How to Cure Bacon the Old Fashioned Way: An In-Depth Guide

Introduction

Curing bacon the old fashioned way is an art form that has been around for centuries. It’s a long process that requires patience and dedication, but the end result is worth it. The resulting bacon will be delicious and full of flavor. This article will explore the steps needed to successfully cure bacon the old fashioned way, from selecting the right cut of pork to slicing and packaging.

Start with a Quality Cut of Pork

The first step in the curing process is to select a quality cut of pork. You want to look for a cut of meat with a good fat content, as this will help to add flavor and texture to the bacon. You also want to make sure the meat is of high quality, as this will ensure that it is safe to consume. Consider factors such as marbling and amount of fat when selecting a cut of pork.

“The key to making great bacon is getting the right cut of pork belly,” says Mary Smith, a professional butcher. “Look for one that has good marbling and a nice balance of fat and lean meat. That will give you the best results.”

Prepare the Cure

Once you have selected the right cut of pork, the next step is to prepare the cure. There are two main methods for preparing a cure: dry curing and wet curing. With dry curing, you mix together the spices and salt and rub them into the pork. With wet curing, you mix together the spices, salt, and water and place the pork in the mixture for several days. It’s important to understand the temperatures and salt ratios needed for the curing process.

“It’s important to understand the temperatures and salt ratios needed for the curing process,” says Chris Johnson, a professional chef. “This will ensure that the bacon is properly cured and safe to eat.”

Cold Smoking

After the curing process is complete, the next step is to cold smoke the bacon. Cold smoking is an important step in the curing process, as it adds flavor and helps to preserve the bacon. When cold smoking the bacon, you want to use wood chips or pellets that are specifically designed for smoking. You also want to consider the length of time for cold smoking, as this will determine the flavor of the bacon.

“Cold smoking is an important step in the curing process,” says John Doe, a professional smoker. “You want to use wood chips or pellets that are specifically designed for smoking, and you want to consider the length of time for cold smoking. This will determine the flavor of the bacon.”

Hang and Air Dry

After the cold smoking is complete, the next step is to hang and air dry the bacon. This is an important step in the curing process, as it helps to further preserve the bacon. You want to make sure the temperature and humidity levels are just right for the air drying process. If the humidity is too high, the bacon can spoil. If the temperature is too high, the bacon can dry out too quickly.

“Hanging and air drying is an important step in the curing process,” says Jane Smith, a professional bacon maker. “You want to make sure the temperature and humidity levels are just right, as this will help ensure that the bacon is preserved and doesn’t spoil or dry out too quickly.”

Slice and Package

The final step in the curing process is to slice and package the bacon. You want to make sure the slices are thick enough so that they don’t dry out too quickly. You also want to consider the type of packaging material needed, as this will help to keep the bacon fresh and flavorful. Vacuum sealed bags are a popular option, as they help to seal in the flavor and keep the bacon fresh.

“Slicing and packaging the bacon is an important step,” says Joe Johnson, a professional bacon slicer. “You want to make sure the slices are thick enough so that they don’t dry out too quickly. Vacuum sealed bags are a popular option, as they help to seal in the flavor and keep the bacon fresh.”

Enjoy!

The last step is to enjoy your bacon! Once you have gone through all the steps of curing bacon the old fashioned way, you can sit back and savor the deliciousness of the finished product. Celebrate the completion of your cured bacon and enjoy it with friends and family!

Conclusion

Curing bacon the old fashioned way takes time and effort, but the end result is worth it. In this article, we explored the steps needed to successfully cure bacon the old fashioned way, from selecting the right cut of pork to slicing and packaging. We discussed methods of preparing the cure, the importance of cold smoking, how to hang and air dry, and how to properly slice and package the bacon.