How to Make Homemade Bacon

Most livestock farmers agree that homemade bacon is much more flavorful than the kind found in the supermarket. With the right cut of pork and a bit of pink salt, you can be "makin' bacon" in no time at all.

Things You'll Need

  • Fresh pork belly
  • Pink curing salt
  • Maple syrup or brown sugar
  • Large cellophane bag
  • Frying pan
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make homemade bacon by getting a fresh pork belly roast with the rind removed by the butcher. Ensure that you're not getting salt pork, which will make better fried pork rinds than bacon. A 5-pound pork belly roast should be sufficient for your needs.

    • 2

      Get some pink curing salt, which contains a small percentage of sodium nitrate, from the butcher as well. Curing salt has been dyed pink so that butchers can tell the difference when they're preparing meat.

    • 3

      Wash the pork belly roast thoroughly in cold water. Dab up the excess moisture with a dry paper towel.

    • 4

      Rub 1/4 cup of the pink curing salt all over the pork roast until all surfaces are covered.

    • 5

      Coat the pork belly roast with maple syrup or brown sugar, applying enough to completely coat the meat.

    • 6

      Place the pork belly roast in a large re-closeable plastic bag to make homemade bacon. Seal the bag and shake it so that all of the syrup or brown sugar is evenly distributed.

    • 7

      Put the bag with the pork belly roast in the refrigerator for 1 week. Shake the bag and flip it over at least once a day. Do not remove any of the liquid that gathers at the bottom of the bag.

    • 8

      Remove the pork belly roast from the refrigerator after a week has passed, and wash off the excess salt and syrup or brown sugar.

    • 9

      Cut a tiny piece from the center of the roast and fry it up in a pan. Taste the piece to see if it is too salty. If it is, simply soak the roast in cold water for a few minutes, and then fry up another small piece until it suits your taste buds.

    • 10

      Slice the pork belly roast to make your homemade bacon. Remember that thicker pieces may take longer to fry, but the flavor of the meat will be stronger.