Bacon
United Kingdom
Known as a British recipe, with similar versions prepared across other nations.
- Curing. Old curing amounts and salts may be unsafe. Use current tested guidance.
Ingredients 8 ingredients
Possible health benefits
General information, not medical advice.
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Bacon
High in vitamin E · 6.9 mg per 100 g, 58% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient found in many foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet
High in thiamine · 4.4 mg per 100 g, 400% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Thiamine contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Thiamine contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Thiamine contributes to normal psychological function.
1 more authorised claims
- Thiamine contributes to the normal function of the heart.
Thiamin (also called vitamin B1) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Thiamin is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. NIH fact sheet
High in riboflavin · 0.5 mg per 100 g, 34% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Riboflavin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Riboflavin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
6 more authorised claims
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal red blood cells.
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
- Riboflavin contributes to the normal metabolism of iron.
- Riboflavin contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Riboflavin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Riboflavin (also called vitamin B2) is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. It also helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. NIH fact sheet
High in niacin · 7.6 mg per 100 g, 47% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Niacin contributes to normal psychological function.
3 more authorised claims
- Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
- Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
- Niacin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Niacin (also called vitamin B3) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Niacin is important for the development and function of the cells in your body. NIH fact sheet
High in vitamin B6 · 0.5 mg per 100 g, 34% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
7 more authorised claims
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. NIH fact sheet
High in unsaturated fat · 23 g per 100 g, 83% of its fatty acids unsaturated
- Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels [MUFA and PUFA are unsaturated fats].
- Replacing saturated fats in the diet with unsaturated fats contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. Oleic acid is an unsaturated fat..
Source of folate · 42 µg per 100 g, 21% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
- Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis.
- Folate contributes to normal blood formation.
5 more authorised claims
- Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Folate contributes to normal psychological function.
- Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Folate has a role in the process of cell division.
Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Your body needs folate to make DNA and other genetic material. NIH fact sheet
Source of iron · 2.4 mg per 100 g, 17% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Iron contributes to normal cognitive function.
- Iron contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin.
4 more authorised claims
- Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body.
- Iron contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Iron has a role in the process of cell division.
Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. NIH fact sheet
Source of protein · 12 g per 100 g, 15% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Nutrients per 100 g of “Bacon, meatless”, USDA FoodData Central.
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Pork
Source of potassium · 318 mg per 100 g, 16% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Potassium contributes to normal muscle function.
- Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. NIH fact sheet
Source of phosphorus · 173 mg per 100 g, 25% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes.
- Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
1 more authorised claims
- Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.
Phosphorus is a mineral contained in each cell in our body. Most phosphorus is in the bones and teeth, and some is in your genes. NIH fact sheet
Source of zinc · 2.2 mg per 100 g, 22% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis.
- Zinc contributes to normal acid-base metabolism.
- Zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism.
15 more authorised claims
- Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function.
- Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.
- Zinc contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism.
- Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids.
- Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of vitamin A.
- Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
- Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Zinc has a role in the process of cell division.
Zinc is a nutrient that people need to stay healthy. Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Pork, ground, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.
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Ham
High in thiamine · 0.7 mg per 100 g, 65% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Thiamine contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Thiamine contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Thiamine contributes to normal psychological function.
1 more authorised claims
- Thiamine contributes to the normal function of the heart.
Thiamin (also called vitamin B1) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Thiamin is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. NIH fact sheet
High in vitamin B12 · 0.9 µg per 100 g, 38% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin B12 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin B12 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
5 more authorised claims
- Vitamin B12 contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
- Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin B12 has a role in the process of cell division.
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your body’s blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. NIH fact sheet
High in selenium · 20 µg per 100 g, 36% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis.
- Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
- Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
3 more authorised claims
- Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Selenium contributes to the normal thyroid function.
- Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Selenium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Your thyroid gland needs selenium to produce hormones and function properly. NIH fact sheet
High in protein · 16 g per 100 g, 25% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Source of niacin · 4.2 mg per 100 g, 26% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Niacin contributes to normal psychological function.
3 more authorised claims
- Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
- Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
- Niacin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Niacin (also called vitamin B3) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Niacin is important for the development and function of the cells in your body. NIH fact sheet
Source of vitamin B6 · 0.3 mg per 100 g, 19% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
7 more authorised claims
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. NIH fact sheet
Source of potassium · 311 mg per 100 g, 16% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Potassium contributes to normal muscle function.
- Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. NIH fact sheet
Source of phosphorus · 157 mg per 100 g, 22% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes.
- Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
1 more authorised claims
- Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.
Phosphorus is a mineral contained in each cell in our body. Most phosphorus is in the bones and teeth, and some is in your genes. NIH fact sheet
Source of zinc · 1.9 mg per 100 g, 19% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis.
- Zinc contributes to normal acid-base metabolism.
- Zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism.
15 more authorised claims
- Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function.
- Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.
- Zinc contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism.
- Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids.
- Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of vitamin A.
- Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
- Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Zinc has a role in the process of cell division.
Zinc is a nutrient that people need to stay healthy. Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Ham, minced”, USDA FoodData Central.
Claims: EU Register of health claims (Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, © European Union, CC BY 4.0), shown only where the ingredient meets the claim's conditions (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). Nutrients: USDA FoodData Central (CC0). Facts: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (public domain).
Cook safely
Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.
- Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.
Method
Chef Wood
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- " Let the swine be put up to fast for twenty-four hours before *bey are killed (and observe that neither a time of severe frost, nor very damp weather, is favourable for curing bacon).
- Alter a pig has been kill^ and scalded, let it hang twelve hours before it is cut up, then for every stone or fourteen pounds* weight of the meat, take one pound of salt, an ounce and a quarter of saltpetre, and half an oance of coarse sugar.
- Rub the sugar and saltpetre first into the fleshy parts of the pork, and remove carefully with a fork any eztravasated blood that may appear on it, together with the broken veaseb adjoining;
- apply the salt especially to those parts, as well as to the shank-ends of the hams, and any other portions of the flesh that are more particularly exposed.
- Before the salt is added to the meat, warm it a little before the fire, and use only a part of it in the fint instance ;
- then, as it dissolves, or is absorbed by the meat, add the remainder at several different times.
- Let the meat in the mean while lie either on clean straw, or on a cold brick or stone floor : it will require from a fortnight to three weeks* curing, according to the state of^the atmosphere.
- When done, hang it in a cool dry place, where there is a thorough current of air, and let it remain there until it » perfectly dry, when the salt will be found to have czystallized upon tne surface.
- The meat may then be removed tc your store, and kept in a close chest, surrounded with clean outer tiraw.
- If very large, the hams will not be in perfection in less than twelve months from the time of their being stored.** Pork, 20 stone ;
- salt, 20 lbs.
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- saltpetre, 20 oz.
- ;
- sugar, 10 oz.
- * 14 to 21 days.
Plating
Cookware for this recipe
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Chef's knife