You can season, sear, and cook this Instant Pot Pork Loin in your pressure cooker, making it tender and juicy. It’s a quick and easy dinner recipe that’s also fancy enough to serve to guests at a stress-free dinner party you host! The flavor comes from a rub made with common kitchen ingredients.
This is a weeknight pork loin roast. Yes, it’s that easy. If you cook it in the oven, it can take up to an hour, but in the Instant Pot, it only takes 20 minutes! I love making it during the week when we want a hearty, comforting dinner. Making it is easy and only takes a few things. You have time to make a side dish to go with it too. We love it with some Parmesan orzo or garlic butter noodles.
I also have tasty recipes for apple and cranberry pork loin cooked in the oven and in the crock pot, but this Instant Pot version is the fastest. It’s so quick and easy you don’t have to wait until the weekend to make it.
I bet you already have most of the things you need for this recipe in your cabinet because they are for the spice rub.
Mastering Perfect Peameal Bacon in the Instant Pot
As a proud Canadian, peameal bacon holds a special place in my heart. This lean and tasty pork delicacy is a staple in many Canadian households. While traditionally pan-fried, peameal bacon can also be made in the convenient Instant Pot.
The key is getting the cook time just right for tender, juicy meat encased in a crisp, cornmeal crust. Undercook it and the bacon will be tough. Overdo it and you’ll end up with dry, rubbery peameal bacon.
After much trial and error, I’ve nailed down the ideal timing and steps for cooking flawless peameal bacon in the Instant Pot every time. Keep reading for my complete guide.
What is Peameal Bacon?For those unfamiliar peameal bacon is a uniquely Canadian product made from the lean boneless pork loin. It derives its name from the traditional covering of ground dried peas now substituted with cornmeal, that gives the bacon its signature crust.
This sets it apart from regular bacon in a few ways:
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It’s not smoked, so has a milder ham-like flavor.
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Much less fat compared to belly bacon.
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Remains tender when cooked instead of getting crispy.
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Encased in a crispy cornmeal crust.
You can enjoy peameal bacon for breakfast, in sandwiches or as a delicious roast main. Now let’s get cooking!
Selecting and Prepping Peameal Bacon for the Instant Pot
When buying peameal bacon for the Instant Pot, choose a boneless center-cut roast around 1-1.5 lbs. Ensure it has a nice even coating of cornmeal over the pink pork.
Before cooking, prepare it as follows:
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Rinse under cool water to remove any excess cornmeal. Pat dry thoroughly.
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Score the cornmeal coating by making shallow diagonal slits across the surface. This allows the meat to absorb flavors.
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Season all over with salt, pepper and any other herbs or spices of choice.
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Place the roast in the freezer for 30 mins before cooking. This dries out the exterior for a crisper crust.
That’s it for prep. Now onto Instant Pot cooking times.
How Long to Cook Peameal Bacon in the Instant Pot
The cooking duration for peameal bacon in the Instant Pot depends on the size of your roast as well as how crispy you like the crust.
For a 1 lb roast, cook for 15 minutes on Manual High Pressure.
For a 1.5 lb roast, increase cook time to 18-20 minutes.
After cooking, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then quick release any remaining pressure.
This ensures the inside cooks through without overdoing the crust.
Tips for Crispier Peameal Bacon Crust
Here are some extra tips for getting the crispiest crust when cooking peameal bacon in the Instant Pot:
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Cut roast into smaller 3-4 inch lengths to increase surface area.
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Remove as much cornmeal as possible before cooking.
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Use natural release method and avoid braising or steaming.
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Finish under broiler for 1-2 mins to further crisp the crust.
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Pat crust with paper towels after cooking to absorb moisture.
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Enjoy peameal bacon immediately for optimum crispness.
With the right timing and some finishing touches, you can achieve a deliciously crispy crust every time.
Step-By-Step Instant Pot Peameal Bacon Recipe
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s walk through a complete peameal bacon recipe in the Instant Pot:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb peameal bacon roast
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1⁄4 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Rinse peameal bacon under water and pat extremely dry with paper towels. Score surface in diagonal pattern.
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Season all over with salt, pepper and any other desired spices or herbs.
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Place peameal bacon in freezer for 30 mins to dry out exterior.
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Turn Instant Pot to Saute mode. When hot, add olive oil.
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Sear peameal bacon on both sides for 1 minute each.
