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BACON – HOME CURED AND SMOKED

June 28, 2019 by Debbie 8 Comments

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I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that didn’t love BACON! The memories of waking up to the smell of bacon resonate in my brain, along with the memories of my kids running down the stairs whenever they smelled bacon frying in the pan. What’s not to love about bacon?

A few years ago, we decided to raise a few hogs to stock our freezer with. I was familiar with pork chops, ham, pork roast, but I had never attempted bacon before. Without knowing the process, I was a little intimidated. How could something so delicious be so easy to make yourself? Well, this recipe for home-cured and smoked bacon will assuage all your fears. It really is a simple process.

Begin with a slab of pork belly. There really isn’t a fancy sounding name for that that I know of. I’ve never seen pork belly sold in our stores, so you may have to search a little to find one. Check with your local farmers or butcher shops. You might also try local meat processors. Often times they will have just what you are looking.

Mix the brown sugar, salt, pepper, and Tender-Quick in a medium bowl. Make sure everything is thoroughly combined. I began using Tender Quick when our son was in Afghanistan. It serves as a preservative for meats and was necessary to make sure the meat didn’t spoil during the transit time. It can be omitted if you prefer.

Spread the mixture on both sides of the pork belly. Rub the mixture thoroughly into the meat. Place in a gallon sized freezer bag and refrigerate for 10-14 days until the meat becomes firm to the touch. Each day, flip the meat over and rub the mixture into the meat.

 

Once the meat is cured, remove from the bag and rinse thoroughly in cold water. Pat dry with paper towels and place on baking racks. Refrigerate overnight to form a pellicle. This is a thin layer of film that will allow the meat to absorb the smoke flavors. At this point, you could add any seasonings you like. Think of national cuisines and flavor in any manner you desire.

To smoke the bacon I used an electric smoker. They are so much easier for me to use. I don’t have to constantly check the temperature and add wood or open the vent, etc.  Set the temperature to 200 degrees and smoke for approximately 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees. For smoking, I used applewood chips.

As with any recipe, homemade is always better. This recipe for home-cured and smoked bacon is not different. I know exactly what went into making it. There are no artificial ingredients and I know where the pork came from. If you want sweeter bacon, add maple syrup or honey. For spicier bacon, add cayenne or any pepper of choice.

You will love all the possibilities available when you make your own bacon!

Print Recipe

BACON - HOME CURED AND SMOKED

Making bacon at home is not difficult. You can add your own blend of spices to create the perfect taste for your family. This recipe is for a basic homemade bacon.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time2 hrs
Curing time10 d
Total Time10 d 2 hrs 15 mins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bacon, basic bacon, homemade bacon, pork
Author: Debbie

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds pork belly
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons kosher or sea salt do not use iodized salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Tender Quick

Instructions

  • Mix the sugar, salts, pepper, and tender quick together in a medium bowl.
  • Rub the mixture into the pork belly.
  • Place into a one gallon ziploc bag and refrigerate for 10-14 days. Flip daily and massage the mixture into the meat.
  • Remove from the bag and rinse thoroughly.
  • Place onto baking racks and refrigerate overnight. Add any additional seasonings you desire.
  • Smoke at 200 degrees for approximately 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees.
  • Slice to your desired thickness and enjoy! This can also be frozen for later use.

 

 

 

Filed Under: breakfast, pork, preserving the harvest

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jackie

    April 11, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    Do you freeze before or after smoking?

    Reply
    • Debbie

      April 12, 2020 at 6:54 am

      I froze after it was smoked.

      Reply
  2. Mike

    November 10, 2020 at 10:06 pm

    Should there be a little bit of fluid in the bag while it is curing?

    Reply
    • Debbie

      November 11, 2020 at 12:17 am

      There will be fluid in the bag as it cures. The salt/sugar will draw it out of the meat. It will not hurt the meat, but you can pour it off if you prefer.

      Reply
  3. Cody

    January 17, 2021 at 8:25 am

    I made my first one this past week and tried it out yesterday. It was very good. I think I will do this as Christmas presents. Of course leaving plenty for me as well

    Reply
    • Debbie

      January 17, 2021 at 2:52 pm

      It’s hard for us to buy store-bought bacon now. I’m glad you enjoyed it

      Reply
  4. Clay

    September 3, 2021 at 10:03 am

    My wife and are currently curing bacon for the first time. She came across this recipe and decided to use it. However, I was reading on the Morton website yesterday in regards to the noted curing salt they specifically said that they do not recommend it for curing bacon. At this point the meat has been curing for 11 days and we are not sure if it is safe to continue. Would you be able to provide any advice or clarification? Thanks

    Reply
    • Debbie

      September 3, 2021 at 11:39 am

      Hi Clay, I am assuming you are talking about the TenderQuick? I looked at their website and they don’t recommend using it for pork belly because of the high-fat content. Therefore, they cannot give you a specific curing time. I’ve been using this recipe for several years and have never encountered a problem. Most recipes call for a curing time of 5-7 days. Because this recipe is for 10-14 days, there should be no problems. The purpose of the curing is to prevent oxidation of the fat that would cause it to go rancid. Once our bacon is smoked, we slice it and freeze it in 1/2 pound quantities using food saver bags. This will also prevent oxidation. Your bacon should be fine! I hope you enjoy it. Let me know how it turns out, please.

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Debbie…a wife, mother, grandmother, and someone who loves gathering with family and friends over a delicious meal. Join me as I prepare simple, mostly from-scratch meals using fresh ingredients.

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