premixing cure

[don24]

I make a premade cure mix using a trustworthy recipe for making bacon no spices just basic cure. I've not used it for a while and wondering if it goes bad. There a good couple pounds of it made and I would hate to waste it but also don't like the doctors office or hospital much either. Does it go bad . It's about 6 to 8.months old

[devo]

If your talking about cure #1 going bad I would say as long as it has stayed dry it will last for years.

[Habanero Smoker]

If it is just basic with no spices it should be alright. As long as it was stored properly, and has no hard lumps. If you have doubts, you can pretest it on a thin cut of meat like a 2" pork chop. If after curing the pork chop, once it is cooked it should remain reddish/pinkish inside.

Just to note; if your premixed contained anything other then sodium nitrite, sugars, and salt, I would not take a chance with it. The reason for this is that certain spices, herbs and other ingredients can have a chemical reaction to nitrites and nitrates, which can render them useless. This reaction usually occurs after a few days of shelf life. So far I haven't been able to locate a list of such ingredients.

[KyNola]

If it is just basic with no spices it should be alright. As long as it was stored properly, and has no hard lumps. If you have doubts, you can pretest it on a thin cut of meat like a 2" pork chop. If after curing the pork chop, once it is cooked it should remain reddish/pinkish inside.

Just to note; if your premixed contained anything other then sodium nitrite, sugars, and salt, I would not take a chance with it. The reason for this is that certain spices, herbs and other ingredients can have a chemical reaction to nitrites and nitrates, which can render them useless. This reaction usually occurs after a few days of shelf life. So far I haven't been able to locate a list of such ingredients.

Ditto!  Good advice given.

[don24]

its just pink salt, salt and sugar nothing else. its just a basic cure to be adjusted when I make whatever im about to do

[KyNola]

You should be good to go.

[Habanero Smoker]

You may also be interested in the Basic Dry Cure recipe, or it may be the same formula as what you are using.