What Can You Use Cured Salt Pork For? (Ideas)

Cured salt pork is a common ingredient found in Northeastern dishes of the United States, its beginnings may have come from Europe, the Slavic countries call it Salo.

But it goes way back many hundreds of years ago, potentially thousands.

When you consider the Romans were salt-curing whole legs of pork.

This savory cured meat can work well in many different cuisines.

Cured salt pork is versatile enough that it’s worth keeping around in your kitchen any time you want to amp up the flavor in your cooking. 

Ways to Use Cured Salt Pork

Cured salt pork is most commonly used for rendering into fat or flavoring one-pot meals like chowder or baked beans. Salt pork can also be used to add salt and fat to roasted or braised vegetables. Cured salt pork is a great way to add umami to any dish. 

Dish	Description
Split Pea Soup	Add salt pork for depth of flavor
Collard Greens	Cook with salt pork for a Southern twist
Beans and Rice	Enhance with diced salt pork for umami
Lentil Stew	Use salt pork as a savory base
Clam Chowder	Add diced salt pork for richness
Potato Leek Soup	Infuse with salt pork flavor
Baked Beans	Traditional addition for a smoky taste
Sauerkraut and Pork	Combine for a hearty dish
Cabbage and Salt Pork Stir-Fry	A quick and flavorful option (small cubes fry first)
Corn Chowder	Add salt pork for a savory kick (sweet/salty mix)
Red Beans and Rice	Enhance with salt pork
New England Boiled Dinner	Include salt pork for seasoning
Spinach and Salt Pork Quiche	A savory brunch option
Gumbo	Use salt pork as a base for this Cajun classic
Okra and Tomatoes	Saute with diced salt pork
Black-Eyed Peas	Cook with salt pork for Southern flavor
Potato Soup	Elevate with the addition of salt pork
Pea and Ham Risotto	Incorporate diced salt pork
Fried Rice	Substitute bacon with diced salt pork
Brussels Sprouts with Salt Pork	A tasty side dish
Chow Mein	Use salt pork for a flavorful stir-fry
Creamed Corn	Saute with salt pork for richness
Chicken and Rice Casserole	Include diced salt pork
Succotash	Combine lima beans, corn, and salt pork
Scalloped Potatoes with Salt Pork	A comforting side
Pasta Carbonara	Replace pancetta with salt pork (differences I wrote about)
Pinto Beans with Salt Pork	A simple and hearty dish
Sweet Potato and Salt Pork Hash	A flavorful breakfast
Chickpea Stew	Boost flavor with salt pork
Ratatouille	Add salt pork for depth in this vegetable dish
Homemade Biscuits with Salt Pork Gravy	A hearty breakfast
Pork and Bean Soup	Use salt pork for seasoning
Tomato and Salt Pork Sandwich	A twist on a classic
Potato Salad with Salt Pork Dressing	A unique flavor profile
Cauliflower and Salt Pork Soup	A warming winter soup
Broccoli and Salt Pork Casserole	A cheesy delight
Spaghetti Bolognese	Add diced salt pork for richness
Hoppin’ John	A Southern dish with black-eyed peas and salt pork
Ham and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast	Use salt pork for a twist
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus with Salt Pork	A flavorful appetizer

Cured salt pork has many functions in cooking, but you have to know how to source good cured salt pork and how to cook it properly. Please keep reading to learn more about the dishes you can incorporate cured salt pork into and how to prepare it. 

Salt pork is a cured meat that is most commonly used as a secondary ingredient rather than the star of the show. This is because cured salt pork is very salty, almost too salty to eat without preparing it first. 

Instead, cured salt pork is usually used in the following ways (Source: Food52): 

• Flavor enhancement: The fat and salt in cured salt pork mean that just a little bit can go a long way towards boosting the savory flavors in a dish. The fat in the salt pork helps the flavoring integrate with whatever dish you include.
  
• Added fat: For naturally dry dishes, like some lean proteins or vegetables, adding salt pork can add flavor and a creamy mouthfeel that significantly improves the texture of the food.
  
• Bacon substitute: Any recipe that incorporates chopped or minced bacon as a secondary ingredient can have cured salt pork used in its place. These cured meats taste similar when incorporated into starchy dishes like dumplings or potato casseroles. 

• Flavoring for soups and stocks: Salt pork can be used instead of salt to give soups and stocks a meaty flavor. Salt pork can deepen the flavor of soups, stews, and chowders while still letting the potatoes and vegetables take center stage in the dish. 

Salt pork makes a great addition to several types of food, especially if you just need to add a little extra pizzazz to a side dish when you already have protein in the main dish. Below, you’ll learn about some of my favorite meals that incorporate cured salt pork. 

My Favorite Uses for Salt Pork

Any stew can add that mouth feel to give the savory side a real boost.

Cured salt pork can be used in tons of recipes where you might use bacon or other cured pork products, but there are several recipes where cured salt pork is one of the most important ingredients. Here are some iconic recipes that incorporate cured salt pork (Source: Fine Cooking): 

• Baked beans: Cured salt pork can add a deeper, smokier flavor to baked bean casseroles and dishes than bacon, which is also a common ingredient in these recipes. Try adding green pepper in your baked beans alongside your salt pork to add some texture and color.
  
• Hoppin’ John: Hoppin’ John is a Southern-style dish made of black-eyed peas, rice, and cured salt pork. This recipe is typically served with hot sauce and is thought to bring good luck to whoever eats it. (Source: Simply Recipes)
  
• Salt Cod and Corn Chowder: Cured salt pork is a traditional pairing with salt cod since the rendered salt pork fat gives the fish a more authentic flavor than using other cooking oils. The salt in the salt pork can also help add some seasoning to the creamy base of the chowder, off-setting the sweetness of the corn.
  
• Jambalaya: Jambalaya is a one-pot stew that often uses whatever cured pork products are lying around, so it’s a good dish for using up cured salt pork. Try frying some blackened shrimp in the fat rendered from salt pork rather than butter or oil to give the shrimp a strong, savory flavor. They’ll make the perfect toppers for this Creole dish. 

• Frybread: The rendered fat from cured salt pork is commonly used to fry the dough for Native American frybread, where balls of dough are dropped in hot oil. (Source: The Chickasaw Nation) Cured salt pork fat can also be used to substitute butter in other baked products like biscuits and cornbread.
  
• Stewed greens: Stewed bitter greens such as collard or turnip greens often incorporate a pork product such as bacon or cured salt pork as a flavor component. The fat and salt in the pork are used to help complement the bitterness of the greens. Add a dash of vinegar for acid to get a full range of flavors. 

As you can see, cured salt pork is a versatile ingredient for adding meaty umami and salt flavors to a wide variety of dishes. Whether you need it to pump up a plate of roasted vegetables or as an extra boost of flavor in a side dish of mashed potatoes, cured salt pork can make a big difference in the final quality of your meal. 

Cured Salt Pork Is a Great Addition to Many Meals

If you need a secret ingredient with house guests asking for the recipe, cured salt pork is a good one to fall back on. This product works well in any savory dish where salt and umami flavors are needed to help boost the natural sweetness of vegetables and the bland texture of starches. 

Where Does Salt Pork Originate From?

Along with hardtack, salt pork was a standard ration for many militaries and navies throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, seeing usage in the American Civil War, War of 1812, and the Napoleonic Wars, among others. 

Other Resources:

25 Other Recipes for Salt Pork – https://drizzlemeskinny.com/25-delicious-salt-pork-recipes-to-try-today/

15 Other Recipes for Salt Pork – https://wonderfulcook.com/salt-pork-recipes/