๐ Cured Meat Vocab
Cured meat is meat preserved or transformed through methods such as salting, brining, fermentation, air-drying, smoking, and aging. Some cured meats are made from whole muscles, such as Prosciutto, Bresaola, Lonza, and Dry-Cured Ham. Others are sausages made from chopped or ground meat, such as Salami, Chorizo, Saucisson, and Sujuk. Curing does not always mean that a product is ready to eat: some cured meats are eaten without further cooking, while others are normally cooked before serving. Regional traditions and production methods vary considerably, so the same broad name can sometimes describe more than one style.
๐ฅ Pork Belly, Ham & Whole-Muscle Cured Meats
๐ฅ Bacon
salt-cured pork that is commonly smoked and sliced before cooking
Example: The bacon became crisp as it cooked in the skillet.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bacon / lard fumรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Speck / Bacon
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Bacon / pancetta affumicata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bacon / toucinho
๐ก Nuance: American bacon is typically made from pork belly. British and Irish bacon often includes loin, so the cut varies by regional tradition.
salt-cured pork that is commonly smoked and sliced before cooking
Example: The bacon became crisp as it cooked in the skillet.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Tocino / beicon๐ซ๐ท French: Bacon / lard fumรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Speck / Bacon
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Bacon / pancetta affumicata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bacon / toucinho
๐ก Nuance: American bacon is typically made from pork belly. British and Irish bacon often includes loin, so the cut varies by regional tradition.
๐ฅ Pancetta
Italian salt-cured pork belly that is commonly seasoned and sold flat or rolled
Example: She diced the pancetta and cooked it before adding the pasta.
๐ซ๐ท French: Pancetta
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pancetta
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pancetta
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pancetta
๐ก Nuance: Pancetta and bacon both commonly come from pork belly, but pancetta is usually associated with Italian curing and is often unsmoked.
Italian salt-cured pork belly that is commonly seasoned and sold flat or rolled
Example: She diced the pancetta and cooked it before adding the pasta.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Panceta curada๐ซ๐ท French: Pancetta
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pancetta
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pancetta
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pancetta
๐ก Nuance: Pancetta and bacon both commonly come from pork belly, but pancetta is usually associated with Italian curing and is often unsmoked.
๐ Prosciutto
in English culinary use, an Italian-style dry-cured ham usually sliced very thinly and served uncooked
Example: The prosciutto was sliced thinly and served with melon.
๐ซ๐ท French: Jambon cru italien / prosciutto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Italienischer Rohschinken / Prosciutto
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Prosciutto crudo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Presunto italiano / prosciutto
๐ก Nuance: Italian uses prosciutto more broadly for ham, while English speakers commonly use the word specifically for Italian dry-cured ham.
in English culinary use, an Italian-style dry-cured ham usually sliced very thinly and served uncooked
Example: The prosciutto was sliced thinly and served with melon.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Jamรณn curado italiano / prosciutto๐ซ๐ท French: Jambon cru italien / prosciutto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Italienischer Rohschinken / Prosciutto
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Prosciutto crudo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Presunto italiano / prosciutto
๐ก Nuance: Italian uses prosciutto more broadly for ham, while English speakers commonly use the word specifically for Italian dry-cured ham.
๐ท Guanciale
Italian cured pork jowl or cheek with a high proportion of flavorful fat
Example: The guanciale was cut into pieces and cooked until the fat rendered.
๐ซ๐ท French: Joue de porc sรฉchรฉe / guanciale
๐ฉ๐ช German: Gepรถkelte Schweinebacke / Guanciale
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Guanciale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bochecha de porco curada / guanciale
๐ก Nuance: Guanciale comes from the jowl or cheek area, while pancetta comes from pork belly.
Italian cured pork jowl or cheek with a high proportion of flavorful fat
Example: The guanciale was cut into pieces and cooked until the fat rendered.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Papada de cerdo curada / guanciale๐ซ๐ท French: Joue de porc sรฉchรฉe / guanciale
๐ฉ๐ช German: Gepรถkelte Schweinebacke / Guanciale
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Guanciale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bochecha de porco curada / guanciale
๐ก Nuance: Guanciale comes from the jowl or cheek area, while pancetta comes from pork belly.
๐ Capicola
a cured pork product made from the neck or upper shoulder and usually sliced thinly
Example: The sandwich contained thin slices of capicola with cheese and peppers.
๐ซ๐ท French: Capicola / porc sรฉchรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Capicola / luftgetrockneter Schweinenacken
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Capocollo / coppa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Capicola / carne de porco curada
๐ก Nuance: Capicola, capocollo, and coppa are closely related names. Exact terminology varies by region and Italian-American usage.
a cured pork product made from the neck or upper shoulder and usually sliced thinly
Example: The sandwich contained thin slices of capicola with cheese and peppers.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Capicola / carne de cerdo curada๐ซ๐ท French: Capicola / porc sรฉchรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Capicola / luftgetrockneter Schweinenacken
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Capocollo / coppa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Capicola / carne de porco curada
๐ก Nuance: Capicola, capocollo, and coppa are closely related names. Exact terminology varies by region and Italian-American usage.
