The difference between pancetta and bacon

baconpancetta

I see pancetta next to the bacon at a local butcher and was wondering what the difference was between the two?

Best Answer

I addition to what Tabiasopdenbrouw said, and more to the point of usage/taste:

  1. Bacon is typically cut thinner and ends up crispier than pancetta.
  2. Both are often rendered for their fat before adding onions, peppers, etc... to the pan to pick up those pork fat flavors.
  3. Pancetta is often saltier in flavor though this is usually the case because the pancetta is cut thicker or into dices, so you get bigger bites of it and thus more salt. This is the biggest different between the two.
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