Benton bacon. The company is in Vonore, TN and I have a cabin up on Citico Creek right up the road. Many a day my mamaw cooked up some Bentons, eggs and biscuits with redeye gravy.

[@kahnjugaming]

The way he says, "Yes ma'am!" is awesome. 😁👍❤️

[@MrTortureandtorment]

A very informative video. Thanks for sharing it with other folks.

[@petewiltfang]

Love this place. I go there all the time, as it's just down the road. They have killer ribeyes too. Thick as you want em

[@GaryCline-mi8zf]

Best bacon ever! I’ve been making my own bacon with this recipe for 4 years! Simple and delicious!!

[@johnpaullaxa5486]

Bacon + Respect = yes ma'am, alright

[@mohamadhajyahya6673]

the guy he's voice is just something else and it's beautiful

[@mickvk]

You guys sold me on the Marshallberg Caviar. I think I have to order some Benton's Bacon right now too.

[@ronniebuck2954]

ALL. COUNTRY FOLK ARE RAISED TO BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL

[@buddhaturner3893]

Wow I never thought I'd see somewhere I pass every day omw to work on youtube

[@noemierollindedebeaumont1130]

The journalist (or whatever her job name is) asks great questions ! Some stuff are obvious for americans but for countries where bacon is not a staple at all, it's nice to have someone ask the "dumb questions" for us.

[@ryankc3631]

Never discourage a vegan. More bacon for us!

[@DazzChannel]

that bacon looks freaking amazing

[@edr.2642]

Man that accent is classy and sounds so gentleman

[@shaekeeney319]

I can't stop staring into her eyes. She's stunning. Then the voice. The bowtie on the whole video is the fact that she's talking about and showing BACON. Perfect

[@noodlepipkin]

“Smoke sta-tagggg-tites” on the ceiling... LOVES!!

[@Skyder12]

I have that same sat, I found it out in the ocean when I was free diving and I still wear it.

[@stephenlee2894]

@0:49 "twiced" That's how you know it's real.

[@dcyphrz8532]

I catch myself saying that sometimes. Was super common when I was little.

[@elleh3495]

just a technical question: how come wooden cutting boards are not ok in commercial kitchens, but they store on wooden racks the curing bacon? just cure-e-ous...I ordered Benton's for years for a restaurant I worked at. Allen Benton personally answered and took the orders; sweetest southern gentleman ever!

[@andybee6480]

I would love to have your bacon here in good old Germany, already while watching ham processed to bacon, my mouth watered. It must be a real pleasure to have your bacon on the plate. thumbs up ;-)

[@BogattheMoon]

You can definitely get it. I know the French order Benton's Virginia cured hams like crazy. I live down the road from Benton's.

[@andybee6480]

@@BogattheMoon Thanks ... that's good to know. I'll see where I can get it from

[@cecillec2331]

What a polite, wonderful man to represent this company.

[@simon_sreckovic]

This "yes ma'am" dude is awesome! 😎

[@FloodExterminator]

I can guarantee that this brand of bacon is amazing!

[@ThomasB1694]

“Yes ma’am” when’s the last time you heard that? Southern Gentleman

[@unclemayhem6696]

And hopefully this will be the last time, for a while at least. Complete overkill. He came across as kind of a schmuck.

[@PapaLesWorld]

@@unclemayhem6696 wow, talk about someone coming across as kind of a schmuck. I bet you hate mirrors.

[@jerryswope1797]

Every day here . I was brought up to say yes Ma,am, no Ma,am. I say it , my kids say it , my Grandkids and my Great Grandkids . It's a country thing I guess.

[@botfoblhrp]

That's pretty cool . I was in industrial packing plant with brine injection ,then smoked . we did around 18,000 lbs per line per shift . I love the simplicity of this . I worked 22 years in the plant when company finally closed and moved equipment. If not for that I would have 32 years now. Nothing like fresh bacon, mmmmmmmmm.😃

[@cristianvelasquez893]

I worked at Patrick cudahay bacon plant I combed bacon there we used a 100 year old brick rotary smoke house it was 5 stories tall

[@cristianvelasquez893]

We did about a million pounds a week with 2 shifts.

[@botfoblhrp]

@@cristianvelasquez893 that would be awesome to see.

[@scottyweimuller6152]

Take a shot for everytime she says "Oh Migh Gash."

[@BillVol]

Been there many times. You'll smell smoky all day if you are there for more than a few minutes. A good smoky. Best bacon I've ever had.

[@NinisCooking]

These bacon pieces look amazing ! With one of those I could probably make recipes for a year 😂

[@careysharp8340]

Fine job sir , nothing but respect for you and how you treated the young lady.

[@woolfel]

I've had benton's bacon and it's pretty awesome. unfortunately my wife felt it was too smoky and is more used to regular mass produced bacon.

[@aulorenzo1498]

I’m with the previous comment.. very polite guy. This why America is such Great Country.

[@Kevin-dl7ek]

'Each piece of meat will be touched by somebody at least 40 times ' * cuts to people not wearing gloves *

[@Fusiongearz]

Well only fools believe gloves are some sort of magical sanitary device. yo moma aint be wearing gloves when making yo ass dinner 😂

[@scarroll413]

Not too mention it's dry cured in salt and smoked for several days... Pretty sure nothing is surviving on the meat after that haha

[@michaelmasters5217]

I love your channel thanks sooooo much. I love food so much and im learning lots

[@christophertogbah484]

Oh My Goodness, This just made me hungry!!!!!

[@Voltuss5]

Iloved watching this video.. its good to see people taking pride in the work they do.. and it shows in the quality!

[@christopherguzik8727]

Destroys his axe by hitting some concrete at 5:32 lmao!

[@SMiller5488]

Cheapest advertising they ever did, a couple minutes to file a good edge on the axe and all is well.

[@christopherguzik8727]

@@SMiller5488 Great comment! And you're probably right. Still it was funny when she smashed his axe into the concrete. Skill level 0 lmao.

[@johnhartman3149]

This is about 4 miles from my house! Amazing people and that bacon....oh my!

[@billpiehler9010]

I wonder where they hide their log splitter? Using the ax was for show

[@dangerdavefreestyle]

It would likely be a bit of a heavier axe called a maul. Plus you'd do that on a stump or large heavy round log so its up off the deck at a better height and creates a chopping block. And, if you've ever used a woodsplitter or especially have a large scale operation, you'd never be using an axe.

[@livingsurvival]

I wonder how this guy hasn’t taken his leg off with that super unsafe technique.

[@bluesdemitra38]

I actually ordered this bacon after watching this and man was I disappointed. The wood smell is amazing but holy hell it’s salty.