How Long Does It Take To Cook Peameal Bacon? The Complete Cooking Guide

Peameal bacon, also known as Canadian bacon, is a delicious type of back bacon that is wrapped in cornmeal. It has a signature sweet and salty flavor that makes it a tasty addition to breakfast sandwiches, pizzas, salads and more. But to enjoy peameal bacon at its best, it’s important to know how long it takes to cook it properly.

Undercooking can leave the bacon chewy and tough, while overcooking results in dry, crispy bacon that lacks flavor. So how long should you cook peameal bacon to achieve the perfect texture? Here is a complete guide to cooking times for peameal bacon using various methods

Overview of Peameal Bacon Cooking Times

The cooking time for peameal bacon can range quite a bit based on the preparation method. Here’s a quick overview:

• Pan-frying: 3-5 minutes per side
• Grilling: 4-7 minutes per side
• Baking: 45-60 minutes
• Broiling: 10-15 minutes

Thinner slices will cook faster, while thicker cuts will require more time Keep a close eye on the bacon as it cooks to prevent under or overcooking. The interior should reach an internal temperature of 140°F.

Below we’ll explore how long to cook peameal bacon using various techniques and what signs to look for when it’s done.

What is Peameal Bacon?

Before jumping into cooking times, let’s quickly cover what makes peameal bacon special. Peameal bacon comes from the lean boneless loin of the pig and is trimmed of fat. It is cured in a brine which gives it a signature salty flavor.

The distinguishing characteristic of peameal bacon is that it is rolled in ground yellow peas or cornmeal before being sliced. This coating gives it a crispy exterior when cooked while keeping the interior juicy.

Traditionally made in Canada, peameal bacon is less fatty than American-style bacon but has more flavor than other back bacons. When cooked properly, it develops a delicious sweet and savory taste.

Pan-Frying Peameal Bacon

One of the quickest cooking methods for peameal bacon is to pan-fry it. Here is how long it takes:

• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add just enough oil to coat the bottom.

• Once hot, add the bacon slices in a single layer without overcrowding.

• Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more on the other side.

• Continue cooking 1-2 minutes per side until both sides are crispy and the center is heated through.

• For thicker slices, reduce heat to medium and increase cook times by 1-2 minutes per side.

-Total cooking time is 3-5 minutes per side for pan-fried peameal bacon.

Pay close attention as peameal bacon can go from perfect to overdone quickly when pan-frying.

Grilling Peameal Bacon

Grilling imparts delicious smoky flavor to peameal bacon. Follow these guidelines for times:

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil grates.

• Place bacon directly on oiled grates. Grill for 2-3 minutes untouched to get grill marks.

• Flip and grill other side 2-3 minutes. Move to indirect heat if flare-ups occur.

• Keep flipping and grilling 1-2 minutes per side until bacon reaches desired doneness.

• Total grilling time is 4-7 minutes per side. Thicker cuts take longer.

• Brush with maple syrup or barbecue sauce the last few minutes for caramelized flavor.

Grilling peameal bacon slices is quick and infuses delicious flavor. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.

Baking Peameal Bacon

For perfect peameal bacon with no flipping required, baking is a great option. Here are baking times:

• Pre-heat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

• Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on sheet without overlapping.

• Bake for 15 minutes then flip bacon. Bake 15 minutes more.

• Continue baking in 10 minute increments, flipping occasionally, until crispy.

• Total baking time is 45-60 minutes depending on thickness.

• Brush with maple syrup glaze the last 10 minutes for added flavor.

The low and slow heat of the oven gently cooks the bacon while the cornbread coating gets crispy.

Broiling Peameal Bacon

For faster cooking than baking, broiling is an option. Here are broiling guidelines:

• Adjust oven rack to 5-6 inches below heating element. Preheat broiler to high.

• Line broiler pan with foil and place bacon slices in a single layer.

• Broil for 4-5 minutes until cornbread coating is crispy. Flip bacon.

• Broil 4-5 minutes more until second side is crispy. Check frequently to avoid burning.

• Continue broiling 1-2 minutes per side until bacon is fully cooked.

• Total broiling time is 10-15 minutes. Thinner slices take less time.

The intense direct heat of the broiler crisps the exterior while cooking the interior. Watch closely to prevent burning.

Tips for Cooking Peameal Bacon Perfectly

• Let sliced peameal bacon come to room temperature before cooking for even heating.

• Pan-fry or grill over medium to medium-high heat to prevent burning the exterior before the center cooks.

• Flip the bacon frequently while cooking to promote even browning and cooking.

• Reduce heat if bacon starts to burn from pan-frying or grilling before the interior is cooked through.

• Cook times will vary based on slice thickness, so adjust cooking times as needed.

• Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 140°F when done.

Mastering the technique for how long to cook peameal bacon results in perfectly done bacon every time.

Signs Your Peameal Bacon is Done

Checking for these visual and temperature cues will tell you when your peameal bacon is cooked to perfection:

• Deep golden brown and slightly crispy exterior.

• Interior reaches 140°F on a meat thermometer.

• Shrinkage of around half of the original size.

• Meat has lost its raw pink color.

• Cornmeal coating is cracked and crispy.

• Bacon feels firm but still flexible and not stiff.

• Fat has rendered and coasting is translucent.

Removing peameal bacon promptly once it has these indicators prevents overcooking.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Cooked Peameal Bacon

Have leftover cooked peameal bacon? Here are some storage tips:

• Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container.

• Use within 3-4 days for best quality and taste.

• For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months.

• Thaw frozen peameal bacon in the refrigerator before reheating.

• Reheat in skillet over medium heat or in microwave until hot.

With proper storage and reheating, cooked peameal bacon retains its texture and flavor for several days.

Delicious Ways to Enjoy Peameal Bacon

From breakfast staples to dinner entrees, peameal bacon is very versatile. Here are some delicious ways to cook and enjoy it:

• Breakfast sandwiches – Pair with egg, cheese and english muffin.

• Eggs Benedict – Top poached eggs and hollandaise sauce on an english muffin.

• Salads – Add diced peameal bacon to leafy or potato salads.

• Soups – Use peameal bacon bits to garnish chowders or bean soups.

• Pizza – Sprinkle peameal bacon over pizza alongside veggies and cheese.

• Pasta – Toss chopped peameal bacon into pasta dishes for a salty crunch.

• Brussels sprouts – Roast brussels sprouts with chunks of peameal bacon.

With so many possibilities, you’ll enjoy finding new ways to cook with delicious peameal bacon.

Perfectly cooked peameal bacon is sweet, salty, juicy and deliciously crispy. Knowing how long to cook it based on your chosen technique results in ideal doneness. While pan-frying and grilling take just 3-7 minutes per side, baking needs 45-60 minutes and broiling requires 10-15 minutes. Checking for visual cues like crispiness and an internal temperature of 140°F means your bacon is done to perfection. Now that you know exactly how long it takes to cook peameal bacon, you can enjoy this Canadian specialty at its very best.