Peameal bacon roast, also known as Canadian bacon, is a delicious and versatile main dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. With its mild cured pork flavor and tender, juicy meat, peameal bacon makes a satisfying centerpiece for any meal.
But what should you serve alongside it? Whether you’re cooking for a casual family dinner or hosting a special occasion, finding the right sides is key to creating a cohesive and tasty meal.
In this article, I’ll suggest 14 excellent side dish options to complement peameal bacon roast. From classics like mashed potatoes to unique pairings like sauerkraut, there’s sure to be an idea or two to inspire your next dinner!
What Is Peameal Bacon?
Before diving into the side dishes, let’s start with a quick overview of what exactly peameal bacon is.
Peameal bacon comes from the lean boneless pork loin. It’s cured with salt and spices which gives it its signature pink color and unique flavor. The exterior is rolled in cornmeal, which is where it gets the name “peameal” – originally the coating was ground yellow peas.
When roasted whole, peameal bacon becomes incredibly moist, tender, and flavorful. It has a slightly sweet mild taste compared to traditional bacon. When buying peameal bacon look for solid lean pieces without a lot of fat marbling.
14 Amazing Side Dishes for Peameal Bacon Roast
When it comes to meal planning, remember to offer a mix of colors, textures, and flavors on the plate. Try to include at least one vegetable or salad. Here are 14 excellent options:
1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a beloved classic for good reason. They’re the perfect complement to peameal bacon’s richness. For maximum creaminess, use a ricer rather than just mashing with a fork or masher. Mix in butter, cream, garlic, and seasonings.
2. Roasted Root Vegetables
A medley of roasted root veggies like carrots parsnips potatoes, and beets adds hearty flavor and nutrition. Toss the chopped veggies with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs before roasting. Their sweetness balances the savory pork.
3. Mac and Cheese
For ultimate comfort food, try cheesy baked macaroni and cheese. The creamy, gooey cheese sauce pairs perfectly with the crisp browned exterior of peameal bacon. Use your favorite cheese or cheese blend.
4. Green Beans with Garlic and Almonds
Fresh green beans sauteed with slivered garlic and toasted almonds make an easy veggie side. Their snappy crunch and pop of flavor complement the tender bacon.
5. Glazed Carrots
For a pop of color, make honey or brown sugar glazed carrots. Simmer sliced carrots in butter, then add your glaze of choice and cook until syrupy. The sweetness pairs wonderfully with savory meats.
6. Scalloped Potatoes
For an indulgent, creamy potato dish, whip up some scalloped potatoes. Sliced potatoes are baked in a rich cheese sauce until perfectly tender. It’s pure comfort food at its finest.
7. German Potato Salad
This vinegary potato salad with bacon is a classic German side dish. Toss boiled potatoes with bacon, onion, fresh herbs, mustard, and white wine vinegar dressing. The tangy flavor complements the bacon roast.
8. Coleslaw
Creamy coleslaw adds freshness and crunch to balance the rich roast. Make your coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, and a mayo-based dressing. Top with toasted almonds or sunflower seeds for extra texture.
9. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
For a veggie side with built-in bacon flavor, saute shredded Brussels sprouts with crumbled bacon pieces, garlic, and onions. Toss with balsamic vinegar for a sweet-sour flavor.
10. Fried Apples
Sauteed apples caramelized in butter and brown sugar make a simple, tasty accompaniment to pork. For variety, use different apple varieties, adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or cranberries.
11. Broccoli Salad
This colorful salad combines fresh broccoli florets, red onion, crispy bacon, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds with a sweet mayo dressing. It adds lots of texture and flavor contrast.
12. Roasted Butternut Squash
Cube butternut squash and roast with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper for a savory side dish. The natural sweetness of squash goes well with the salty bacon. Add nuts or cheese on top for even more flavor.
13. Baked Beans
No pork meal is complete without saucy baked beans! Beans simmered in a tomato-molasses sauce are sweet, tangy, and the perfect match for peameal bacon. Add some mustard and sliced onions too.
14. Sauerkraut
As a nod to peameal bacon’s Germanic roots, serve it with tangy sauerkraut. Look for refrigerated sauerkraut or try your hand at fermenting your own. Its tart, vinegary flavor cuts through the richness.
Cooking and Serving Peameal Bacon Roast
Now that you’ve got some delicious side dish ideas, let’s talk about cooking and serving the roast itself. Here are some useful tips:
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Roast the peameal bacon at 375°F for about 2 hours total. Start covered in foil, then uncover to brown. Roast to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Brush the roast with maple syrup before cooking for sweetness and a glaze. You can also use brown sugar, honey, or mustard.
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Let the roast rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices. This allows the juices to redistribute.
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Carve across the grain of the meat for the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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Leftovers make amazing sandwiches, breakfasts, or bacon bits for salads and pastas. Store leftovers for up to 4 days refrigerated.
Time to Dig In!
With its mild cured flavor, peameal bacon roast deserves to be the star of your dinner table. Pairing it with the right complementary sides is key. I hope these suggestions give you lots of ideas for your next peameal bacon meal!
Some great options include creamy mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, sauteed green beans, German potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, and more. Mix and match different flavors, colors, and textures for a well-rounded plate.
The possibilities are endless, so get creative and have fun trying out new side dish pairings. Just remember to let the peameal bacon shine as the centerpiece. Your friends and family are sure to be impressed.
Now get cooking and savor the flavor of tender, juicy peameal bacon roast with your favorite accompaniments! This versatile pork cut was made for celebratory dinners and comfort food cravings alike.
How to Roast Whiskey-Basted Peameal Bacon: Cooking with Kimberly
FAQ
What is peameal bacon called in the US?
Is peameal bacon healthy?
At what temperature is peameal bacon cooked?
Is Canadian bacon and peameal bacon the same thing?
What to eat with peameal bacon roast?
No matter how you prepare them, sweet carrots are a delicious and healthy side dish that will elevate your peameal bacon roast to the next level. Sauerkraut is a traditional German side dish that is often served with pork, including peameal bacon roast.
How do you cook a peameal bacon roast?
Preheat oven to 375F. Place peameal bacon roast, skin side up in a baking dish. Score the top of the meat, cutting in about 1/2 inch deep. Make the cuts diagonally, and then cut the same lines at a 90 degree angle. Brush the maple syrup on the top of the roast. Cover the baking dish with foil. Place in the oven and bake for one hour.
How do you eat whole peameal bacon?
A roasted whole peameal bacon is nice because it is super moist and juicy and great on a plate with eggs, hash browns, toast and other breakfast items. Place the roast in a baking dish with the skin side facing up. Take a sharp knife to score the top of the pork roast. I like to make cuts into the meat about 1/2 inch deep.
Is peameal bacon good for breakfast?
Peameal bacon is one of my favourite cuts of meat for breakfast or brunch. Baking a whole peameal bacon roast in the oven is super simple and will be super moist and tender every time. I love peameal bacon.