One of my passions is dry curing meat it an old craft that can create amazing results, I get asked a lot about what is dry curing meat, many people think it has something to do with smoked meat. Sometimes, it does get smoked, but most of the time, it doesn’t, depending on the recipe and outcomes one desires. Definition: …
Getting to Know the Main Ingredients for Curing Meat
The main ingredients for curing meats vary between the styles and methods, but one ingredient is always sea salt. I love all the different styles I have discovered for cured meat and use rivals in them at home. I’ve savored many years making recipes and using the craft of cold smoking, hot smoking, low & slow to dry curing meats. …
Steps on How to Cure Meat with Salt (with Pictures)
There are a handful of methods to cure meat with salt, I’ve studied and tried many of them. Curing meat has so many different variations; the meat curing world is infinitely much larger than Italian classic salami or salumi. This post is an overview to explain each step and how I use salt to cure meat in different ways. When …
How to Choose a Meat Slicer for Thin Cuts (with Pictures)
Choosing the right meat slicer took me some time, I did a lot of research and found a few pitfalls. So I thought I would share some info to help avoid getting the wrong piece of kit. KEY POINTS How to Choose a Meat Slicer for Thin Slicing The day I bought a proper meat slicer for cured meats, I …
How to Make Awesome Bacon at Home- (Variations & Guide)
After a few decades of studying and making bacon, I want to share what I’ve learned to help you discover how to make bacon with accurate salt perception so you can enjoy it exactly how you like. Key Article Points: Being a colossal bacon lover, I’ve tried several techniques and styles on making bacon at home. I have showcased below …
Tools & Equipment for Smoking & Grilling Meat
I get asked a fair bit what ideal gift ideas someone who loves smoking meat would want. So here is a breakdown of what I find super useful for someone who loves smoking and grilling. Sometimes you just want to know what other equipment could help bring out the best in your cooking. Tools for any Style of Meat Smoking …
Beginners Guide to Smoking Meat (Techniques & Pictures)
As a beginner, once you get your head around the basics of smoking food it just gets easier and easier. Rather than dealing with each different smoke technique, this is a beginner guide to go over all the approaches you can do at home that I have learned over the years. I’ve learned, practiced, and taught people all the different styles possible. …
Methods of Curing Meat
The different methods for curing meat date back thousands of years. Although the methods have been refined over the years, the essence of curing meat still remains the same. Dry curing and smoking meat is all about the preservation effect of salt. I researched its history and have used these methods for several decades. This site offers many articles based …
How To Cure and Cold Smoke Meat -a Guide
I’ve been learning how to cold smoke for many decades, and I now teach others how to do this craft through this website and in-person classes, whether it’s cold bacon or other foods. I thought it would be hard to learn at first, but it’s not. Like everything, it’s a process; however, it’s also a craft. For some reason, people …
How Much Does a BBQ Smoker Cost? Charcoal, Electric or Gas
I am always interested in all kinds of smokers and how much they cost. I spend too much time in the BBQ stores, that’s for sure. I’ve been to many BBQ conferences, festivals, and events. I love smokers and the flavors you get from them, with meat but also heaps of dairy and vegetables. The old kettle classics and the …
What are the Easiest Smokers to Use and Reasons Why
Here is a handful of easy-to-use smokers that could suit the beginner or someone who wants simplicity and great smoke flavor. I’ve always been curious about the changes in meat smoker technology and how it is evolving; there are nearly a dozen different smoker types on the market that you can buy. I get asked a lot what the easiest …
How to Cut Paper Thin Slices of Cured Meat (with Pics)
Slicing cured meat wafter thin can be done in many different ways. I have experimented with some techniques and gone all-in with specific knives and a decent deli slicer. So, I thought I would share some ideas for different cured meats. Key Points: Harder or more dry-style cured meats, like prosciutto or coppa, can be challenging. A sharp knife is …
Smoking Woods for Smoking Meat (Chart with Varieties)
Meat and wood selection can get a bit confusing. There is a huge selection, and sometimes, I buy it. Most of the time, somebody is trimming an apple tree or grapevine, and I get ample wood stock. Blind taste tests have highlighted the variations, mainly whether it’s a ‘light’ or a ‘heavy’ hardwood. However, the internet reviews of woods I …
What is the Difference Between Hot Smoking and Cold Smoking?
Smoking meat in general seems to get confusing especially hot and cold smoking. Seeing a lot of artisan smokers and practicing it myself – I thought it would be helpful to clarify the difference. There is one fundamental difference between hot and cold smoking that I will explain in detail. It is to do with temperature. I will attempt to …
How to Choose Which Salt for Meat Curing (Curing or Smoking)
Key Article Points: There is salt, and there is curing salt, I hope to help explain which salt is for which application in this post. When I started meat curing I had never heard of Prague powder, pink curing salt, instacure, and many others; now, I thought it would be useful for others to know what I have learned. It …
50 Examples – Cured Meats, Charcuterie & Salumi of the World
Here are 50 examples of common and some cured meats you might not of heard of. I could have easily written 100 salami variations, but decided to focus on familiar & interesting unique flavors of the meat curing world! Maybe you want to find something for an epic charcuterie board or just want to learn a bit more about various …
Cured Meats for Backpacking & Camping
I take cured meats camping and fishing often and love the outdoors. I want to help you see why certain cured meats are perfect for your journeys and adventures. I’ve used every cured meat style worldwide and share this knowledge with my writing and videos through this site. What are the Best Cured Meats for Backpacking & Camping? If you …
Equipment for Meat Curing Guide – What You Do & Don’t Need
The equipment for curing and smoking meats can be quite simple, and you may already have what you need. It is a vast category that has evolved into a skill and craft with numerous options that can be done at home. We will break down all the necessary steps, whether you want to dry cure, hot smoke, cold smoke, or make a healthy protein snack that will last for a while, such as jerky (which can be stored in a cardboard box if desired). It’s all cured meat! To start with I …
How to Form a Pellicle on Smoked Meat (Salmon & Bacon)
Here is a quick guide about the pellicle and why it helps when smoking meat. I’ve been meat smoking for decades and have always been looking for helpful traditional & new techniques. I love smoking all kinds of meat, including store-bought, farmed & wild meat. KEY POINT Before smoking meat, the pellicle drying process is performed. Depending on the conditions, …