Are you tired of the same old bacon from the grocery store? Why not try making your own hillbilly bacon at home?
This type of bacon is made from pork Boston butt and can be easily baked in your oven or smoked to perfection. With a unique flavor that can range from bacon to ham, depending on how thick you slice it, hillbilly bacon is a delicious and easy-to-make alternative to store-bought bacon.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to make your own hillbilly bacon at home, including tips on how to customize the recipe to your liking.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Hillbilly Bacon?
To start, you’ll need a pork Boston butt, which can be found at your local grocery store or butcher. If possible, try to purchase pork that has not been enhanced or injected with any additives.
Next, you’ll need to prepare the brine for the bacon. Mix together brown sugar and Tender Quick until thoroughly combined. If you don’t have Tender Quick, you can substitute with Prague powder or skip it altogether.
Slice the Boston butt in half horizontally and coat both halves with the sugar/Tender Quick mixture, rubbing it in well. Shake off any excess and place the roasts into large plastic ziplock bags. Refrigerate for 6-7 days to cure, flipping the bag over on the 3rd day and pouring off any pooled liquid.
On the last day, remove the meat from the bag and rinse thoroughly in cold water. Soak in cold water for 2 hours to remove some of the saltiness. After soaking, remove and pat dry with paper towels.
If you have a smoker, smoke the bacon at 200°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F in the thickest part. Use hickory, cherry, apple, pecan or oak wood for smoking.
If you don’t have a smoker, you can bake the bacon in your oven at 200/225°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F.
Once cooked, cool the bacon in the fridge before slicing to your desired thickness. Hillbilly bacon can be used just like regular bacon in recipes or enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients And Equipment Needed
To make Hillbilly bacon, you will need the following ingredients:
– Pork Boston butt
– Brown sugar
– Tender Quick (or Prague powder)
– Wood chips (hickory, cherry, apple, pecan, or oak)
In addition to the ingredients, you will also need the following equipment:
– Large plastic ziplock bags
– Smoker or oven
– Meat thermometer
– Paper towels
Preparing The Pork Boston Butt
To prepare the pork Boston butt for hillbilly bacon, start by mixing together the salt, pink salt (if using), sugar, garlic, onion, and black pepper. Rub this curing mix all over the pork butt, ensuring that all of the cure ends up on the meat. Place the butt into a large resealable bag and then place it into the fridge to cure for 14 days.
During the curing process, flip the meat over once a day and massage the contents of the bag to ensure that the cure is distributing evenly. After 14 days, remove the cured butt from the bag and rinse it under cold water. Pat the meat dry with a paper towel and place it onto a rack.
If you have a smoker, preheat it to 180°F and smoke the pork for 2-3 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. If you don’t have a smoker, you can bake the pork in your oven at 200/225°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F.
Once cooked, remove the pork from the smoker or oven and allow it to cool before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to use it, slice it as needed and cook it as you would regular bacon.
By following these simple steps, you can easily prepare your own hillbilly bacon at home using a pork Boston butt. This delicious bacon can be used in a variety of recipes or enjoyed on its own as a tasty and unique treat.
Choosing Your Cooking Method: Oven Baking Or Smoking
When it comes to cooking Hillbilly bacon, there are two main methods to choose from: oven baking or smoking. Both methods have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your preferences and equipment.
Oven baking is a great option for those who don’t have access to a smoker or simply prefer the convenience of using their oven. To bake Hillbilly bacon in the oven, preheat your oven to 200/225°F and cook until the bacon reaches an internal temperature of 150°F. This method results in a slightly different texture than smoking, but still produces delicious and flavorful bacon.
On the other hand, smoking Hillbilly bacon is a traditional method that yields a smoky flavor and crispy texture. To smoke the bacon, use a smoker set to 200°F and smoke until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F in the thickest part. This method requires more equipment and time, but many people swear by the unique flavor that smoking imparts.
Ultimately, the choice between oven baking and smoking comes down to personal preference and availability of equipment. Both methods can produce delicious Hillbilly bacon that can be used in a variety of recipes or enjoyed on its own.
Seasoning Your Hillbilly Bacon
To add some extra flavor to your hillbilly bacon, you can season it with a variety of spices and herbs. One popular seasoning blend is a mix of black pepper and cloves, which gives the bacon a Thanksgiving ham flavor.
To apply the seasoning, first thoroughly rinse the cured bacon under cold running water to remove excess salt. Then, apply a rounded half teaspoon of the seasoning blend to only one side of each slab and rub it in until it is evenly distributed.
You can also experiment with different spice blends or herbs to create your own unique flavor profile. Just be sure to only season one side of the bacon and to keep it in the refrigerator for an additional 2 days after seasoning before cooking or smoking.
Cooking Your Hillbilly Bacon
To cook your Hillbilly bacon, preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lay the bacon slices on it. Make sure they don’t overlap, but they can touch on the sides. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the thickness of the bacon and how crispy you like it.
If you prefer to catch the grease, place the cooked bacon slices on paper towels first to soak up some of the grease. You can store the bacon grease in a glass jar and use it for frying eggs and potatoes.
Another option is to saute diced peppers and onions in bacon grease until cooked down a bit. Then stir in tomatoes, chili sauce, rice, brown sugar, Worcestershire, black pepper, pepper flakes, and 2 1/2 cups of water. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the rice is done, about 25 minutes. Crumble cooked bacon and reserve some for garnish, then stir the rest into the sauce.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also wrap your Hillbilly bacon in raw bacon slices and deep-fry it for 1 1/2 minutes. Then cook it on a flat top until the bacon is crisp and the bacon is plumped. Toast the top of a hot dog bun and put the weenie in it. Top with sauce and sprinkle with remaining bacon bits.
Hillbilly bacon is great for breakfast with eggs or as a BLT sandwich. It’s fully cooked, so you just need to heat it up before eating. It stays soft and tender, unlike regular bacon that can crisp up when cooked. Enjoy your homemade Hillbilly bacon in any way you like!
Serving And Storing Your Hillbilly Bacon
Now that you have your delicious hillbilly bacon, it’s important to know how to serve and store it properly.
To serve, simply slice the bacon to your desired thickness and use it in any recipe that calls for bacon. Hillbilly bacon can also be enjoyed on its own as a tasty snack or breakfast item.
When it comes to storing your hillbilly bacon, there are a few options. If you plan on using it within a month, you can keep the bacon drippings in a glass jar on the counter next to the stove. However, be sure to strain any little bits and pieces of bacon from the grease before storing it using a strainer and some cheesecloth.
If you prefer a longer storage option, you can keep your bacon drippings in the fridge, which will last up to 6 months. It’s a good idea to use a continuous jar of bacon drippings and add to it each time you cook bacon, using up what you have every six months before starting over.
If you don’t use your bacon grease much or want an even longer storage option, you can freeze it. In the freezer, your bacon grease will last for up to a year. Simply pour the grease into an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze until ready to use.
By following these tips for serving and storing your hillbilly bacon, you can ensure that it stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible.