Pancetta vs Bacon: What’s the Difference?
Updated: Jul. 19, 2023
Is there a difference between pancetta vs bacon? We'll help you know when you can substitute one for the other.
Bacon and its Italian cousin, pancetta, really do make everything better. These cured pork belly products add deep, rich flavor to almost any recipe, from breakfast to pasta, vegetable dishes, casseroles and everything in between. But is one type of bacon better than the other, and can you get away with making substitutions? We break down everything you need to know about pancetta vs bacon.
What Is Pancetta?
Pancetta is an Italian, salt-cured meat made from pork belly. It’s often seasoned with herbs and spices like garlic, black peppercorns and bay leaves. The cure uses pink salt (or sodium nitrite) to turn the meat a distinctive, bright-red color. The belly is then rolled into a log and hung to dry for several weeks. Because it’s not smoked, pancetta has a pure, savory flavor that’s reminiscent of bacon but deeper and richer.
You can enjoy pancetta raw, although it’s usually cooked. Look for thinly-sliced pancetta and use it in place of prosciutto on a charcuterie platter. Those thin slices are also perfect for making pancetta-wrapped shrimp, an elegant alternative to traditional bacon-wrapped seafood appetizers.
To cook with pancetta, it’s best to cut it into small cubes. Depending on where you buy it, it may come pre-chopped. Crisp it up in a little cooking oil before adding veggies like peas or Brussels sprouts to create a tasty side dish. You can also bake it to make breakfast casseroles or add it to classic pasta dishes like carbonara or spaghetti All’Amatriciana. Don’t be afraid to use it to infuse fantastic flavors into soups, stews or bean dishes, either.
What Is Bacon?
Bacon is also made from pork belly, and it’s cured with salt, spices and sometimes sugar. After five days to a week, the bacon is removed from the cure and rinsed to remove any excess salt. It’s then smoked for a few hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F. This gives it a smoky flavor that’s missing from pancetta.
Unlike pancetta, it’s not safe to eat raw bacon, so it must be cooked first. If you’re lucky enough to find slab bacon, you can cut it to your desired thickness. Thick-sliced bacon is great for making glazed bacon, or for cutting into lardons (matchstick pieces cut to approximately 1/4 inch by 1 inch). Lardons are ideal for pasta dishes, slow cooker recipes or being crisped up and used as a pizza topping.
Thinly-sliced bacon is better suited for serving on its own or making bacon-wrapped recipes like meatloaf or jalapeno poppers. These thin slices are also the easiest way to make a bacon lattice.
When to Use Pancetta vs Bacon
If you can’t find pancetta, it’s almost always OK to substitute bacon for pancetta. Alternatively, you can substitute pancetta in recipes that call for bacon lardons. The two have very similar textures and flavors since they’re both made from pork belly, although bacon has a heavier, smokier flavor. If your recipe calls for raw pancetta or thinly sliced pancetta, it’s best to use prosciutto as a substitute. Learn how to make crispy pork belly.
How to Get Your Bacon Fix
Orange-Glazed BaconJust when you thought bacon couldn't get any tastier, our Test Kitchen staff whipped up this tasty recipe starring the favorite breakfast meat drizzled with a sweet orange glaze. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Pressure-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Ale DipMy tangy, smoky dip won the top prize at our office party recipe contest. Use whatever beer you like, but steer clear of dark varieties. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Bacon Avocado SaladEveryone in my family loves this bacon and avocado salad—even the younger kids! I serve it at pretty much every get-together I've hosted, and at this point, the recipe's been shared too many times to count. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut
Bacon Parmesan PopoversThis recipe proves that simple ingredients often result in the best-tasting dishes. These popovers are a nice change from ordinary toast or muffins. —Donna Gaston, Coplay, Pennsylvania
BLT Twice-Baked PotatoesTwo favorites go together in this hearty dish: BLTs and twice-baked potatoes. I like to serve these potatoes with grilled steaks or barbecued chicken. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois
BBQ Chicken BitesChicken bites wrapped in bacon get a kick from Montreal seasoning and sweetness from barbecue sauce. We love the mix of textures. —Kathryn Dampier, Quail Valley, California
Bacon Cream Cheese PinwheelsIt's hard to resist a crescent roll, bacon and cream cheese in one bite! Kids, friends, everyone will scarf these cream cheese pinwheels down. Now I bake a double batch whenever we have a get-together. —Krista Munson, Sharpsburg, Kentucky
Bacon Quiche TartsFlavored with vegetables, cheese and bacon, these memorable morsels are bound to be winners at any brunch. The tarts are impressive but also quite easy to make. For garnish, sprinkle on some chopped green onion.
