Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Youtube | Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.
Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch
Freeze pork belly?
Options
Hibby
Posts: 606
Recently completed my second batch of home cured and cold-smoked bacon. The quality of fresh side that I am getting is stellar from Sugar Valley Meats but unfortunately they are about 2 hours away. Sure I bet I can find belly closer to home but I'm partial to this butcher. My question is, can I freeze pork belly PRIOR to curing and then thaw it out to cure and smoke? Has anyone done this? I'd like to buy maybe 50-60 lbs at a time.
I cook. I eat. I repeat. Thornville, Ohio
Comments
-
I usually freeze in 4-5 lb pieces and just defrost and cure when ready. I like to take the skin off to make cracklins.
-
I don't see why not, a lot of places sell them frozen.Cherry Hill, NJ
-
freeze away my man ! Not a problem!Jefferson .GA.Been egging since 1985 on a medium egg
-
My butcher sells them frozen so this should not be a problem. I have a 12 pound belly that has been curing for 5 days. When I bought it, it was frozen solid. I placed it in the refrigerator on Friday evening and it was fully thawed by Saturday afternoon.
One thing I'm curious about is how long can they stay in the freezer both before curing and after if you choose to freeze some of the bacon.
North Texas
XL and Small BGE
-
My understanding is at least 6 months post-cure/smoke. Thanks for the info regarding frozen bellies to start.I cook. I eat. I repeat. Thornville, Ohio
-
I'm sure we will eat it before six months but that is good to know, thanks.
North Texas
XL and Small BGE
Categories
- All Categories
- 182.7K EggHead Forum
- 15.7K Forum List
- 459 EGGtoberfest
- 1.9K Forum Feedback
- 10.3K Off Topic
- 2.2K EGG Table Forum
- 1 Rules & Disclaimer
- 9K Cookbook
- 12 Valentines Day
- 91 Holiday Recipes
- 223 Appetizers
- 516 Baking
- 2.4K Beef
- 88 Desserts
- 163 Lamb
- 2.4K Pork
- 1.5K Poultry
- 30 Salads and Dressings
- 320 Sauces, Rubs, Marinades
- 543 Seafood
- 175 Sides
- 121 Soups, Stews, Chilis
- 35 Vegetarian
- 100 Vegetables
- 313 Health
- 293 Weight Loss Forum