can you cook peameal bacon from frozen

Can You Cook Peameal Bacon From Frozen? The Complete Guide for Busy Cooks

Because I’m a busy cook, I often forget to let things like peameal bacon thaw before I need them for recipes. Before I did some research, I thought that meant I couldn’t have peameal bacon for dinner. But now I know that you can cook peameal bacon right from the freezer.

In this detailed guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about cooking frozen peameal bacon. We’ll cover:

• What is peameal bacon? A quick intro for anyone unfamiliar with this tasty Canadian bacon.

• Can you cook it frozen? The short answer Yes! I’ll explain the best methods

• Why cook peameal bacon frozen? The benefits and time-saving hacks.

• Thawing methods: How to safely thaw if you have time.

• Step-by-step instructions for baking, pan-frying, and more.

• Recipe ideas: Delicious ways to use frozen peameal bacon.

• Storing and freezing tips: How to keep peameal bacon fresh.

I tested all these techniques in my own kitchen, so you can trust they really work! Keep reading for the full guide to cooking peameal bacon from frozen.

What Is Peameal Bacon? A Quick Intro

If you’re not familiar with it, peameal bacon is a specialty Canadian bacon made from the lean eye of pork loin. It gets its name from the historic practice of rolling the bacon in ground peas or cornmeal before curing (nowadays it’s usually just cornmeal).

Compared to regular bacon, peameal bacon is:

• Leaner and less fatty – about 70% lean meat.

• Brined and cured like a ham.

• Rolled in cornmeal, which gives it a distinctive crust.

• Sold as a boneless roast or in pre-sliced packs.

The curing process gives peameal bacon a hint of sweetness and that signature bacon aroma. When cooked, you get a delicious combination of salty, savory, and slightly sweet flavors.

It’s most often used for breakfast dishes but works great in recipes like sandwiches, soups, wraps, salads, and more.

Can You Cook Peameal Bacon Straight From Frozen?

The short answer is yes – you can absolutely cook peameal bacon straight from the freezer without thawing!

I was pleasantly surprised to learn this trick. It saves you the headache of remembering to thaw the bacon in the fridge overnight.

The key is to use slower, gentler cooking methods to allow the frozen bacon time to thaw as it cooks. This prevents it from overcooking or burning on the outside before the inside thaws.

Based on my testing, the best ways to cook frozen peameal bacon are:

• Bake it: This is my top recommendation. Bake at 350°F for about 50 minutes.

• Pan-fry or skillet cook: Fry over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes.

• Cook in a slow cooker: Add to a dish in your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

• Microwave: Defrost first in the microwave, then cook. Don’t microwave cook raw frozen peameal.

No matter which method you use, always check that the thickest part of the bacon has reached an internal temperature of at least 145°F before serving. This ensures any frozen sections have fully thawed and cooked through.

Why Cook Peameal Bacon Straight From Frozen?

I’m a huge fan of this trick because it saves me time and makes my mornings easier. Here are some of the biggest benefits:

• Skip the thawing – no more forgetting to thaw overnight!

• Cooks fully from frozen state – no partial thawing needed.

• Allows for impromptu recipes – you don’t have to plan a day ahead.

• Saves prep time – just grab and cook.

• Avoid food waste – use bacon before it goes bad.

• Batch cooking and meal prepping is easier.

For my busy mornings, it’s great to be able to just grab a pack of frozen pre-sliced peameal bacon and start cooking.

Best Methods for Safely Thawing Peameal Bacon

While cooking from frozen is handy, you may also want to thaw peameal bacon safely if you have time. Here are some recommended methods:

Fridge Thaw Overnight
This is the preferred method for slow, safe thawing. Place frozen peameal bacon in the fridge 8-12 hours before you need it. Transfer to an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.

Cold Water Thaw
For a quicker thaw time, seal the frozen peameal bacon in a plastic bag. Submerge the bag in a bowl of cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Takes about an hour.

Microwave Thaw
This is the fastest method, but can lead to uneven cooking if you microwave thaw and cook back-to-back. I recommend microwaving just to thaw, then cooking by another method.

Once thawed by any method, peameal bacon should be cooked immediately rather than refrozen.

Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Frozen Peameal Bacon

Now let’s get into the nitty gritty details of how to cook frozen peameal bacon using the best methods. Follow these steps for perfect results every time!

Baking Frozen Peameal Bacon
This gentle oven cooking method produces delicious, evenly cooked bacon straight from the freezer.

