Homemade Fresh Bacon Bits Recipes

REAL BACON BITS

Steps:

• To make the real deal, fry 8 slices bacon until extra crisp. Drain on paper towels, then finely chop and spread on a baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven for 5 minutes. Let cool on clean paper towels until most of the fat is absorbed.

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.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON

Steps:

• Brown bacon in a medium skillet over medium high heat. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Add extra-virgin olive oil to the pan, 1 turn. Add shallots to the pan and saute 1 to 2 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts and coat in oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook Brussels sprouts 2 to 3 minutes to begin to soften, then add broth. Bring broth to a bubble, cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook 10 minutes, until tender. Transfer sprouts to a serving dish with a slotted spoon and top with cooked bacon bits.

SCRAP IRON CHEF'S BACON (HOMEMADE BACON)

Steps:

• In a large non-reactive pot, bring half the water, 1 cup of sugar, salt, and 8 ounces molasses to a boil.
• Stir to dissolve the sugar.
• Pour into a large container with the remaining water, and the apple cider.
• Place in the refrigerator and cool to 40 degrees F.
• Press the black pepper into the pork belly.
• Once the brine has cooled place the peppered pork belly into the mixture until completely submerged.
• Refrigerate for three days.
• After three days have passed, remove the pork from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
• Lay on a rack over a sheet pan and place in front of a fan for 1 hour to form a pellicle.
• Lay the pork in the protein box of a cold smoker and smoke for 4 to 6 hours.
• Chill the meat in the freezer for 1 hour to stiffen for easy slicing into strips of bacon.
• Slice what you need and keep the remainder in a freezer safe bag in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Place the strips of bacon onto a sheet pan fitted with a rack and place into a cold oven.
• Turn the oven to 400 degrees F and cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon.
• Remove from rack and drain on paper towels.
• Enjoy.

HOMEMADE VEGAN IMITATION BACON BITS!

Steps:

• Add the liquid smoke, soy sauce, molasses to a measuring cup , then fill with water to get one cup.
• In a microwave safe dish, mix together liquid smoke mixture, TVP and salt.
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on high for five minutes. Carefully remove the wrap.
• Preheat a skillet with the oil.
• If using maple extract, add to the reconstituted TVP now and mix well.
• Add reconstituted TVP to the pan and toss to make sure it all gets coated with oil. Pan fry until desired crispness. Stir often. You don't necessarily want to "brown" them, but dry them out. This should take about ten minutes.
• Allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
• Store in the refrigerator. The bits should last at least a week. Or you can store in the freezer, they will last a long time!