Maximizing the Shelf Life of Peameal Bacon

Peameal bacon, also known as Canadian bacon is a popular breakfast meat loved for its lean tender and lightly sweet flavor. It gets its name from the traditional coating of ground peameal (dried and crushed yellow peas) applied to the surface of the cured pork loin before being sliced. While peameal bacon is cured, knowing how to maximize its shelf life once opened is important.

How is Peameal Bacon Cured?

Traditional peameal bacon is salt-cured rather than using nitrates/nitrites like many commercial bacons today Here is the basic curing process

• Pork loins are trimmed of excess fat and soaked in a brine of salt, sugar, and spices.

• The pork cures in the brine for 5-7 days which penetrates the meat to preserve it.

• Cured pork loins are then hot smoked at low temperature to enhance flavor

• Finally, the smoked pork loin is rolled in dried, ground yellow peas which gives the iconic peameal coating.

• It is then sliced and packaged for sale.

How Long Does Peameal Bacon Last Unopened?

In its original vacuum-sealed packaging, peameal bacon can last unopened in the refrigerator for:

• 1 week past the sell-by date or about 2-4 weeks total.

Once opened, the clock starts ticking faster on peameal bacon’s shelf life.

Maximizing Leftover Peameal Bacon Storage

Once exposed to air, leftover peameal bacon has a shorter shelf life. Follow these tips for best quality and safety:

Refrigeration

• Store opened peameal bacon sealed in its original packaging in the coldest part of the refrigerator, ideally at 40°F or below.

• If repackaging, wrap tightly in plastic wrap pressing out as much air as possible. This prevents drying out.

• Use within 5-7 days for optimal flavor and texture.

Freezing

• For longer storage, freeze extra peameal bacon.

• Slice bacon before freezing for easy defrosting portions later.

• Wrap slices in plastic wrap, pressing out air, then place in airtight freezer bag.

• Frozen properly, peameal bacon lasts 2-3 months.

• Thaw refrigerated overnight before use.

Storage Do’s and Don’ts

• DO keep peameal bacon refrigerated at all times after opening.

• DO wrap peameal tightly to prevent freezer burn if freezing.

• DON’T store peameal bacon at room temperature.

• DON’T refreeze thawed peameal bacon. Discard if thawed over 24 hours.

How Can You Tell It’s Gone Bad?

With proper refrigerated storage, peameal bacon stays fresh 5-7 days. However, there are signs that indicate spoiled bacon:

• Slimy texture and foul, rancid smell

• Grayish brown color

• Visible mold growth

• Drying out, hard texture

• Unusual stickiness or tackiness

Trust your senses. If in doubt, throw it out!

Storing Cooked Peameal Bacon

For cooked peameal bacon leftovers:

• Let cool before refrigerating in a covered container.

• Use within 3-4 days for best quality.

• Reheat fully when ready to consume.

The Best Ways to Use Peameal Bacon

Beyond eating it straight, try these tasty ways to use peameal bacon before it spoils:

• Breakfast sandwiches

• Chopped in potato hash

• Baked peameal-wrapped scallops

• Peameal carbonara

• Grilled peameal BLT

• Peameal caesar salad topping

• Peameal bacon jam

• Peameal lardon stewed greens

With proper storage, you can maximize leftover peameal bacon’s shelf life. Pay close attention for any signs of spoilage and when in doubt, play it safe by tossing it out. Follow these tips to fully enjoy delicious peameal bacon before it expires.