What You Need:

• Frozen peameal bacon
• Baking sheet
• Aluminum foil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Place a large sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet. Arrange frozen peameal bacon slices or roast in a single layer on the foil.

3. Pour 1⁄2 cup water into the bottom of the baking sheet. This creates steam to help cook and thaw the bacon.

4. Seal the foil tightly over the bacon to lock in steam.

5. Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until fully cooked through. Check temperature with a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches 145°F.

6. Remove bacon from oven and let rest 5 minutes before unwrapping foil and serving.

Pan-Frying Frozen Peameal Bacon
This stovetop skillet method gives you crispy, pan-fried texture from frozen bacon. Just use medium-low heat and cook covered.

What You Need:

• Frozen peameal bacon
• Large skillet
• Lid or aluminum foil

Instructions:

1. Take frozen peameal bacon slices and place them in a cold skillet. Arrange in a single layer, evenly spaced.

2. Set stove to medium-low heat. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or foil.

3. As the bacon starts thawing, use tongs to flip and separate the slices. Cook until thawed through, about 15 minutes.

4. Remove lid and increase heat to medium. Cook 5 more minutes until browned and sizzling.

5. Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 145°F.

6. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes before serving your crispy pan-fried bacon.

Cooking in a Slow Cooker
A slow cooker is a hands-off way to gently cook frozen peameal bacon with moist indirect heat.

What You Need:

• Frozen peameal bacon
• Slow cooker
• Recipe ingredients

Instructions:

1. Add your recipe ingredients to the slow cooker first (sauce, vegetables, seasonings).

2. Place the frozen peameal bacon slices or pieces on top.

3. Cook on LOW heat for 6-8 hours. The low gentle heat thaws and cooks the bacon.

4. Use two forks to shred or chop the cooked bacon in the slow cooker.

5. Stir the shredded bacon into your dish and continue cooking another 20-30 minutes before serving.

Microwave Thawing Then Cooking
I don’t recommend microwave cooking raw frozen bacon. But you can microwave thaw then finish cooking on the stove or in the oven.

What You Need:

• Frozen peameal bacon
• Microwave-safe plate
• Skillet or baking sheet

Instructions:

1. Place frozen bacon on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 2-3 minutes on DEFROST setting.

2. Check bacon and turn over. Microwave 1-2 more minutes until pliable but still icy in center.

3. Transfer thawed bacon to a skillet or baking sheet.

4. Finish cooking using preferred method like baking or pan-frying until 145°F.

Delicious Recipes Using Frozen Peameal Bacon

Here are just a few of my favorite ways to use frozen peameal bacon in recipes:

• Baked Eggs Benedict – Top toasted English muffins with poached eggs, ham, and hollandaise sauce.

• Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches – Cook up a batch and freeze for busy mornings.

• Peameal Carbonara – Toss with roasted zucchini, peas and fettuccine.

• Twice Baked Potatoes – Mix crumbled peameal bacon into potato filling.

• French Onion Bacon Soup – Caramelize onions and simmer with broth and frozen bacon chunks.

• Peameal Chopped Salad – Top mixed greens with chopped veggies, cheese, and crispy chopped bacon.

The possibilities are endless! Peameal bacon adds satisfying protein, flavor, and texture to recipes.

Tips for Freezing and Storing Peameal Bacon

Follow these tips for freezing peameal bacon correctly so it stays fresh as long as possible:

• Wrap tightly in multiple layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Remove as much air as possible.

• Portion into smaller packets if you won’t use a full package at once.

• Freeze immediately in 0°F freezer. Don’t leave in fridge more than 1-2 days before freezing.

• Label packages with name and freeze date.

• Use within 2 months for best quality and flavor.

• Once thawed, do not refreeze. Cook immediately.

Stored properly in the freezer, peameal bacon stays fresh for a few months. And thanks to these cooking tips, you can enjoy delicious peameal bacon straight from the freezer any night of the week!

The Takeaway – Cook Peameal Bacon Easily From Frozen

As a busy home cook, I’m thrilled I can cook delicious peameal bacon from the freezer. It makes my meal planning and prep so much easier.

The key tips to remember are:

• You can absolutely cook peameal bacon fully frozen. No thawing needed.

• Use gentle cooking methods like baking, pan-frying over medium-low heat, or cooking in a slow cooker.

• Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

• For safety, thaw in the fridge overnight when possible.

• Store peameal bacon correctly in the freezer to maintain quality.