11 Greatest Prosciutto Substitutes (+ PHOTOS)

Prosciutto is a sweet, salty ham that is typically served raw. Crudo and Cotto are the two forms of prosciutto; the former is salty and uncooked but safe to eat, while the latter is served cooked. Since prosciutto is a particularly savory product, it may be utilized in a variety of cuisines and meals.

So what if you have a need for prosciutto but can’t get it? However, there are several fantastic prosciutto replacements that you may use to get the rich flavor and powerful taste of prosciutto.

Prosciutto replacements include Jamn Serrano, Ham, Culatello, Pancetta, Bacon, Beef Bresaola, Salami, Cheese, and others.

Several of these alternatives are also perfect for those who don’t eat pig but want a nice prosciutto replacement with the same texture.

What Is Prosciutto?

Prosciutto (pro-SHOO-toh) is a salty, sweet, dry-cured Italian ham that is often thinly sliced and eaten raw. This form is called as prosciutto Crudo in Italy, and it differs greatly from cooked ham, prosciutto Cotto.

It’s important to note that prosciutto has a high fat content. An ounce of prosciutto contains approximately 3.5g of fat, with 1g of saturated fat. Unfortunately, saturated fat is harmful to the human heart and raises the level of bad cholesterol.

This is one of the main reasons why people are continuously looking for the finest prosciutto replacements.

Let’s take a short look at the most common prosciutto substitutes:

Substitutes For Prosciutto

1. Jamón Serrano

Jamn serrano, commonly known as Serrano ham or Spanish ham, is a rich, dark cured meat with a deep and nutty taste and fragrance that may be used in place of prosciutto in a variety of cuisines.

Jamn serrano, on the other hand, lacks the salty flavor of prosciutto since it does not require a lot of salt during the curing process, which lasts over a year.

Its extensive curing procedure and spices give this cured beef a unique taste that is less salty than prosciutto yet robust enough to add flavor to your meal.

If you want to make a meal less salty without sacrificing taste, add jamn serrano to any recipe that calls for prosciutto. It may also be eaten on its own or in combination with fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese, seafood, and bread.

2. Culatello

This is an Italian cured meat that is produced in the same manner as prosciutto, making it an excellent replacement. Cuatello, on the other hand, is sliced straight from the thigh muscle, making it a lean cut as opposed to prosciutto, which includes a little amount of fat.

Nonetheless, since culatello is so flavorful, you only need a little bit to make a fantastic meal. It has a characteristic winey flavor since it is cured with salt, pepper, garlic, and dry white wine.

Culatello may be served as an appetizer with fruits such as cantaloupe and watermelon. It may also be used on a charcuterie board with cream and hard cheese, added to spaghetti, and sprinkled on top of pizza or any other meal for a rich, savory taste.

3. Ham

In terms of taste, ham is closest to prosciutto. In truth, in Italy, ham just implies prosciutto, while in the rest of the globe, ham may refer to a variety of goods.

Ham has a tart, unique flavor that may be enhanced by combining it with other components such as honey-glazed vegetables and cheese.

There are other varieties of ham that may be replaced for prosciutto, including smoky ham, black forest ham seasoned with blueberries and garlic, and honey ham, which has a sweet taste.

Ham is more delicious than prosciutto, so use it in salads or sandwiches where more saltiness is desired.

4. Bacon

Bacon is another prosciutto replacement that may be consumed raw or cooked. Bacon is a salt-cured hog flesh with a delicious, somewhat smokey flavor.

There are several sorts of bacon based on the meat cut, but thinly sliced smoked bacon works well as a replacement for prosciutto in a variety of meals.

When eaten raw, bacon tastes like a fattier form of prosciutto, and it may be served on its own, in a savory meal, wrapped around a piece of fruit, or used to make a dessert.

Bacon has a similar feel to prosciutto and is quite versatile.

5. Pancetta

Pancetta is a salt-cured pig belly meat that is also known as Italian bacon. Pancetta tastes similar to bacon but lacks the smokey flavor.

It has a comparable savory flavor to prosciutto, making it a perfect replacement for dishes that call for a zesty, robust flavor. To enhance the flavor of a salad, pizza, or stuffing, thinly slice pancetta and add it.

Because pancetta is only cured, it cannot be eaten raw; unlike prosciutto, which is salt-cured and air-dried, it must be cooked before consumption.

So, if you want to use pancetta in a salad or a cold sandwich, it must be cooked first and cooled before being combined with the other ingredients.

6. Salami

Salami is traditionally made of pork meat, but there are also varieties made of beef or poultry that can be used as a non-pork substitute for prosciutto.

Salami is an Italian air-dried cured meat that, like prosciutto, has a bold and tasty flavor due to the fermentation of sausages.

Salami is an excellent addition to any recipe due to the flavor of the fermented sausages and the spices used in the curing process.