๐ Dry-Cured Ham
a broad category of ham preserved primarily with salt and extended drying rather than being kept in a liquid brine
Example: The dry-cured ham had been aged until it developed a firm texture and concentrated flavor.
๐ซ๐ท French: Jambon sec
๐ฉ๐ช German: Luftgetrockneter Schinken
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Prosciutto crudo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Presunto curado
๐ก Nuance: Dry-cured ham is a general category. Prosciutto is one specific culinary tradition within the much broader world of dry-cured hams.
a broad category of ham preserved primarily with salt and extended drying rather than being kept in a liquid brine
Example: The dry-cured ham had been aged until it developed a firm texture and concentrated flavor.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Jamรณn curado๐ซ๐ท French: Jambon sec
๐ฉ๐ช German: Luftgetrockneter Schinken
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Prosciutto crudo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Presunto curado
๐ก Nuance: Dry-cured ham is a general category. Prosciutto is one specific culinary tradition within the much broader world of dry-cured hams.
๐ Speck
an Alpine-style cured pork product commonly associated with both air-drying and light smoking
Example: The speck had a smoky aroma and was sliced thinly for the appetizer.
๐ซ๐ท French: Speck / jambon fumรฉ sรฉchรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Speck
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Speck
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Speck / presunto curado e fumado
๐ก Nuance: The word speck has broader meanings in German-speaking food vocabulary, but in international deli contexts it often refers to lightly smoked, air-dried ham.
an Alpine-style cured pork product commonly associated with both air-drying and light smoking
Example: The speck had a smoky aroma and was sliced thinly for the appetizer.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Speck / jamรณn ahumado curado๐ซ๐ท French: Speck / jambon fumรฉ sรฉchรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Speck
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Speck
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Speck / presunto curado e fumado
๐ก Nuance: The word speck has broader meanings in German-speaking food vocabulary, but in international deli contexts it often refers to lightly smoked, air-dried ham.
โฌ Lardo
Italian cured pork back fat seasoned with salt and often herbs or spices
Example: The lardo was sliced very thinly and served over warm bread.
๐ซ๐ท French: Gras de porc salรฉ / lardo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Gereifter Schweinerรผckenspeck / Lardo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lardo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Gordura de porco curada / lardo
๐ก Nuance: Lardo consists primarily of cured fat rather than a lean muscle cut or ground sausage mixture.
Italian cured pork back fat seasoned with salt and often herbs or spices
Example: The lardo was sliced very thinly and served over warm bread.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Grasa de cerdo curada / lardo๐ซ๐ท French: Gras de porc salรฉ / lardo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Gereifter Schweinerรผckenspeck / Lardo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lardo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Gordura de porco curada / lardo
๐ก Nuance: Lardo consists primarily of cured fat rather than a lean muscle cut or ground sausage mixture.
๐ Lonza
an Italian cured whole-muscle pork product made from the loin
Example: The lonza was sliced thinly and arranged with the other cured meats.
๐ซ๐ท French: Longe de porc sรฉchรฉe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Luftgetrocknete Schweinelende
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lonza stagionata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lombo de porco curado
๐ก Nuance: Lonza is generally leaner than belly- or jowl-based cured meats because it comes from the pork loin.
an Italian cured whole-muscle pork product made from the loin
Example: The lonza was sliced thinly and arranged with the other cured meats.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Lomo de cerdo curado๐ซ๐ท French: Longe de porc sรฉchรฉe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Luftgetrocknete Schweinelende
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lonza stagionata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lombo de porco curado
๐ก Nuance: Lonza is generally leaner than belly- or jowl-based cured meats because it comes from the pork loin.
๐ Culatello
a traditional Italian cured whole-muscle product made from a boneless portion of the pig's hind leg
Example: The culatello was served in delicate thin slices at room temperature.
๐ซ๐ท French: Culatello
๐ฉ๐ช German: Culatello
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Culatello
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Culatello
๐ก Nuance: Unlike an entire dry-cured ham, culatello is made from a selected boneless section of the hind leg.
a traditional Italian cured whole-muscle product made from a boneless portion of the pig's hind leg
Example: The culatello was served in delicate thin slices at room temperature.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Culatello๐ซ๐ท French: Culatello
๐ฉ๐ช German: Culatello
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Culatello
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Culatello
๐ก Nuance: Unlike an entire dry-cured ham, culatello is made from a selected boneless section of the hind leg.
๐ง Salt Pork
pork, commonly a fatty belly cut, preserved heavily with salt and usually used as a cooking ingredient
Example: A small amount of salt pork was cooked with the beans to add richness and seasoning.
๐ซ๐ท French: Lard salรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Gepรถkelter Schweinebauch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Maiale sotto sale / pancetta salata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carne de porco salgada / toucinho salgado
๐ก Nuance: Salt pork is generally saltier and less associated with smoke than typical bacon and is commonly used to season cooked dishes.
pork, commonly a fatty belly cut, preserved heavily with salt and usually used as a cooking ingredient
Example: A small amount of salt pork was cooked with the beans to add richness and seasoning.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cerdo salado / tocino salado๐ซ๐ท French: Lard salรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Gepรถkelter Schweinebauch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Maiale sotto sale / pancetta salata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carne de porco salgada / toucinho salgado
๐ก Nuance: Salt pork is generally saltier and less associated with smoke than typical bacon and is commonly used to season cooked dishes.
