Cook the Book: How to Cure Your Own Bacon

Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Health score
4%
Cook the Book: How to Cure Your Own Bacon
45 min.
7
856kcal

Suggestions


Are you ready to elevate your culinary skills and impress your friends and family with a homemade delicacy? Look no further than this delightful recipe for curing your own bacon! Not only is this dish gluten-free and dairy-free, but it also allows you to take control of the flavors and quality of the ingredients you use. Imagine the satisfaction of slicing into a beautifully cured piece of bacon that you crafted yourself, bursting with rich, savory flavors.

This recipe is perfect for lunch, dinner, or any occasion where you want to serve something truly special. With a preparation time of just 45 minutes and a curing process that allows the flavors to meld beautifully over a week, you’ll find that the wait is well worth it. The combination of aromatic herbs and spices, including bay leaves, rosemary, and garlic, infuses the pork belly with a depth of flavor that store-bought bacon simply can’t match.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a curious beginner, this recipe is an exciting way to explore the art of curing meats. Plus, with a serving size that caters to seven people, it’s perfect for gatherings or meal prep. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy!

Ingredients

  •  bay leaves 
  • teaspoon caraway seeds 
  • teaspoon rosemary dried
  • teaspoon thyme dried
  • teaspoon fennel seeds 
  • large garlic clove minced
  • tablespoon peppercorns 
  • 2.5 pounds pork belly (see note)
  • tablespoons salt 
  • 1.5 tablespoons sugar 

Equipment

  • plastic wrap
  • baking pan
  • aluminum foil
  • wax paper

Directions

  1. Wash and dry the meat.
  2. Place it on a large sheet of wax paper.
  3. After the 7 days are up, remove the pork belly, wash it, and dry it very well.
  4. Place the meat in a baking dish and cover with plastic wrap or foil.
  5. Refrigerate for 24 hours. This allows the salt to distribute evenly throughout the meat.
  6. When the meat is cool enough to handle, cut off the rind. Dry the meat very well and wrap in wax paper before placing in a bag in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about 2 weeks.
  7. Note: Some butchers will sell you a pork belly that has been folded. This does not affect the flavor, but the crease in the rind can cause the bacon to buckle. To avoid this, weight the bacon down during the 7-day curing process.
  8. Place the bagged meat in a baking pan and place a smaller baking pan on top, then load on the weight. I use a brick. Every time you turn over the meat, replace the weight.
  9. Photograph: ©iStockphoto.com/Juanmonino

Nutrition Facts

Calories856kcal
Protein7.24%
Fat90.87%
Carbs1.89%

Properties

Glycemic Index
28.87
Glycemic Load
2.01
Inflammation Score
-1
Nutrition Score
10.651304486005%

Flavonoids

Myricetin
0.01mg
Quercetin
0.01mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:855.74kcal
42.79%
Fat:86.03g
132.36%
Saturated Fat:31.34g
195.89%
Carbohydrates:4.03g
1.34%
Net Carbohydrates:3.37g
1.23%
Sugar:2.58g
2.87%
Cholesterol:116.64mg
38.88%
Sodium:3042.52mg
132.28%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:15.42g
30.85%
Vitamin B1:0.65mg
43.13%
Vitamin B3:7.58mg
37.91%
Vitamin B2:0.4mg
23.44%
Vitamin B12:1.36µg
22.68%
Selenium:13.16µg
18.79%
Phosphorus:181.21mg
18.12%
Manganese:0.24mg
12.16%
Zinc:1.72mg
11.46%
Vitamin B6:0.22mg
11.2%
Potassium:331.22mg
9.46%
Iron:1.31mg
7.26%
Copper:0.11mg
5.7%
Vitamin K:4.8µg
4.57%
Vitamin E:0.66mg
4.43%
Vitamin B5:0.44mg
4.37%
Magnesium:11.32mg
2.83%
Fiber:0.66g
2.64%
Calcium:25.59mg
2.56%
Vitamin C:0.83mg
1.01%