—Kendra Schertz, Nappanee, Indiana
Bacon-Wrapped ChickenTender chicken gets a special treatment when spread with a creamy filling and wrapped with tasty bacon strips. This easy bacon-wrapped chicken recipe is frequently requested by my bunch. —MarlaKaye Skinner, Tucson, Arizona
Dutch Oven Cheesy Bacon & EggsFor campouts, my sister and I escape on horseback into the woods. We make this Dutch oven breakfast casserole the first morning, then love the leftovers for the rest of the trip. —Mary Burris, Okeechobee, Florida
Crunchy Bacon Blue Cheese Red Pepper Brussels SproutsThis is my family's absolute favorite dish on my holiday table. What's not to love with the mixed aroma of garlic, onions, bacon, and blue cheese floating through your home? —Jana Gooding, Carlsbad, California
Sheet-Pan Eggs and Bacon BreakfastI saw this sheet-pan eggs and bacon recipe on social media and decided to re-create it. It was a huge hit! Use any cheeses and spices you like—you can even try seasoned potatoes. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Bacon Cabbage Stir-FryFor a flavorful side dish, try this fried cabbage and bacon. It's not only delicious, but fast to fix when you need to get dinner on the table quickly. —Lori Thompson, New London, Texas
Gentleman's Whiskey Bacon JamBacon's not just for breakfast or for slipping in a BLT. Turn this salty treat into a jam and spread it on everything from crackers to burger buns! Not sure which brand of bacon to buy? Check out the brands our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend.
Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato PizzaI combine two all-time favorites in this recipe: pizza and BLT sandwiches. I brought this fun mashup to a ladies lunch and was met with lots of oohs and aahs. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Easy Glazed BaconBrown sugar, mustard and wine make bacon a little more special in this recipe. It's easy to prepare while working on the rest of the meal. —Judith Dobson, Burlington, Wisconsin
Stuffed Sweet Onions with BaconThis unexpected side dish is perfect to serve alongside grilled steak or pork chops. Even if you're not an onion fan, the low heat and long cooking time of this dish mellows and sweetens the sometimes sharp raw onion flavors that many dislike.—Erin Chilcoat, Smithtown, New York
Parmesan-Bacon Bubble BreadWhen I needed to put some leftover bread dough to good use, I started with a recipe I often use for bubble bread and substituted savory ingredients for the sweet. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas
Bacon and Eggs CasseroleBecause it's fast to fix and such a great hit with family and friends, this egg casserole with bacon is a favorite of mine to make for brunches. Served with a fruit salad, hot muffins and croissants, it's excellent for an after-church meal. —Deanna Durward-Orr, Windsor, Ontario
Hasselback Tomato ClubsThis no-fuss, no-bread riff on a classic is perfect during tomato season. Make it for lunch or pair it with pasta salad for a light dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Crunchy Lemon-Pesto Garden SaladI love using fresh vegetables straight from the garden to prepare this salad. If I pick the squash and cucumbers early enough, their skins are so tender that there's no need to remove them! Best yet, the salad is easily adaptable—any fresh veggie from the garden can be put in with delicious results. —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah
Black-Eyed Peas with BaconA real Southern favorite, black-eyed peas are traditionally served on New Year's Day to bring good luck. The bacon and thyme in my mom’s recipe make them extra special. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Apple, Cheddar & Bacon Bread PuddingI had this dish at a bridal brunch many years ago. It was so delicious that I created my own version, and this is the result. Now I make it all the time. Enjoy! —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Pear SauceI enjoy cooking for my parents, and my bacon-wrapped scallops recipe is one of their favorites. If you prefer, replace the pear preserves with preserves or jam of a different flavor. —Ethan Hall, King, North Carolina
Bacon-Sausage Quiche TartsAs a teacher, I attend many meetings and also have special celebrations with rest of the staff. The other teachers are very fond of this treat and often request that I bring it to our functions. —Jackie Milliken, Pittsboro, North Carolina
Bacon Pear Salad with Parmesan DressingThis simple salad is an elegant side dish for any menu. With a blend of fresh pears and warm, comforting flavors, it’s perfect for special meals. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Pecan BaconCrispy, sweet bacon dresses up any breakfast. When my girls see this, they call it "special breakfast." The big flavor punch just may surprise you. —Catherine Ann Goza, Charlotte, North Carolina
Originally Published: July 26, 2021
