How to Cook Peameal Bacon to Perfection in Your Crock Pot

Peameal bacon, also known as Canadian bacon, is a leaner, cornmeal-coated bacon that makes for a delicious, savory meal. While it’s often pan-fried, peameal bacon can also be cooked to tender perfection in a crock pot.

Cooking peameal bacon in a crock pot results in meat that is fall-apart tender and infused with flavor. The slow cooking allows the meat to gradually absorb all the seasonings and juices, creating an incredibly moist, delicious bacon that literally melts in your mouth.

If you’ve never tried cooking peameal bacon in a crockpot, you’re in for a real treat. Below is a complete guide to preparing peameal bacon in the crock pot, from choosing the right cut to final serving suggestions. Let’s get cooking!

What Exactly is Peameal Bacon?

For those unfamiliar with peameal bacon it goes by a few different names including Canadian bacon, back bacon, and cured pork loin. Peameal bacon is made from the lean boneless pork loin which is brined or wet cured before being rolled in cornmeal (traditionally dried ground yellow peas).

Unlike smoked bacon, peameal bacon is not smoked. However, it still has a wonderfully savory, slightly salty flavor from the curing process The cornmeal coating gives it a distinctive texture When cooked, the cornmeal becomes a crispy, crunchy exterior enveloping the juicy pork interior.

Peameal bacon is considered a Canadian specialty, often served in sandwiches or with eggs and potatoes for breakfast. It provides a leaner alternative to regular bacon while still delivering rich, meaty flavor.

Why Cook Peameal Bacon in a Crock Pot?

Cooking peameal bacon in a slow cooker offers several benefits:

• Tender, moist meat: The low, slow cooking renders the pork tender and helps it retain moisture compared to high heat frying.

• Infuses flavor: Peameal bacon has time to soak up all the aromatics, seasonings, and cooking liquid in the crockpot.

• Hands-off cooking: Just add ingredients and turn on the crock pot. No need to monitor it.

• Energy efficient: Crock pots use less energy than continually cooking over the stove or in the oven.

• Easy meal prep: Make a big batch that can be used in various dishes throughout the week.

Overall, the crock pot is a simple, fuss-free way to yield deliciously moist and flavorful peameal bacon every time.

Choosing the Right Peameal Bacon for the Crock Pot

To ensure your peameal bacon turns out perfectly cooked in the slow cooker, select the right cut of meat:

• Pork loin: Choose a boneless pork loin roll that has been cured or brined and coated in cornmeal or peameal. This is the traditional cut for peameal bacon.

• Uniform shape/size: Pick a roast that is evenly shaped without odd thin or thick sections so it cooks evenly.

• Weight: For a medium crock pot, a 2 to 3 pound roast should be sufficient for 4-6 servings. Size up for larger quantities.

• Fit: Make sure the pork loin fits comfortably in your crock pot with a little room around the sides.

With the right cut of peameal bacon, you’ll be ready to slow cook deliciousness.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Cooking Peameal Bacon in a Crock Pot

Cooking peameal bacon in a crock pot is simple but here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Prep the Peameal Bacon

Rinse the pork loin under cool water to remove any excess cornmeal coating. Pat dry with paper towels.

2. Add Flavor Boosters (Optional)

Rub the roast with herbs, spices, mustard, etc. Place sliced onions or apples in the bottom of the slow cooker to add moisture and flavor.

3. Add Roast and Liquid

Place seasoned roast in slow cooker and add 1⁄2 to 1 cup of water, apple juice, beer, etc. The liquid prevents sticking and moistens the meat.

4. Cook on Low

Cover and cook for 7-8 hours on low until fork tender. For a 3 lb roast, cooking time is typically 8 hours.

5. Remove and Slice Roast

Carefully remove roast from crockpot and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing into pieces or thin slices.

6. Make Gravy (Optional)

For gravy, scoop 2-3 tablespoons of corn starch into the cooking liquid. Whisk together and cook on stove until thickened.

7. Serve and Enjoy!

Serve peameal bacon warm with potatoes or rolls. Use in sandwiches, eggs, tacos, etc. Refrigerate leftovers up to 5 days.

With just a few simple steps, you’ll have deliciously moist and flavorful peameal bacon cooked to perfection in your crock pot!

Tips for Making the Best Crock Pot Peameal Bacon

• Make sure roast fits comfortably in crock pot without touching lid
• Use low setting – high may overcook outer portions
• Add liquid like broth, beer or juice to moisten and prevent sticking
• Resist opening lid to avoid heat/moisture loss
• Use meat thermometer to check internal temp reaches 145°F
• Let roast rest before slicing for juices to reabsorb

Flavorful Seasonings and Ingredients to Add

One of the best parts of crockpot cooking is that the meat soaks up all the flavors. Consider adding the following ingredients to boost the flavor of your peameal bacon:

• Onion: Caramelized, grilled or raw sliced onions add moisture and complementary flavor
• Garlic: Minced garlic provides a tasty accent
• Apple: Sliced or chopped apples enhance sweetness
• Maple syrup: Adds sweetness and creates a lovely glaze
• Mustard: Yellow, spicy brown or Dijon enhances the savory flavor
• Worcestershire sauce: Provides umami and savory depth
• Fresh or dried herbs: Rosemary, thyme and bay leaves work well
• Smoked paprika: Adds subtle smokiness
• Pepper: For a touch of heat
• Beer or wine: Also lend nice flavor

Get creative with your own spice blends and ingredients to make your peameal bacon unique.

Serving and Meal