Homemade Bacon Recipe - How to Cure and Smoke Bacon - AmazingRibs.com Maple Bacon

maple syrup

🥗Healthier: agave syrup

💰Cheaper: honey

Agave syrup provides a lower glycemic index.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: granulated sugar

Coconut sugar offers a similar flavor profile.

Prepare 3 pounds of pork belly, skin removed, about 1.5 inches thick.

In a mixing bowl, combine 4.5 teaspoons kosher salt, 4.5 teaspoons black pepper, 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 3/4 cup distilled water, and 1/2 teaspoon Prague Powder #1.

Pour the mixture into a 1-gallon ziplock bag and add the pork belly, squeezing out as much air as possible.

Place the bag in a tray and refrigerate for 3-5 days, flipping daily.

After 4 days, rinse the pork belly to remove excess salt.

Set up the grill for indirect cooking at 225°F.

Place 12 lit briquettes in the corner of the grill and fill the rest with unlit briquettes, adding 1 quart of boiling water to the water reservoir.

Add maple wood chunks for smoking.

Place the pork belly on the grill and monitor the internal temperature with a thermometer.

Smoke for 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 150°F.

Remove the bacon from the grill and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to cool before slicing.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens