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Non-Sodium Nitrate

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Royal Coachmen
Royal Coachmen Posts: 283
in EggHead Forum
Hi all - getting ready to do bacon. Anyone use a preservative other than sodium nitrate? If so what and how much??
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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 22,961
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    Bacon cure is sodium nitrite not nitrate. Not sure why you are asking but Does that make a difference ?
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • blind99
    blind99 Posts: 4,971
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    leave out the nitrite and you just have brined pork belly. It ain't bacon without nitrite. 
    Chicago, IL - Large and Small BGE - Weber Gasser and Kettle
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  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 10,761
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    If it makes you feel better, celery juice ...
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 22,961
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    lkapigian said:
    If it makes you feel better, celery juice ...

    or rub spinach on it
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • Royal Coachmen
    Royal Coachmen Posts: 283
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    I guess I should have asked it differently...can bacon be cured without sodium nitrate? My dad is allergic to the pink stuff and he wants me to make him some bacon without it. 
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,832
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    Royal Coachmen said:
    I guess I should have asked it differently...can bacon be cured without sodium nitrate? My dad is allergic to the pink stuff and he wants me to make him some bacon without it. 
    Bacon is not cured with sodium nitrate, it is cured with sodium nitrite.

    Is your dad allergic to celery?
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • onedbguru
    onedbguru Posts: 1,647
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    just use kosher salt, br sugar and black pepper.   put it in the fridge for 2-3 weeks in a big plastic bag (tall kitchen bag will work), then remove and put on a wire rack in the fridge for 2 more days to dry it out, then smoke, slice, fry and eat.
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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 22,961
    edited June 2017
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    Royal Coachmen said:
    I guess I should have asked it differently...can bacon be cured without sodium nitrate? My dad is allergic to the pink stuff and he wants me to make him some bacon without it. 

    the pink stuff in bacon is NITRITE not nitrate. That's why I was asking. is he allergic to nitrates (red wine) or Nitrites (cured meat)?

    there is no sodium nitrate in bacon
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • Royal Coachmen
    Royal Coachmen Posts: 283
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    Ha. Sorry Cen Tex. He's not allergic to red wine...cured meat is what I meant. Nitrites. 
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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 22,961
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    There is no sub for sodium nitrite in bacon if you want legit bacon. 
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
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    blind99 said:
    leave out the nitrite and you just have brined pork belly. It ain't bacon without nitrite. 
    Not exactly. The only point of nitrite is to inhibit bacterial growth during cold smoking.
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,832
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    Eggcelsior said:
    blind99 said:
    leave out the nitrite and you just have brined pork belly. It ain't bacon without nitrite. 
    Not exactly. The only point of nitrite is to inhibit bacterial growth during cold smoking.
    The nitrites do more than just inhibit bacterial growth. Nitrites change the texture and flavor of the meat during the curing process.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
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    Also be aware that the natural substitutes, like celery juice, are full of nitrites - which is why they can substitute for sodium nitrite.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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