Can Bacon Be Substituted for Pancetta? A Guide to Using Bacon in Place of Pancetta

Pancetta and bacon are two popular cured pork products used frequently in cooking While they share some similarities, there are also key differences that impact their flavor and usage So can you substitute bacon for pancetta? The short answer is yes, you can use bacon instead of pancetta in many recipes, but there are some important considerations.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about substituting bacon for pancetta, including:

• What is pancetta and how does it differ from bacon?
• Why you may want to substitute bacon for pancetta
• Tips for cooking with bacon instead of pancetta
• Recommended bacon types to use
• Recipe adjustments when swapping bacon for pancetta

Let’s dive in!

What is Pancetta and How Does it Differ From Bacon?

Pancetta and bacon actually start off quite similar – both are made from pork belly that is cured with salt, spices, and preservatives. However, the curing and cooking process is where they diverge.

Pancetta is an Italian cured pork belly product that is not smoked. It is seasoned with black pepper, spices, and sometimes garlic before being rolled into a cylindrical shape and cured for 3-4 weeks. Pancetta has a delicately hammy, salty, umami flavor. It has a soft, tender texture that can be eaten raw or cooked.

Bacon undergoes a similar curing process, but it is then cold smoked to impart a smoky flavor. American-style bacon in particular tends to be smoked quite heavily. Bacon is also typically very fatty compared to pancetta

• Pancetta: Cured, not smoked, delicately flavored
• Bacon: Cured and smoked, robust smoky flavor

This difference in smokiness and flavor intensity is the main factor to consider when substituting one for the other.

Why Substitute Bacon for Pancetta?

There are a few reasons you may want to use bacon instead of pancetta:

Availability: Pancetta is an Italian specialty ingredient that can be difficult to find depending on where you live. Bacon is ubiquitous.

Cost: Pancetta is generally more expensive than basic grocery store bacon. Substituting bacon can be a budget-friendly move.

Personal preference: Some people simply prefer the heartier flavor of smoky bacon over pancetta’s more delicate flavor.

Dietary needs: Those avoiding pork for religious or dietary reasons may have an easier time finding high-quality beef or turkey bacon as opposed to pancetta alternatives.

Tips for Cooking with Bacon Instead of Pancetta

When substituting bacon for pancetta, there are some simple techniques you can use to get the best results:

• Choose a lightly smoked bacon – go for a bacon with delicate smoke flavor rather than an overly smoky bacon, which will overwhelm the other ingredients.

• Blanch or parcook the bacon – boiling the bacon briefly, around 2-3 minutes, mellows the smoky taste.

• Reduce the amount – use 3⁄4 of the amount of bacon compared to what the recipe calls for with pancetta, as the smokiness can be quite assertive.

• Omit any smoked components – if the recipe already contains smoked ingredients like ham or smoked cheese, consider leaving them out when using bacon instead of pancetta to prevent smoky overload.

• Cook it well – fry bacon until crisp to mellow the smoke and develop the salty, meaty flavor.

• Wrap thinner – when wrapping meats with bacon instead of pancetta, use very thin slices and wrap lightly to prevent overwhelming smoky flavor.

Recommended Bacon Types for Substituting Pancetta

Not all bacon is created equal when it comes to standing in for pancetta! Look for a bacon that is lightly smoked and on the thinner, fattier side. Here are some good options:

• Pancetta-style bacon – many brands now make a bacon specifically cured and smoked like pancetta, with delicate flavor – this is the easiest swap.

• Thick-cut bacon – go for a high-quality, artisanal thick-cut bacon with light smokiness.

• Italian-style bacon – Italian bacon tends to be lightly smoked and fatty like pancetta.

• Pork belly – fresh, uncured pork belly has a mild meaty flavor like pancetta without smoke.

• Guanciale – This unsmoked, spiced Italian cured pork jowl is the closest pancetta substitute outside of pancetta-style bacon.

I’d avoid heavily smoked sliced bacon or turkey bacon, as their assertive smoky flavors will not mesh well in pancetta’s place.

Recipe Adjustments When Using Bacon Instead of Pancetta

When substituting bacon for pancetta in recipes, you may need to make some slight adjustments to prevent the bacon from overpowering the dish:

• Reduce smoked spices or ingredients like smoked paprika and smoked cheeses.

• Increase acidity with a squirt of lemon or splash of vinegar to balance the smoky richness.

• Fortify savory umami flavor with a dash of soy sauce, fish sauce, or nutritional yeast to make up for pancetta’s lost umami.

• Lean into the smoke by adding other rich, charred flavors like roasted garlic or caramelized onions.

• Adjust salt – taste before seasoning since bacon can be quite salty.

• Increase cook time – bacon generally needs longer cooking than pancetta to crisp up.

• Wrap thinner and shorter – for wrapping foods in bacon instead of pancetta, keep it thin and minimal.

With just a few tweaks as you cook, bacon can step in for pancetta in everything from pasta sauces to squash risotto!

Answering Common Questions on Bacon vs. Pancetta

Here are quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the differences between bacon and pancetta:

Can I use bacon instead of pancetta in carbonara?

Yes! Use a fatty, lightly smoked bacon. Blanch briefly to mellow smoky flavor. Adjust recipe by omitting any smoked cheese and adding a splash of lemon.

What’s the difference between pancetta and bacon?

Pancetta is cured, not smoked. Bacon is cured and cold smoked, which gives it a more intense, smoky flavor.

Why is pancetta better than bacon?

It’s not necessarily better, just different. Pancetta has a delicate, ham-like flavor that blends well in Italian recipes. Bacon’s smoky flavor can overpower, so it may not substitute perfectly in pancetta’s place.

Is guanciale a good substitute for pancetta?

Yes, guanciale makes an excellent substitute! Like pancetta, it is cured pork without smoke. The rich, fatty jowl meat has a similar texture and flavor.

Can I use turkey bacon instead of pancetta?

You can, but the pronounced smoky flavor of most turkey bacons may not blend as seamlessly. Opt for the least smoked turkey bacon you can find.

What Italian dishes use pancetta?

Popular Italian pancetta dishes include pasta carbonara, pasta alla gricia, Brussels sprouts, pizza, risottos, soups, and as a salad topping. Pancetta also often wraps veal or game.

Putting Bacon in Place of Pancetta

While bacon and pancetta come from similar starting points, their divergence during curing and cooking results in fairly different end products. That said, with care taken to select the right bacon and adjust recipes as needed, bacon can absolutely stand in for pancetta in a wide range of recipes. Just keep the smokiness in check.

Some of my favorite dishes to substitute good bacon for pancetta include creamy pastas, soups, roasted vegetables, savory tarts, and risotto. I also love just cooking up bacon as a substitute for pancetta to toss with bitter greens like radicchio or endive for a nice salad.

So be bold, get cooking with bacon in place of pancetta, and enjoy those smoky, salty flavors! Just remember – go for the lightly smoked cuts, balance with acidity and umami, reduce the bacon amount, and wrap thinly. With a few simple techniques, you can successfully give bacon a starring role wherever pancetta is called to perform.