Bacon jerky is a delicious, savory snack that’s sure to get the attention of your family and friends. It’s also surprisingly simple to make at home with the right smoker.
This article will show you how to make bacon jerky in no time using just five ingredients and one easy recipe.
Whether you’re looking for an impressive appetizer or just want something tasty on hand for snacking, this bacon jerky recipe is perfect for all occasions. With its smoky flavor and tender texture, it’ll be hard not to come back for more – so grab some friends and prepare to indulge!
Gather The Necessary Ingredients
Making bacon jerky is a great way to enjoy the smoky, salty flavors of bacon in an easy-to-eat snack. Whether you are making it for yourself or as part of a larger gathering, everyone will appreciate your effort.
The first step when preparing your homemade bacon jerky is to choose quality slices of bacon that have not been injected with preservatives. Look for thick strips that contain minimal fat and check the labels before purchasing to assess the ingredients used in their production.
Aim for organic brands whenever possible since these tend to be of higher quality than factory farmed meats. Once you have selected your bacon, trim off any excess fat and rinse each piece under cold water before patting them dry with paper towels.
Prepare The Bacon
Bacon jerky is the perfect snack for an outdoor adventure. Whether it’s a camping trip or a day at the beach, bacon jerky will fuel your journey with deliciousness and protein-packed goodness.
The key to making great bacon jerky lies in its preparation. The first step is to select the right cut of bacon – one that has plenty of fat to render out when cooked. Once you have your chosen cut, slice it into strips of even thickness so they cook evenly during smoking.
Brining the slices before cooking adds flavor and helps them retain their tenderness as well; depending on how much time you have, brine them anywhere from 30 minutes up to overnight. Use a mixture of salt and water flavored with other ingredients like brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke and cayenne pepper for an extra kick!
Finally, arrange the slices onto smoker racks or trays ready for smoking. You’re now ready to start creating some amazing homemade bacon jerky!
Smoke The Bacon
The time has come to smoke the bacon.
Set your smoker up with a temperature of 175-200°F and add some wood chips for flavor. Your choice of wood will depend on the type of food you’re smoking, but hickory is always a good go-to option as it adds an intense yet sweet smokiness that pairs well with pork products like bacon.
Keep an eye on the smoker’s temperature throughout the process and adjust if necessary – too high or low temperatures can cause uneven cooking or even complete failure!
With these key steps done, it’s now just a matter of waiting for the delicious jerky to be finished.
After about 3 hours, take out the smoked bacon from the smoker and let cool before slicing into strips.
Enjoy your homemade bacon jerky!
Create The Marinade
Having prepared your smoker and bacon, it’s time to create a marinade that will transform the meat into delicious jerky.
What makes this recipe so easy is its simplicity – you don’t need to fuss around with complicated ingredients or recipes! All you need are two key components: flavors and consistency.
A balanced flavor profile is what will give the bacon an irresistible taste. Sweetness from brown sugar combined with saltiness from soy sauce creates a dynamic duo that pairs perfectly with smokiness from smoked paprika. For more complexity, add some heat with cayenne pepper or garlic powder for depth of flavor. The great part about this recipe is that all of these ingredients can be adjusted according to preference – just remember the golden ratio between sweetness, saltiness and spiciness!
As far as consistency goes, make sure the marinade isn’t too runny or thick; think of it like pancake batter – not quite liquidy but also not overly thick either.
Once everything is mixed together in a bowl, cover each slice of bacon generously with the marinade using tongs or a spoon until they’re completely coated.
Now you have all the tools necessary to turn regular ol’ bacon into something extraordinary…jerky!
Dry The Jerky
To make the best bacon jerky, it’s important to get the curing techniques and cooking times just right. Start by creating a brine for your bacon strips that is comprised of equal parts water and salt. You can also add in other ingredients such as garlic powder or onion powder if you would like additional flavors.
Let the bacon sit in this solution for up to 24 hours so that it will be infused with flavor. Once your bacon has been sufficiently cured, remove each strip from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels before laying out on trays lined with parchment paper.
Place these trays inside your smoker and cook at temperatures between 150 – 170 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on how smoky you want your final product to be. Smoke until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit—this should take two to three hours but check regularly throughout the process; overcooking can easily turn your perfect jerky into something too tough and chewy!
With patience and precision, you’ll have delicious homemade bacon jerky ready to enjoy in no time.
Conclusion
I’m sure you can’t wait to get started making your own bacon jerky, and I don’t blame you! It’s a delicious snack that is perfect for any occasion.
All it takes is some simple ingredients and the right equipment, and you’ll be on your way to making some of the tastiest homemade bacon jerky around.
The process isn’t overly complicated either; just prepare the bacon, throw in a marinade, and then smoke it until it’s dried out enough to become jerky.
The results will speak for themselves – chewy yet flavorful bacon with an unforgettable smoky taste.
So what are you waiting for? Get cooking, and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Your friends and family will love this tasty treat as much as you do.
With just a bit of prep work and patience, you can make your very own bacon jerky that tastes better than anything store bought. Happy snacking!