How to Cook a Bacon Joint in the Slow Cooker for Tender, Juicy Results

Cooking a bacon joint in the slow cooker is one of the easiest ways to prepare this delicious cut of meat A bacon joint, also known as a gammon joint or ham joint, refers to the hind leg of a pig that has been cured through brining, smoking, or dry-salting. The slow cooking method allows the bacon joint to become incredibly tender and infused with flavor

Benefits of Using a Slow Cooker

There are several advantages to using a slow cooker for a bacon joint

• Requires minimal preparation and easy cleanup. Simply throw in the ingredients and let it cook.

• Perfect for set-it-and-forget-it cooking. You can let it cook safely unattended for hours.

• Tenderizes cheaper, tougher cuts of meat like bacon joints. The long cooking time breaks down collagen.

• Infuses the meat with lots of moisture and flavor from the surrounding liquid.

• Provides even, consistent heating that won’t burn or dry out the meat.

• Keeps the kitchen cool by not using the oven or stove. Great for hot days!

• Allows you to conveniently cook a large joint to feed a crowd.

Choosing a Bacon Joint

When selecting a bacon joint for the slow cooker, keep the following tips in mind:

• Choose a boneless or rolled joint between 2-3 kg (4-7 lbs) to fit most slow cookers. Bone-in joints can also work.

• Opt for a medium smoked or unsmoked joint depending on your preference. The smokiness will become more pronounced.

• Look for good marbling throughout the meat for juiciness. Avoid joints with large fat pockets.

• Go for the best quality, free-range pork you can find within your budget.

Ingredients for Flavorful Bacon Joint

• Bacon joint: The star of the dish! Choose a size that fits your slow cooker.

• Onions: Provides aromatics and flavor. Roughly chop 1-2 onions.

• Carrots: Another aromatic and adds sweetness. Roughly chop 2-3 carrots.

• Garlic: Minced or crushed garlic amps up flavor. Add 2-4 cloves.

• Fresh herbs: Rosemary, sage, thyme, or bay leaves work well. Add a few sprigs or 1-2 teaspoons dried.

• Liquid: Chicken or vegetable stock, apple juice, ginger ale, cola, wine, or water. Use 1-2 cups.

• Spices and seasonings: Pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, mustard, Worcestershire sauce etc.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for foolproof slow cooker bacon joint:

1. Prepare the bacon joint: Pat dry and trim off excess fat or skin. Score the fat in a criss-cross pattern.

2. Sear (optional): Quickly brown the joint on all sides in a pan with oil to add color and flavor.

3. Add to slow cooker: Place seared joint in cooker and add prepared veggies, herbs, liquid, and seasonings.

4. Cover and cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours.

5. Make glaze: Whisk together glaze ingredients like brown sugar, honey, jams, mustard, vinegar, etc.

6. Brush with glaze: Remove joint from cooker, brush with glaze, and broil to caramelize.

7. Rest and serve: Let rest 10-15 minutes before carving and serving. Enjoy!

Choosing Flavorful Accompaniments

Bacon joint pairs beautifully with various flavors. Consider serving it with:

• Roasted or mashed potatoes

• Glazed carrots or parsnips

• Roasted Brussel sprouts or broccoli

• Cranberry sauce or baked apples

• Gravy or onion jam

• Yorkshire pudding or stuffing

• Fresh bread rolls or biscuits

Expert Tips and FAQs

• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Pork should reach 60 ̊C. The joint should shred easily with a fork.

• Let the joint rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicier results.

• Add 15-20 minutes cook time per 500g over 2 kg. Joints larger than 3 kg do best in the oven.

• Lay foil or a paper towel beneath to catch drips. Add water if liquid evaporates.

• For glazes, balance sweetness with acidity. Honey mustard, brown sugar balsamic, or maple Dijon work.

• Bacon joints pair well with sweet or tart flavors. Avoid overpowering with other strong spices.

Get Creative with Leftovers

Leftover bacon joint makes fantastic meals all week long. Some delicious ways to use up leftovers include:

• Bacon and egg breakfast tacos or sandwiches

• Bacon joint ramen or pasta dishes

• Diced in fried rice, beans, soups, or omelets

• Bacon joint hash with potatoes and veggies

• Pulled bacon sandwiches with BBQ sauce

• Bacon-wrapped jalapenos or bacon-wrapped chicken

• Cobb or wedge salad topped with bacon crumbles

With minimal effort, you can enjoy incredibly moist, fall-apart tender bacon joint cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. Follow this simple guide for foolproof results every time.