This gammon in the slow cooker has a nice sweetness from an interesting ingredient that also helps keep it nice and tender. I could tell you to scroll down to find the answer, but I won’t! It’s Coca-Cola! Yes, cooking gammon in Coke might seem a little strange, but it works so well! This recipe is easy to make because the slow cooker does most of the work. We’ll also add a quick honey mustard glaze to give the gammon a sweet, sticky finish.
This slow-cooked gammon is very tender and sweet. Serve it on fresh bread buttered with butter, it tastes great
As a busy home cook, I love having tasty, juicy bacon on hand for quick sandwiches, salads, and cheese boards. While you can buy pre-cooked bacon ready-to-eat, I’ve found it sometimes ends up a bit dry or bland. Recently, I wondered if using a slow cooker could yield incredibly moist and flavorful homemade bacon from a fresh pork joint. After digging into the details, I’m excited to share what I learned about slow cooking bacon joint perfection.
In this article I’ll cover how to choose the right joint for the slow cooker seasoning tips, optimal cook times, resting, and serving suggestions. Let’s dive into all the info you need for tender, delicious homemade bacon made easily in the slow cooker!
Selecting The Best Bacon Joint For The Slow Cooker
For phenomenal flavor, seek out a quality pork joint labeled specifically for bacon. Pork shoulder or Boston butt also work well. Choose a 2-3 pound joint to fit in the slow cooker insert.
Opt for uncured pork if possible for a mildly salty bacon flavor. Cured pork joints contain extra salt from the curing process. If using a cured joint, reduce added salt in the seasoning or brine.
For ultimate tenderness, choose a joint with fat marbling throughout. The fat bastes the meat during slow cooking. Boneless joints cook faster, but bone-in adds extra flavor.
Seasoning And Brining Tips
To infuse the pork joint with lots of flavor, try either a simple brine or a spice rub before slow cooking.
For a brine, dissolve 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup sugar in 4 cups water. Submerge the joint for 8-12 hours. Rinse and pat dry before cooking.
For a spice rub, coat the pork in 1 tablespoon each of paprika, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Massage it into the meat.
You can also score the fat cap and stuff flavorings like garlic and herbs into the slits.
How To Slow Cook A Bacon Joint
Cooking a bacon joint in the slow cooker takes just a few easy steps for fantastic homemade results:
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Prep the joint with brine or spice rub. Leave unwrapped.
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Place the joint in the slow cooker fat-side up.
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Cook on low for 8-10 hours until fork tender.
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Drain and discard any excess liquid halfway through cooking.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temp reaches 190°F.
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Remove carefully to prevent falling apart and let rest 10 minutes.
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Slice into desired thickness and enjoy!
The low, slow cooking renders flavorful fat and results in tender, juicy meat.
Determining The Optimal Cook Time
To ensure your bacon joint cooks through without drying out, follow these time guidelines:
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2 lb boneless joint: Cook 8 hours
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3 lb boneless joint: Cook 9 hours
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2 lb bone-in joint: Cook 10 hours
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3 lb bone-in joint: Cook 10-12 hours
Check for doneness with a thermometer before removing. If undercooked, simmer on low up to 2 hours longer.
Let It Rest Before Slicing
Once your bacon joint is cooked, resist cutting in right away. Letting it rest prevents juices from spilling out.
Simply remove the joint from the slow cooker to a cutting board. Cover with foil for 10-15 minutes before slicing. The bacon will stay hot and become easier to carve.
For clean slices, use an electric knife or sharp carving knife. Slice across the grain into your desired thickness.
Tantalizing Ways To Serve Slow Cooker Bacon
Homemade bacon straight from the slow cooker offers incredible versatility in the kitchen. Here are some tasty serving suggestions:
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Crisp up slices in a skillet for breakfast or BLTs.
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Dice and add to soups, beans or potato dishes.
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Wrap around scallops, shrimp or chicken before roasting.
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Crumble over salads for a smoky topping.
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Layer on sandwiches or burgers for a flavor boost.
With minimal effort, the slow cooker transforms a fresh pork joint into delicious homemade bacon your whole family will love.
So grab a pork joint and try slow cooking your own bacon. I think you’ll find the simplicity and succulent results totally irresistible. Then get ready to enjoy tender, homemade bacon in all your favorite recipes!
How to make it
Full recipe with detailed steps in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- First, take the gammon joint out of its box and take off any butcher twine or netting that is on it.
- Set the crock pot or slow cooker on low and add the gammon. Pour in the coke and add the spices.
- Slow cook for 4. 5 hours on high or 6 hours on low.
- After that, we’ll take off the gammon, peel it, score the fat layer, and put a simple honey mustard glaze on top.
- Put it in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes at 190C (375F).
PRO TIP: Put foil on the bottom of your baking sheet so the glaze doesn’t stick to it. If it does, it will be hard to clean off later.
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Slow Cooker Gammon (Crockpot Ham) | Supergolden Bakes
FAQ
Can bacon be cooked in a slow cooker?
Can you overcook a gammon joint in the slow cooker?
Can you cook a joint of meat in a slow cooker without liquid?
Do you put water in the base of a slow cooker?
How long do you cook bacon in a slow cooker?
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.
How long do you cook a bacon joint in a slow cooker?
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.
How do you cook a gammon joint in a slow cooker?
Place the gammon joint in the slow cooker, add cola, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and pepper. Cook on high for 4.5 hours or low for 6 hours. (See Note 1) Remove from slow cooker, discard all but 2 tbsp of the cooking liquid. Place on a chopping board. Leave to cool for 10 minutes.
How do you eat a cooked bacon joint?
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.