Tasso ham, a lean cut of pork that has been brined and smoked, is one of the most popular and well-known forms of Cajun meat.
This delectable pork delicacy is available in almost every grocery store and butcher shop in southern Louisiana. That’s how widespread it is.
Yet, because not everyone lives in the South, what should you do if you can’t locate tasso ham where you are? Of course, you go out and get the next greatest thing.
Not every pig product will work perfectly as a replacement for tasso ham.
Sure, this beef is thinner than usual, but it is also highly tasty due to the brining and smoking.
It has a distinct taste, which has led to its usage as a component in cuisines as far afield as New Orleans for hundreds of years.
Nevertheless, there are various pig products available that may be used in place of tasso ham.
This post will look at some of the alternatives to tasso ham and analyze their benefits and drawbacks.
Contents
What exactly is Tasso Ham?
To begin, what exactly is Tasso Ham? Tasso ham is a kind of cured pork that originated in Louisiana’s Cajun area.
It is commonly derived from the shoulder butt, but different incisions are possible.
The cut is generously seasoned with salt and powdered black pepper before being smoked for several hours at 160 F over pecan wood or sugar cane.
This dried, smoked pork is then used to provide a spicy taste to popular Louisiana meals like jambalaya and gumbo.
The beef is cubed and put to casseroles or paired with vegetables before being cooked in liquid.
Tasso ham may be used in place of other cured meats such as bacon or pancetta in soups, stews, and casseroles.
If you want to sample it for yourself, go to a butcher shop or specialized store that sells cured meats.
Tasso ham may be found at your local grocery shop, however it may be tough to discover.
If the product has undesirable substances, be sure to read the contents list on the container.
If you’re in a hurry, get tasso ham online and have it delivered to your house or workplace.
The 5 Greatest Tasso Ham Substitutes
These are our top five alternates for Tasso ham if you can’t locate it.
1 pound pancetta
Pancetta is a cured Italian meat that is often used in soups, stews, and pasta dishes.
It may be used in place of the tasso ham.
Pancetta is somewhat saltier than tasso ham, but the colors and textures are comparable.
Pancetta is often produced from pig belly rather than the shoulder butt found in tasso ham.
It’s worth noting that pancetta is usually wrapped into a cylindrical form before curing, but tasso ham isn’t.
Pancetta is sold in its natural casing, which must be removed before cooking or eating.
2 Iberico de Bellota Jamon (cured Spanish ham)
Without a doubt, this is a fantastic alternative for tasso ham.
This is due to the fact that it tastes virtually exactly like the original product and adds a lot of flavor to your food.
This cured meat is made from Iberian pigs fed on acorns in Spain.
These acorns provide an undeniable depth of flavor to the pork, resulting in a rich, juicy, and tasty meat.
Notably, Jamon Iberico de Bellota is regarded as a delicacy in Spain.
It is often served as a beginning, known as a Piece of Armor, or as an addition to pasta or stews.
If you do not reside in a nation where this sort of cured ham is offered, it may be difficult to find.
You may, however, purchase it online.
3 Cotto Prosciutto
If you can’t get Jamon Iberico de Bellota, there’s another wonderful option that tastes nearly just like tasso ham.
This is cotto prosciutto. Its hue is comparable to that of tasso ham, although it is somewhat more delicate.
This cured ham is created from mildly smoked pig leg or thigh that has been matured for 8 to 12 months.
It may be marketed in its original, shelf-stable form.
Yet, finding non-refrigerated prosciutto cotto might be challenging.
Moreover, prosciutto cotto is often offered rolled with the meaty side out and the skin on.
If you’re seeking for an alternative for tasso ham, this variety may be tough to locate.
Nonetheless, like tasso ham, this sort of cured pork is excellent and may be used to stews or pasta dishes.
4 Chorizo Spicy
Spicy chorizo is another flavorful replacement for tasso ham that will enhance your cuisine.
The fiery paprika that gives this sausage its unique crimson hue provides the heat.
Smoked paprika may be used for extra smokiness.
The end product is a spicy sausage that has the same color and taste as tasso ham.
Spicy chorizo is normally sold in links, although it may also be purchased loose and cubed for use in stews or pasta recipes.
This sort of beef is often offered chilled or frozen, making it simple to purchase online.
5 Bacon from Canada
Not to mention Canadian bacon.
This alternative has a mouthfeel comparable to tasso ham but is somewhat saltier.
This cured meat is created from brined and smoked lean hog loin.
It got its moniker since it was initially imported from Canada in the early twentieth century and sold as a ham alternative.
When it comes to tasso ham replacements, Canadian bacon is an excellent choice.
It may be eaten alone or mixed with spaghetti and other recipes.
It is also often offered refrigerated or frozen, so there is no need to worry about it rotting soon after purchase.
When frying this sort of bacon, remember to remove the fatty layer.
Conclusion
Tasso ham is a common element in a variety of recipes.
Yet, outside of Louisiana and other locations where it is often served, it might be difficult to locate this style of cured beef.
There are dozens of tasso ham equivalents that taste nearly as good: Jamon Iberico de Bellota (Spanish ham), prosciutto cotto, spicy chorizo, and Canadian bacon are all excellent choices.
Which tasso ham alternative will you use the next time?
