How to Make Delicious Homemade Bacon in 5 Easy Steps

Do you love bacon but hate the thought of buying it from the supermarket because of the additives and preservatives? Well, you can actually make your own homemade bacon right in the comfort of your home. All you need are a few ingredients, patience, and some time. This article will guide you through the process of making homemade bacon that is healthy, delicious, and a perfect accompaniment to your breakfast meals.

Making homemade bacon is not as difficult as you may think. It all starts with selecting the right cut of pork belly. Once you have that sorted, it’s time to cure the meat with a blend of spices and seasonings. This is followed by the smoking stage to add that lovely smoky flavor that we all love. The best part is that you can customize the flavors to your liking and add spices that you love. With this guide, you’ll learn how to make your own delicious homemade bacon that will impress your friends and family.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Homemade Bacon

Bacon is a beloved breakfast item that is enjoyed by millions of people all around the world. Crispy, salty, and delicious, it is a great addition to any dish, and the perfect way to start your day. Making bacon at home might seem daunting, but with the right tools and a little bit of patience, you can make your own mouth-watering bacon that is sure to impress. Here’s how.

Step 1: Choose the Right Meat

The first step to making bacon is to choose the right meat. Pork belly is the most commonly used cut of meat for bacon, but you can also use back bacon or side bacon if you prefer. Look for a cut that has a good amount of fat for the best flavour and texture.

Step 2: Get the Right Equipment

To make bacon at home, you will need a few basic pieces of equipment. You will need a sharp knife, a meat grinder, a smoker, and some curing salts. You can also use a large plastic food bag to cure the pork belly and a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the smoker.

Step 3: Prepare the Meat

Once you have your meat, you will need to prepare it for curing. If you are using a whole pork belly, remove the skin and trim any excess fat. This will help the curing salts to penetrate the meat and ensure even curing.

Step 4: Mix the Cure

Now it’s time to mix the curing salts. There are many different curing salt recipes available online, but the most common one is a mixture of kosher salt, curing salt, and brown sugar. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.

Step 5: Apply the Cure

Once you have your curing salt mixture ready, it’s time to apply it to the meat. Rub the mixture all over the meat, making sure to cover every inch. If you have a plastic food bag, place the meat inside and seal it tightly.

Step 6: Cure the Meat

Place the meat in the refrigerator and let it cure for at least a week, turning it every day to ensure even curing. The longer you leave it, the stronger the flavour will be.

Step 7: Smoke the Meat

After the meat has cured, it’s time to smoke it. Preheat your smoker to around 200°F and place the meat on the rack. Smoke the meat for around 2-3 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Once the bacon is smoked, let it cool in the refrigerator for a few hours before slicing. Use a sharp knife to slice the bacon into thin strips, and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Homemade Bacon

– Choose the right meat with a good amount of fat for the best flavour and texture
– Use a curing salt mixture to cure the meat for at least a week
– Smoke the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F for the best results
– Let the bacon cool before slicing for easier and more consistent slicing
– Store the bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

Conclusion

Making bacon at home might seem like a daunting task, but with the right equipment and a little bit of patience, anyone can do it. Follow these simple steps and tips, and you’ll be enjoying delicious homemade bacon in no time!

The Ingredients

To make homemade bacon that is juicy, flavorful, and crispy, you need to choose the right ingredients. Here are the key ingredients you will require:

Pork Belly

The pork belly is the star of homemade bacon, consequently, pick quality pork belly that is lean and has a consistent thickness of about 1 inch.

Kosher Salt

The key to making good bacon is the right amount of salt. Use kosher salt to ensure the salt diffusion is even throughout the meat. A rule of thumb is to use 2% of the total weight of the pork belly for kosher salt.

Black Pepper

Black pepper adds a spark of flavor to the bacon. Make sure you use fresh peppercorns and grind them coarsely. For every 5 lbs of pork belly, use 1 tablespoon of black pepper.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar caramelizes the bacon and contributes sweetness to the flavor. Use 1 tablespoon of brown sugar per every 5 lbs of pork belly.

Liquid Smoke

Liquid smoke adds a smoky flavor to the bacon. A little goes a long way, use 2-3 tablespoons per every 5 lbs of pork belly.

Curing Salt

Use curing salt for safety to prevent foodborne diseases like botulism. Curing salt is a mixture of sodium nitrite and common salt. Use 1 teaspoon per 5 lbs of pork belly.

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices are optional, and you can experiment with different flavors and combinations. Rosemary, thyme, garlic, cumin, and paprika are some popular choices.

Plastic Bags or Vacuum Seal Bags

You will need either large resealable plastic bags or vacuum seal bags to store the pork belly after seasoning it.

Large Baking Tray or Roasting Pan

A large baking tray or roasting pan is used to cure the pork belly, so it is essential to purchase one that can accommodate the pork belly.

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is vital for wrapping the pork belly during the curing process and protects the meat from damage. Use a heavy-duty aluminum foil that is wide and long enough to wrap around the pork belly.

By using these quality ingredients, you will create a homemade bacon that has a sweet and savory flavor with a smoky aroma that will make your taste buds dance. The next section will cover the step by step process of how to make homemade bacon.

The Homemade Bacon Making Process

Now that you have the necessary ingredients for making your homemade bacon, it’s time to begin the process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Trim the Pork Belly

The first thing you need to do is to trim off any excess fat or skin from the pork belly. You can do this by using a sharp knife and carefully removing the unwanted parts. Make sure that you leave a thin layer of fat on top of the meat so that the bacon will have a good texture and taste.

Step 2: Apply the Cure Mix

Next, you need to apply the cure mix all over the pork belly. You can do this by rubbing the mixture onto the meat until it is evenly coated. Make sure that you cover all areas, including the corners and edges, with the cure mix. You can use your hands or a brush to apply the cure mix.

Step 3: Let It Rest

Once you have applied the cure mix, it’s time to let the pork belly rest. Place the meat in a plastic bag and seal it. Then, place the bag in the refrigerator and let it rest for at least 7 days. During this time, the cure mix will penetrate the pork belly and create that delicious bacon flavor.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

After the 7 days have passed, you need to remove the pork belly from the bag and rinse it thoroughly with cold water. Then, pat the meat dry with a paper towel or a clean cloth. You can let it air dry for a few minutes or use a fan to speed up the process.

Step 5: Smoke the Bacon

Finally, it’s time to smoke the bacon. You can use a smoker or an oven for this step. If you’re using an oven, preheat it to 200°F. Then, place the pork belly on a wire rack and place the rack in the oven. Smoke the bacon for about 2-3 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F. If you’re using a smoker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for smoking bacon.

That’s it! Now you know how to make your own delicious homemade bacon. Once you try it, you’ll never want to buy store-bought bacon again.

Thanks for Dropping By!

We hope this article on how to make homemade bacon has been as fun for you to read as it was for us to write. Experimenting in the kitchen is always a thrill, so why not give it a shot yourself? Remember, the key to delicious homemade bacon is patience and creativity! Stay tuned for more exciting recipes and cooking tips, and feel free to check out our other articles in the meantime. Bon appétit!