Originating in Italy, pancetta is a salumi cut from pork belly that is cured, unsmoked and seasoned with salts and spices. Also known as "Italian bacon", pancetta has a rich, salty flavour and melt-in-your-mouth texture that adds depth to everything from carbonara to risotto.
But when this true staple of Italian cuisine isn’t an option, there are plenty of equally flavourful substitutes to help keep your delicious recipes on track.
Below, we take a look at the best meat and plant-based substitutes for pancetta and make suggestions as to how to use them in popular dishes.
Why would I need a pancetta substitute?
Sometimes, even the most beloved ingredients need a stand-in. A pancetta substitute is any ingredient that mimics the rich, salty and slightly smoky flavour of pancetta. But why swap out such a classic?
Dietary needs are a big reason. Those following vegetarian or vegan diets might crave that savoury punch without using meat, while others may need a halal option that aligns with their dietary restrictions. Pancetta substitutes also come in handy for those watching their calorie intake or reducing saturated fats as part of weight loss or health goals.
Then there's the adventurous cook—experimenting with new flavours and textures can bring a fresh twist to well-loved recipes. If you're testing plant-based alternatives for the family or simply adding a unique ingredient to add some excitement to your weekly pasta night, a pancetta substitute opens the door to endless, delicious possibilities.
5 meat-based pancetta substitutes
When pancetta is off the table, these meat-based substitutes step in to deliver the same savoury goodness.
1. Bacon
As pancetta's fattier relative, bacon is a top contender when it comes to pancetta substitutes. However, bacon is smoked, unlike pancetta, giving it a stronger, more distinct flavour. It’s also higher in fat, so you might need to pre-cook it and drain some of the grease, depending on the dish.
Tip: For a closer match to pancetta, use unsmoked bacon if you can find it. Bacon works well in carbonara, soups and stews where its crispy texture and bold flavour can really shine.
2. Prosciutto
Made from leg meat, prosciutto is commonly served thinly sliced and has a delicate, salty flavour and similar melt-in-your-mouth texture. Since it’s air-dried and doesn’t need cooking, it works beautifully in cold dishes like salads or as a topping for flatbreads. For recipes requiring diced pancetta, finely chopped prosciutto to mimic its texture.
Tip: Use prosciutto in antipasti, pasta dishes or wrapped around vegetables for a quick, savoury hit that’s full of flavour.
3. Smoked ham or gammon
Smoked ham and gammon are excellent substitutes, offering a sweet-savoury balance with a touch of smokiness. Both cuts of pork come from leg and can be bought cured, smoked or fully cooked. Gammon especially has a firmer texture, making it ideal for dicing or slicing, depending on your recipe.
Tip: Smoked ham or gammon works brilliantly in hearty autumn and winter soups, casseroles or pasta bakes. If you're using uncooked gammon, make sure it's cooked thoroughly before adding it to your dish.
4. Turkey bacon
For a leaner, pork-free alternative, turkey bacon fits the bill. It’s lower in fat but higher in sodium, so you may need to adjust your seasoning. Turkey bacon has a milder flavour but crisps up nicely, adding a light crunch to your dishes.
Tip: Ideal for lighter pasta dishes, salads and soups, add a sprinkle of smoked paprika to boost the flavour of your turkey bacon.
5. Chorizo
Bold, spicy and bursting with flavour, chorizo packs a punch. Made with pork meat and fat, this cured, traditional Spanish sausage is seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic to give it the distinctive kick that sets it apart.
While it’s not an exact match for pancetta’s flavour, chorizo adds a fiery depth that can elevate any dish.
Tip: Sauté it to release its rich oils and aroma, then toss it into paella, spicy pasta or roasted veggies for an irresistible twist.
Frives Baked Mushroom Puttanesca Rigatoni
5 vegan and vegetarian pancetta substitutes
With pancetta a staple of Italian cuisine, it’s no wonder that many recipes include it as a core ingredient. For those who don’t eat meat, this can be a problem. We’ve identified 5 plant-based substitutes that you can use instead of pancetta.
1. Smoked tofu
Smoked tofu is a protein-packed substitute that adds a subtle smokiness that mimics pancetta’s depth of flavour. On its own, tofu has a mild taste, but when marinated and cooked, it absorbs surrounding flavours beautifully. Its firm yet slightly spongy texture also provides a satisfying bite.
Tip: Press and marinate smoked tofu with soy or Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of paprika for extra flavour.
2. Sun-dried tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes provide a tangy, slightly sweet burst of flavour that adds depth to any dish. While they lack pancetta’s fattiness, sun-dried tomatoes have a wonderfully concentrated and delicious taste that makes them another great meatless alternative in lighter meals like pasta and salads.
Tip: Finely chop sun-dried tomatoes and stir them into pasta, grain salads or roasted veggies. Rehydrate them in warm water or oil for a softer texture if needed.
3. Tempeh
Tempeh has a nutty, earthy flavour with a firm, chewy texture that holds up well in cooking. Like tofu (but with a higher calorie count), it soaks up various marinades but has a slightly stronger taste, making it a great addition to heartier dishes that require texture.
