Does Uncured Canadian Bacon Need To Be Cooked? The Complete Guide

Canadian bacon, sometimes called back bacon or peameal bacon, is a popular breakfast meat loved for its lean, ham-like flavor Unlike regular bacon made from pork belly, Canadian bacon comes from the lean eye of pork loin. It gets its name from being originally produced in Canada.

Canadian bacon is usually sold pre-cooked or “fully cooked” so it just needs to be heated up before eating But some types of Canadian bacon are sold “uncured” or not fully cooked. This leaves many wondering if uncured Canadian bacon needs to be fully cooked before eating.

In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking uncured Canadian bacon including

• What is uncured Canadian bacon?
• Does uncured Canadian bacon need cooking?
• Food safety issues with uncured meats
• How to tell if Canadian bacon is pre-cooked
• Tips for cooking uncured Canadian bacon
• Temperatures for cooking Canadian bacon
• How long to cook Canadian bacon
• Best cooking methods for Canadian bacon
• Can you eat uncured Canadian bacon raw?
• Storing and reheating leftovers

What Is Uncured Canadian Bacon?

Traditional Canadian bacon is cured before being smoked or cooked. Curing involves preserving meat in a salt brine, which adds flavor and preserves the meat.

Uncured Canadian bacon (also called nitrate-free) is not cured or is minimally cured. It has no or very low levels of curing agents like sodium nitrite. Many brands now offer uncured options due to consumer demand for no nitrates or nitrites.

Uncured Canadian bacon has a slightly different flavor, color, and texture from cured. Since it lacks nitrates/nitrites, it will be a natural pink and not bright pink. The flavor also comes just from the pork without curing agents.

Uncured Canadian bacon cooks faster than cured and has a shorter shelf life. It must be kept refrigerated to prevent bacteria growth.

Does Uncured Canadian Bacon Need Cooking?

Yes, uncured Canadian bacon does require thorough cooking before eating.

While cured Canadian bacon is safely “pre-cooked” or fully cooked during processing, uncured is raw. Uncured Canadian bacon contains active bacteria and must reach safe temperatures to kill pathogens before consumption.

Cooking uncured meats like Canadian bacon destroys potentially harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. Coli, Staph, and Listeria, which can cause food poisoning.

So always cook uncured Canadian bacon, even if the package says “ready to eat.” Thorough cooking is vital for food safety.

Food Safety With Uncured Meats

Consuming undercooked or raw uncured meats can lead to foodborne illness. Here are some food safety tips with uncured Canadian bacon:

• Always check the label to see if your Canadian bacon is cured, uncured, or ready to eat. Don’t assume.

• Cook uncured Canadian bacon to 160°F minimum internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.

• Prevent cross-contamination by separating raw bacon from other foods, using different cutting boards, washing hands after handling.

• Refrigerate promptly and use within 4-7 days or freeze for longer storage.

While cured meats use nitrites to control bacteria, uncured meats rely fully on proper cooking, refrigeration, and handling to stay safe. So take care when cooking.

How To Tell If Canadian Bacon Is Pre-Cooked

Since cooking method depends on whether your Canadian bacon is cured, pre-cooked or raw, you first need to determine which you have:

• Read the package – Labels should state clearly if the Canadian bacon is cured, uncured, fully cooked or ready to eat. Don’t assume.

• Check the color – Pre-cooked Canadian bacon is bright pink due to curing. Uncured is a natural pink or beige color.

• Look for instructions – Pre-cooked products say ready to eat or heat before eating. Uncured will instruct you to fully cook.

• Ask the retailer – If unclear from package, ask the butcher or retailer if it’s cured, cooked, or needs cooking.

When in doubt, cook the Canadian bacon thoroughly before consuming to 160°F minimum internal temperature.

Tips For Cooking Uncured Canadian Bacon

If you’ve verified your Canadian bacon is uncured and raw, here are some tips for safe cooking:

• Cook to 160°F internal temperature measured with a food thermometer. This kills any potential bacteria.

• Choose moist cooking methods like pan-frying, baking, or boiling. Dry heat can dry out uncured bacon.