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Add chicken broth to Instant Pot and place peameal bacon on a trivet or steamer rack.
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Close lid and pressure cook on Manual High for 15 minutes.
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Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Quick release remaining pressure.
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Remove peameal bacon and pat dry with paper towels.
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For added crispness, broil for 1-2 minutes until crust is browned and sizzling.
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Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into rounds. Serve and enjoy!
This simple recipe results in a restaurant-worthy peameal bacon roast with a crisp crust and juicy interior every time.
Adapting the Recipe
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try adapting the recipe to make your peameal bacon truly your own:
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Coat with Cajun seasoning or rubs before cooking.
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Add sliced onions, garlic, apple slices to pot.
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Deglaze with beer, wine or cider after cooking.
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Serve with unique mustards, chutneys or relishes.
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Dice up leftovers for next day peameal bacon fried rice.
With the right time and temperature, you can get creative and customize peameal bacon however you like.
Troubleshooting Peameal Bacon in the Instant Pot
Having issues getting peameal bacon just right in your Instant Pot? Here are some common problems and fixes:
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Bacon is undercooked and tough inside: Increase cook time in 2 minute increments.
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Crust is soggy and won’t crisp up: Remove as much cornmeal as possible before cooking.
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Bacon has a steamed texture: Avoid adding excess liquids like broth or water.
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Bottom is burnt and crust stuck to pot: Don’t overlap pieces and scrape off cornmeal before cooking.
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Overall texture is too dry: Shorten cook time and use natural release method only.
With a few simple adjustments, you’ll be on your way to peameal bacon perfection in no time.
The Takeaway
Thanks to the Instant Pot, we can now enjoy the Canadian delicacy of peameal bacon with minimal effort. Stick to the suggested cook times and natural release method for tender, juicy results. Dial up the crispiness with some finishing touches.
Once you nail the basics, get creative with seasonings, sides and serving ideas. Enjoy this lean and tasty treat on its own or take peameal bacon to new heights in your favorite meals. The possibilities are endless!
Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin
Sometimes it gets confusing, right? With so many different cuts of meat its good to know the difference!
- A pork loin, which is bigger than a tenderloin, is what you need for this recipe. As the picture above shows, you can cut it into big pieces after it’s done. And you can get it with or without bones. I suggest getting one without bones. It is a lean cut of meat that works great in the Instant Pot.
- Pork tenderloin is thinner and longer and cooks quicker. It’s lean and tastes the same, but I don’t think you should use it in this recipe because it needs a different way to cook.
It’s easy to make this dish. All you have to do is mix the spices together and season the meat. That’s it!.
How to Store and Reheat the Leftovers
When I have leftovers I store the sliced pork in an airtight container. It keeps well for a few days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
To reheat it, just warm the slices in a pan on the stove over medium heat. Cover the pan with a lid to keep the meat inside, and while it warms up, turn it a few times. It only takes a couple of minutes!.
This pressure cooker pork loin recipe is great! It’s another reason why I love my Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Bacon
FAQ
Does peameal bacon need to be cooked?
What is peameal bacon called in the US?
Can you cook peameal bacon in an air fryer?
How long to cook peameal bacon in Instant Pot?
When it comes to cooking peameal bacon in the Instant Pot, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The cooking time will depend on the size of your roast and your personal preference for doneness. However, a good rule of thumb is to cook your peameal bacon roast for 12-15 minutes on high pressure with a natural release of 8 minutes.
How long does it take to cook bacon in Instant Pot?
Lay the bacon strips in the Instant Pot leaving a little room on all sides. About 5 whole strips will fit in the pot. The bacon will take about 7 minutes to cook in total for perfectly crisp bacon. Be sure to flip the bacon over halfway through cooking. Remove the bacon from the pot and drain the grease (or save it for recipes!).
How long do you cook bacon in a crock pot?
Push the saute button with a cooking time of 7 minutes After 4 minutes, or when the bacon is golden on the bottom side, flip and continue cooking for another 3 minutes or until done to your liking Once the bacon is finished cooking, remove and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain excess grease
Can you cook bacon in a pressure cooker?
Heat the Instant Pot using the saute function. While the Instant Pot is heating, cut the bacon sliced into halves. Add the bacon to the bottom of the pressure cooker. Cook the bacon in the pressure cooker for about 2-3 minutes per side. Keep an eye on the bacon so you can determine how crispy and cooked you would like the bacon.