๐ฅฉ Pickled Pork
pork preserved or flavored in a seasoned acidic or salty pickling brine before being cooked
Example: The pickled pork was simmered slowly with vegetables until tender.
๐ซ๐ท French: Porc marinรฉ en saumure
๐ฉ๐ช German: Eingelegtes Schweinefleisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Maiale in salamoia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carne de porco em conserva / salmoura
๐ก Nuance: Pickled pork is normally a cooking ingredient rather than an air-dried sliced deli meat. Seasonings and brines vary by regional tradition.
pork preserved or flavored in a seasoned acidic or salty pickling brine before being cooked
Example: The pickled pork was simmered slowly with vegetables until tender.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cerdo encurtido / cerdo en salmuera๐ซ๐ท French: Porc marinรฉ en saumure
๐ฉ๐ช German: Eingelegtes Schweinefleisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Maiale in salamoia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carne de porco em conserva / salmoura
๐ก Nuance: Pickled pork is normally a cooking ingredient rather than an air-dried sliced deli meat. Seasonings and brines vary by regional tradition.
๐ Smoked Ham
ham that has been cured and exposed to smoke to add flavor and aid preservation
Example: The smoked ham had a noticeable wood-smoke aroma.
๐ซ๐ท French: Jambon fumรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rรคucherschinken
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Prosciutto affumicato
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Presunto defumado
๐ก Nuance: Smoked ham can be sold fully cooked or as a product that still requires cooking, so package instructions matter.
ham that has been cured and exposed to smoke to add flavor and aid preservation
Example: The smoked ham had a noticeable wood-smoke aroma.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Jamรณn ahumado๐ซ๐ท French: Jambon fumรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rรคucherschinken
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Prosciutto affumicato
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Presunto defumado
๐ก Nuance: Smoked ham can be sold fully cooked or as a product that still requires cooking, so package instructions matter.
๐ญ Salami, Sausages & Fermented Cured Meats
๐ญ Salami
a broad family of seasoned sausages that are commonly fermented, cured, and dried
Example: The salami was sliced thinly and served with bread and olives.
๐ซ๐ท French: Salami
๐ฉ๐ช German: Salami
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salame
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salame
๐ก Nuance: Salami is a broad category rather than one recipe. Meat, fat, spices, fermentation, diameter, and aging can all vary.
a broad family of seasoned sausages that are commonly fermented, cured, and dried
Example: The salami was sliced thinly and served with bread and olives.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salami / salame๐ซ๐ท French: Salami
๐ฉ๐ช German: Salami
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salame
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salame
๐ก Nuance: Salami is a broad category rather than one recipe. Meat, fat, spices, fermentation, diameter, and aging can all vary.
๐ Pepperoni
an American spicy cured sausage commonly made with pork, beef, or both and strongly associated with pizza
Example: The pepperoni became crisp around the edges as the pizza baked.
๐ซ๐ท French: Pepperoni
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pepperoni-Salami
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pepperoni / salame piccante americano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pepperoni
๐ก Nuance: In American English, pepperoni means the sausage. In Italian, peperoni refers to peppers, so the words should not be confused.
an American spicy cured sausage commonly made with pork, beef, or both and strongly associated with pizza
Example: The pepperoni became crisp around the edges as the pizza baked.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pepperoni๐ซ๐ท French: Pepperoni
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pepperoni-Salami
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pepperoni / salame piccante americano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pepperoni
๐ก Nuance: In American English, pepperoni means the sausage. In Italian, peperoni refers to peppers, so the words should not be confused.
๐ญ Soppressata
an Italian salami family commonly made with coarsely ground pork and regional seasonings
Example: The soppressata had a coarse texture and a pronounced peppery flavor.
๐ซ๐ท French: Soppressata
๐ฉ๐ช German: Soppressata
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Soppressata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Soppressata
๐ก Nuance: Soppressata varies significantly across Italy, so texture, seasoning, shape, and production method are not identical everywhere.
an Italian salami family commonly made with coarsely ground pork and regional seasonings
Example: The soppressata had a coarse texture and a pronounced peppery flavor.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Soppressata๐ซ๐ท French: Soppressata
๐ฉ๐ช German: Soppressata
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Soppressata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Soppressata
๐ก Nuance: Soppressata varies significantly across Italy, so texture, seasoning, shape, and production method are not identical everywhere.
๐ญ Mortadella
a large Italian cooked pork sausage with a smooth texture and visible pieces of pork fat
Example: The mortadella was sliced very thinly for the sandwich.
๐ซ๐ท French: Mortadelle
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mortadella
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mortadella
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mortadela
๐ก Nuance: Mortadella belongs to the broader cured-meat and charcuterie world, but unlike dry salami it is a cooked sausage.
a large Italian cooked pork sausage with a smooth texture and visible pieces of pork fat
Example: The mortadella was sliced very thinly for the sandwich.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mortadela๐ซ๐ท French: Mortadelle
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mortadella
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mortadella
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mortadela
๐ก Nuance: Mortadella belongs to the broader cured-meat and charcuterie world, but unlike dry salami it is a cooked sausage.
