Guanciale, or Jowl Bacon
User Reviews
4.9
39 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Total Time
15 mins
-
Servings
16 servings
-
Calories
460 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Guanciale, or Jowl Bacon
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This is an easy way to get into cured meats. The process itself is not hard, although it takes time and a cool place to hang the meat. Probably the hardest part about making guanciale is finding a good hog jowl. You really want jowls from a quality pig. Farmer's markets often have good hog farmers selling their wares, so look them up. As for the curing salt No. 2, you can buy it online.
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Ingredients
- 1 large hog jowl, skin on
- Instacure No. 2 (see above)
- kosher salt (see above)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon crushed black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 5 or 6 bay leaves crushed
Instructions
- Mix all the cure ingredients together and pack the jowl with it. Massage the cure into the meat and fat. Put the jowl into a container (plastic, glass, ceramic, stainless steel) that just barely holds it, and toss in any remaining cure. Cover the container and put in the fridge for 4 to 7 days. Turn the jowl over once a day.
- When the meat has stiffened up at the thickest part, usually 5 days or more, rinse off the cure (you can leave a little on, but get most off), and pat the jowl dry. Put on a rack in a drafty place for several hours.
- Poke a hole through the skin on a corner of the jowl and tie string to it. Hang the jowl in a cool, moist place (50-55°F and at least 65 percent humidity, but see above for more curing instructions) for at least 3 weeks before eating. To store, cut into large chunks and vacuum seal or cover with plastic wrap and butcher paper before freezing. Guanciale will last, well-wrapped, in the fridge for several months.
Notes
- Note that the prep time does not include curing or drying time.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
460kcal
(23%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
45g
(69%)
Saturated Fat
16g
(80%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
21g
Cholesterol
61mg
(20%)
Sodium
28mg
(1%)
Potassium
171mg
(5%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
18IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
10mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 460 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 460kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 45g | 69% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Cholesterol | 61mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 28mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 171mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 18IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 10mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
39 reviews
Excellent
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