First Time Bacon

[troymeister]

First time Ever Curing Bacon...Basically MH's recipe and method. Simple and straight forward. Very economical too...Came out to about $3.00 per lb. Vs $6.99 for some half as good from the store.

Goodby store bought Bacon.

[Huskee]

Nice! Yes, if I had a better local source of bellies I probably would never buy bacon again. I have to travel to find them so I do't do it as much as I'd like, but I am with you, so easy & economical. And you can smoke it to the level you want too!

[troymeister]

Rfuilrez Just curious....What do you charge per lb?

[Rfuilrez]

troymeister For a long time I charged $9/lb. I recently bumped it to $10 to make giving change easier. And then I give a break 5/$45. I sell pastrami too, though much less often because it takes longer. $13/lb for that.

[troymeister]

That is a pretty cool side gig...

[scottranda]

One of the biggest payoffs of taste vs the "work" you put in. And you become a legend with your friends when you share your bacon!

[troymeister]

scottranda Yes you are so correct.....The flavor vs effort and even economic value is unbelievable. As I was saying to Huskee..I'm kicking myself for not doing this years ago......

[JoeSousa]

Got 30 lbs of bellies curing right now getting ready for the smoker on Tuesday. So much better than anything store bought.

[Backroadmeats]

Looks good. Nice color!!

[Baltassar]

Meathead writes about bacon from hog "side meat." Anyone have a source for that?

[Backroadmeats]

At most meat markets it is pork belly..unsmoked it is side pork..where I live u can hear the market price on pork bellies on the radio.. we like bacon in MN!!

[Donw]

Great looking bacon and some great knife skills with those uniform slices.

[troymeister]

I sharpened the knife as best as I could and I partially froze the bacon to make it easier. A slicer would work best but I don't own one..

[dsohmer]

SWMBO has forbidden me from buying bacon after I smoked and sliced the second belly this morning.

[Ahumadora]

Cookin up some of MH's bacon tonight for dinner!! quick n easy.

[smokinsteve]

Anyone have any ideas for Apple Cider Smoked Bacon? A restaurant near me has it and it is delicious. Tried to make it myself and it didn't quite come up to the standard at that restaurant.

[ecowper]

How did you do it? substitute apple cider for the water?

[smokinsteve]

Yes I did. I've tried it on two occasions. One with cider from the grocery store, and another from an orchard. The one from the orchard was better than the store bought, but still not what I wanted.

[Backroadmeats]

My idea would be to cure it.. then inject with homade apple cider and rub with a apple butter or apple sauce and the smoke.. maybe rub down again once done with apple butter once cooled.. just an idea..

[CaptainMike]

I'm kind of surprised you haven't done this before, but welcome into the light!

[DavidNorcross]

Good work. I want to do this? Curious how long does the bacon keep after it is smoked? If you smoke a larger amount can it be frozen?

[ecowper]

DavidNorcross the bacon will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks, give or take a couple days. I freeze it in 1.5-2 lb quantities and then defrost and cook as needed. I keep it for about 3 months, max .... although honestly I've never had bacon around that long. I usually brine/cook bacon once a month.

[DavidNorcross]

Awesome. Thank you

[Dick Anderson]

I have 10 lbs. of Meathead's recipe to smoke today. I still am deciding between the Weber with the SnS, or my old standby Char-broil propane (with an electric element that I am able to run as low as 150F). I don't have much experience with the SnS, and holding 225F is where I am unsure. I don't want to melt the fat.
Anyone have a suggestion or something to push me off the fence?

[EdF]

Sounds like your Char-Broil is a reliable approach.

[Dick Anderson]

Thanks EdF. I need more practice with the SnS, and still too many air leaks. Ol' Char-broil is chugging right along at 155F. I think I'll add some wood and the meat!

[EdF]

You'll be sure to get it!