๐ถ๏ธ Chorizo
a strongly seasoned sausage name used for several Spanish and Latin American traditions
Example: The cured chorizo was sliced thinly and served as part of the appetizer.
๐ซ๐ท French: Chorizo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chorizo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chorizo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chouriรงo / chorizo
๐ก Nuance: Spanish chorizo is often cured and may be ready to slice, while Mexican chorizo is commonly sold fresh and must be cooked. Always identify the specific style.
a strongly seasoned sausage name used for several Spanish and Latin American traditions
Example: The cured chorizo was sliced thinly and served as part of the appetizer.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chorizo๐ซ๐ท French: Chorizo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chorizo
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chorizo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chouriรงo / chorizo
๐ก Nuance: Spanish chorizo is often cured and may be ready to slice, while Mexican chorizo is commonly sold fresh and must be cooked. Always identify the specific style.
๐ซ๐ท Saucisson
a French sausage term commonly used in English food contexts for dry-cured sausage, especially pork sausage
Example: The saucisson was cut into thin rounds and served with bread.
๐ซ๐ท French: Saucisson
๐ฉ๐ช German: Franzรถsische Trockenwurst / Saucisson
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salame francese / saucisson
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salame francรชs / saucisson
๐ก Nuance: French has several sausage terms. Saucisson sec more specifically identifies a dried sausage.
a French sausage term commonly used in English food contexts for dry-cured sausage, especially pork sausage
Example: The saucisson was cut into thin rounds and served with bread.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salchichรณn francรฉs / saucisson๐ซ๐ท French: Saucisson
๐ฉ๐ช German: Franzรถsische Trockenwurst / Saucisson
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salame francese / saucisson
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salame francรชs / saucisson
๐ก Nuance: French has several sausage terms. Saucisson sec more specifically identifies a dried sausage.
๐ฟ Finocchiona
a Tuscan-style pork salami characteristically seasoned with fennel
Example: The finocchiona had a noticeable fennel aroma in every slice.
๐ซ๐ท French: Finocchiona / salami au fenouil
๐ฉ๐ช German: Finocchiona / Fenchelsalami
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Finocchiona
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Finocchiona / salame com funcho
๐ก Nuance: Fennel is the defining flavor that helps learners distinguish finocchiona from many other Italian salami styles.
a Tuscan-style pork salami characteristically seasoned with fennel
Example: The finocchiona had a noticeable fennel aroma in every slice.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Finocchiona / salami con hinojo๐ซ๐ท French: Finocchiona / salami au fenouil
๐ฉ๐ช German: Finocchiona / Fenchelsalami
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Finocchiona
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Finocchiona / salame com funcho
๐ก Nuance: Fennel is the defining flavor that helps learners distinguish finocchiona from many other Italian salami styles.
๐ถ๏ธ โNduja
a spicy, soft, spreadable cured pork sausage from Calabria, strongly flavored with chili
Example: The โNduja melted into the warm tomato sauce and added heat and richness.
๐ซ๐ท French: โNduja
๐ฉ๐ช German: โNduja
๐ฎ๐น Italian: โNduja
๐ต๐น Portuguese: โNduja
๐ก Nuance: Unlike firm slicing salami, โNduja remains soft and spreadable and can also melt into sauces while cooking.
a spicy, soft, spreadable cured pork sausage from Calabria, strongly flavored with chili
Example: The โNduja melted into the warm tomato sauce and added heat and richness.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: โNduja๐ซ๐ท French: โNduja
๐ฉ๐ช German: โNduja
๐ฎ๐น Italian: โNduja
๐ต๐น Portuguese: โNduja
๐ก Nuance: Unlike firm slicing salami, โNduja remains soft and spreadable and can also melt into sauces while cooking.
๐ญ Lap Cheong
a Chinese cured sausage, especially associated with Cantonese cooking, commonly made from pork with a savory-sweet flavor
Example: The Lap Cheong was sliced and steamed with rice.
๐ซ๐ท French: Saucisse chinoise sรฉchรฉe / lap cheong
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chinesische Trockenwurst / Lap Cheong
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsiccia cinese stagionata / lap cheong
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Linguiรงa chinesa curada / lap cheong
๐ก Nuance: Lap Cheong belongs to a broader family of Chinese preserved sausages, and recipes and seasoning vary by region.
a Chinese cured sausage, especially associated with Cantonese cooking, commonly made from pork with a savory-sweet flavor
Example: The Lap Cheong was sliced and steamed with rice.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salchicha china curada / lap cheong๐ซ๐ท French: Saucisse chinoise sรฉchรฉe / lap cheong
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chinesische Trockenwurst / Lap Cheong
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsiccia cinese stagionata / lap cheong
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Linguiรงa chinesa curada / lap cheong
๐ก Nuance: Lap Cheong belongs to a broader family of Chinese preserved sausages, and recipes and seasoning vary by region.
