Someone posted Costco is doing $8.00 off pork bellies.

[realdocBBQ]

Definitely seems widespread enough. I couldn't get the email. I tried signing up for the list and it wouldn't let me anyways. Weird.

[Andrrr]

Mission accomplished

[realdocBBQ]

That's your whole shopping report?? Come on, man...

[Andrrr]

Well 2 slabs of belly, about 11lbs each. I also bought a 1.75 of Makers👍🏻. Nothing else very exciting really. realdocBBQ

[jtw]

Just here to confirm the sale in SE Michigan. I'll have to make a run tomorrow and pick up a couple bellies!

[tstalafuse]

I was at Costco, saw the sale, so I bought one. Now I just have to figure out how to cure and smoke it.

[McFlyfi]

For me, that's the easy part. The hard part is finding a whole belly when I need it. Costco doesn't always have it out around here (two separate Costco's 10 min from me).

[realdocBBQ]

Oh man, it's so easy! I have been totally amazed by how easy bacon is to make. It does take time, lotta waiting around, but it's so worth it!

[tstalafuse]

Now, you just need to post your step by step pork bellies for dummies recipe..

[realdocBBQ]

Dude, plain ol' pork belly is even easier than pork butt. I just crosshatch the fat cap, apply liberal kosher salt and black pepper and smoke to 195+. It is another cut that also benefits from a long hot hold, as well, but it isn't AS necessary as with brisket.

<edit> Unless you mean my bacon process?

[realdocBBQ]

I gotta say, I am really glad to see so many people taking advantage of this sale, makes me glad I posted it!

Spreading the Love Of Pork Belly!

[Smoked Transistors]

Pork belly run for sure!!!

[Soonerpop]

They do this fairly often with pork loin, ribs, and pork shoulders that’s I’ve bought. $8 or $9 off the package price at check out. I always go look even if I’m there for something else. I’m

[McFlyfi]

I JUST cured/smoked/sliced/packaged/froze an 11 pound belly.
Question: if I buy more belly, and freeze it until I need it, then when its time for more bacon, brine/smoke/slice//package/RE freeze, will the quality/texture of the meat suffer? I always thought that freezing something, then thawing and re freezing caused cellular damage to the meat. Is that an old husbands tale, or true?

[realdocBBQ]

No I've frozen whole bellies and had zero detrimental effect when I thawed and cooked them.

[fitzoo7]

I use a vacuum chamber and it works amazing for frozen meats. I normally smoke it, the freeze it into portions, and sous vide just the portion I need.

I also use it for all leftovers, cheeses, sauces, and fruits. I’ve never had a moldy cheese since I bought it.

I would not freeze a pork belly in its original packaging

Vacuum chambers are pricey, but the bags are about $.02 per bag.

[Santamarina]

Just checked the Costco app. No pork belly listed, but they have $200 off a Wagyu ribeye roast. It’s an absolute steal at $900!

[Santamarina]

That’s ~18 briskets right there!

[realdocBBQ]

Uhhhh... not lately it ain't 18 briskets. lol. Unless you're buyin' those little bitty baby things. lol My last trip to Costco I got one of the last $4.98/lb briskies, they were up to $5.89/lb. That's $80-110 for a 14-18lb brisket.

[Santamarina]

I’m fortunate that my Costco has Prime packers for about $4/lb, so I can pick up a 13-14lb brisket for just over $50. If I picked slightly bigger ones I could still probably get 15 for $900.

[PGH_RAM]

That sale is running here in Pittsburgh, too.

[SmokingSteve]

It is running here in Vancouver WA also. Pork Belly, that is.

[McFlyfi]

Picked up two today. One into the salt bath and one into the freezer. Should have enough to take me to Oct/Nov.

[realdocBBQ]

Oct/Nov??? Man...

[McFlyfi]

It's just two of us. Bacon for breakfast a few times a week, and lunch a couple times. Around the Holidays, I give a few pounds away, so a whole belly lasts 3 months or so.
And I just put about 10 lbs in the freezer.

[Spinaker]

I also picked one up today. Had to get a brisket anyway, so..........

[fitzoo7]

Can anyone confirm if this is happening in more than one area or whatever? It's about a 35 minute drive for me to Costco, but I've done at least 6 or 8 pork bellies already this year, so.... I'm seriously thinking that I need to go make a trip.

I just put down another 18lbs to cure, so I was going to hold off for a couple of months before making more, as this will leave me with about 50 lbs of bacon - but hot damn, if I can get $8.00 per belly, that's 20-25%. I'm down for another 3 or 4 if that's the case AND if I can find good, plump and not long thin skinny ones.

Curious if ya'll have seen this at Costco.

Yes I got 2 yesterday, each pack is $8.00 off, so roughly 20% off.