Salami comes in a variety of flavors, including sweet, savory, and spicy. So, when substituting salami for prosciutto, make sure to use the appropriate alternative that will enhance the flavors in your dish.

7. Beef Bresaola

Beef bresaola is a delicious non-pork substitute for prosciutto that can be used in any recipe that calls for prosciutto and you don’t like or can’t eat pork for any reason. Beef bresaola is an Italian air-dried meat that is aged for about two months.

The meat turns dark red with age and develops a sweet, musty, and slightly nutty flavor. Bresaola is a cleaner cut with a milder flavor than prosciutto.

Bresaola is typically served chilled with olive oil and cheese, crackers, and arugula or other greens. You can also use it as a pizza topping or add it to a sauce.

8. Duck Prosciutto

Duck prosciutto is salt-cured duck meat, similar to pig prosciutto. Duck prosciutto is a fully flavored meat that can taste a little porky, despite the fact that no pork is used in its preparation.

Cured duck breast can be used in sandwiches or served with crackers when thinly sliced like prosciutto. It has a strong taste that complements other sweet components such as cherry preserves, pickled raisins, and fig chutney.

You only need a small amount of duck prosciutto to enhance the flavor of any dish. To add more taste and richness, cut duck prosciutto into tiny pieces and sprinkle on top of a salad or integrate into a dish.

9. Cheese

Prosciutto may also be replaced with cheese and served with bread and crackers. To substitute prosciutto, use a hard-aged cheese such as Romano, Swiss, or Asiago to generate a strong taste that pairs well with the rest of the components in the dish.

As an appetizer, cheese works well in place of prosciutto. Serve with a slice of your favorite cheese on a cracker; you can also serve it with a slice of melon.

Cheese is a versatile ingredient that may be used to enhance the taste of salads and pasta meals.

10. Toasted Nuts

Toasted almonds or walnuts may be used as a vegan or vegetarian replacement for prosciutto. When salted and roasted, these nuts provide a distinctive taste to foods such as risotto, spaghetti, and salads.

You may add paprika to your nuts for even more flavor. Toasted nuts may also be sprinkled on top of pizza or served with cheese on a cheese platter.

11. Mushrooms

Mushrooms have a strong umami taste, making them an excellent vegan or vegetarian replacement for prosciutto.

Cook mushrooms until caramelized and add to any baked dish where prosciutto is called for to add a unique flavor and richness.

Because of their meaty and rich texture, portobello and shiitake mushrooms are often utilized in baked cuisines.

You may use mushrooms for prosciutto in your pasta, pizza, or salad; it will bring the tastes of the meal together if properly seasoned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can prosciutto be eaten raw?

Sure, if the prosciutto is dry-cured, you may eat it raw, but only for Crudo prosciutto. The second sort of prosciutto (Cotto) cannot be eaten raw since it is a smoked and cooked ham.

Does prosciutto smell bad?

No, prosciutto does not have to smell unpleasant; rather, it should have a porky, salty, and somewhat sweet aroma.

What meat is similar to prosciutto?

Other meats that are comparable to prosciutto include guanciale, pancetta, mortadella, speck, and salami.

What ham is similar to prosciutto?

Culatello is a sort of ham prepared from the filet or loin of the hind leg, comparable to prosciutto; it originated in Parma, Italy.

Can Canadian bacon be substituted for prosciutto?

No! Canadian bacon may be used in place of pancetta, but it cannot be used in place of prosciutto.

What can I use instead of prosciutto in beef Wellington?

Turkish ham may be used in lieu of prosciutto in beef Wellington.

What is a non-pork substitute for prosciutto?

The following questions should be asked: Is there a non-pork option for prosciutto? There is, indeed. Chicken and turkey bacon are the greatest non-pork alternatives to prosciutto. You may produce your own seasoning and then blend it with the meat to obtain the flavor of prosciutto.

Can I substitute pancetta for prosciutto?

Sure, you may use pancetta in instead of the prosciutto. Pancetta may easily be substituted with salt pork or unsmoked lean bacon.

Is Serrano ham like prosciutto?

Sure, Serrano ham resembles Italian prosciutto. The sole distinction is that serrano ham is often manufactured from a particular pig breed, which is a landrace white pig.

What is the difference between culatello and Prosciutto?

Both culatello and prosciutto are made from mature swine grown in northern Italy. Culatello, on the other hand, is constructed entirely of thigh muscles, while Prosciutto is composed entirely of rind and fat, with the bone giving it its distinctive shape.

Conclusion | Prosciutto Substitutes

If you’re looking for the finest prosciutto replacements, there are many options that give the same taste or a little different flavor with a comparable texture as prosciutto.

Jamn serrano is the closest replacement for prosciutto and may be used in practically any dish.

Keep in mind that some of these options may lack the saltiness of prosciutto, so you may need to season the meal more, but you may still obtain the same savory taste as you would with prosciutto.

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