๐ถ๏ธ Sujuk
a strongly seasoned dry or fermented sausage found in Turkish, Balkan, Middle Eastern, and neighboring culinary traditions
Example: The sujuk was sliced thinly and fried with eggs for breakfast.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sucuk / sujuk
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sucuk
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sucuk / sujuk
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Sujuk / sucuk
๐ก Nuance: Beef is common in many sujuk styles, and garlic and warm spices are characteristic. Exact recipes vary considerably across regions.
a strongly seasoned dry or fermented sausage found in Turkish, Balkan, Middle Eastern, and neighboring culinary traditions
Example: The sujuk was sliced thinly and fried with eggs for breakfast.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Sujuk / sucuk๐ซ๐ท French: Sucuk / sujuk
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sucuk
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sucuk / sujuk
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Sujuk / sucuk
๐ก Nuance: Beef is common in many sujuk styles, and garlic and warm spices are characteristic. Exact recipes vary considerably across regions.
๐ฅฉ Beef & Other Dried Cured Meats
๐ฅฉ Bresaola
Italian salted and air-dried beef with a lean texture, usually served in very thin slices
Example: The bresaola was served with arugula, lemon, and olive oil.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bresaola
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bresaola
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Bresaola
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bresaola
๐ก Nuance: Bresaola is a whole-muscle beef product rather than a ground sausage.
Italian salted and air-dried beef with a lean texture, usually served in very thin slices
Example: The bresaola was served with arugula, lemon, and olive oil.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Bresaola๐ซ๐ท French: Bresaola
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bresaola
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Bresaola
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bresaola
๐ก Nuance: Bresaola is a whole-muscle beef product rather than a ground sausage.
๐ฅช Pastrami
cured beef coated with spices, typically smoked and then cooked until tender before serving
Example: The pastrami was piled high on rye bread with mustard.
๐ซ๐ท French: Pastrami
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pastrami
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pastrami
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pastrami
๐ก Nuance: Pastrami is associated with curing, spice coating, smoking, and cooking, which distinguishes it from simply air-dried beef.
cured beef coated with spices, typically smoked and then cooked until tender before serving
Example: The pastrami was piled high on rye bread with mustard.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pastrami๐ซ๐ท French: Pastrami
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pastrami
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pastrami
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pastrami
๐ก Nuance: Pastrami is associated with curing, spice coating, smoking, and cooking, which distinguishes it from simply air-dried beef.
๐ฅฉ Corned Beef
beef, commonly brisket, preserved in a seasoned salt brine and then cooked
Example: The corned beef was simmered until it became tender enough to slice easily.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bลuf salรฉ / corned-beef
๐ฉ๐ช German: Corned Beef / gepรถkeltes Rindfleisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Manzo in salamoia / corned beef
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carne bovina curada em salmoura
๐ก Nuance: The word corned refers historically to coarse grains of salt, not to corn or maize.
beef, commonly brisket, preserved in a seasoned salt brine and then cooked
Example: The corned beef was simmered until it became tender enough to slice easily.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Carne de res curada en salmuera๐ซ๐ท French: Bลuf salรฉ / corned-beef
๐ฉ๐ช German: Corned Beef / gepรถkeltes Rindfleisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Manzo in salamoia / corned beef
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carne bovina curada em salmoura
๐ก Nuance: The word corned refers historically to coarse grains of salt, not to corn or maize.
๐ฅฉ Jerky
lean meat cut into strips or pieces, seasoned, and dried to reduce moisture and preserve it
Example: The beef jerky was dry, chewy, and easy to carry as a snack.
๐ซ๐ท French: Viande sรฉchรฉe / jerky
๐ฉ๐ช German: Trockenfleisch / Jerky
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carne essiccata / jerky
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carne seca / jerky
๐ก Nuance: Beef is the most familiar form in English, but jerky can be made from several meats.
lean meat cut into strips or pieces, seasoned, and dried to reduce moisture and preserve it
Example: The beef jerky was dry, chewy, and easy to carry as a snack.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Carne seca / jerky๐ซ๐ท French: Viande sรฉchรฉe / jerky
๐ฉ๐ช German: Trockenfleisch / Jerky
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carne essiccata / jerky
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carne seca / jerky
๐ก Nuance: Beef is the most familiar form in English, but jerky can be made from several meats.
๐ฅฉ Biltong
a Southern African cured and air-dried meat commonly seasoned with salt, vinegar, and spices
Example: The biltong was cut from a thick dried piece into thin slices.
๐ซ๐ท French: Biltong
๐ฉ๐ช German: Biltong
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Biltong
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Biltong
๐ก Nuance: Biltong and jerky are both dried meats, but biltong is traditionally cured and air-dried in larger pieces, while jerky is commonly dried as thinner strips.
a Southern African cured and air-dried meat commonly seasoned with salt, vinegar, and spices
Example: The biltong was cut from a thick dried piece into thin slices.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Biltong๐ซ๐ท French: Biltong
๐ฉ๐ช German: Biltong
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Biltong
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Biltong
๐ก Nuance: Biltong and jerky are both dried meats, but biltong is traditionally cured and air-dried in larger pieces, while jerky is commonly dried as thinner strips.
