How to Make Delicious and Simple Homemade Bacon

Immerse yourself in the special flavor of bacon but worry about the safety of store-bought food? Don’t worry, X-BBQ is ready to help you discover how to make bacon right at home! With simple yet effective tips, you’ll have the chance to enjoy delicious and safe meals for the whole family.

1. What is smoked meat (bacon)?

Bacon is a long-standing culinary dish with origins in European countries. It is prepared by combining dry curing and allowing natural compounds from wood to permeate the meat. This process helps to eliminate external bacteria and reduce moisture within the meat, thereby enhancing flavor, extending shelf life, and creating distinctive sensory-stimulating flavors. It also adds high nutritional value to the meat.

2. Advantages of smoked meat 

• High Protein: Bacon provides a large amount of protein, aiding in muscle building and recovery. Just two slices of bacon provide 6 grams of protein.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Bacon is a rich source of various B vitamins, iron, and zinc, which enhance overall health and immune function.
• Low in Carbohydrates: Bacon contains low carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb or keto diets and beneficial for high-fat diets.
• Energy Boost: The protein and fat in bacon serve as an ideal energy source, helping you prepare for physical activities or a long day with sustained energy.
• Mood Enhancement: Bacon contains the amino acid Tyrosine, which improves mood and cognitive function. Adding a bit of bacon to your breakfast can leave you feeling more alert and uplifted.

3. Delicious Ways to Prepare Bacon

Ingredients:

• Freshly ground black pepper: 1 tablespoon
• Pink salt: 1 teaspoon
• Kosher salt: ¼ cup
• Brown sugar: ⅔ cup
• Bay leaves: 4 leaves
• Fresh thyme: 4 sprigs
• Garlic: 5 cloves
• Pork belly: 3 kg

Instructions:

• Clean the pork belly thoroughly and pat dry its surface.
• Mix the spice blend evenly in a small bowl.
• Rub the spice blend onto both sides of the pork belly, ensuring even distribution.
• Place the seasoned pork belly along with any excess spice blend into a ziplock bag and refrigerate for 5-7 days.
• Rinse the pork belly and drain off excess water after marinating.
• Place the pork belly on a tray and let it air dry naturally in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

4. Smoking the Bacon

• Preheat the oven to 160°F (approximately 71°C).
• Smoke the pork for about 4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 150°F (approximately 65°C).
• Use Hickory or Maple wood for smoking to enhance flavor and avoid creating harmful smoke.
• After smoking, the smoked pork can be used to prepare delicious dishes or stored in the refrigerator’s cold storage compartment.

5. Tips anh Tricks

• Utilize a multifunctional BBQ grill: It can grill, smoke, fry, stir-fry, etc., with precise temperature and time control functions, saving time and enhancing the flavor of dishes.
• Adjust recipes to suit personal tastes.
• Properly store smoked pork.

X-BBQ wants to share with you a simple way to make smoked pork in just a few steps. Although this process may take a little extra time, the final piece of meat will be truly flavorful and will make you fall in love with this homemade smoked pork.