What is the difference between bacon and ham?
Bacon and ham originate from different parts of the pork. They are handled differently when packaging and curing too which makes them different in the final. Ham can be preserved through smoking, while bacon is cured using salt.
Awwww, pork is among the most delicious meals you can find. Pork is among those meats that you either love or don’t. Some can’t consume pork for a variety of reasons and that’s okay too.
Maybe you’re the type of person who is a fan of bacon, but don’t like sausage or any other cut of pork. Many pork cuts are different across all of them. There is more to it than just sausage and bacon. There are also hams and pork chops as well as pork steaks etc. The lists could be endless.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the differences and similarities between bacon and ham. We will go over each one in detail, and to make it easier for you to compare the two, we will give you a brief outline of the differences between them.
The Difference Between Ham and Bacon
Ham and bacon aren’t identical. Both are forms of pork and are both derived from pigs however, that’s the point where they are similar when you consider it.
In the end, all you need to be aware of about these two kinds of pork is they’re both kinds of pork. Pork is produced by domestic pigs and can be cooked or preserved in a variety of ways.
Certain types are cured and then treated, while others are cut into fresh pieces which can be frozen or cooked in the condition they’re in.
There are many kinds of pork. Here are some to give you an idea:
- Ribs
- Porkchop
- Bacon
- Pork loin
- Pork belly
- Pork butt
- Pork tenderloin
- Ham
- Rib roast
- Pork steak
- Sausage
- Ground pork
As you will see, there are a variety of ways in which pork can be consumed. This doesn’t even cover all of them, but it covers the most popular and most popular.
In this article, we will focus on bacon and ham, and explore how these two cuts of pork could be similar or distinct.
We’ll take you through each explaining what you should be aware of about the cut specifically, and then we’ll trace the cutback and outline the differences to give you an easy reference whenever you require it.
Ham
Ham is an ox-shaped cut of pork that originates from the pig’s leg. It is typically cut from the top of the leg near what is known as the thigh.
Ham can be preserved once it is cut in a process referred to as curing. Curing can occur in a variety of ways. It could be dry or dry.
Curing could also be smoking or be done without smoking. There are a variety of ways to cure but the main outcome is the fact that the ham has been cured using a specific method.
Ham is also available in various cuts and sizes. It is possible to buy the whole ham in one cut or discover other methods that have been transformed into other things. Ham steaks, slices of the ham, ham shanks legs of ham, and sandwiches made of deli-sliced ham.
This is only the top of what you can do using the ham. Let’s discuss the various possibilities you can accomplish using the ham.
Different Types of Ham
There is a myriad of ways to use the ham. You can make various things using ham after it’s been cooked. If you prepare a big Ham, then you are aware there will be many leftovers.
What are some of the ways to make something with Ham, in addition to eating the whole baked Ham?
Here are some ideas for you to consider:
- Ham hash
- Cubed ham (great for salads)
- Add soups to soups
- Cold-cut sandwiches
- Pastries with cheese and ham
- Ham and beans
- Easy Lunchable
- Chicken cordon bleu
- Sliders
- Cheesy Potato and ham casserole
- Breakfast casseroles
- Pinwheels
- Pizza toppings
- Add pasta dishes to the mix.
There are numerous possibilities to make use of your ham. These examples are just some suggestions for putting your ham to work. With these possibilities, there’s no reason to get bored of your ham after you’ve cooked a huge Ham and have plenty of leftovers.
Ham can be prepared in a variety of ways. If you buy Ham from a store or a butcher shop in your area or even if already have your pig which you have butchered and prepared, ham is easy to store and use.
The first step to cooking a Ham in a smoker, baking it, or even cooking it in a crockpot, or an instant pot type device. We’ve covered the uses of the ham once you’ve cooked it.
There are a variety of ways to keep your Ham. The ham can be stored in a refrigerator, or frozen. The methods for preserving the ham are very simple.
Bacon
Bacon is different from Ham. Instead of being a big cut, which is usually sold in one big chunk, bacon has been transformed to be a distinct thing before leaving the butcher’s or processing plant’s care.
Like bacon, bacon is cured in the same way as ham. Bacon is cured with salt. Bacon is made from a variety of kinds of pork. It’s not taken from a specific place. The most common place where bacon is cut is the belly of the pork or different cuts from the back.
Bacon comes cut in strips. The strips are cut in different thicknesses and made in different ways too. They are smoked and cured using different flavors. It is available in a variety of cuts and varieties.
Different Types of Bacon
There are many applications for bacon. In the beginning, it’s delicious in its own right, and once cooked, you can enjoy it cold or hot. Bacon is known to release some grease throughout the cooking process.
Bacon can be prepared in the oven or on the stove or even in the microwave and even cooked on a griddle, or inside the air fryer. It’s quite versatile.
There’s never an issue with leftover bacon. You can cook as large or as small as you like. But, there are plenty of things you can make with bacon.
Here are some ideas for you to consider:
- Breakfast burritos
- Bits of Bacon (great to add to salads)
- Club sandwiches
- BLTs
- Side for eggs
- Serve with a burger
- Wrap the meats in a wrap or even meatloaf
- Cobb salad
- Mix pasta with pasta dishes
- Pizza toppings
In addition to the numerous ways to prepare your bacon, there are numerous methods to keep bacon well.
Bacon can be stored either in the fridge or the freezer. It’s easy to prepare and then store.
Comparison Overview
When it comes to it, there’s nothing that bacon and ham have in their commonality. The only commonality is that they are both pork and are both cures. Both have naturally salty flavors without being too salty.
Ham is usually sold as a big cut however it can be cut into various pieces. Ham is made from the leg and is usually cooked in a baking dish to make it.
Ham lunch is available for purchase meat, but it is not among the primary ham-related structures. Ham’s finest quality is made from a huge cut of the leg.
Bacon comes in strips. Bacon can be cut to different thicknesses, however, it’s not the same size as a slice of ham. Bacon is typically sourced from the stomach or back, but it could be anywhere in the body of the animal.
Bacon is generally oily when cooked, but it can be cooked and served in a variety of ways.
Interesting Facts & Questions
We hope you will discover this guide to knowing the distinction between bacon and ham to be a useful source.
We invite you to read the section on questions and answers. It provides additional information you might consider useful to your needs.
Are You Able To Recycle Bacon Grease?
A lot of people utilize extra bacon grease for cooking eggs, hash browns as well as vegetables that may be part of the dish. It is possible to store the bacon grease and use it again or apply it fresh in the same way after cooking your bacon. It is the easiest to fry your bacon over the stove.
Read also: How Long Does Bacon Grease Last?
Can You Eat Raw Ham or Bacon?
You can eat one of the cold, but it is not recommended to consume them in raw form. Both of them should be prepared or smoked in some method before eating. It is suggested that the meat be cooked to an internal temperature of 150°F.
Last updated and verified on September 19th, 2022 by our editorial team.
