Sugar cures are used to cure hams, bacon, chicken & turkey. They also are used to turn brisket into corn beef and loin into Canadian bacon or peameal bacon. Sugar cures can be used dry, as a rub or wet, as a brine - when mixed with water.
While sugar cures will contain salt, dextrose and modern cure as the primary and necessary ingredients you will often find other ingredients or spices added - such as pickling spices, brown sugar or maple flavoring to provide a desired flavor or taste.