Making bacon- curing bacon at home
If you want a fun, rewarding, (I mean bacon) food project, making bacon at home is just for you. Although it takes some time & patience, it's not difficult.
Servings 64 servings
Calories 154kcal
Cost $20
Ingredients
- 4 pound pork belly skin removed
- 1/4 cup coarse kosher salt or sea salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoon Morton’s® Tender Quick®
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in medium bowl.1/4 cup coarse kosher salt or sea salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 4 tablespoon Morton’s® Tender Quick®
- Add maple syrup and mix well.1/4 cup maple syrup
- Rub the cure all over the pork belly. Add to a large storage bag.4 pound pork belly
- Place in large plastic bag and seal.
- Place bag in container, in case of drips.
- Turn bag once per day for 7 days.
- After 7 days, remove cured bacon from bag. Rinse all of the salt off, very well. (Failure to rinse thoroughly will result in salty bacon.)
- Dry meat on both side thoroughly with paper towel. Allow to air dry for a few hours in refrigerator. Place meat on rack and suspend rack over a container to contain drips.
- Heat smoker to 200°F. Use apple, cherry or hickory wood to smoke. Smoke for about 4 hours, until internal temperature reaches 150°F.
- Slice or cut into lardons and freeze until use.
- To cook bacon, cook in your preferred method. Pan fried, oven baked or even in your air fryer.
Notes
DO NOT use the quantities in this recipe for curing salt, unless you are specifically using Tender Quick curing salt! Refer to the instructions on the package of curing salt that you are using!
Bacon will last in the refrigerator approximately 7 days.
For longer storage, slice and freeze, until ready to use.
Rinsing all of the exterior salt from the meat is crucial! Do not skip this step!
Nutrition
Serving: 2slices | Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg