adjective

uncured

un-KYOORD

Uncured (adjective) means of meat such as bacon, ham or hot dogs: preserved without synthetic nitrates or nitrites, using natural sources such as celery powder and sea salt instead. Despite the label, the meat has still been preserved. Example: “She buys uncured bacon because the packet says no added nitrates.”

adjective

Of meat such as bacon, ham or hot dogs: preserved without synthetic nitrates or nitrites, using natural sources such as celery powder and sea salt instead. Despite the label, the meat has still been preserved.

"She buys uncured bacon because the packet says no added nitrates."

"Uncured hot dogs are cured too — just with celery juice rather than sodium nitrite."

Of meat, fish or hides: genuinely not preserved or treated at all, and therefore raw and perishable.

"Uncured pork must be refrigerated and cooked promptly."

Of concrete, resin, adhesive or rubber: not yet hardened or set to its final state.

"Do not walk on the uncured epoxy for at least twenty-four hours."

How to Use Uncured

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPreserved without added artificial nitrates — or, elsewhere, not treated or hardened yet.

When to use it

Neutral; most often seen as a food-packaging label in the United States.

Memory tip

On a food label, uncured is a legal term rather than a plain description — read the ingredients to see what was actually used.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

cured nitrate-free raw →

Common pairings

uncured bacon uncured ham uncured hot dogs uncured concrete uncured resin

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Test yourself on “uncured” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She buys _____ bacon because the packet says no added nitrates.

Etymology

From un- 'not' plus cured, in the food sense of preserving with salt, smoke or nitrates.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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raw untreated fresh unset green wet

Antonyms

cured set

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Rhymes for uncured

figured injured assured secured insured scoured coloured captured favoured tortured measured honoured

See all rhymes for uncured →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cured and uncured bacon?

Cured bacon is preserved with synthetic sodium nitrite, while uncured bacon is preserved with natural nitrate sources such as celery powder plus salt. Chemically the result is very similar, because celery powder converts to nitrite during processing. The label is a regulatory distinction, not a promise that no curing happened.

Is uncured meat safer or healthier?

Not necessarily. Uncured products often contain comparable levels of nitrite to conventionally cured ones, since the celery-based cure produces the same compound. Choose on taste, salt content and price rather than assuming it is the healthier option.

Does uncured mean raw?

Only outside the supermarket meat aisle. Packaged uncured bacon and hot dogs are fully processed and, in the case of hot dogs, already cooked. In butchery or leather-making, uncured really does mean untreated and perishable.

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