Is Peameal Bacon Precooked? The Complete Guide

Are you a fan of Canadian bacon? Have you ever tried peameal bacon?

This traditional breakfast meat, hailing from Ontario, Canada, is made from sweet pickled pork loin that is rolled in cornmeal. But the question remains: is peameal bacon precooked?

In this article, we’ll explore the origins of peameal bacon, how it’s made, and whether or not it needs to be cooked before serving.

So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into the world of peameal bacon.

Is Peameal Bacon Precooked?

Peameal bacon is not precooked. Unlike some other types of bacon, such as smoked back bacon, peameal bacon is not smoked and must be fully cooked before eating. The pork loin used to make peameal bacon is sweet pickled and then rolled in cornmeal, which helps to preserve the meat and keep it dry.

Peameal bacon is a traditional Canadian dish that was developed in the late 1800s by a Toronto meat-packer named William Davies. Originally, the pork loin was rolled in ground yellow peas to extend its shelf life, which is how the dish got its name. Today, cornmeal has replaced the peas as the coating of choice.

To cook peameal bacon, it can be sliced and grilled on a griddle or cooked by baking, barbecuing, or roasting. It’s important to note that peameal bacon must be fully cooked before serving to ensure that it’s safe to eat.

The Origins Of Peameal Bacon

Peameal bacon is a beloved Canadian specialty that originated in Toronto, where it’s still enjoyed today. In the early 20th century, Toronto was nicknamed “Hogtown” as a tribute to its pork-processing power. The name “peameal bacon” comes from the historic practice of rolling the cured and trimmed boneless loin in dried and ground yellow peas to extend its shelf life. The dish was developed by William Davies, a pork packer who came to Canada from England in 1854.

Davies’ company eventually became Maple Leaf Foods, which still produces peameal bacon for national consumption. The pork loin used to make peameal bacon is sweet pickled and then rolled in cornmeal, which helps to preserve the meat and keep it dry. Peameal bacon is much leaner than regular bacon and is made from trimmed lean boneless pork loin.

Peameal bacon sandwiches are often considered a signature dish of Toronto, particularly from Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market. Canadians know peameal bacon as an iconic national breakfast food, but the back bacon’s backstory is even richer than its flavor. While it’s not precooked, peameal bacon is versatile and can be cooked by grilling, baking, barbecuing, or roasting. It’s important to fully cook peameal bacon before serving to ensure that it’s safe to eat.

How Peameal Bacon Is Made

Peameal bacon is made by first selecting a center-cut pork loin and trimming it of any excess fat. The pork loin is then sweet pickled in a brine of Prague Powder #

The Cooking Process Of Peameal Bacon

There are several ways to cook peameal bacon, but the most common methods are baking and grilling. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the cooking process of peameal bacon:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) or preheat your grill to medium heat.

2. If you’re baking your peameal bacon, place it in a baking dish with the skin side up. Score the top of the meat by cutting about 1/2 inch deep diagonally and then cutting the same lines at a 90-degree angle. Brush maple syrup on top of the roast and cover the baking dish with foil.

3. Bake the peameal bacon for one hour, then remove the foil and continue cooking until the roast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If you want to glaze the outside of the roast, turn up the oven to 450°F (232°C) and let it heat while you brush on the glaze. Return your roast to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, long enough for the glaze to brown and set.

4. If you’re grilling your peameal bacon, slice it into 1/4-inch thick slices and grill them over low heat. You can also slice it into 1/4-inch thick slices and pan-fry them.

5. Regardless of how you cook your peameal bacon, make sure it’s fully cooked before serving by checking its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F (63°C) to ensure food safety.

6. Once cooked, let your peameal bacon rest for at least five minutes before slicing and serving.

Peameal bacon is a delicious and versatile meat that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you bake it, grill it, or pan-fry it, make sure to fully cook it before serving to ensure that it’s safe to eat.

Precooked Or Not? The Debate Surrounding Peameal Bacon

There is no debate surrounding whether peameal bacon is precooked or not. Peameal bacon is always sold uncooked and must be fully cooked before consumption. The confusion may arise from the fact that some other types of bacon, such as smoked back bacon, are precooked and can be eaten straight out of the package. However, this is not the case with peameal bacon.

Peameal bacon is a popular Canadian dish that is made from sweet pickled pork loin that is rolled in cornmeal. The cornmeal helps to preserve the meat and keep it dry, but it does not precook it. To enjoy peameal bacon, it must be sliced and cooked thoroughly by grilling, baking, barbecuing, or roasting.

While there may be some confusion over whether Canadian bacon is cooked or not, there is no such debate surrounding peameal bacon. It’s important to cook peameal bacon fully to ensure it’s safe to eat and to enjoy its unique flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions For Peameal Bacon

Peameal bacon is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes or simply enjoyed on its own. Here are some serving suggestions for peameal bacon:

1. Pan-fried with eggs: Peameal bacon is a classic breakfast meat and pairs perfectly with scrambled or fried eggs, toast, and all your favorite breakfast dishes.

2. Peameal bacon sandwich: A signature dish of Toronto, peameal bacon sandwiches are a must-try. Serve the sliced peameal bacon on your favorite bread with toppings like lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

3. Pizza topping: Thinly sliced peameal bacon makes a delicious pizza topping. Pair it with your favorite vegetables and cheese for a unique pizza experience.

4. Au gratin potatoes: Roast peameal bacon and serve it with au gratin potatoes and all your favorite sides for a hearty and satisfying meal.

5. Slow cooker recipes: Cut up some peeled apples and put them under the peameal bacon in the slow cooker for extra flavor. Adding some browned onion slices to the slow cooker is also a nice addition. Adjust quantities to slow cooker size and number of servings needed.

6. Sheet pan pizza: Make a delicious sheet pan pizza with Canadian bacon (peameal bacon) as the star ingredient. Top the pizza with your favorite vegetables and cheese for a delicious meal.

Whether you’re looking for breakfast ideas, sandwich options, or dinner inspiration, peameal bacon is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways. Experiment with different recipes to find your favorite way to enjoy this Canadian classic.