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homemade smoked bacon
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Homemade Smoked Bacon

Delicious smokey bacon has to be the king of cured pork products.
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 7 days
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 7 days 3 hours
Servings 7
Calories 1135kcal
Author Nick Nesgoda

Ingredients

  • 3 lb whole pork belly skinless

For the cure

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ½ cup Kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp black pepper course grind
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic power
  • 1 tsp pink curing salt (Note 1)

Instructions

  • Prepare curing rub by mixing all dry ingredients together until well combined.
  • Apply the cure to pork belly, making sure to cover entirely.
  • Place the pork belly in a vacuum seal bag or Ziplock and and seal well. Place in the refrigerator for 7 days and flip it over every day. There will be a liquid that forms in the bag - be sure to mix and massage this into the pork belly everyday when you flip it.
  • After a week, remove from fridge and give it a thorough rinse to remove the cure.
  • Pat dry, and return to fridge on a rack over a tray overnight to dry and for pellicle to form.
  • Set up your smoker to run at 200°F, and smoke the pork belly until it hits an internal temp of 150°F, around 3 hours. Check internal temp regularly to avoid overcooking.
  • Cool for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours.
  • Slice to desired thickness and store.

Notes

1. Pink Curing Salt 
Curing salts are a blend of salt, sodium nitrite & sodium nitrate used for short-term preserving and curing of semi-dry and cooked meats. Also known as Prague Powder #1. Can be ordered online (Amazon Link) our found in good grocery stores
2. Smoking wood for bacon
Cherry, Hickory, or Apple wood all pair really well with pork. For a richer smoke flavor, you can add more wood during the smoking process
3. How long does it take to smoke bacon
You should smoke until the internal temperature of your bacon reaches 150°F. Depending on the size of your pork belly and the temperature of your smoker this can take anywhere between three and six hours. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 1135kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 103g | Saturated Fat: 38g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 48g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 8156mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2mg