Whole muscle recipeCuresmith Ratio
Classic Streaky Bacon
There are few things in the culinary world as universally loved as the smell of bacon cooking. It cuts through the morning air and draws people to the kitchen in a way that almost nothing else can. It is one of those rare foods that transcends culture, occasion and mood, and yet for all its familiarity, most people have never tasted bacon made properly from scratch. When you do, it changes everything.
Introduction
Streaky bacon comes from the pork belly, the layered cut that runs along the underside of the pig where alternating bands of lean meat and fat are pressed together by the natural anatomy of the animal. It is this structure that gives streaky bacon its character: the fat renders during cooking, basting the lean in its own juices, producing that combination of crisp and tender that makes it so irresistible. Back bacon is leaner and milder. Streaky bacon is bolder, richer and, in our view, far more interesting.
The tradition of curing pork belly goes back thousands of years. Long before refrigeration, salt was the only reliable way to preserve meat through winter, and the belly was one of the most prized cuts to cure precisely because its fat content made it so flavoursome and satisfying. The basic principles have not changed: salt draws moisture from the meat, creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria, and concentrates the flavour of the pork in a way that fresh meat simply cannot replicate. What we have added over time are the aromatic layers, the refinements in technique, and the understanding of how nitrite cure works to give bacon its characteristic colour, flavour and shelf life.
This recipe uses a classic aromatic profile: juniper berries for a subtle, resinous depth; crushed garlic for warmth and savouriness; coarse black pepper for a gentle heat that runs through every slice; and dried bay leaves for a quiet herbal note in the background. None of these flavours shouts. Together they form a backdrop that lifts the bacon without obscuring the fundamental taste of good cured pork.
Where it comes from
Before you begin
Purpose and scope
The recipes published on The Curesmith are intended for educational and informational purposes only. Meat curing, fermentation and smoking involve processes that, if carried out incorrectly, can result in products that are unsafe to eat. By using any recipe on this website you acknowledge that you do so entirely at your own risk, and you agree that The Curesmith and its authors cannot be held liable for any outcome arising from its use.
Limitation of liability
The Curesmith and its authors accept no responsibility or liability for any illness, injury, loss or damage arising from the use of these recipes, including but not limited to illness caused by improperly cured, handled or cooked meat products, errors in measurement or technique, equipment failure, or deviation from the stated method or quantities.
Nitrite and cure safety
Meat curing involves the use of nitrite salts, which must be measured accurately and used strictly according to the quantities specified. Nitrite in excessive quantities is toxic. Please ensure you understand the following before proceeding:
- Always use a calibrated digital scale accurate to at least one gram. For smaller batches, a scale accurate to 0.1g is strongly recommended.
- Never exceed the stated cure amounts. Never substitute cure types without recalculating.
- Store all curing salts clearly labelled, separately from regular salt, and out of reach of children.
- Different cure products have different nitrite concentrations. Always check your manufacturer's label and adjust quantities accordingly.
Food hygiene and cross-contamination
Raw and cured meat products must be stored, handled and prepared in a clean environment using food-safe equipment. Hands, surfaces, tools and containers must be thoroughly cleaned and where appropriate sanitised before use. Cross-contamination between raw meat and ready-to-eat products must be avoided at all times.
Temperature control
Temperature control is critical throughout all curing and smoking processes. Inadequate temperature management can allow the growth of dangerous pathogens including Clostridium botulinum, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and E. coli. A reliable refrigerator thermometer and a calibrated probe thermometer are essential pieces of equipment for anyone producing cured or smoked meat at home.
Uncooked cured products
Whole muscle products that are eaten without cooking, such as air-dried bresaola, coppa or prosciutto, must reach their target weight loss before consumption. Products that have not been cured and dried to the correct specification may not be safe to eat uncooked. Pancetta and guanciale cured to less than 38% weight loss must not be consumed uncooked.
Bacon and other uncooked cured products
Bacon and other uncooked cured products must be cooked thoroughly before eating. Cold smoking adds flavour and colour but does not cook the product. A cold-smoked bacon or sausage remains a raw product and must reach a safe internal temperature before it is safe to consume. For pork and beef this is 72°C / 162°F. For poultry this is 74°C / 165°F.
When in doubt, seek professional guidance
If you are unsure about any aspect of the curing, smoking or fermentation process, we strongly encourage you to seek formal training or guidance from a qualified food safety professional before proceeding. The information on this website is not a substitute for proper food safety education and training.
Commercial production
These recipes are produced for home and small-scale producers. They are not intended for commercial food production. Commercial meat processing is subject to regulatory requirements that vary by country and jurisdiction. If you intend to produce cured or smoked products for sale, you must ensure full compliance with all applicable food safety regulations in your region.
The recipe
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Ingredients
scale the recipe
| Pork belly | ||
| Pork belly | Reference | 2000 g |
| Cure, apply all directly to the meat | ||
| Salt | 2% | 40 g |
| Dextrose | 0.5% | 10 g |
| If substituting sugar, use 60%: 6.0 g | ||
| Cure #1 | 0.25% | 5.0 g |
| Aromatics & seasoning | ||
| Juniper berries, crushed | 0.15% | 2.5 g |
| Garlic, crushed | 0.9% | 20 g |
| Black pepper, coarse | 0.5% | 10 g |
| Bay leaves, dried | 0.1% | 2.0 g |
Nitrite safety check
Curing timeline
Method
Recipe by The Curesmith — thecuresmith.com
Classic Streaky Bacon — Step-by-step Wizard
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