Fresh Pork Bellies

fished

Smoking Fanatic

Original poster

Jan 3, 2012

328

42

Cedar Park, Texas. 78613

• Sep 10, 2014

• #1

This may have been asked before.  If I buy fresh pork bellies and then freeze them, then make bacon and freeze that, would that be a problem?  I found bellies for $3.49 a pound, but it's still too hot to make bacon in central Texas.

Thanks

 

hwy199

Newbie

Jul 22, 2014

8

10

• Sep 10, 2014

• #2

Where you getting your bellies for $3.49 My place just went up to $4.99?

 

rgautheir20420

Master of the Pit

Jun 11, 2014

1,126

60

Crest Hill, IL (Chicagoland)

• Sep 10, 2014

• #3

I can't see why this wouldn't be fine. Warm smoking for bacon is preferred from what I've read. I'd imagine an overnight smoke in the smoker would keep it in the 100 range in your parts right?

 

daveomak

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Nov 12, 2010

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Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• Sep 10, 2014

• #4

Fished said:

This may have been asked before.  If I buy fresh pork bellies and then freeze them, then make bacon and freeze that, would that be a problem?  I found bellies for $3.49 a pound, but it's still too hot to make bacon in central Texas.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Not a problem.... My bellies come frozen as do most, unless you get them from the slaughter house.... Then I cold smoke, between 50-70 degs. F... Partially freeze to slice easier, vac pack and freeze for long term storage....

I have warm smoked bacon to 140 and I definitely prefer cold smoked....

 

rexster314

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OTBS Member

Oct 7, 2012

920

685

Texas Gulf Coast

• Sep 10, 2014

• #5

Won't hurt a thing. I found a slab of frozen belly that I had rubbed with cure but didn't smoke cause I wanted salt bacon from last fall in our freezer. Took it out, thawed then let if form a pellicle and smoked it. Came out perfect, slightly salty, but definitely eatable

 

fished

Smoking Fanatic

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 3, 2012

328

42

Cedar Park, Texas. 78613

• Sep 11, 2014

• #6

Thanks fou your help guys.  Hwy199 it's at a mexican meat market in Cedar Park.  I stopped yesterday and that the price he gave me, but they were out.  He said they are gettng more in today.  I'll get the name of the place and post up latter when I go to pick some up.

Thanks

 

fished

Smoking Fanatic

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 3, 2012

328

42

Cedar Park, Texas. 78613

• Sep 16, 2014

• #7

Well I guess I will have to find another source for pork bellies.  Everytime I call or go there they tell me they are out and when they are getting more in.  I check when they say they are going to have them, but they don't have any.  Maybe I'll just stick with buck board bacon, it's easier to find pork butts.

 

bill ace 350

Master of the Pit

Dec 28, 2013

2,167

1,856

• Sep 16, 2014

• #8

I just got a couple of pounds at $1.79 a pound at the commissary. Talked to the butcher, they come shipped in 30 - 40 lb boxes. I have used those bellies before and they were good.

 

fished

Smoking Fanatic

Original poster

Thread starter

Jan 3, 2012

328

42

Cedar Park, Texas. 78613

• Sep 18, 2014

• #9

I was able to get a pork belly today for $3.49 per pound.  It looks like a good one.  I picked it up at Mexican meat market called La Adelita on highway 183 in Cedar Park.  Can't wait to make my bacon.  I plan on curing it this Saturday.