Homemade Bacon Recipe - How to Make Bacon at Home EASY

pork belly

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, while pork shoulder is more affordable.

cure #1

🥗Healthier: homemade brine

💰Cheaper: table salt

Homemade brine can be made with common kitchen ingredients.

liquid smoke

🥗Healthier: smoked salt

💰Cheaper: smoked paprika

Smoked salt adds flavor without the cost of liquid smoke.

maple syrup

🥗Healthier: agave syrup

💰Cheaper: honey

Agave syrup is lower in calories, while honey is often less expensive.

Trim the pork belly to fit into a zip bag, removing about an inch of fat and an inch and a half from the side.

Prepare the cure by mixing 1/4 cup kosher salt, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1 tablespoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon Prague Powder #1 in the zip bag.

Place the pork belly in the bag with the cure and mix to coat.

Zip the bag, removing as much air as possible, and refrigerate for 5-7 days, flipping daily.

After 5 days, rinse the pork belly under cold water to remove excess salt.

Set the grill for indirect cooking at 225°F (107°C) and add maple wood chunks for smoking.

Smoke the pork belly for about 2 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F (65°C).

Let the bacon cool in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes before slicing.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: