What Is Pepperoni?
And how is it different from salami?
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By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen
Layla Khoury-Hanold is a contributor at Food Network.
You may know and love pepperoni as your favorite pizza topping or count on it as a go-to for sandwiches and charcuterie boards. But what exactly is pepperoni? For more info, we consulted Jacob Campbell, shop manager at Yard Bull Meats, a butcher shop in Roanoke, Virginia.
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What Is Pepperoni?
Pepperoni is a type of spiced, cured, air-dried sausage made from beef and pork.
Its creation is often credited to Italian American immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the first known reference to pepperoni in print dates to 1919. It remains a versatile topping and ingredient. “Pepperoni is typically a pizza ingredient or for a charcuterie board, but I also love grinding them into meatballs and ragu,” Campbell says.
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What Is Pepperoni Made Of?
Pepperoni is made from a blend of beef and pork and is typically seasoned with salt, paprika, chili flakes or cayenne pepper, fennel seed and garlic. The seasoning gives pepperoni a peppery, savory taste while the fermentation process gives it a distinctly tangy flavor. Campbell adds that more commercial, inexpensive pepperoni is often not cured and therefore lacks the tangy flavor that’s signature to hand-crafted pepperoni.
Pepperoni vs Salami
Pepperoni and salami are both types of dried, cured sausages, but they differ in appearance, texture and flavor. “Pepperoni is a type of salami when made the real way,” Campbell says. “But it is on the finer side as far as grind goes and contains smaller pieces of fat than you would get in a lot of salamis.” As a result, pepperoni tends to be softer than salami. Pepperoni is typically made with paprika which gives it its signature red hue, and the fermentation and drying process gives it a tangy, smoky flavor. There are different types of salami, so depending on the seasoning blend, salami can be spicy, peppery, savory or garlicky.
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How Long Does Pepperoni Last?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, whole, unopened pepperoni can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator or up to six weeks in the pantry. Once opened, store pepperoni in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
Pepperoni Recipes
This creative mash-up recipe combines elements of garlic bread, pepperoni pizza and grilled cheese, making it destined for classic comfort food status. Layers of mozzarella and pepperoni are sandwiched between bread slices slathered with garlic Parmesan butter, then griddled until the cheese is melty and the outside is golden-crisp.
Armando Rafael
In this hearty pasta bake, pepperoni lends flavor and texture. Thinly sliced pepperoni is sauteed till crisp, then folded with homemade tomato sauce and chopped spinach. A trio of Italian cheeses, including ricotta, asiago and pecorino, lend a creamy flourish.
Matt Armendariz
These pepperoni-and-cheese stuffed pockets are a popular snack across West Virginia and can be found at convenience stores throughout the Mountain State. Instead of sliced pepperoni, this recipe calls for a large chunk of pepperoni to anchor each soft roll's center.
Matt Armendariz
Using refrigerated crescent dough helps get this fan-favorite, feeds-a-crowd pizza ring on the table quickly. The filling includes a trio of meats: sweet Italian sausage, deli ham and sliced pepperoni.
This recipe employs a classic dessert technique to put a fun spin on a pepperoni-pizza-inspired focaccia: when you flip it out of a sheet pan, a super crispy pepperoni bottom-slash-top is revealed. And the hidden cheesy center is the perfect foil to the crispy slices of pepperoni.
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