APPS & SIDES

Applewood Smoked Bacon

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15hours 1hour hr 20minutes minshouminut

Cure Time: 6days 

Total Time: 6days  21hours  25minutes 1hour hr 20minutes minshouminut

Applewood smoked bacon is fantastic. Best of all, it’s available at most grocery stores, but have you considered making your own? Like most things, bacon is even better when you make it yourself. Homemade bacon is possible with pork belly, pink curing salt, a few spice rack staples, and a Z Grills pellet grill. Let’s get started!

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

 

  • ½ cup kosher salt
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 ½ tablespoons freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons pink curing salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3 pounds pork belly, with skin removed

Equipment

  • Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill
  • Z Grills Apple Wood Pellets
  • Food-safe Zipper Bag
  • Small Pan
  • Baking Sheet
  • wire rack

Instructions

                                                                    • Step 1: Combine the kosher salt, brown sugar, black pepper, curing salt, and garlic powder in a bowl to make the cure mixture.
                                                                      • Step 2: Pat the pork belly dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
                                                                      • Step 3: Apply the cure mixture to all sides of the pork. Firmly pat it into the meat, then transfer the pork belly to the food-safe bag with any remaining cure mixture.
                                                                      • Step 4: Press as much air out of the bag as possible, then seal it. Place the bagged pork belly into a small pan and refrigerate it. The pan will prevent a mess if the bag leaks.
                                                                      • Step 5: Leave the pork belly to cure for 6 days. Flip the bag once every day.
                                                                      • Step 6: After the six-day cure period, remove the pork belly from the bag, rinse the cure off the pork, pat it dry with paper towels, and place it on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack.
                                                                      • Step 7: Refrigerate the pork belly uncovered for 8-12 hours.
                                                                      • Step 8: Preheat your Z-Grills (preferably with branded applewood pellets) or other wood pellet grill to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
                                                                      • Step 9: Transfer the pork belly to the grates and smoke for 4 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
                                                                      • Step 10: Remove the applewood smoked bacon from the grill and allow it to cool to room temperature.
                                                                      • Step 11: Wrap the bacon in plastic and refrigerate it for 8-12 hours.
                                                                      • Step 12: Cut into 1/8 inch thick slices and fry until crispy. Alternatively, cook it in the oven for 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

 

  • ½ cup kosher salt
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 ½ tablespoons freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons pink curing salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3 pounds pork belly, with skin removed

Equipment

  • Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill
  • Z Grills Apple Wood Pellets
  • Food-safe Zipper Bag
  • Small Pan
  • Baking Sheet
  • wire rack