Canning Bacon

Canning again.  I feel like a squirrel, putting things away for the winter! lol
I've tried a few of those shelf stable, half cooked bacons that are ready to eat after zapping for a few minutes in the microwave. They are quick and handy to have, but I wanted to make my own and save a bit of money.
I'm not recommending this method... just posting how it worked out for me.

I used thick sliced bacon and partially cooked it in a 375F degree oven. About 8 minutes, or just until the bacon took on some color, but was still limp. Then drained the drippings into a pan.


I dabbed the excess drippings from the strips of bacon. Placed them on a sheet of parchment paper...

Folded the edges of the parchment paper over the end strips of bacon, then folded the paper over the bacon. Then folded the bacon up, in half. The idea is to keep the bacon separated by paper so they won't stick together.

Next, I rolled the bacon up and plopped it into a clean, sterilized pint jar...leaving one inch of headspace.

Wiped the rim of the jars with white vinegar, to remove any oils. Topped with a hot lid and placed the jars into the pressure canner.

I processed the bacon at 12lbs of pressure for 75 minutes. Check your area for times and pounds at your location.  

I brought the bacon drippings up to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes before pouring into sterilized jars and inverting to seal.

This method of partially cooking the bacon first, makes for less drippings in the finished, canned jars of bacon. I like it!

I gave the bacon a taste test the next day....

I placed three on a paper plate to microwave for one minute...

also fried a few slices in a skillet...

The bottom three were the microwaved slices.. the top were pan fried...

Heck, I like how it turned out. The microwaved bacon only took one minute, the pan fried a bit longer. I like crisp bacon!
The texture of the canned bacon, straight out of the jar, is a bit softer than the store bought. Once you cook it, it turns out just like crisp, regular ole bacon.
No difference in flavor, it tastes like bacon!

I ended up with a case of bacon. It has been coming in handy. I like that it's shelf stable!

I've used it for breakfasts so far and bacon wrapped shrimp. Hopefully I'll post the shrimp cook soon.

Hope everyone is healthy and happy. Thanks for stopping by!