What Is Canadian Bacon?

Canadian bacon is made from cured and smoked pork loin—which is much leaner than the pork belly used to make American bacon. Canadian bacon is closer to mild ham than it is to assertive American bacon. It is fully cooked and can be eaten directly out of the package—although most cooks like to warm it in a skillet before eating it. It's the traditional choice of meat for eggs Benedict and for a famous American fast-food sandwich.

The bottom line:  American bacon comes from fatty pork belly and is assertively seasoned with salt and sugar before being smoked. Canadian bacon is made from lean pork loin and is much milder.