Bacon Homemade In A Smoker Food

SMOKED BACK BACON

Steps:

• Mix water, kosher salt, sugar, maple syrup, garlic powder, and curing salt until dissolved.
• Place the pork loin in a large bag or food-safe container large enough to completely submerge it in the brine. Add brine and refrigerate for at least 3 days.
• Remove pork from brine and pat dry with paper towels; discard brine.
• Preheat a smoker to 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Place pork onto wire racks. Place the racks into the smoker. Add wood chips according to manufacturer's directions. Smoke until pork is slightly pink in the center, about 2 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Let cool before slicing.

HOMEMADE BACON

Steps:

• Rinse the pork belly and pat dry. Transfer to a resealable 2-gallon plastic bag. To make the spice rub, mix the kosher salt, pink salt, brown sugar, honey, red pepper flakes, paprika and cumin in a bowl. Coat the pork belly all over with the mixture.
• Close the bag and refrigerate 7 to 10 days, flipping once a day, until the pork belly feels firm. It should take 7 days for a thin belly that is about 11/2 inches thick, longer for a belly that's 2 to 3 inches thick.
• Remove the pork belly from the bag, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Refrigerate the belly on a rack, uncovered, 48 hours.
• Set up your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions using applewood chips, and set to 200 degrees F. Smoke the pork belly 3 hours, or until the bacon reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F.
• Remove the rind (optional), then slice and cook as desired. To store, wrap the bacon in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months.
• Pink curing salt is a mix of salt and sodium nitrite. It keeps the meat pink and protects it from bacteria. You can find it at specialty food stores or online.