I love peameal bacon. If I’m out to breakfast and the waiter asks if I want bacon, sausage, ham, or peameal, I almost always pick peameal bacon. Not only does this cut of meat taste great, but it is also better for you than regular bacon. Peameal bacon slices is just amazing on eggs benedict. So good!.
A peameal bacon roast makes for an incredibly delicious and easy main course to cook up on the barbecue. This Canadian specialty features a boneless pork loin that is rolled in cornmeal, giving it a signature crumbly texture and sweetness. The roast looks beautiful when sliced and tastes even better!
While you can bake a peameal bacon roast in the oven grilling it on the barbecue helps create a smoky depth of flavor. The roast will become irresistibly moist and tender during its time over the hot grill. Served alongside some maple syrup for drizzling it’s sure to be a new favorite summer meal.
Ingredients Needed
To bbq a peameal bacon roast you’ll need
- 1 boneless pork loin roast, about 3-4 lbs
- 1⁄4 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp each salt and pepper
- Maple syrup, for basting and serving
- Apple wood chips, for smoke flavor (optional)
The roast is first coated in a simple cornmeal coating seasoned with salt, pepper and brown sugar. Maple syrup adds sweetness when basting the roast while grilling. Apple wood smoke also pairs amazingly well for extra flavor.
Step 1: Prepare the Roast
Start by trimming any excess fat or silver skin off the surface of the pork loin. Then, make shallow slits across the top side of the roast, spacing them about 1 inch apart. This helps the roast absorb the flavors better.
In a shallow dish, mix together the cornmeal, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Roll the pork loin in the coating until it is evenly covered all over. Press gently so the coating adheres.
Step 2: Preheat Your BBQ
While the roast sits, preheat your barbecue to around 375°F. For charcoal grills, let the coals burn until covered with gray ash. For gas models, turn all burners to high for 10-15 minutes before lowering heat to medium-high.
If using wood chips for extra smoke, soak apple wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Then, drain chips and scatter over hot coals just before grilling.
Step 3: Roast Over Indirect Heat
The peameal bacon needs to cook low and slow next to the heat, not directly over it. This allows the interior to cook through gently without burning the outside.
With all burners on medium-high, place roast in a disposable foil pan in the center of the grill grates. Position pan over unlit burners or coals, keeping it away from direct heat.
Close the barbecue lid to allow roast to cook in the ambient heat. Baste all over with maple syrup.
Step 4: Grill for 1-1.5 Hours
Let the peameal bacon roast gently cook over indirect heat for 60-90 minutes. half hour, open the grill and baste again with more maple syrup. This helps form a beautifully caramelized, candied crust.
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check interior temperature. You want the roast to reach 145°F internally when done.
If the outside seems to be browning too fast, tent foil loosely over the roast while cooking to prevent burning.
Step 5: Allow Roast to Rest
Once fully cooked, carefully remove roast from the grill and transfer to a cutting board. Lightly tent with foil and allow meat to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
This resting time allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat. Then, carve roast into 1⁄2 inch thick slices.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Arrange gorgeous roast slices on a platter and drizzle with more maple syrup. Serve alongside classic barbecue sides like:
- Maple baked beans
- Corn on the cob
- Tomato and cucumber salad
- Potato wedges
- Cornbread muffins
Dip slices in the maple syrup and dig in! The cornmeal coating gets perfectly crisp on the outside while the pork stays wonderfully moist inside.
Extra Delicious Tips
-substitute brown sugar for pure maple syrup when basting if needed.
- If grill doesn’t have indirect heat area, use a grill basket.
- Add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme under cornmeal coating.
- Use leftover slices to make amazing sandwiches.
- Swap in Cajun seasoning for a kicked-up coating.
- Shred and toss with bbq sauce for pulled pork sandwiches.
With minimal prep, you can make an incredibly tasty grilled dinner using a peameal bacon roast. The sweet maple flavor pairs perfectly with the smoky kisses of grill heat. Just beware – this roast will go fast once that first irresistible slice hits the plate!
How To Prep A Peameal Bacon Roast
Place the roast in a baking dish with the skin side facing up. Take a sharp knife to score the top of the pork roast. I like to make cuts into the meat about 1/2 inch deep. The top of the roast should have squares cut into it. Cut in one direction and then at a 90-degree angle.
Tip: Cutting these holes in the meat isn’t necessary for cooking, but I like it that way because it lets the maple syrup’s sweetness soak into the meat.
Peameal Bacon: Whole Roast vs Sliced
I like to fry peameal bacon in a skillet most of the time, but sometimes I want it cooked as a whole roast. This is nice to serve for a large group at a breakfast or brunch meal. It’s also easy; all you have to do is prepare the meat and bake it for a few hours. Whole peameal bacon that has been roasted is nice because it is very juicy and moist. It goes well with eggs, hash browns, toast, and other breakfast foods.
Peameal Canadian Bacon Roast
How do you cook a peameal bacon roast on a grill?
Before you start cooking the peameal bacon roast, it’s important to prepare your BBQ. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re using a gas grill, turn on all burners to achieve an even temperature.
Can you cook peameal bacon on a BBQ?
If you’re using a BBQ, you’ll want to set it up for indirect heat cooking. This means that you’ll want to place your peameal bacon roast on one side of the BBQ while leaving the other side empty. This will allow for even cooking without burning or charring your meat.
How to choose a peameal bacon roast?
Peameal bacon roasts come in various sizes, so choose one that will fit on your BBQ grill and feed your guests. Secondly, look for a roast that is evenly shaped and has a good amount of cornmeal coating. This will ensure that the meat cooks evenly and has a nice crispy texture on the outside. Lastly, consider the quality of the peameal bacon.
How do you slice a peameal bacon roast?
When it’s time to slice the peameal bacon roast, make sure to use a sharp knife and cut against the grain. This will ensure that each slice is tender and easy to chew. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly cooked and rested peameal bacon roast.
How long do you cook a peameal roast?
Allow to cool slightly. Brush 1/3 of the sauce mixture over the peameal roast. Grill turning and basting often for 10 minutes or until the roast is evenly marked. Turn the burner directly under the meat off and set the remaining burners to medium-low.
Is peameal bacon good for breakfast?
Peameal bacon is one of my favourite cuts of meat for breakfast or brunch. Baking a whole peameal bacon roast in the oven is super simple and will be super moist and tender every time. I love peameal bacon.