Name: Chef Ken's Homemade Bacon
Ingredients: 5 lb Pork belly; 1 ¼ tsp Prague powder (5.7 grams); 5 tbsp Kosher salt; 5 tbsp Brown sugar; 3 tbsp Maple syrup (+ 1 tsp); 3 tbsp Black pepper, cracked (+ 1 tsp); 1 ½ tsp Red pepper (crushed)

Chef Ken's Homemade Bacon

Print Recipe

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

5 lb Pork belly
1 ¼ tsp Prague powder 5.7 grams
5 tbsp Kosher salt
5 tbsp Brown sugar
3 tbsp Maple syrup + 1 tsp
3 tbsp Black pepper, cracked + 1 tsp
1 ½ tsp Red pepper crushed

Instructions

Prepare cure, combined all ingredients into a paste.
Place pork in a large zip lock bag, rub cure onto meat.
Seal the bag, and refrigerate for 7 days, turning once daily.
Remove from bag and rinse off cure & slimy build-up on exterior of pork.
Pat belly dry, place on wire rack over sheet pan, sprinkle with more black pepper, and leave on the rack, refrigerated for another 24 hours.
Develop the pellicle on the outside of the bacon.
Pre-heat smoker to 160-170℉. Use hickory, apple, or maple wood chips.
Place bacon on grill plate and smoke approximately 6 hours, or until 155℉.
Remove and chill bacon completely. Slice to purpose and cook.