Pork Belly

[TXBronco]

I've read through several threads and watched some videos. Do you really need the pink salt to cure a pork belly for bacon or can you just use kosher salt?

 

[Titch]

There are many recipes for curing To make Bacon without Nitrates.
Sugar and Salt.
Providing your meat is from a reputable place and your hot smoking it

 

[Phubar]

Nope...I've only used sugar and salt so far.

 

[IamMadMan]

there are many recipes for curing to make bacon without nitrates.
Sugar and salt.
Providing your meat is from a reputable place and your hot smoking it

^ +1

 

[TXBronco]

Being that this is my first attempt and I don't want to kill my family, I'll try the mortons tenderquick or some of the pink #1 salts. Appreciate it.

 

[sleebus.jones]

Part of what makes Bacon taste like Bacon is the nitrates used. Also, when you use nitrates, it tends to dry the meat out less, leaving it more tender. Now you may think that won't matter with bacon, but it does.

 

[Fatback Joe]

You don't need pink salt for whole muscle curing so long as you do the curing properly.