• Preheat pans or oven to ensure complete cooking versus just browning the surface.

• Cut Canadian bacon into smaller, uniform pieces so it cooks evenly.

• Allow extra cooking time for thick slices or whole pork loins. They take longer to reach 160°F.

• Turn frequently while pan-frying to prevent burning or undercooking unevenly.

• Bake in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes total for full thickness cooking.

Always verify doneness with a thermometer for food safety. Uncured pork should not be pink inside when fully cooked.

Safe Internal Temperatures For Cooking Canadian Bacon

These are the recommended safe minimum internal temperatures for Canadian bacon:

• Fresh: Cook to 160°F
• Frozen: Cook to 165°F
• Pre-cooked: Reheat to 140°F

Aim for these temperatures in the thickest part of the Canadian bacon to ensure any bacteria has been destroyed.

A good digital food thermometer is essential for accurately checking temperatures of cooked meats. Thermometers eliminate the guesswork and help prevent foodborne illnesses.

How Long To Cook Uncured Canadian Bacon

Cooking times for uncured Canadian bacon depend on thickness and cooking method. Here are general guidelines:

• Pan-fried:
• Thin sliced – 2 minutes per side
• Thick sliced – 4-5 minutes per side
• Baked:
• Slice or chop – 10-15 minutes at 375°F
• Whole loin – 25-30 minutes at 375°F
• Boiled:
• Slices – 3-5 minutes
• Loin – 15-20 minutes

The food thermometer, not time, is the best test for doneness. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F in all areas. Check temperature in several spots.

Allow 5-10 minutes of resting time after cooking for the temperature to evenly distribute. The temperature may rise another 5°F.

Best Cooking Methods For Canadian Bacon

You can use moist or dry heat methods to cook uncured Canadian bacon. Here are some top cooking methods:

• Pan-frying: Quickly browns the exterior while heating the interior. Use medium heat with a bit of oil. Flip frequently to prevent burning.

• Baking: Heats Canadian bacon evenly all the way through in the oven. Prevent drying out by using a baking sheet.

• Boiling: Simmering gently cooks uncured bacon while keeping it moist. Slice boiled bacon for sandwiches or dice for salads.

• Grilling: Gets nice char marks when cooked over direct heat. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

• Microwaving: Quick but can lead to uneven cooking. Use 30% power and flip a few times. Verify doneness.

Always let Canadian bacon rest 5 minutes after cooking before eating. The temperature and moisture will distribute better.

Can You Eat Uncured Canadian Bacon Raw?

It’s not recommended to eat uncured Canadian bacon completely raw.

As discussed, uncured pork can contain harmful bacteria that cause food poisoning. Cooking destroys these pathogens for food safety.

However, you can eat Canadian bacon cured and smoked without cooking it. The curing process makes it safe.

So confirm whether your Canadian bacon is actually cured or uncured. Only eat cured Canadian bacon without cooking. It’s risky consuming raw uncured pork.

Storing And Reheating Leftover Canadian Bacon

Here are some tips for storing cooked Canadian bacon:

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in shallow airtight containers. Use within 3-4 days.

• Frozen cooked Canadian bacon keeps for 2-3 months. Freeze slices separately so they don’t stick.

• When reheating, cook to 165°F or until steaming hot. Use the microwave, pan, oven or boil.

• Bring refrigerated bacon to room temperature before reheating for more even heating.

• Don’t keep reheated Canadian bacon at room temperature for more than 2 hours total.

Proper storage and reheating are important for enjoying leftovers safely and preventing foodborne illness.

The Takeaway On Cooking Uncured Canadian Bacon

While cured Canadian bacon can be eaten right out of the package, uncured varieties require thorough cooking to 160°F internal temperature before they’re safe to eat.

Always verify whether your Canadian bacon is pre-cooked or raw. Check the label, color, and packaging directions carefully. When in doubt, cook it.

Cooking uncured meats like Canadian bacon destroys harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. So fire up your frying pan, oven, or skillet and cook your bacon! Then you can safely enjoy the savory Canadian bacon flavor.