Ham vs. Pork Explained: 8 Popular Pork Products

Pork is a cut of meat from a domesticated pig in its raw form. Pork includes several different cuts that come from any part of the pig, including the shoulder, leg, and belly. Pork is one of the most widely eaten meat products around the world, served both freshly cooked and preserved.

Ham is a cut of pork from a pig’s hind leg. There are several types of ham, including cured ham, fresh ham, country ham, Black Forest ham, and hickory-smoked ham. A bone-in, whole ham is a full cut from the hind leg of the pig. By contrast, some boneless ham varieties include pre-cut slices sold as deli meat for ham sandwiches. Ham is preserved either through brining (also known as wet curing) or traditional dry curing with seasonings like salt.

Ham is a cut of pork, while pork encompasses many cuts of pig meat. There are a few other key differences between ham and fresh pork.

1. 1. Preservatives: While pork is typically sold as raw meat, ham often includes preservatives like nitrites and nitrates.
2. 2. Shelf life: Home cooks need to cook raw pork shortly after purchasing it or store it in the freezer as soon as possible. By contrast, ham can last in the fridge for several days, and dry cured ham lasts for weeks.
3. 3. Flavor: One of the main differences between ham and other types of pork is the flavor. Pork typically has a mild flavor, while ham has a stronger, smoky flavor.

There are several popular types of pork used in cooking.

1. 1. Bacon: A popular breakfast food item, bacon is cured, smoked, and sliced pork belly.
2. 2. Salami: Salami is cured meat typically pulled from the neck of a pig.
3. 3. Pork butt: Pulled pork is a popular dish made from the upper part of a pig’s shoulder called the pork butt. After being smoked for several hours, the meat gets shredded and tossed in barbeque sauce.
4. 4. Pork loin: Pork loin comes from a pig’s upper back behind its ribcage. Pork loin is the cut of meat used for pork roasts.
5. 5. Pork chops: One of the most popular pork cuts, pork chops are thick cuts of meat shaped similarly to steaks.
6. 6. Pork shoulder: Pork shoulder is a cheaper, tougher cut of pork meat typically cooked by slow-roasting.
7. 7. Ham hock: Ham hock is lean pork meat that comes from the lower leg of a pig. Ham hocks are most commonly used to flavor soups, stews, and vegetable dishes.
8. 8. Prosciutto: Prosciutto is a form of cooked ham aged with a dry-curing process. Prosciutto has a unique flavor that works well with Italian cuisine dishes.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.