Bacon is one of the most beloved foods across cultures. The smoky salty, umami flavors of cured and smoked pork belly make bacon an extremely versatile ingredient. From breakfast staples like bacon and eggs to gourmet charcuterie boards, bacon adds depth and savoriness to both sweet and savory dishes.
While fresh bacon needs to be cooked before eating, did you know you can preserve bacon’s delicious flavors by dehydrating it into bacon jerky? Dehydrated bacon has a long shelf life, concentrated flavor, and fun crispy, chewy texture perfect for snacking or taking hiking and camping.
In this complete guide, learn everything you need to know about dehydrating raw, uncured bacon at home, including steps, tips, safety, storage, and even creative recipe ideas.
Can You Dehydrate Raw Bacon?
The short answer is yes, you can dehydrate raw, uncured pork belly into bacon jerky without pre-cooking it. While drying cured, smoked bacon from the store works too, dehydrating raw bacon allows you to control ingredients and customizes flavors.
Drying raw bacon at home is safe when following proper food safety guidelines. The dehydrating process brings the internal temperature high enough to kill bacteria and pathogens. Storing dehydrated raw bacon properly also prevents spoilage or foodborne illness.
How To Dehydrate Raw Bacon
Dehydrating raw bacon at home is a simple process with just a few easy steps:
1. Select High-Quality Fresh Pork Belly
For the best results, choose fresh, uncured pork belly without nitrates or excessive fat. Skinless pork belly allows fat to render and drain off during dehydration.
2. Slice Bacon Into Uniform Thickness
Cut pork belly into long 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick strips for even drying. Consistent sizing helps strips dry at the same rate.
3. Season Or Marinate Bacon (Optional)
Addingsalt, pepper, spices, or marinades before dehydrating infuses the bacon with flavor. Keep marinades thin so they don’t stall dehydration.
4. Arrange Bacon On Dehydrator Trays
Lay bacon strips flat in a single layer without overlapping on dehydrator trays. This allows air circulation for optimal dehydration.
5. Dehydrate Bacon at 145°F to 160°F
Dry bacon for 6-12 hours or until strips feel brittle. 135°F to 155°F is ideal for safely drying raw bacon without cooking it.
6. Pat Off Beads Of Fat
Once cool enough to handle, blot bacon strips with paper towels to absorb excess rendered fat before storage or eating.
7. Enjoy Bacon Jerky!
Once dehydrated, raw bacon lasts for months stored properly. Enjoy as is for snacks or crumble into recipes.
Tips for Dehydrating Raw Bacon
Follow these tips for best results when making homemade bacon jerky:
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Trim excess thick fat prior to slicing bacon for better moisture removal. Some fat is okay.
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Rotate trays and check doneness periodically for even drying.
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Use nonstick mesh sheets to prevent sticking.
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Pat off fat beads and let cool completely before packaging to prevent trapped moisture and spoilage.
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Store in the refrigerator or freezer to extend shelf life and prevent rancidity of fats.
Is It Safe to Dehydrate Raw Bacon?
Dehydrating raw pork carries the risk of salmonella, E.coli, trichinosis, and other pathogens if not handled properly. Take these precautions for safe homemade bacon jerky:
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Always use fresh, high-quality pork from a trusted source. Avoid old, spoiled, or questionable meat.
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Wash hands, utensils, cutting boards thoroughly before and after handling raw pork.
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Maintain a consistent dehydrator temperature between 135°F to 155°F to eliminate bacteria.
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Use a calibrated food dehydrator, not just an oven on low. Monitor temperature.
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Dehydrate bacon to a safe water activity below 0.85. Use indicator strips to test.
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Store dehydrated bacon sealed in the refrigerator or freezer, not the pantry. Refrigerate after opening.
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Discard bacon jerky if moldy, slimy, or smells bad. Don’t taste questionable bacon. When in doubt, throw it out.
How Long Does Dehydrated Raw Bacon Last?
Properly dehydrated and stored, bacon jerky can last 6 months to 1 year sealed in the freezer. Refrigerated, homemade bacon jerky keeps for 2-3 weeks. For best quality, use within a few weeks.
Signs your bacon jerky has spoiled and needs discarding:
- Mold growth
- Slimy texture
- Rancid or unpleasant smells
- Unusual softness or moisture
- Discoloration
- Off tastes
Always err on the side of caution – if bacon jerky seems at all questionable, don’t risk eating it.
Creative Ways To Use Bacon Jerky
Beyond snacking, bacon jerky is a savory, umami-packed ingredient to incorporate into recipes:
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Crumble into soups, salads, eggs, pasta, rice or quiches for a bacon flavor boost.
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Mix into burger or sausage meat for juicy bacon cheeseburgers.
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Top baked potatoes, tacos, nachos or pizzas for crunch.
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Make bacon salt by grinding dried bacon in a blender or food processor.
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Crumble over steamed vegetables like kale, green beans or broccoli.
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Skewer into shrimp or chicken kebabs.
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Stir into mac and cheese or beans baked beans.
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Garnish Bloody Mary cocktails.
