Are you a fan of Canadian bacon, but looking for a new way to cook it?
Look no further than your Instant Pot!
Peameal bacon, also known as Canadian bacon with cornmeal on it, is a lean and affordable cut of pork that can be cooked to perfection in your Instant Pot.
While there may not be many recipes out there for this specific cut of meat, we’ve gathered some tips and tricks to help you achieve a delicious and juicy result.
So, let’s dive in and learn how to cook peameal bacon in your Instant Pot!
How To Cook Peameal Bacon In Instant Pot?
First things first, if your peameal bacon roast is covered in cornmeal, wash it off before cooking.
Next, season the entire pork roast with a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
Set your Instant Pot to Saute and add oil. Once the setting reads HOT, add the pork and brown on all sides for about two minutes per side. Cancel the Saute setting on your Instant Pot.
Add vegetable broth to the Instant Pot and scrape any bits that are on the bottom of the pot from sauteing the meat to prevent a burn warning. Add the pork to the Instant Pot, fat side up. Close the lid with the pressure vent closed and set your Instant Pot to manual for 20 minutes.
When the time is up, let the Instant Pot natural release for 5 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. Open the lid, remove the pork and set it on a cutting board. Check to make sure the internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Let the pork loin rest for an additional 3 minutes before slicing into 3/4” – 1” pieces and serving.
Alternatively, you can try this recipe:
Remove the meat from the fridge 30 minutes before making the recipe to bring it to room temperature. Pat the loin dry with a paper towel and season with kosher salt.
Turn your Instant Pot to saute (normal) and add 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, brown the loin on all sides for about 4 minutes each. Remove and set aside.
Add garlic and remaining oil, saute for 30 seconds or until you begin to smell the garlic. Deglaze the pot by adding 1/4 cup of chicken stock and use a wooden spoon or spatula to dig up all of the crispy bits on the bottom of the pot. Add maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce.
Put the meat on a trivet and turn on manual setting for 12 minutes on high pressure with a natural release for 8 minutes. Remove meat and cut thinly against the grain.
Turn your Instant Pot back to saute and add cornstarch to remaining 1/4 cup of stock and mix thoroughly ensuring there are no lumps. Bring to a boil and turn saute to low. Simmer and reduce liquid by half. Serve with pork loin.
What Is Peameal Bacon?
Peameal bacon is a Canadian specialty that is made from cured pork loin that has been trimmed of fat and rolled in cornmeal. It is often considered a milder and leaner alternative to regular bacon. The name “peameal” comes from the historic practice of rolling the cured and trimmed boneless loin in dried and ground yellow peas to extend shelf life, but since the end of World War I, it has been rolled in ground yellow cornmeal. Peameal bacon is not smoked like other types of bacon, which gives it a unique flavor and texture once it’s off the griddle. It can be found across Canada and parts of England and is often used as a breakfast food or cooked as a roast for dinner. In Toronto, peameal bacon sandwiches are considered a signature dish, particularly from Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market. When cooking peameal bacon in an Instant Pot, it is important to wash off the cornmeal before seasoning and browning the meat before adding it to the pot with vegetable broth for pressure cooking.
Why Cook Peameal Bacon In An Instant Pot?
Cooking peameal bacon in an Instant Pot can be a great option for those who want to save time and effort. The Instant Pot allows you to cook the pork roast in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven or on the stove. Plus, it’s less messy and requires less attention.
Another benefit of using an Instant Pot is that it helps to retain moisture in the meat. Peameal bacon is already a pretty moist food due to the brining process, but cooking it in an Instant Pot ensures that it stays juicy and tender.
Additionally, using an Instant Pot allows you to infuse the pork roast with different flavors. You can add various herbs, spices, and liquids to the pot to create a unique and flavorful dish. Plus, you can easily deglaze the pot and create a delicious sauce to serve with the pork roast.
Preparing Peameal Bacon For Instant Pot Cooking
Peameal bacon roasts are a delicious and affordable cut of meat that can be cooked in an Instant Pot. However, before cooking, it is important to wash off the cornmeal coating and season the pork roast with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
To begin cooking, set your Instant Pot to Saute and add oil. Once the setting reads HOT, add the pork and brown on all sides for about two minutes per side. Cancel the Saute setting on your Instant Pot.
Add vegetable broth to the Instant Pot and scrape any bits that are on the bottom of the pot from sauteing the meat to prevent a burn warning. Add the pork to the Instant Pot, fat side up. Close the lid with the pressure vent closed and set your Instant Pot to manual for 20 minutes.
When the time is up, let the Instant Pot natural release for 5 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. Open the lid, remove the pork and set it on a cutting board. Check to make sure the internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Let the pork loin rest for an additional 3 minutes before slicing into 3/4” – 1” pieces and serving.
Alternatively, you can try browning the peameal bacon roast on all sides in your Instant Pot before adding garlic, chicken stock, maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes with a natural release for 8 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
In either method, cooking peameal bacon in an Instant Pot is a delicious and easy way to enjoy this Canadian classic.
Cooking Peameal Bacon In An Instant Pot
Peameal bacon roasts are a popular cut of pork in Canada, and they can be cooked in an Instant Pot for a quick and easy meal. Before cooking, make sure to wash off any cornmeal that may be on the roast. Season the entire pork roast with a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
Set your Instant Pot to Saute and add oil. Once the setting reads HOT, add the pork and brown on all sides for about two minutes per side. Cancel the Saute setting on your Instant Pot.
Add vegetable broth to the Instant Pot and scrape any bits that are on the bottom of the pot from sauteing the meat to prevent a burn warning. Add the pork to the Instant Pot, fat side up. Close the lid with the pressure vent closed and set your Instant Pot to manual for 20 minutes.
When the time is up, let the Instant Pot natural release for 5 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. Open the lid, remove the pork and set it on a cutting board. Check to make sure the internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Let the pork loin rest for an additional 3 minutes before slicing into 3/4” – 1” pieces and serving.
Alternatively, you can try a recipe that involves sauteing and then pressure cooking with a flavorful sauce made from garlic, chicken stock, maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and cornstarch to thicken the sauce. This recipe results in a deliciously tender and flavorful peameal bacon roast that is perfect for any occasion.
Serving Suggestions For Peameal Bacon
Peameal bacon is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes or simply cooked and served on its own. Here are some serving suggestions for peameal bacon:
1. Pan-fried with eggs, toast, and all your favorite breakfast dishes. Peameal bacon makes a great addition to any breakfast spread.
2. Swap out ham for peameal bacon in an Egg McMuffin for a delicious twist on a classic fast-food breakfast sandwich.
3. Fried or grilled slices of peameal bacon are perfect for piling high on a sandwich with fried onions. This combination is sure to be a hit!
4. Roasted peameal bacon pairs perfectly with au gratin potatoes and all your favorite sides.
5. Smoked peameal bacon is a thing of beauty and can be used in a variety of dishes, from pizza toppings to salads.
6. For a unique twist, try adding peeled apples or browned onion slices to the slow cooker when cooking peameal bacon for extra flavor.
No matter how you choose to serve it, peameal bacon is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any meal.