We were recently able to get half of a pig for our freezer. They’ve been on my wish list for a while, so I was thrilled to find a lot of fresh pork in the freezer. There were a few cuts of meat though, that had me stumped. I looked it up on Google and learned that a pork belly is what bacon is made from. What do I do with one? Oh well, we know what to do with bacon! We adore bacon! I found this bacon recipe on slimpalate while looking for my own. I didn’t use anything exactly like they did but the base came from there. Homemade No Nitrates Low Sugar Bacon works very well for us.
Bacon is a breakfast staple loved by many. However most store-bought bacon contains nitrates and nitrites to preserve color and prevent bacterial growth. These chemical additives have been linked to increased cancer risk. Luckily you can easily make delicious nitrate-free bacon at home with just a few simple ingredients and steps.
Why Make Your Own Nitrate-Free Bacon?
There are several benefits to curing your own nitrate-free bacon:
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No potentially harmful nitrates/nitrites – You control exactly what goes into your bacon,
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Customize flavor – Tailor ingredients to your taste preferences
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Save money – Homemade is cheaper than store-bought.
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Feel good about what you eat – Know where your food comes from.
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Impress family and friends – Home cured bacon makes a great gift too!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Curing bacon is surprisingly straightforward. Here is an overview of the nitrate-free bacon curing process:
Ingredients
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Pork belly – Select high-quality, fresh pork belly. Skinless works best.
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Curing salt – Use a natural blend like celery salt and sea salt.
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Brown sugar – Adds sweetness and aids curing.
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Spices and herbs (optional) – Customize flavor with garlic, pepper, rosemary, etc.
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Curing container – A glass or food-grade plastic container works well.
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Smoker (optional) – For an extra smokey flavor.
Process
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Prepare the pork belly – Rinse, pat dry and trim off any excess fat or skin. Cut into manageable sizes if curing a large pork belly.
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Make curing rub – Mix together curing salt, brown sugar and any optional spices in a bowl. Use a ratio of 1 cup salt : 1 cup sugar for basic rub.
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Apply curing rub – Generously coat all surfaces of the pork belly with the rub. Place in curing container.
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Cure in the refrigerator – Cure for 5-7 days, flipping and massaging rub into pork every other day.
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Rinse and pat dry – Once cured, rinse off rub and pat pork belly dry.
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Optional: Cold smoke – For added flavor, smoke cured pork belly for 1-3 hours at temperatures under 180°F.
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Slice and cook – Slice cured pork belly into bacon strips. Fry and enjoy!
Tips
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Keep temperatures low, under 40°F during curing time to prevent bacteria growth.
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Weigh down pork belly in curing container to keep it fully submerged.
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Hot smoke at temperatures up to 180°F only after curing is complete to prevent bacteria.
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Let bacon cure for the full recommended time for best flavor and food safety.
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Freeze for longer storage. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.
Make Your Own Signature Flavored Bacon
Once you master the basic salt and sugar bacon cure, get creative with ingredients! Try these flavor ideas:
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Maple bacon – Add 2 tbsp maple syrup to the curing rub
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Honey Sriracha bacon – Include 1 tbsp honey and 1 tsp Sriracha in curing mix
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Coffee bacon – Use 1 tbsp ground coffee in rub
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Brown sugar and bourbon bacon – Replace some brown sugar with 2 tbsp bourbon
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Garlic pepper bacon – Add 1 tbsp cracked black pepper and 1 minced garlic clove
Have fun experimenting with your favorite flavors!
Enjoy Your Nitrate-Free Bacon
Part of the fun of DIY curing is that you can customize your bacon exactly how you like it. Tryouts out different wood chips if smoking and tweak flavor profiles until you create your perfect home cured bacon. Making your own nitrate-free bacon takes a bit of time but is very rewarding. You’ll have delicious bacon to enjoy that you can feel good about eating.
Must the sugar be added?
Usually I do not want to add sugar to things unless it is absolutely necessary. In this case, the sugar balances out the salt so I do add it. It would be much saltier without the sugar. Also, since it is all washed off, it doesn’t really matter.
Try also: Homemade Italian Sausage.
coconut sugar or your choice of sugar
Rinse and pat the pork belly dry.
Open it up and lay it flat.
Combine salt, coconut sugar, pepper, garlic and rosemary and mix well.
Rub the seasoning mixture into the pork belly thoroughly. Use your hands to really rub it in on both sides.
Put the pork belly in a Ziploc bag and in the fridge for 7 days.
After 7 days, rinse the pork belly thoroughly with water.
Place the pork belly on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. Bake in a 200* oven for about 4 hours. 5 hours or until the internal temperature of the pork belly registers 150 degrees.
Allow to cool completely then refrigerate overnight. This hardens the fat and makes it easier to slice.
With a sharp, long knife slice the bacon and cook it up!
Refrigerate for several days or freeze for up to 12 months.
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How to make Classic American Smoked Bacon – without Nitrites
Can you make home cured bacon without nitrates?
Learn how to make your own home-cured bacon without nitrates and without sugar. Nitrate-free bacon is one of my family’s favorite treats. They love it so much, that making it at home is one of my favorite ways to save money and still enjoy a classic breakfast of bacon and eggs without any added chemicals.
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.
Does nitrite cure Bacon?
EcoCure #1 uses antioxidants and polyphenol rich extracts from fruits and herbs to protect the meat. Using this product at 1% of the meats weight has been tested and shown to be as effective (and in some cases more effective) as using nitrites to cure meat. So, are nitrites necessary to cure bacon safely?
Can you make nitrate-free Bacon at home?
Nitrate-free bacon is one of my family’s favorite treats. They love it so much, that making it at home is one of my favorite ways to save money and still enjoy a classic breakfast of bacon and eggs without any added chemicals. I love making this for my family so much and I strongly believe that you will, too. It’s unbelievably delicious.
Can you smoke your own bacon without nitrates?
If you like bacon, you can save a lot of money and get a tastier, healthier product by smoking your own bacon without nitrates. It’s so much easier than you might think! You don’t need to raise your own pigs or own an expensive smoker.
How do you make low nitrate low sugar bacon?
Homemade No Nitrates Low Sugar Bacon is the goodness of bacon without added junk. Make your own Keto, Low Carb, Paleo, Dairy & Gluten Free bacon from pork belly and a few basic seasonings! Rinse and pat the pork belly dry. Combine salt, coconut sugar, pepper, garlic and rosemary and mix well.