๐ฅฉ Cecina
a Spanish-language cured-meat term that commonly refers in Spain to salted and air-dried meat, especially beef
Example: The cecina was sliced thinly and served as a cured-meat appetizer.
๐ซ๐ท French: Cecina / viande sรฉchรฉe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cecina / luftgetrocknetes Fleisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cecina / carne essiccata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Cecina / carne seca curada
๐ก Nuance: Cecina is not identical across every Spanish-speaking country. The meat and preparation can vary by region.
a Spanish-language cured-meat term that commonly refers in Spain to salted and air-dried meat, especially beef
Example: The cecina was sliced thinly and served as a cured-meat appetizer.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cecina๐ซ๐ท French: Cecina / viande sรฉchรฉe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cecina / luftgetrocknetes Fleisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cecina / carne essiccata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Cecina / carne seca curada
๐ก Nuance: Cecina is not identical across every Spanish-speaking country. The meat and preparation can vary by region.
๐ฅฉ Pastirma
a highly seasoned, pressed, air-dried cured meat, most commonly beef, associated especially with Turkish and neighboring cuisines
Example: The pastirma was sliced thinly so its intense seasoning would not overwhelm the dish.
๐ซ๐ท French: Pastirma / bลuf sรฉchรฉ รฉpicรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pastฤฑrma
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pastirma / manzo stagionato speziato
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pastirma / carne bovina curada
๐ก Nuance: Pastirma is commonly coated with a strongly flavored spice paste containing ingredients such as fenugreek, garlic, and paprika before its final drying.
a highly seasoned, pressed, air-dried cured meat, most commonly beef, associated especially with Turkish and neighboring cuisines
Example: The pastirma was sliced thinly so its intense seasoning would not overwhelm the dish.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pastirma / carne de res curada๐ซ๐ท French: Pastirma / bลuf sรฉchรฉ รฉpicรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pastฤฑrma
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pastirma / manzo stagionato speziato
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pastirma / carne bovina curada
๐ก Nuance: Pastirma is commonly coated with a strongly flavored spice paste containing ingredients such as fenugreek, garlic, and paprika before its final drying.
๐ง Useful Distinctions
๐ฅ Bacon vs. Pancetta
Both commonly use pork belly. Bacon is frequently smoked, especially in North American styles. Pancetta is an Italian cured pork belly product that is often unsmoked.
Both commonly use pork belly. Bacon is frequently smoked, especially in North American styles. Pancetta is an Italian cured pork belly product that is often unsmoked.
๐ฅ Pancetta vs. Guanciale
Pancetta comes from pork belly. Guanciale comes from the pig's jowl or cheek and typically has a distinctive balance of fat and meat.
Pancetta comes from pork belly. Guanciale comes from the pig's jowl or cheek and typically has a distinctive balance of fat and meat.
๐ Prosciutto vs. Dry-Cured Ham
Dry-cured ham is the broad category. Prosciutto in English usually refers to an Italian tradition of dry-cured ham.
Dry-cured ham is the broad category. Prosciutto in English usually refers to an Italian tradition of dry-cured ham.
๐ Capicola vs. Prosciutto
Capicola is made from the neck or upper shoulder. Prosciutto is made from the hind leg.
Capicola is made from the neck or upper shoulder. Prosciutto is made from the hind leg.
๐ Capicola vs. Coppa
These terms belong to essentially the same cured pork neck-and-shoulder family. Capicola is especially familiar in Italian-American English, while coppa and capocollo are other names learners may encounter.
These terms belong to essentially the same cured pork neck-and-shoulder family. Capicola is especially familiar in Italian-American English, while coppa and capocollo are other names learners may encounter.
๐ Prosciutto vs. Speck
Both can be air-dried ham products, but speck is characteristically associated with light smoking as well as curing and drying.
Both can be air-dried ham products, but speck is characteristically associated with light smoking as well as curing and drying.
โฌ Lardo vs. Lonza
Lardo is primarily cured pork fat. Lonza is a leaner whole-muscle product made from pork loin.
Lardo is primarily cured pork fat. Lonza is a leaner whole-muscle product made from pork loin.
๐ Whole-Muscle Meat vs. Salami
Products such as prosciutto, bresaola, lonza, and dry-cured ham preserve a recognizable whole muscle. Salami is made from chopped or ground meat and fat placed into a casing.
Products such as prosciutto, bresaola, lonza, and dry-cured ham preserve a recognizable whole muscle. Salami is made from chopped or ground meat and fat placed into a casing.
๐ญ Salami vs. Mortadella
Salami commonly refers to fermented and dried sausage. Mortadella is a cooked sausage with a much smoother texture.
Salami commonly refers to fermented and dried sausage. Mortadella is a cooked sausage with a much smoother texture.
๐ญ Salami vs. Pepperoni
Salami is a broad cured-sausage family. Pepperoni is a specific American spicy sausage style strongly associated with pizza.
Salami is a broad cured-sausage family. Pepperoni is a specific American spicy sausage style strongly associated with pizza.
