Costco Finally Came Through - Pork Belly


 
Cliff Bartlett

Cliff Bartlett

R.I.P. 5/17/2021
A couple of weeks ago I commented on someone's bacon post that I was seeing all these great pork bellies from Costco, and was frustrated that our Costco wasn't able to get on the bandwagon. I went in last week to talk to customer service and thought I'd take one last look before making the request and darned if there wasn't a whole bunch of them. I picked out one that was 8.7 lbs. I've done a couple of bacon posts this past year so I won't get carried away on this one. Just a few of the highlight pic's. Of course, this if Bob's bacon recipe. Here goes.

Cut this in half. Froze half and cured the other.



Snake for heat, apple for smoke.



When buying bacon at the deli, I've been getting peppered and I really like it. Decided to pepper this one.



Pulled at 145.



Sliced 'er up.





Vac sealed in 1/2 lb. bags and froze.



I did fry up a few of the end pieces and the flavor was fantastic! Thank you one more time Bob. Thanks for looking.
 
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Cliff, So glad your Costco got the PBs. I've got my second batch curing now. Tried California seasoned pepper from Penzeys this time along with brown sugar. Did regular pepper and brown sugar last time. Loved it, best bacon I've ever had.
Cooler weather coming and looks like the old El Nino might help you guys out this winter... hope so!
 
You have some good looking bacon there! I was over at COSTCO today and saw a cooler full. I was tempted but still have a few pounds in the freezer so exercised discipline.
 
Cliff,

Looks great! Did you do a second half of that belly? It looks like you trimmed it to square it up. I've run into this issue with my bellies... uneven slicing because I didn't want to waste parts by squaring it up. Yours looks beautiful!
 
Cliff, awesome job on the bacon glad Costco got some in. That is the best bacon for sure enjoy.
 
Thanks everyone!

Luke P said:
Cliff,

Looks great! Did you do a second half of that belly? It looks like you trimmed it to square it up. I've run into this issue with my bellies... uneven slicing because I didn't want to waste parts by squaring it up. Yours looks beautiful!
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Luke. I cut the slab in half. Half went in freezer and smoked the other after 7 day cure. I didn't have to really square anything up. That's what caught my eye originally when these Costco bellies started showing up on the board, their uniformity. The ones I was getting from the local butcher were horrible in this regard. I did trim one end for a few small samples to fry up and try. I also had a small chunk on the other end as I was getting a little too close to the blade with my fingers. I froze that for my next batch of beans. Absolutely no throw away.
 
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