- Jul 3, 2022
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I wanted to cure and smoke a ham (my first), and only had Tenderquick sitting around. Against better judgement, I decided to use the brine recipe per the package. Here's what I did:
- 2.5 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup TQ
- 4 cups water
- Let sit for 7 days. Drain and soak in water 2 hours.
- Smoked a couple hours 250-325 deg F until 190 degrees internal.
Results: Ham looked cured through and through, taste was alright but WAY too salty. By my amateur calculations, I have 656 ppm nitrite (not including nitrate) and 13% salt. WOW.
I suspect the TQ wet brine calls for so much because per the instructions, the meat only needs to be cured for "24 hours". This is not enough time to reach true equilibrium - their recipe is designed to create a high osmotic potential to quickly drive the cure into the meat and reach adequate internal concentrations.
Interestingly enough, the Tenderquick "dry cure" recipe on the calls for 1/2 oz or 1 tbsp per lb of meat, which yields a more appropriate 156 ppm nitrite (not including nitrate) and 3% salt.
Lesson learned, but that's all part of the fun! Gotta make mistakes to make progress. I'm gonna get rid of the TQ and order some #1 cure.
- 2.5 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup TQ
- 4 cups water
- Let sit for 7 days. Drain and soak in water 2 hours.
- Smoked a couple hours 250-325 deg F until 190 degrees internal.
Results: Ham looked cured through and through, taste was alright but WAY too salty. By my amateur calculations, I have 656 ppm nitrite (not including nitrate) and 13% salt. WOW.
I suspect the TQ wet brine calls for so much because per the instructions, the meat only needs to be cured for "24 hours". This is not enough time to reach true equilibrium - their recipe is designed to create a high osmotic potential to quickly drive the cure into the meat and reach adequate internal concentrations.
Interestingly enough, the Tenderquick "dry cure" recipe on the calls for 1/2 oz or 1 tbsp per lb of meat, which yields a more appropriate 156 ppm nitrite (not including nitrate) and 3% salt.
Lesson learned, but that's all part of the fun! Gotta make mistakes to make progress. I'm gonna get rid of the TQ and order some #1 cure.