Favorite Seasonings for Bacon Jerky
Before dehydrating, marinate or rub pork belly strips with your favorite seasonings:
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Brown sugar – sweetens and caramelizes
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Maple syrup – adds sticky sweetness
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Honey – balances smokiness with sweetness
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Bourbon – adds punchy vanilla-smoke flavors
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Black pepper – intensifies bacon’s spicy edge
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Cayenne or chili powder – brings heat
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Onion and garlic powder – savory, salty flavors
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Coffee – enhances bacon’s bitterness
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Liquid smoke – infuses smoky essence without charring
Make Your Own Bacon Jerky
Dehydrating raw bacon at home lets you control exactly what goes into your jerky, avoiding potentially harmful cured meat chemicals, preservatives, and excess sugars found in commercial bacon.
Homemade bacon jerky only requires a few ingredients – quality fresh pork belly, seasonings, and your choice of flavors. Then use your dehydrator to safely transform raw bacon into intensely delicious jerky ready anytime for high protein snacking.
Follow the steps and safety tips above to successfully make your own naturally preserved bacon jerky. Experiment with flavors and customize to your tastes. Once you discover how easy and rewarding it is to DIY bacon jerky, you may never buy store versions again.
How to Dehydrate Bacon in a Dehydrator
Today we know why dehydrating bacon is a good idea. Let’s look at the steps needed to prepare and dehydrate this tasty meat in a dehydrator. Follow these simple instructions to achieve perfectly dehydrated bacon:
- Choose High-Quality Bacon: Start with fresh, high-quality bacon. Choose cuts that are lean and don’t have a lot of fat on them; this will make better dehydrated bacon.
- Prepare the bacon: Cut it into thin strips or small pieces to start. This will help the bacon dehydrate more efficiently and evenly.
- Set Up on Dehydrator Trays: Place the cooked bacon pieces in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, leaving space between each one to allow air to flow.
- Set the Temperature: For the best bacon dehydration, set the dehydrator’s temperature to about 145°F (63°C). At this temperature, the bacon will lose its moisture while keeping its flavor.
- Keep an eye on the dehydrating process. It could take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, depending on how thick the bacon slices are and the type of dehydrator you use. Check on the bacon often to make sure it reaches the level of crispiness you want.
- How to Store Dehydrated Bacon: Once the bacon is at the right level of dryness, let it cool down before putting it in airtight containers or bags that can be sealed again. To keep the bacon fresh for a long time, keep it in a cool, dry place.
Tips for Dehydrating Bacon
For optimal results when dehydrating bacon, consider the following helpful tips:
- Blot Extra Fat: Before putting the bacon in the dehydrator, use paper towels to soak up any extra fat. This will help the bacon dry out faster and keep it from leaving a greasy film.
- Rotate Trays: If your dehydrator has more than one tray, you might want to rotate them while the bacon is drying to make sure it dries evenly.
- Try Different Seasonings: To make your dehydrated bacon taste better, add seasonings like black pepper, garlic powder, or smoked paprika before you dry it.
- Use Dehydrated Bacon in Recipes: Bacon that has been dried out can be rehydrated and used in soups, stews, casseroles, and other dishes to add a tasty smoky flavor.
Using a dehydrator to dry out bacon is an easy and fun way to enjoy this tasty meat in a form that is convenient and lasts a long time. By following the steps in this article and using our helpful tips, you should be able to successfully dehydrate bacon to make tasty snacks and improve your favorite recipes. Embrace the versatility and convenience of dehydrated bacon, and elevate your culinary experiences with this delicious preserved meat.
Dehydrating bacon for longer storage. Bacon Jerky! Easy!
How do you dehydrate raw bacon?
The following steps will need to be completed after you have cooked the original raw bacon you intend to dehydrate: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit before starting. Do not place the bacon in a cold oven to begin the dehydration process. Allow the oven to warm entirely. 1) Use a wire rack
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Can You dehydrate bacon without a dehydrator?
2. Oven: If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use your oven to dehydrate bacon. Preheat your oven to its lowest setting (usually around 150-170 degrees Fahrenheit). After cooking and draining the bacon, place the strips in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
Can Bacon be rehydrated?
Use Dehydrated Bacon in Recipes: Once dehydrated, bacon can be rehydrated and used in various recipes, including soups, stews, and casseroles, adding a delicious smoky flavor to your dishes. Dehydrating bacon in a dehydrator is a simple and rewarding process that allows you to enjoy this beloved meat in a convenient and long-lasting form.
Can you cook bacon in the oven before dehydrating?
While some may prefer to cook their bacon in the oven prior to dehydrating it, others prefer to pan-fry their bacon. If you choose to cook your bacon in the oven, you can do so anywhere between 350 degrees Fahrenheit (for 25-40 minutes) to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (for 20-30 minutes in total).
Does dehydrating Bacon kill bacteria?
Although dehydrating your bacon prolongs its shelf life, you should follow the safety rules. Bacon has numerous bacteria and parasites that may likely survive the low temperature of a food dehydrator. To eliminate these harmful microorganisms, cooking your bacon before dehydrating it is recommended. Does Dehydrating Bacon Kill the Bacteria Present?