Canadian bacon, sometimes called back bacon is a popular breakfast meat in North America. If you’ve ever had an Eggs Benedict, those round slices of ham are Canadian bacon. This cured and smoked pork is leaner than traditional bacon from the belly. It has a lovely sweet smoky flavor that makes a delicious addition to breakfast sandwiches, omelets, baked pasta, and more.
But Canadian bacon can be tricky to find in the UK. It’s not as common here as back bacon or streaky bacon. This article will cover exactly what Canadian bacon is where you can buy it and how to cook with it if you get your hands on some.
What is Canadian Bacon?
Canadian bacon comes from the lean eye of the pork loin. It’s oval shaped when sliced, with little fat striations running through it. The meat is cured, smoked, and fully cooked.
It has a deep pink color and smoky salty, slightly sweet flavor. The texture is firm but slices beautifully. Canadian bacon is much leaner than bacon from the belly or sides.
Back bacon is probably the closest equivalent product in the UK. But true Canadian bacon is smoked while back bacon usually isn’t.
Where to Buy Canadian Bacon in the UK
Canadian bacon can be challenging to find in local UK supermarkets or butcher shops. Here are some of the best places to get your hands on it:
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Online specialty shops – Check out sites like Maple from Canada that import Canadian meats.
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North American food shops – Some physical shops like Foodhall in London stock Canadian items.
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Amazon/online grocers – Large online grocers like Amazon or Musclefood sometimes carry Canadian bacon.
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Direct from farms – A few UK farms make Canadian-style bacon, like Hallsford Farm Produce.
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Butcher counters – Ask at the butcher counter in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, or M&S. Some may be able to order it in.
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Make your own – It’s possible to cure and smoke loin to make your own Canadian bacon. But this is a time-consuming process.
How to Cook with Canadian Bacon
Canadian bacon adds delicious smoky flavor to breakfast dishes:
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Fry it up with eggs – Just like a full English.
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Bake in a quiche or frittata – Dice it small and mix in.
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Wrap in pancakes or crepes – With maple syrup for a Canadian touch.
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Add to a breakfast sandwich – Pair with egg, cheese, and English muffin.
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Bake in a breakfast casserole – Combine with potatoes, veggies, and cheese.
It also works nicely in other dishes:
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Shine in a classic Eggs Benedict – The traditional choice for this brunch favorite.
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Toss in baked pasta – Dice and mix with mac and cheese or ziti.
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Layer on pizza – Adds a smoky, salty kick.
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Chop for salad topping – Provides a nice crunch and salty contrast.
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Mix into stir fries – Sauté briefly to add flavor.
Because it’s fully cooked, Canadian bacon just needs to be gently warmed through before eating. Fry it lightly in a skillet or bake it for a few minutes in the oven.
Make Your Own Canadian Bacon
If you can’t find Canadian bacon for sale, it is possible to cure and smoke your own from pork loin. You’ll need:
- Pork loin
- Curing salt
- Brown sugar
- Spices like garlic, pepper, coriander
- Smoker or smoking chips
- 7-10 days
The process involves dry curing the loin, smoking it lightly, then cooking it. But this requires precise temperature and humidity control. It’s tricky to replicate the flavor and texture of commercial Canadian bacon at home.
Buying pre-made Canadian bacon is usually a lot easier! But curing your own can be a fun project for pork aficionados.
The Takeaway
Canadian bacon is a fantastic lean and smoked breakfast meat that can be hard to source in the UK. Specialty online shops, North American stores, and direct farm merchants offer the best ways to get your hands on it. The smoky salty flavor adds so much to breakfast dishes and baked pasta. While making your own is an ambitious DIY project, buying pre-made Canadian bacon is the easiest route to enjoy this bacon’s deliciousness.
Trying Every Type Of Bacon | The Big Guide | Epicurious
FAQ
Can you buy Canadian bacon in the UK?
What is Canadian bacon called in the UK?
What is the closest thing to Canadian bacon?
What do Americans call Canadian bacon?
Can You Buy British bacon in the US?
For the rest of this story, keep in mind that the terminology used here doesn’t mean you can’t buy British bacon in the US, or that Canadian bacon cannot be found anywhere else. It’s just the most common bacon for that country. American bacon is made from the belly of a pig.
Is Canadian Bacon the same as American bacon?
Despite its name, Canadian bacon is not made from the same cut as “American” or streaky bacon, which is made by salt-curing and smoking pork belly. Canadian bacon, on the other hand, is made by brining back bacon, a much leaner cut of pork that includes the loin and is sold in thin slices or cylindrical rolls.
What is Canadian bacon?
The loin is quite a tender piece of meat and is used to make Canadian style bacon, with quite a lot fat content. Even though Americans call this bacon Canadian bacon, most other countries, including Canada, will refer to it as back bacon, since the meat comes from the back of the pig.
Is Canadian bacon cured or smoked?
If Canadian bacon is cured at all, it’s usually done in a basic quick brine. Sometimes it’s smoked, though not always. In Canada, the loin is also rolled in ground yellow peas or cornmeal before being sliced, which leads to the “peameal” label often applied to Canadian bacon.