11 Best Substitutes For Prosciutto (+ PHOTOS)

Prosciutto is a delicious Italian ham that has become a staple at every dinner table across the globe.

If you love prosciutto, then you should definitely try these 11 alternatives.


Prosciutto is a dry cured pork leg meat that comes from Italy.

It’s usually served thinly sliced or crumbled into a salad dressing.

The meat is often seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and other spices.

There are plenty of substitutes for prosciutto out there.

Some are even better than prosciutto itself.

Check out our list of 11 best alternatives for prosciutto

What Is Prosciutto?

Prosciutto is a type of dry cured ham from Italy. It is usually sliced very thin and used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. It is typically served cold but can also be warmed slightly.
Prosciutto is made from pork loin, belly, and/or leg meat. It is usually seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and sometimes other spices such as sage, rosemary, thyme, fennel, and oregano.
Prosciutta di Parma is a type of prosciutto made only in the city of Parma, Italy. It is made using the same methods as prosciutto di San Daniele, but it contains no sodium nitrite. This allows it to be eaten raw, unlike prosciutto di san Daniele.

Substitutes For Prosciutto

There are many substitutes for prosciutto. These include pancetta, bacon, salami, chorizo, pepperoni, and even cooked ham.

1. Jamón Serrano

Jamón serrano is a Spanish dry cured ham. It is similar to prosciutto but not quite the same. It is usually served sliced thin and used as an ingredient in tapas dishes.
2. Pancetta
Answer: Pancetta is Italian bacon. It is leaner than American bacon and has a mild flavor. It is usually sold uncured and thinly sliced.

2. Culatello

Culatello is a type of Italian dry aged ham. It is very flavorful and comes from the leg area of the pig. It is usually served thinly sliced.
3. Chorizo
Answer: Chorizo is a spicy sausage from Spain. It is usually smoked and cured. It is usually served in links or tubes.

3. Ham

Ham is a type of meat from pigs. It is usually cooked and eaten uncured. It is usually served thin slices.
4. Prosciutto di Parma
Prosciutto di Parmigiano Reggiano is a type of Italian dried ham. It is usually air-dried and salted. It is usually served sliced.

4. Bacon

1. Ham
Ham is the generic name for any cured pork product. In the United States, ham refers specifically to dry-cured ham, while wet-cured ham is called country ham. Dry-cured hams are generally sold whole as opposed to half and are typically smoked. Country ham is not smoked.

5. Pancetta

Pancetta is Italian bacon, similar to American bacon but usually thicker. It’s made from pork belly, unlike regular bacon, which comes from the loin. Pancetta is used in many classic dishes such as carbonara, ragu, and pasta e fagioli. It’s also very good fried.
6. Prosciutto di Parma
Prosciutto di Piacenza is a type of prosciutto made from pigs raised in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. It is traditionally produced using a salting process that takes place over several months.

6. Salami

Salami is a dry sausage made from meat, fat, and spices. It is typically served sliced and eaten cold. It is sometimes referred to as “Italian bologna” because it was originally made in Bologna, Italy.
7. Pepperoni
Pepperoni is a spicy, cured, cooked ham product originating in Italy. It is usually sold in slices and is used as a topping for pizza.

7. Beef Bresaola

Bresaola is a type of salted beef preserved in salt and aged for several months. It is similar to prosciutto but is not smoked. It is primarily made from beef heart braciole and liver lardo.
8. Sausage
Sausages are meat products that are formed into links, patties, or other shapes. They are generally seasoned and cooked before eating.

8. Duck Prosciutto

Duck prosciutto is a dry cured ham made from duck legs. It is usually served sliced and used as an appetizer.
9. Ham
Ham is a dry-cured pork product. It is typically eaten cold and thinly sliced. Ham is available in many different varieties, such as country ham, Italian ham, Canadian bacon, and American ham.

9. Cheese

Cheese is a dairy product that comes in various forms. It is produced by coagulating milk proteins into curds and whey. Cheeses are classified according to their fat content, ranging from hard cheeses such as cheddar to soft cheeses such as Brie.
10. Bacon
Bacon is a type of meat prepared by curing and smoking pig belly. It is usually sold uncooked and cooked in strips. Bacon is sometimes referred to as streaky bacon because of the appearance of the slices. In addition to being a popular breakfast food, bacon is also used in cooking and baking.

10. Toasted Nuts

Toasting nuts is a process where they are heated until they become fragrant and golden brown. This process helps to bring out the flavor of the nut and gives it a crunchy texture.
11. Bread
Bread is a staple food in many cultures around the world. It is made from flour mixed with water and salt, kneaded into dough, cut into pieces, and baked. Many types of bread exist, depending on the ingredients used, the method of preparation, and the end result desired.

11. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are fungi that are found growing on trees and decaying wood. They are edible and nutritious. Most mushrooms are sold dried, but fresh mushrooms are available seasonally.
12. Rice
Rice is a cereal grain native to Asia. It is grown commercially for human consumption. Rice is a major source of carbohydrates in many countries. In addition to being eaten directly, it is processed into various other products such as noodles, porridge, and beer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between rice and pasta?
There are two main differences between rice and pasta. First, rice is not cooked in liquid; instead, it is soaked in hot water until tender. Second, rice is usually served plain, while pasta is typically dressed with sauce.
How long does it take to cook rice?

Can prosciutto be eaten raw?

Rice takes about 20 minutes to cook. Prosciutto is cured ham and can be eaten raw.
Is it safe to eat sushi if I am allergic to shellfish?
Answer: Yes, it is safe to eat sushi if you are allergic to shellfish.

Does prosciutto smell bad?

Yes, prosciutto smells bad because it contains salt.
How long does it take to cook pasta?
Answer: Pasta needs about 10 minutes to cook.

What meat is similar to prosciutto?

Prosciutto is a type of ham. It is usually cured and smoked.
What is the difference between prosciutto and pancetta?
Answer: Prosciutto is a dry-cured ham from Italy. Pancetta is a dry-curing of pork belly.

What ham is similar to prosciutto?

Ham is a dry-cure of pork leg.

Can Canadian bacon be substituted for prosciutto?

Canadian bacon is not a true substitute for prosciutto. It is a dry-cured version of pork belly. It is usually smoked but sometimes cured with nitrates. It is very lean and has a mild flavor. Prosciutto is a dry-curing process of pork loin. It is usually aged for several months and has a strong flavor.

What can I use instead of prosciutto in beef Wellington?

Prosciutto is a traditional ingredient in Beef Wellington. It adds a nice salty flavor to the dish. However, if you cannot get hold of it, you can use any other type of ham. Ham is another option. It is similar to prosciutto in taste and texture. It is usually used in meat dishes.

What is a non-pork substitute for prosciutto?

You can use bacon instead of prosciuttto. Bacon is a good alternative because it tastes very similar to prosciuttto. It is also available in different flavors. You can choose between regular bacon and smoked bacon. Regular bacon is cooked until crispy while smoked bacon is cooked until smoky.

Can I substitute pancetta for prosciutto?

Yes, you can use pancetta instead of prosciutto. Pancetta is Italian cured pork belly. It is usually sliced thin and used in pasta dishes. It is also delicious when pan fried.

Is Serrano ham like prosciutto?

Serrano Ham is similar to Prosciutto but not exactly the same. Serrano Ham is from Spain and comes from the serrano pepper. Serrano Ham is very lean and has a mild flavor. It is great for sandwiches.
What is the difference between prosciutto and serrano ham?
Answer: Prosciutto is from Italy and is dry cured. Serrano Ham is smoked and cured. Both are good choices for sandwiches.

What is the difference between culatello and Prosciutto?

Culatello is Italian and comes from the Culatello region of Tuscany. Prosciutto is dry aged and comes from Parma, Emilia Romagna, and other parts of northern Italy.

What is a good vegetarian substitute for prosciutto?

Prosciutto cotto is a delicious Italian dish that consists of thinly sliced ham cooked until crispy and served with melon slices. It is usually prepared using prosciutto di Parma, but any type of cured ham can be used. Prosciutto cotto can be found in many restaurants around the world, but it is not easy to find at home because it requires special equipment. A good alternative to prosciutto cottoto is bacon. Bacon is similar to prosciutto in taste and texture, but it does not require special equipment to cook. To make prosciutto cotta, cut the prosciutto into thin strips and pan fry them in olive oil until crisp. Serve with melon slices.

What is a healthy substitute for prosciutto?

Prosciutto is a type of ham from Italy. It is usually smoked and cured. Prosciutto is very popular in Italian cuisine. It is used as a garnish for pasta dishes, pizza, salads, sandwiches, and other types of dishes. It is also used as a topping for breads such as focaccia and ciabatta.

What is similar to prosciutto?

Prosciutto is a type of ham that comes from pigs raised in Italy. It is usually cured using salt and other spices. Prosciutto is very popular in Italian cuisine and is used in many dishes such as pasta, pizza, sandwiches, salads, soups, and pastries. However, if you are trying to cut down on sodium intake, you can try making your own version of prosciutto. To make your own prosciutto, you will need to cure pork loin. This process involves salting the meat, drying it, and smoking it. Once the curing process is complete, you can slice the pork into thin strips and serve it as a delicious appetizer.

What is a substitute for prosciutto cotto?

Proscuitto is a very popular Italian ham product. It is usually made from pork but sometimes it is made from beef or other meats. Proscuitto is used in many dishes such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pasta, pizza, and even desserts. However, if you are looking for a vegetarian alternative to proscuitto, you can try using tempeh bacon. Tempeh bacon is a delicious vegan meat alternative that tastes similar to real bacon. It is made from fermented soybeans and contains no cholesterol.