Tip: Slice or cube tempeh, then marinate it in a mix of soy sauce, maple syrup and spices of your choosing. Pan-fry or bake it before adding to risotto, stews or plant-based pasta dishes.
4. Mushrooms
Porcini mushrooms or other rich, earthy varieties bring a meaty, umami-packed punch, and their firm texture makes them an excellent stand-in for pancetta in terms of flavour and substance.
Tip: Fry porcini mushrooms in olive oil with a touch of garlic and salt to bring out their savoury notes before using them in pasta, risotto or as a topping for flatbreads.
5. Olives
Olives are small flavour bombs with salty, savoury notes that closely match pancetta’s flavour. Green olives, in particular, have a salty sharpness, while black olives are milder and richer.
Tip: Chop olives finely for a similar texture and use them in salads, pasta dishes or a roasted vegetable medley. Try warming them in a skillet with olive oil and herbs for a deeper flavour.
Popular recipes and how to use pancetta substitutes
Carbonara
In classic carbonara, guanciale—a cured pork jowl—is the traditional choice, offering a chewy texture and salty flavour that complements the creamy sauce. If guanciale is unavailable, pancetta serves as a common substitute.
For those wanting a non-pork option, turkey bacon gives the same smoky flavour, while mushrooms can offer a tasty vegetarian alternative. When using turkey bacon, reduce any additional salt, as it is typically high in sodium. For mushrooms, adding a splash of soy sauce during frying can enhance their flavour.
Coq au vin
This French classic traditionally includes lardons (small strips of fatty pork) to enrich the dish's flavour. If pancetta or lardons are unavailable, you can substitute with bacon—just keep in mind its smokiness will slightly alter the taste.
For a non-pork alternative, beef tallow or chicken fat can provide the necessary fat content, while a combination of mushrooms, such as cremini and dried porcini, can add earthy depth and a meaty texture. Sauté the mushrooms until browned to create a strong and delicious flavour before adding them to the stew.
Lasagne
In Pancetta's absence, turkey bacon can impart a similar smoky flavour to your lasagne but with less fat. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, thinly sliced porcini mushrooms offer the same rich flavour and texture that makes lasagne such a comforting and hearty meal.
Another great vegan alternative is tofu—press it to remove excess moisture, marinate it in soy sauce and herbs, and then fry until golden. Layer these alternatives as you would pancetta in your lasagne.
Pizza
Pancetta is often used as a topping for a salty, savoury pizza bite. However, prosciutto, when added post-baking, can be a delicate substitute. For a non-pork option, smoked turkey slices offer a similar flavour, whilst sun-dried tomatoes or olives are a popular savoury vegetarian topping.
Soups and stews
Pancetta is commonly used to build a flavour base in soups and stews. Bacon can replace pancetta, though its smokiness will alter the dish's profile.
A combination of mushrooms and a dash of smoked paprika can mimic the depth pancetta provides for a vegetarian substitute. Fry the mushrooms until they release their moisture and develop a deep brown colour, then add the smoked paprika to infuse a subtle, meat-like smokiness.
How to choose a substitute for pancetta?
Choosing the best pancetta substitute is all about matching the needs of your dish and your taste buds. Not every alternative will work perfectly in every recipe, but with a few clever tweaks, you can get pretty close to pancetta’s salty, savoury magic.
The dish matters
The kind of dish you're cooking can help narrow down your options. In pasta dishes like carbonara, a substitute with a bit of fat and salt—like turkey bacon or smoked tofu—will give you the satisfying texture and taste you're looking for. For lighter recipes, such as salads or pizzas, sun-dried tomatoes or prosciutto, add just the right pop of flavour without overpowering the dish.
Balance flavour and texture
Pancetta’s beauty lies in its salty richness and slightly chewy texture. When swapping it out, look for substitutes replicating at least one of these elements. For a meaty texture, mushrooms or tempeh can do wonders. Need more salt? Add a pinch of smoked paprika or soy sauce to give plant-based alternatives like tofu an extra kick.
Adjust your seasoning
Some substitutes, like bacon or olives, pack more punch than pancetta. To avoid overpowering your dish, scale back on additional salt or smoky spices. On the flip side, milder options, such as plain tempeh, might need a boost. A quick marinade or sprinkle of herbs and spices can elevate their flavour profile to match the boldness of pancetta.
Don’t be afraid to experiment
The best substitute often depends on your creativity. Playing around with different flavour combinations you would never typically pair together, like combining smoky mushrooms with a touch of miso paste, can lead to delicious discoveries. And who knows? You might just stumble upon a new favourite flavour combo.
Discover your perfect pancetta substitute with Frive
The right pancetta substitute can transform your cooking, adding depth and flavour to every dish. Smoky bacon, earthy mushrooms or tangy sun-dried tomatoes all add their own unique twist to the table.
No matter your choice, the key to a great pancetta swap is balance. With a bit of finesse, you can tailor any substitute to suit your dish and dietary needs—keeping every meal as tasty as the original.
Why stop at substitutes? Frive’s meal prep service incorporates a number of the pancetta substitutes mentioned above. Our meals are specially made to save you time and stress, with fresh, chef-prepared dishes that use no ultra-processed ingredients. They are made twice weekly and delivered straight to your door. No prep, no clean up, no fuss. Just head and eat.
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