Pork Fry Fresh Bacon Recipes

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.

FRIED BACON

Steps:

• Heat a cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium heat. When hot, add bacon strips in a single layer. Cook until browned on bottom, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Flip bacon, using tongs, and cook until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes.
• Drain and reserve fat for another use, and repeat with remaining bacon. Drain bacon on paper towels. Serve immediately.

UNCURED FRESH HOMEMADE BACON

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 200 F.
• Combine the spices and coat the pork belly thoroughly all over. Wrap snugly in 2 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place in a roasting pan and cook for 3 1/2 hours. Turn off the oven and leave the pork inside to cool for 1 1/2 hours. Remove and refrigerate overnight.
• Unwrap the pork belly and scrape off any gelatinous juices. Cut into thick slices and brown in a pan just as if you were cooking bacon. A little extra fat from the foil can be added to the pan to help get things going.
• Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with more salt if needed.