Indulge in the delectable art of home-cured bacon with our molasses-cured pork shoulder bacon recipe. This culinary journey takes you through the process of transforming a humble pork shoulder into a savory and smoky bacon that will tantalize your taste buds. Discover the secrets of creating perfectly cured bacon, from selecting the right pork shoulder to achieving the ideal balance of sweet and savory flavors. Along the way, explore variations such as a spicy chipotle bacon, a sweet and tangy brown sugar bacon, and a classic maple bacon. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, this comprehensive guide will equip you to craft artisanal bacon that rivals that of any gourmet deli. Embark on this savory adventure and elevate your breakfast, sandwiches, and culinary creations to new heights of flavor.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
MOLASSES BLACK PEPPER BACON
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the salt and sugar. Spread molasses evenly over the pork belly, then coat with the pepper. Spread the salt and sugar mixture generously over the entire slab. Place into a large zip-top plastic bag, set in a leak-proof container, and refrigerate for three days.
- After three days have passed, remove the pork from the brine, rinse the belly, and pat dry with paper towels. Lay on a wire rack over a half-sheet pan and place in front of a fan for 1 hour to form a pellicle (thin skin). Lay the pork in the protein box of a cold smoker and smoke for 4 to 6 hours. Chill the meat in the freezer for 1 hour to stiffen for easy slicing into strips of bacon. Slice what you need and keep the remainder in a freezer-safe bag in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Place the strips of bacon on a half-sheet pan fitted with a wire rack and place into a cold oven. Turn the oven to 400ºF and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon. Remove from rack and drain on paper towels. Enjoy.
MOLASSES-CURED PORK SHOULDER BACON
Categories Pork Side Summer Grill/Barbecue Molasses Gourmet Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes about 4 1/2 lbs
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Put pork butt, fat side up, on a work surface, then halve horizontally with a sharp large knife.
- Stir together water, salt, brown sugar, and Instacure in storage tub until solids are dissolved, about 3 minutes, then add molasses and stir until dissolved. Add ice and stir until cure is cold (ice may not be completely melted; keeping liquid cold slows salt absorption).
- Add pork to cure, then weight with a large plate to keep submerged. Chill, tub covered with a lid or plastic wrap, 36 hours.
- Rinse pork and pat dry, then discard brine. Sprinkle pork evenly with pepper (if using).
- Prepare grill and smoke bacon: See preceding recipe.
- Cut bacon crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices with a sharp knife, then fry in a heavy skillet over moderately low heat, turning, until browned. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Available at The Sausage Maker (888-490-8525).
HONEY MOLASSES CURED BACON RECIPE - (4.2/5)
Provided by Beefman-2
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- MIX ALL DRY INGREDIENTS TOGETHER IN A BOWL, MIX START TO ADD IN MOLASSES MIXTURE TILL YO HAVE A THIN SLURRY MIXTURE, APPLY MIXTURE TO PORK BELLY RUBBING IT IN COATING THE BELLY EVENLY. PLACE INTO 2 GALLON SEALABLE BAG, REMOVING AS MUCH AIR AS POSSIBLE FOLDING EXCESSIVE BAG UNDER THE BELLY. PLACE IN FRIDGE, FOR 6 - 7 DAYS TILL FIRM TO THE TOUCH, TURNING OVER ONCE A DAY. WHEN READY REMOVE FROM FRIDGE, REMOVE FROM BAG RINSE THOROUGHLY RUBBING IT WITH HANDS AS YOU RINSE TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE SALT. SET ON RACK TO AIR DRY, IF POSSIBLE IN FRIDGE ON THE RACK AND COOKIE SHEET LET DRY 2 TO 3 HOURS PULL FROM FRIDGE AND LET COME UP TO ROOM TEMPERATURE. START YOUR SMOKER. SMOKER TEMP AT 175 F, SMOKE WITH MAPLE OR APPLY FOR 2 HOURS. CONTINUE TO COOK IN THE SMOKER TILL THE BACON HAS REACHED AN I.T. OF 140- 145 THEN REMOVE, PLACE ON COOLING TRAY AND LET COOL, THEN INTO FRIDGE OVER NIGHT TO FIRM UP, NEXT MORNING REMOVE FROM FRIDGE, SLICE, COOK AND ENJOY
STICKY-SWEET GRILLED PORK SHOULDER WITH HOISIN AND MOLASSES
Inspired by the classic Cantonese barbecued pork dish known as char siu and gloriously shellacked with a molasses glaze, the pork in this recipe should be fridge-cold when you roast it, so take it straight from the refrigerator to the grill. Time and temperature matter for this recipe, which is why a Big Green Egg is such an awesome cooking tool. But we also give you instructions on how to make this with an oven + conventional grill if you don't own a BGE.
Provided by James Dumapit
Categories Bon Appétit Dinner Pork Grill/Barbecue Grill Molasses Garlic Ginger Honey Sesame Oil Summer
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Pork:
- Purée garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, honey, wine, chili oil, oyster sauce, and sesame oil in a blender until very smooth. Place 1 1/2 cups in a small bowl for glaze; cover and chill until ready to use. Pour remaining marinade into a 2-gal. resealable plastic bag.
- Place pork shoulder, fat side down, on a cutting board with a short end facing you. Holding a long sharp knife about 1"-1 1/2" above cutting board, make a shallow cut along the entire length of a long side of shoulder. Continue cutting deeper into meat, lifting and unfurling with your free hand, until it lies flat (it's better to end up with 2-3 even pieces than 1 uneven piece). Add to bag with marinade and seal, pressing out air. Work pork around inside bag to coat with marinade. Chill at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
- Prepare a Big Green Egg for medium heat (with cover closed, thermometer should register 350°F). Remove pork from marinade, letting excess drip off. Lightly season all over with salt. Fit grill with convection plate and set pork on top. (If you don't have a convection plate, bank coals on one side and set pork over cooler area to avoid flare-ups.) Cover and roast pork until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 140°F-145°F. (You can also do initial cooking in a 350°F oven.) Transfer to a cutting board and let rest at least 20 minutes.
- Glaze and assembly:
- Bring brown sugar, molasses, and reserved marinade to a simmer in a large saucepan; cook until reduced by one-third, 6-8 minutes (you should have about 1 1/3 cups). Keep warm.
- Prepare a Big Green Egg for medium-high heat (or use a conventional grill). Grill pork, basting and turning with 2 pairs of tongs every minute or so, until thickly coated with glaze, lightly charred in spots, and warmed through (an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should register 130°F-145°F; be careful not to overcook), 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; slice against the grain ¼" thick. Serve with pickles, bread, cilantro, and onion.
- Do Ahead
- Pork can be roasted 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.
Tips:
- When selecting pork shoulder, look for a cut that is thick and meaty, with a good amount of marbling.
- The curing process takes time, so be patient. The longer you cure the pork shoulder, the more flavorful the bacon will be.
- Be sure to use a curing salt that contains sodium nitrite. This is essential for preventing botulism.
- When smoking the bacon, use a smokehouse or smoker that is well-ventilated and maintains a consistent temperature.
- The bacon is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion:
Molasses-cured pork shoulder bacon is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be enjoyed on its own, added to sandwiches and salads, or used as a flavoring in soups and stews. With a little time and effort, you can easily make your own molasses-cured pork shoulder bacon at home.
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