Canadian Bacon Recipe recipe photo - Canadian Bacon Recipe by Jan

Canadian Bacon Recipe

Published: July 5, 2025 Prep Time: About 20 minutes Cook Time: 2 hours Total Time: About 2 hours 20 minutes Serves: 8 Difficulty: Medium Category: Main Course Cuisine: Canadian

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork loin
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons juniper berries
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon pink curing salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine kosher salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, juniper berries, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, pink curing salt, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
  2. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork loin.
  3. Place in a large zip-top bag and refrigerate for 7 days, turning daily.
  4. Remove from bag and rinse off excess cure.
  5. Pat dry and let air-dry for 2 hours.
  6. Preheat oven to 200°F.
  7. Place pork on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 2 hours until internal temperature reaches 150°F.
  9. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
  10. Slice thinly and serve.

Special Notes

This traditional Canadian bacon recipe creates a lean, flavorful cured meat that's perfect for breakfast or sandwiches. The combination of spices and curing salt creates the signature flavor and texture of Canadian bacon. The long curing process ensures the meat is properly preserved and flavored. This recipe is perfect for those who want to experience authentic Canadian cuisine and charcuterie making. The bacon can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The recipe requires some patience due to the curing time, but the results are worth the wait. This bacon is especially popular for its lean texture and unique flavor profile. The Canadian bacon is best served with eggs, toast, or in sandwiches.