๐ถ๏ธ Spanish Chorizo vs. Mexican Chorizo
Spanish chorizo is often cured and can be sliced and eaten without further cooking. Mexican chorizo is commonly fresh and normally needs to be cooked.
Spanish chorizo is often cured and can be sliced and eaten without further cooking. Mexican chorizo is commonly fresh and normally needs to be cooked.
๐ฟ Finocchiona vs. Other Salami
Finocchiona is distinguished by its characteristic fennel seasoning. Other salami styles may emphasize pepper, garlic, chili, wine, or different spices.
Finocchiona is distinguished by its characteristic fennel seasoning. Other salami styles may emphasize pepper, garlic, chili, wine, or different spices.
๐ถ๏ธ โNduja vs. Firm Salami
โNduja is soft, spicy, and spreadable. Most familiar dry salami is firm enough to slice into clean rounds.
โNduja is soft, spicy, and spreadable. Most familiar dry salami is firm enough to slice into clean rounds.
๐ฅฉ Pastrami vs. Corned Beef
Both begin with cured beef. Pastrami is additionally coated with spices and typically smoked before its final cooking. Corned beef is usually brined and then simmered or otherwise cooked.
Both begin with cured beef. Pastrami is additionally coated with spices and typically smoked before its final cooking. Corned beef is usually brined and then simmered or otherwise cooked.
๐ฅฉ Bresaola vs. Pastrami
Bresaola is lean beef that is salted and air-dried. Pastrami is cured, heavily seasoned, smoked, and cooked.
Bresaola is lean beef that is salted and air-dried. Pastrami is cured, heavily seasoned, smoked, and cooked.
๐ฅฉ Jerky vs. Biltong
Both are preserved dried meats. Jerky is commonly cut into thinner pieces before drying. Biltong is traditionally cured with ingredients such as salt and vinegar and dried in larger pieces before slicing.
Both are preserved dried meats. Jerky is commonly cut into thinner pieces before drying. Biltong is traditionally cured with ingredients such as salt and vinegar and dried in larger pieces before slicing.
๐ฅฉ Bresaola vs. Cecina
Both can refer to lean air-dried beef products, but they belong to different culinary and linguistic traditions. Bresaola is Italian, while cecina is a Spanish-language term whose exact meaning varies regionally.
Both can refer to lean air-dried beef products, but they belong to different culinary and linguistic traditions. Bresaola is Italian, while cecina is a Spanish-language term whose exact meaning varies regionally.
๐ฅฉ Pastirma vs. Bresaola
Both are commonly made from whole-muscle beef. Pastirma is characteristically pressed and coated with an intensely seasoned spice paste, while bresaola has a more restrained cured-beef profile.
Both are commonly made from whole-muscle beef. Pastirma is characteristically pressed and coated with an intensely seasoned spice paste, while bresaola has a more restrained cured-beef profile.
๐ง Salt Pork vs. Bacon
Salt pork is heavily salt-cured and commonly used to season cooked dishes. Bacon is usually sliced and often smoked, and it is commonly cooked and eaten as a distinct food.
Salt pork is heavily salt-cured and commonly used to season cooked dishes. Bacon is usually sliced and often smoked, and it is commonly cooked and eaten as a distinct food.
๐ Smoked Ham vs. Dry-Cured Ham
Smoked ham is defined by exposure to smoke after or during curing. Dry-cured ham is defined primarily by salting and extended drying and does not necessarily involve smoke.
Smoked ham is defined by exposure to smoke after or during curing. Dry-cured ham is defined primarily by salting and extended drying and does not necessarily involve smoke.
๐ฌ Everyday Cured Meat Phrases
๐ฅ Pancetta comes from pork belly, while guanciale comes from the jowl or cheek.
distinguishing two Italian cured pork products by the cut of meat
๐ซ๐ท La pancetta provient de la poitrine de porc, tandis que le guanciale provient de la joue.
๐ฉ๐ช Pancetta stammt aus dem Schweinebauch, wรคhrend Guanciale aus der Schweinebacke hergestellt wird.
๐ฎ๐น La pancetta proviene dalla pancia del maiale, mentre il guanciale proviene dalla guancia.
๐ต๐น A pancetta vem da barriga do porco, enquanto o guanciale vem da bochecha.
distinguishing two Italian cured pork products by the cut of meat
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ La panceta proviene del vientre del cerdo, mientras que el guanciale proviene de la papada o la mejilla.๐ซ๐ท La pancetta provient de la poitrine de porc, tandis que le guanciale provient de la joue.
๐ฉ๐ช Pancetta stammt aus dem Schweinebauch, wรคhrend Guanciale aus der Schweinebacke hergestellt wird.
๐ฎ๐น La pancetta proviene dalla pancia del maiale, mentre il guanciale proviene dalla guancia.
๐ต๐น A pancetta vem da barriga do porco, enquanto o guanciale vem da bochecha.
๐ฅฉ Pastrami is usually smoked and heavily seasoned, while corned beef is primarily brined and cooked.
distinguishing two cured beef preparations by their later processing
๐ซ๐ท Le pastrami est gรฉnรฉralement fumรฉ et fortement assaisonnรฉ, tandis que le corned-beef est principalement saumurรฉ puis cuit.
