Ingredients
Besides a Boneless Pork Loin (size will depend on how much bacon you want to make), you’ll need 1 Tbl. Morton Tender Quick per pound, 1 tsp each dark brown sugar per pound, garlic powder per pound and onion powder per pound.
Directions
Trim fat and silver skin from pork loin and cut into 3 to 4 pound sections. Weigh each section, making a note of the weight of each piece before measuring the dry ingredients.
For example, if you have two sections, one weighting 4 pounds and one weighting 3 pounds, measure all the dry ingredients for the 4 pound piece and place that in one bowl; measure all the ingredients you will use on the 3 pound piece, and put that in a separate bowl.
Make sure to cover all surfaces, and work the dry cure into any crevices in the meat. My refrigerator was at 38 F.
You do not have to open the bags; if some liquid has formed, give the bag a few shakes to redistribute the liquid. You may also see an iridescent sheen on the surface.
*It is important to take the internal temperature of each piece of loin, using a thermometer. **
Time to Smoke
I now only take my Canadian Bacon to 140 F. The texture and moistness is much better. If you decide to use the 140 F temperature, make sure that your probe is in the thickest part of the meat.
After the meat reaches 140 F, slowly move the probe in and out. If there is a drop in temperature, leave the probe at that spot, and continue to cook until the 140 F internal temperature is reached. If you have a good instant read thermometer, also use that to get your final reading. (if serving with crackers you may have to quarter each slice.)
Measure all dry ingredients for each section of meat, based on the weight of each section, and thoroughly mix, rubbing the entire mixture on to the loin.
Place loins into separate one gallon sealable plastic bags, and remove as much air as possible, curing meat in the refrigerator at 36 – 40 F
Due to the thickness of the loin, you will need to cure them for 6 days. Once a day turn meat over.
When Loins Are Fully Cured
- Now, remove loins from plastic bags and thoroughly rinse off.
- Soak loin pieces in about three gallons of cool water for 30 minutes; remove from soak and pat dry.
- Refrigerate uncovered overnight, or long enough to allow to dry and to form pellicle on the surface.
- Place loins into a 225 F preheated Bradley.
- Apply maple smoke for 1:40 to 2:00 hours.
- Continue to cook until an internal temperature of 140 F – 150 F is reached. The higher you take the internal temperature, the less moisture will remain in the meat.
- Remove loins from smoker, and tent foil until loins are cool enough to be handled.
- Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least two days.
- Cut into 1/8 inch thick slices and serve
Additional information
This recipe is a modification of Morton Tender Quick recipe and curing methods; and Mallard Wacker’s cooking guidelines for Buck Board Bacon.
You can add or subtract as many spices and flavouring you want to this recipe, as long as you maintain the correct amount of Tender Quick.
The dark brown sugar gives it a nice distinctive flavour, but you can replace it with light brown sugar, or regular sugar or maple granules.
You can increase the amount of applied smoke, but I like my Canadian bacon and pastrami lightly smoked. Keep in mind, that smoking a 225 F, your loins are going to reach 145 F -150 F in about 3 to 4 hours.
There are many different wood choices that work great for smoking bacon, so try our 5 Flavour Variety Pack of Bisquettes.
*OPTIONAL: At this point I used butcher’s twine and tied the loin every 2-3 inches. This helps the bacon maintain a more rounded shape, and the even shape helps all parts cook more uniformly.
** I had two pieces in the smoker, and the tapered piece took 45 minutes longer to reach 150 F.
Revised September, 07, 2008
