First bukboard attempt, is the color too light?

[Tom B (NYC)]

I cured this 8# butt for about 20 days before smoking to 152 degrees at the thickest part. The smaller deboned area is a dark red while the bulk of the meat is a pink (much more pink than the pics show). What do you guys think? Did the cure not take or is it fine? I plan on frying in a pan before eating.





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[TOM BAUER]

I wonder if the different muscle structures take on color a little differently?? It looks good to me!

 

[MartinF DiggingDogFarm]

Looks good to me too.


~Martin

 

[Dan Moore]

I make a lot of Buckboard and yours looks just perfect!

 

[Tom B (NYC)]

Thanks guys. Just wanted to be sure it was safe.

 

[Dave from Denver]

You need not worry about light pink. Worry if the meat interior is grey or brown. That means that the cure hasn't fully penetrated.

 

[Jon Des.]

It's hard to tell by the lighting/pics because some of it looks a little washed out and is probably fine. Here's mine from a recent batch. Like Dave said, if it's not grey (like roast pork) then you should be fine. And really, unless you cold smoked it for a long time then there's no need to worry about the cure fully penetrating -- the flavor might be off but it should be safe to eat.