by Pancetta is simply pork belly that is cured, spiced, and dried. It has its roots in Italy and is not popular in most parts of the world. Pancetta is different from bacon because while bacon is smoked, pancetta is not.
So, if you are in the grocery store or about to go and you are wondering where to find pancetta in the grocery store, you are on the right page. In this post, we have revealed the common grocery store aisles and sections where you can easily get them. If probably you do not know which store to go find pancetta, our list covers that too.
What Aisle is Pancetta in the Grocery Store?
When looking for Pancetta in any grocery store, you should look at the delicatessen or deli section in the grocery store. If you can’t find it in the deli, should look at the international aisle where it will place near order Italian products. This is because Pancetta is a native meat of Italy.
Read Also: Does Trader Joe’s Sell Ham?
What Does Pancetta Look Like in the Grocery Store?
If it’s your first time shopping pancetta, then you might be wondering how it looks like while on the store shelf. Well, it typically comes as a packaged meat product, often sold in slices or rolls. Most times, you will find them in the refrigerated section near other cured meats like bacon and prosciutto.
At times, pancetta in packaged in a vacuum-sealed plastic. Other times, it is on a tray covered with plastic wrap. It has a unique appearance with a pinkish-red color and marble pattern, showcasing the layers of fat and meat.
Where to Buy Pancetta Near You
1. Amazon
Amazon has different brands and types of pancetta you can try out. The top-rated products are Colameco’s uncured diced pancetta, Hormel Bacon bits, and Wellshire Farms bacon bits.
The benefit of buying from Amazon is that it’s an online store where you can browse their website to discover the different types of pancetta. Also, you can stay in the comfort of your house before you can buy your products.
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2. Walmart
Walmart is another big store in the US where you can find Pancetta. They have different brands, such as Bretta and Citterio Pancetta. Before shopping, you can also share their website to know the other brands available. Also, if you can find any Walmart store close to your area, you can use their online store locator to find the nearest grocery store near your location that sells Pancetta.
3. Kroger
Kroger also sells pancetta and you will find it in the deli section of the store. They carry different brands like Fiorucci, Cubetti, and Boar’s Head. You can check their website anytime to find out the particular brand of pancetta available. Meanwhile, Kroger offers a delivery service which means you can order through their website, and it will be delivered to your doorstep.
4. Target
At Target, you will find pancetta in the deli section. Target sells products like Columbus diced Pancetta and Good and Gather Pancetta. So if it is a place you prefer to shop at, then you might want to go check it out.
5. Ethnic Market
Another place you can check for your pancetta ethnic markets, especially the ones that sell Italian products. You can find Pancetta in these stores.
6. Wegmans
If there is any Wegmans store close to you, it is another place you would want to check for pancetta. Usually, pancetta at Wegmans is found among the deli meats.
7. Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods is rated among the biggest grocery store in the US. It has so many stores in different places and sells various products including pancetta. You can also find different brands of pancetta like Dolce pancetta and Calemeco’s uncure pancetta.
8. Publix
Publix is another excellent grocery store where you can get pancetta. They usually have it in the deli section of the grocery store. You will find Boar’s Head, Volpi, and Busseto pancetta products at Publix.
9. Safeway
Safeway keeps pancetta in the deli meat section. They carry products like Columbus diced pancetta, Primo Taglio uncured pancetta among other brands.
10. H-E-B
Do you have H-E-B nearby? That is another place you can buy pancetta. H-E-B sell brands like Applegate Naturals pancetta, Mastro Round pancetta, Boar’s Head pancetta, etc.
11. Ralphs
Walk into the nearest Ralphs grocery store and check their deli meat section for the Boar’s Head diced pancetta, La Quercia pancetta, or the Columbus brand.
12. Albertsons
At Albertsons, you can basically find two brands of pancetta: The Boar’s Head and the Primo Taglio pancettas. You will find them in the meat section.
13. Vons
Vons keep pancetta in the deli section of the store. Primo Taglio, Boar’s Head, Fiorucci, and Deitz & Watson are some of the pancetta brands that they sell.
Great Ways to Use Pancetta
- For making soup: Begin by chopping or dicing pieces of Pancetta into your soup. It adds a meaty flavor to the soup, and you will surely enjoy it.
- Use pancetta in salads: You can dice it and add it to salad, be sure to use an already cooked pancetta. It will add a meaty taste to the salad.
- Use pancetta as pizza topping: You can add them as toppings to pizza when making them at home. You can also use it with other veggies when making the pizza to add more flavor and taste.
- Used to improve pasta flavor: You can add pancetta to your pasta only when you are about to serve it.
- Use in rice: To boost the meaty flavor and taste of your rice, introduce pancetta when your rice is fully cooked or about to be served.
- Make sandwiches: You can always add it to your sandwich to have more flavor and taste.
How to Find the Best Pancetta in Grocery store
Grocery store carry different qualities of pancetta and if you are not careful, you might not pick the right one. Pay attention to the following factors when shopping for pancetta:
- Look for pancetta slices that are well-marbled and not overly fatty or dry.
- In terms of appearance, the color should be consistent and uniform. There should be no sign of discoloration or off-putting odor.
- Especially if you won’t consume the entire content at a go, choose vacuum-sealed or airtight packaging to maintain freshness.
- Always check the expiration or use-before date to ensure it’s still fresh and healthy to consume.
FAQs
Q1. Is pancetta like ham?
Although both ham and pancetta are pork products, they are not the same. While pancetta is an Italian cured pork belly, ham is sourced from pig’s hind leg.
They differ in many other ways, like pancetta is usually unsmoked and has a delicate, rich flavor which is slightly salty and sometimes spicy depending on the seasoning used during the curing. When cooked, a pancetta has this unique melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ham is a bunch of meat that can be sold as a whole leg, a boneless join, or sliced. You can prepare it by smoking, roasting, or curing.
Can pancetta be eaten without cooking?
Yes, it is safe to eat pancetta without cooking because it has been cured and air-dried, just like how you enjoy other cured meats like prosciutto. However, you must have it in mind that pancetta has intense flavor and may have a salty and concentrated taste.
Can pancetta be frozen?
Of course, you can freeze pancetta to extend its shelf life. To do that, wrap it well, and consider dividing the pancetta into smaller portions before freezing, so that you thaw only what you need when next you are using it.
Can pancetta be substituted for prosciutto?
Pancetta can be substituted for prosciutto in many recipes. However, you need to keep it in mind that the flavor and texture of the two are different. So if you are substituting one for the other, be prepared for a different taste and texture in your final dish.
Some of these recipes are salad, pasta carbonara, pizza toppings, asparagus or wrapped vegetables, etc.
Can pancetta be substituted for bacon?
Both pancetta and bacon are both cure pork products, and yes, you can use pancetta in place of bacon. But ultimately, it depends on your taste preferences and the specific dish you are making.
Read Also: Where to Find Bacon Bits in Grocery Store
Takeaway…
In summary, we have stated in this post that you can find pancetta in the deli section or the international aisle of the grocery store.
Also, be aware that most of the stores in this article have online platforms or sites where you can visit to check out the different brands of Pancetta and also place orders online.
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Kk
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