Bringing home the bacon!!!

   / Bringing home the bacon!!! #1  

gsganzer

Elite Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2003
Messages
3,082
Location
Denton, TX
Tractor
L3800 w/FEL and BH77, BX 2200 w/FEL and MMM
I was at a local butcher and on a whim, bought a pork belly and decided I'll try making my own bacon on the pellet grill.

I trimmed it and made up my dry rub mix, although it's not really dry because it has a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup. It'll cure for 7 days, then I'll smoke it.

The recipe I used called for Prague powder #1, kosher salt, brown sugar, maple syrup and some red pepper flakes. I'll keep notes and keep experimenting with other recipes.

Anyone make their own bacon?
 
   / Bringing home the bacon!!! #2  
I was at a local butcher and on a whim, bought a pork belly and decided I'll try making my own bacon on the pellet grill.

I trimmed it and made up my dry rub mix, although it's not really dry because it has a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup. It'll cure for 7 days, then I'll smoke it.

The recipe I used called for Prague powder #1, kosher salt, brown sugar, maple syrup and some red pepper flakes. I'll keep notes and keep experimenting with other recipes.

Anyone make their own bacon?
No, but I'll be watching for your results. Sounds tasty! 😛

Bacon here is often under $4 a pound. I'll put some brown sugar and cracked black pepper on it and bake it in the oven. Pretty good.
 
   / Bringing home the bacon!!! #3  
I do my own bacon as well as other stuff. Got the recipe from Here

I bought a decent slicer which is key to getting nice consistent slices. I then lay them out on wax paper and layer them in large freezer bags. I will have to find a pic. I cleared the old photos from my phone.
 
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   / Bringing home the bacon!!! #4  
I was at a local butcher and on a whim, bought a pork belly and decided I'll try making my own bacon on the pellet grill.

I trimmed it and made up my dry rub mix, although it's not really dry because it has a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup. It'll cure for 7 days, then I'll smoke it.

The recipe I used called for Prague powder #1, kosher salt, brown sugar, maple syrup and some red pepper flakes. I'll keep notes and keep experimenting with other recipes.

Anyone make their own bacon?

I make all of our bacon. Dry cure method is my favorite. Then I smoke it on the charcoal grill with hickory, cherry, apple..

Homemade bacon is like a completely different food product when compared to commodity bacon.
IMG_20241021_065011.jpg
 
   / Bringing home the bacon!!! #5  
I tried a few years back, came out REALLY salty. Not quite sure what I did wrong. It was still good chopped up and added into dishes, too salty to eat on its own. @CloverKnollFarms that looks phenomenal!!
 
   / Bringing home the bacon!!!
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I tried a few years back, came out REALLY salty. Not quite sure what I did wrong. It was still good chopped up and added into dishes, too salty to eat on its own. @CloverKnollFarms that looks phenomenal!!
I fear that mine might come out really salty too. I made the rub based on a recipe. I then realized after I rubbed the belly down, that the original recipe was for a 5# belly and mine was only 3#. I guess I'll find out in another 5 days. Trial and error. I'll go into the next attempt much better educated.
 
   / Bringing home the bacon!!! #7  
I fear that mine might come out really salty too. I made the rub based on a recipe. I then realized after I rubbed the belly down, that the original recipe was for a 5# belly and mine was only 3#. I guess I'll find out in another 5 days. Trial and error. I'll go into the next attempt much better educated.
You can always rinse a little early. I think I left mine with the brine too long if I had to venture a guess on what I did wrong.
 
   / Bringing home the bacon!!!
  • Thread Starter
#8  
You can always rinse a little early. I think I left mine with the brine too long if I had to venture a guess on what I did wrong.
Did you use the correct type of salt? I only use kosher salt, never table salt. Regular table salt can also contain iodine, which can also add a bitter taste.
 
   / Bringing home the bacon!!! #9  
Did you use the correct type of salt? I only use kosher salt, never table salt. Regular table salt can also contain iodine, which can also add a bitter taste.
Hmmm, good question. I am not sure. It has been 5 or 6 years.
 
   / Bringing home the bacon!!!
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Hmmm, good question. I am not sure. It has been 5 or 6 years.
I learned that table salt can taste 2x saltier than Kosher or sea salt, partly due to the smaller size (greater surface area) of the crystals.
 

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