Are you looking for an easy and delicious way to cook a bacon joint?
Look no further than your trusty slow cooker!
With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can have a tender and flavorful bacon joint ready to serve.
Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this slow cooker recipe is sure to become a go-to in your kitchen.
So grab your slow cooker and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Bacon Joint In Slow Cooker?
To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need a bacon joint, some black peppercorns, shallots, oranges, a small chili, vegetable stock, and honey.
Next, add all the ingredients to your slow cooker or casserole dish. Make sure there is enough stock to cover the bacon joint and leave the netting on the joint.
If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours. If using a casserole dish, place in the oven preheated to 140°C and leave for around 3 hours.
Once cooked, carefully lift the joint from the pot with a couple of forks and place it on a baking tray. Remove the netting carefully and add a spoon of honey over the top. Bake at 180°C for around 10 minutes until the rind begins to crisp.
Finally, use a sharp knife to cut away any excess fat and cut the cooked gammon into thin layers for tender ham or thicker slices to serve as boiled bacon.
Ingredients Needed For Cooking Bacon Joint In Slow Cooker
Here are the ingredients you will need to cook a bacon joint in a slow cooker:
– Bacon joint
– Black peppercorns
– Shallots
– Oranges
– Small chili
– Vegetable stock
– Honey
Make sure to have enough stock to cover the bacon joint and leave the netting on the joint. These ingredients are easy to find and can be purchased at any grocery store.
It’s important to note that you don’t need a set of scales for this recipe. You can simply estimate the amount of each ingredient needed. This recipe is perfect for those who want a hassle-free cooking experience without sacrificing flavor.
Preparing The Bacon Joint For Slow Cooking
Before placing the bacon joint in the slow cooker, it is important to prepare it properly. First, remove any packaging or wrapping from the joint.
If there is any excess fat on the joint, use a sharp knife to trim it away. This will help to prevent the bacon from becoming too greasy during cooking.
If the bacon joint comes with a netting, leave it on as it will help to hold the joint together during cooking.
Once you have trimmed the excess fat and left the netting on, place the bacon joint in the slow cooker or casserole dish with the other ingredients.
Be sure to preheat your slow cooker on high for about 20 minutes before adding the raw bacon. This will help to ensure that the bacon cooks evenly and thoroughly.
If using a casserole dish, cover it with a tight-fitting lid or foil to prevent any moisture from escaping during cooking.
By properly preparing your bacon joint before placing it in the slow cooker, you can ensure that it cooks evenly and turns out tender and delicious.
Slow Cooking The Bacon Joint
Slow cooking a bacon joint is an easy and delicious way to prepare this flavorful cut of meat. The key to success is to use a slow cooker or casserole dish and allow plenty of time for the bacon joint to cook slowly and become tender.
To start, place the bacon joint in the slow cooker or casserole dish. Add chopped shallots, black peppercorns, and any other vegetables you prefer. Cut two oranges into quarters and add them to the pot, making sure to remove any seeds. Finally, add a small diced chili for a bit of heat.
Pour enough vegetable stock into the pot to cover the bacon joint completely. Add 2-3 good spoonfuls of honey for sweetness and flavor. Leave the netting on the bacon joint to help it hold its shape during cooking.
If using a slow cooker, set it on low and leave it for 6-8 hours. If using a casserole dish, place it in an oven preheated to 140°C and leave it for around 3 hours. The bacon joint should be cooked until it is tender and falls apart easily.
Once cooked, carefully lift the joint from the pot with a couple of forks and place it on a baking tray. Remove the netting carefully and add a spoon of honey over the top. Bake at 180°C for around 10 minutes until the rind begins to crisp.
The juices in the pot are great to pour over mashed potatoes or steamed greens as a flavorful sauce. You can also use any leftovers for sandwiches or salads. Slow cooking a bacon joint is an easy and delicious way to enjoy this classic cut of meat.
Tips For Achieving The Perfect Texture And Flavor
If you want to achieve the perfect texture and flavor for your slow cooked bacon joint, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Sear the bacon joint before adding it to the slow cooker. This will help to caramelize the outside of the meat, giving it a delicious texture and an extra layer of flavor.
2. Use fresh citrus and herbs to brighten up the flavor of your slow cooked food. Add them after cooking to preserve their flavor.
3. Trim excess fat from the bacon joint before cooking to keep the fat from ending up in your sauce. After cooking, you can let the food rest for 5 to 10 minutes and then skim off excess fat.
4. Brown ground meat on the stove before adding it to your slow cooker. This gives the best flavor and prevents an oily end result.
5. If you want your bacon joint to have a crispy exterior, remove it from the slow cooker or casserole dish and bake it in the oven for a few minutes.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create a slow cooked bacon joint with fantastic flavor, perfect texture, and even browning.
Serving And Storing The Cooked Bacon Joint.
After cooking your bacon joint in a slow cooker, you may have some leftovers that you want to store for later use. The best way to store cooked bacon joint is to refrigerate it. You can store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and place it inside an airtight freezer bag. This will help preserve its crispy texture and keep all the flavors intact.
Cooked bacon joint can last in the fridge for up to a week if stored properly. If you plan on storing it for longer than a week, it is best to freeze it. Wrap individual portions of the cooked bacon joint in paper towels to cushion them and then place them into a zip-top bag. Freeze and store for up to six weeks. When you’re ready to enjoy your bacon again, simply defrost it in the fridge or microwave and reheat until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
If you want to serve the cooked bacon joint immediately, you can simply cut away any excess fat and cut the cooked gammon into thin layers for tender ham or thicker slices to serve as boiled bacon. The cooked bacon joint can be served with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.