Lower Salt Loin Ham - for slicing

[TentHunter]

Around here good sliced ham at the deli goes for anywhere from $5.99 - $7.99/lb.

A couple months ago SquirtTheCat & I collaborated on a lower salt ham brine for curing boneless pork loin into some hams for slicing. Last week I grabbed a 7.6 lb whole boneless pork loin for $2.28/lb. so I reckon it's my turn to give it a try.

Most of the fat trimmed and the loin cut into three sections.

Mixed up the brown sugar brine-cure.

Injected two sections with the brown sugar brine. For the third section, I also mixed in a little pure Ohio Maple syrup then injected.

The rest of the brine poured overtop and into the fridge for 5-6 days (flipped/rotated once per day).

Catching some Apple & Hickory smoke on the MAK upper rack now.

Stay tuned...

 

[Meat Man]

Tent are you using natural boneless pork loin, or an enhanced loin which is a water added product. We make this all the time at the store ( no maple syrup though ). It's a great product.

 

[TentHunter]

Tent are you using natural boneless pork loin, or an enhanced loin which is a water added product.

Ooooh, Good question! This would make a great thread!

I have watch that like a hawk. That's a big part of why I make so much stuff myself; I know what's in it.

I NEVER use enhanced pork, beef or chicken products. My allergies/sensitivities preclude it. I buy only natural, minimally processed even if it means I have to pay a little more. Not only do I get a better product, but I also am not paying for extra water weight.

 

[squirtthecat]

Gonna be good!

 

[CarterQ]

Looking forward to seeing how this comes out.

 

[Rip]

Looking forward to your next report, looks great so far!

 

[TentHunter]

Here's what they looked like late last night. This morning I sliced a bit off for a taste test. Great flavor. I really like the smoke flavor and color the Hickory/Apple blend gave.

They're vac-packed & in the fridge to rest & let the smoke permeate for a couple days before slicing.

 

[sparky]

those look great TH. good color.

 

[ACW3]

Cliff,
That looks great! I might have to give that one a go sometime. It is so nice to be able to pull something out of the freezer that you made up a while ago and be able to enjoy it like you just made it. Was there much difference between the maple syrup version versus the other two?

Art

 

[TentHunter]

Cliff,
Was there much difference between the maple syrup version versus the other two?

There's not a huge difference, which is pretty much what I expected since it was a Maple & Brown Sugar mix. The molasses in the brown sugar makes it more a hint of maple rather than a distinct maple flavor.

For a more distinct Maple flavor I'll use a 50/50 blend of Maple Syrup & regular (white) Sugar. Honey Ham is the same way.

Does this make sense?

 

[Rip]

Oh yeah! Those slices look fantastic Cliff!

 

[TentHunter]

Done and Sliced!

WOW, am I glad we let these rest before slicing! The two days spent resting in the fridge allowed the smoke to permeate all the way through the loins and level out very nicely. This ham is flavorful & moist; as good as any we've gotten from the Deli!

Now... time for a little slicer action!

We ended up with about 2 1/2 pounds of chipped & 5 pounds of sliced ham. The maple is on the left.

We kept some out for immediate use & the rest got vac-packed & tossed in the freezer.


The Sweetest Part - The Final Cost:
Whole Boneless Pork Loin (7.6 lbs) - $17.33
Salt/Sugar/Cure - approx. $2.00
Approx. 5 lb. Pellets - $5.00

Total cost - $24.33

That works out to a meager $3.20/lb. Well worth the time & effort considering I'd spend twice that or more at the Deli!

This was so worth doing!

Thanks!

 

[cowgirl]

Looks great Cliff!!

 

[bflodan]

Looks great Cliff!! I have to get myself a slicer and try that one!!

 

[squirtthecat]

Great job! Decent (and not even Boar's Head) deli meat here is right around 7-8 bucks a pound..

 

[TentHunter]

Decent (and not even Boar's Head) deli meat here is right around 7-8 bucks a pound..

Yep, it's about the same here. Even when it's on sale it's still up around $5.99/lb. Thanks again, for the collaboration on this. Seeing how good your results were in January made me want to do this all the more!

This is definitely a project worth doing!

 

[squirtthecat]

I need to make more...

 

[sparky]

the sliced ham looks real good TH. good job.

 

[Scallywag]

I just got a slicer a few weeks ago.. something I need to try for sure! I feel better serving that to the kids rather than store bought with who knows what in it! Looks great TH