Smoked Meats
This involves cooking and flavoring by exposing to smoke from burning wood or other material which not only imparts a unique, deep flavor but also helps to preserve it. Smoking methods include cold and hot smoking for very different results!
Types of Smoked Meats:
- Bacon: Typically smoked pork belly, bacon is a breakfast favorite known for its savory, smoky flavor.
- Smoked Sausages: Varieties like kielbasa and andouille are packed with flavor, perfect for grilling or adding to stews and soups.
- Ham: Whether it's city ham or country ham, smoking adds a rich, savory dimension to this classic.
The choice of wood—such as hickory, applewood, or mesquite—plays a crucial role in the final taste of smoked meats. Each type of wood offers a distinct flavor profile, enhancing the natural taste.
Cured Meats
These are preserved primarily through the application of salt, which removes moisture and inhibits the growth of bacteria. This is an ancient method of preservation that also significantly enhances the flavor! Top examples include prosciutto, salami, and pancetta.
Types of Cured Meats:
- Prosciutto: This Italian favorite is dry-cured ham, known for its delicate, sweet flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Salami: A variety of cured sausage, salami comes in many forms and flavors, from spicy to mild.
- Pancetta: Italian-style cured pork belly, pancetta is often used to add depth to pasta dishes, soups, and salads.
The Difference Between Smoked and Cured Meats
While both smoking and curing are methods of preserving and flavoring, they differ significantly in their processes and outcomes.
Smoking uses heat and smoke to cook and flavor.
Curing relies on the use of salt, and sometimes sugar, nitrates, and nitrites, to draw out moisture and prevent bacterial growth. Cured meats are typically air-dried over a period of time, which can range from a few days to several months, depending on the type of meat and desired flavor.
Combining Techniques
Interestingly, some undergo both processes. For example, bacon is first cured with salt and then smoked to enhance its flavor and preserve it further.
Origin
At Gourmet Food Store we source artisan meats from Spain, Italy, France, and many other locales. Whether you want to have the most indulgent snack in the world, the most amazing sandwich you’ve ever tasted, or want to cook with the best cured meats, our selection is exactly what you were looking for.
Types of Cured Meats
Spanish Iberico
Discover Spanish Iberico de Bellota, a cured ham from Spain that’s considered the best in the world. It comes from the prized Iberico black-hoofed pigs who roam the Spanish Dehesa, feeding on acorns, tubers and nuts. The breed is genetically privileged with sumptuous intramuscular fat marbling, which the diet rich in tubers and nuts renders even more deliciously buttery and tender. Use Iberico in meat platters, antipasto, for appetizers, or for the ultimate snack and sandwich.
Spanish Serrano Ham
Also, from Spain we carry an amazing selection of the traditional Serrano ham, from the Spanish Serrano white pigs. Beloved in Spain and all around the world, this ideal for tapas, to cook into tartas, tortillas and quiches, or to savor in a luxurious sandwich. We offer Spanish paleta, ham, solomillo, pork loin and more.
Italian Prosciutto
If you’re looking for Italian gourmet cured meat, we carry authentic Prosciutto di Parma ham. This rosy, buttery ham has been around for centuries, and is gently salted and air-cured in cellars for a flavor and texture that is coveted by gourmands. Our prosciutto is available in perfectly thin slices for snacking and antipasto, but also in impressive whole legs, which you can slice as thick or thin as you want, and that make for an impressive addition to your kitchen.
Sausages & Salami
If salami and sausage is what you were looking for, we carry an impressive selection of great charcuterie, like French-style saucisson, French-style boudin, confit, classic sausages like merguez, andouillete, and more.
Other SausagesDiscover our endless selection of British banger sausages, smoked venison, pork, wild boar and other great delicacies for grilling, casseroles, or sausage sandwiches. You can also learn the ins and outs of how to cook sausage right here!
Gift Sets
Our assortment of cured and smoked meats comes in curated sampler and gift sets, perfect for when you want to create a gourmet platter but don’t know where to start. We’ve paired our best together and will ship them to your doorstep – just open them and eat! They make great gourmet gifts for meat-lovers and fellow foodies and are ideal to add to gourmet gift baskets.
The perfect platter is never complete without a good amount of quality charcuterie meats. Start with gourmet cured items like thin slices of Iberico and Prosciutto, thick slices of chorizo, a few salamis and sausages, to mention a few. Luckily, we've got an amazing selection of cured and smoked meats for sale, sourced from the best charcuterie brands from around the world.
Smoked and Cured Meats Questions And Answers
Q:Are smoked meats bad for you?
A:Smoked meats can be part of a balanced diet, but excessive consumption may increase the risk of certain health issues due to their potential exposure to carcinogens.
Q:Can you eat smoked meats while pregnant?
A:Yes, in general, but make sure you choose varieties that are fully cooked.
Q:Can you freeze smoked meats?
A:Yes, smoked meats can be frozen to extend their shelf life and maintain their quality!
Q:What are cured meats?
A:Cured meats are preserved meats that have been treated with salt, nitrates, or other curing agents for. Most common examples include bacon, ham, and salami.