๐ฉ๐ช Pastrami wird normalerweise gerรคuchert und krรคftig gewรผrzt, wรคhrend Corned Beef hauptsรคchlich gepรถkelt und gekocht wird.
๐ฎ๐น Il pastrami viene solitamente affumicato e molto speziato, mentre il corned beef viene principalmente messo in salamoia e cotto.
๐ต๐น O pastrami normalmente รฉ defumado e bem temperado, enquanto o corned beef รฉ principalmente curado em salmoura e cozido.
distinguishing two cured beef preparations by their later processing
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ El pastrami normalmente se ahรบma y se sazona intensamente, mientras que el corned beef se cura principalmente en salmuera y se cocina.๐ซ๐ท Le pastrami est gรฉnรฉralement fumรฉ et fortement assaisonnรฉ, tandis que le corned-beef est principalement saumurรฉ puis cuit.
๐ฉ๐ช Pastrami wird normalerweise gerรคuchert und krรคftig gewรผrzt, wรคhrend Corned Beef hauptsรคchlich gepรถkelt und gekocht wird.
๐ฎ๐น Il pastrami viene solitamente affumicato e molto speziato, mentre il corned beef viene principalmente messo in salamoia e cotto.
๐ต๐น O pastrami normalmente รฉ defumado e bem temperado, enquanto o corned beef รฉ principalmente curado em salmoura e cozido.
๐ถ๏ธ This chorizo is dry-cured and ready to slice, but fresh chorizo needs to be cooked.
recognizing that the word chorizo can describe cured and fresh sausage styles
๐ซ๐ท Ce chorizo est sรฉchรฉ et prรชt ร รชtre tranchรฉ, mais le chorizo frais doit รชtre cuit.
๐ฉ๐ช Diese Chorizo ist luftgetrocknet und kann direkt aufgeschnitten werden, aber frische Chorizo muss gekocht werden.
๐ฎ๐น Questo chorizo รจ stagionato e pronto da affettare, mentre il chorizo fresco deve essere cotto.
๐ต๐น Este chorizo รฉ curado e estรก pronto para fatiar, mas o chorizo fresco precisa ser cozido.
recognizing that the word chorizo can describe cured and fresh sausage styles
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Este chorizo estรก curado y listo para cortar, pero el chorizo fresco necesita cocinarse.๐ซ๐ท Ce chorizo est sรฉchรฉ et prรชt ร รชtre tranchรฉ, mais le chorizo frais doit รชtre cuit.
๐ฉ๐ช Diese Chorizo ist luftgetrocknet und kann direkt aufgeschnitten werden, aber frische Chorizo muss gekocht werden.
๐ฎ๐น Questo chorizo รจ stagionato e pronto da affettare, mentre il chorizo fresco deve essere cotto.
๐ต๐น Este chorizo รฉ curado e estรก pronto para fatiar, mas o chorizo fresco precisa ser cozido.
๐ฅฉ Biltong and jerky are both dried meats, but their curing, cutting, and drying methods are different.
distinguishing two dried-meat traditions without treating them as exact synonyms
๐ซ๐ท Le biltong et le jerky sont tous deux des viandes sรฉchรฉes, mais leurs mรฉthodes de salaison, de dรฉcoupe et de sรฉchage sont diffรฉrentes.
๐ฉ๐ช Biltong und Jerky sind beide Trockenfleisch, aber ihre Pรถkel-, Schneide- und Trocknungsmethoden unterscheiden sich.
๐ฎ๐น Il biltong e il jerky sono entrambi carni essiccate, ma i metodi di salatura, taglio ed essiccazione sono diversi.
๐ต๐น Biltong e jerky sรฃo carnes secas, mas seus mรฉtodos de cura, corte e secagem sรฃo diferentes.
distinguishing two dried-meat traditions without treating them as exact synonyms
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ El biltong y el jerky son carnes secas, pero sus mรฉtodos de curado, corte y secado son diferentes.๐ซ๐ท Le biltong et le jerky sont tous deux des viandes sรฉchรฉes, mais leurs mรฉthodes de salaison, de dรฉcoupe et de sรฉchage sont diffรฉrentes.
๐ฉ๐ช Biltong und Jerky sind beide Trockenfleisch, aber ihre Pรถkel-, Schneide- und Trocknungsmethoden unterscheiden sich.
๐ฎ๐น Il biltong e il jerky sono entrambi carni essiccate, ma i metodi di salatura, taglio ed essiccazione sono diversi.
๐ต๐น Biltong e jerky sรฃo carnes secas, mas seus mรฉtodos de cura, corte e secagem sรฃo diferentes.
๐ Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Imagine you are reading a deli menu, shopping for cured meats, or following a recipe. Choose the term that best matches the cut of meat, curing method, texture, seasoning, smoking process, or regional style.
Imagine you are reading a deli menu, shopping for cured meats, or following a recipe. Choose the term that best matches the cut of meat, curing method, texture, seasoning, smoking process, or regional style.
Question 1 of 8
โ
Correct: 0
โ Questions: 0
๐ฏ Accuracy: 0%