Pepperoni – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is pepperoni?

Pepperoni is a dry sausage made from meat, fat, and various spices, usually including a type of mild red pepper. Pepperoni is most commonly sold in thin round slices and used as a pizza topping. More than 35% of pizzas made in America each year are covered in this flavorful sausage that curls up around the perimeter.

Americans also use pepperoni in various Italian-style dishes and as sandwich toppings. Pepperoni sticks are smaller in diameter and slightly denser. People like to buy pepperoni sticks for snacks and additions to children’s lunchboxes. 

Where did pepperoni originate from?

Pepperoni is a purely American invention, just like fortune cookies and nachos. It’s said that it was invented by Italian-Americans and was given the name “pepperoni” because it includes paprika, or red bell pepper powder. 

In the Italian language, red bell pepper is “peperoni.” Notice it’s one letter shorter.  So the next time you find yourself in an authentic Italian restaurant or Italy, don’t be surprised if you receive a pizza covered in red bell peppers after you order a pepperoni pizza. 

Pepperoni is a type of salami, which originates from Italy. There are many varieties of sausages that fall under the umbrella of salami. 

How is pepperoni made?

Pepperoni is typically made from pork, but sometimes it’s a mix of pork and beef. Additionally, beef pepperoni and turkey pepperoni are available and should be labeled as such. 

To make pepperoni, the meat is ground and mixed with seasonings which may include a mixture of any of the following: 

• Garlic
• Mustard seed
• Paprika
• Black pepper
• Fennel
• Cayenne pepper
• Sugar

Preservatives may also be added at this stage which will allow the pepperoni to stay fresh for a longer period of time. 

Once everything is mixed together well, it is put into a fibrous casing made from the intestinal lining of cows or pigs. Links are formed as the casing is stuffed, and then they’re placed in ovens to dry at a low temperature. Pepperoni may be sold in large links or sliced and put in smaller packages. 

How to store pepperoni

Pepperoni needs to be kept cool, so storing it in the refrigerator is best. Keep it well-wrapped in its packaging or with an extra layer of plastic cling wrap to prevent it from drying out. You should use the pepperoni within one week of opening the package. If you’re unable to use it all, repackage it in an air-tight container and freeze it. 

For unopened pepperoni, it’s usually okay to use up to a week past its “sell by” date. Store it well and freeze any portion that you won’t be able to use before the end of the week. 

How to tell if pepperoni is bad

There are two main ways to tell whether or not pepperoni is bad: its smell and appearance. If either of these seems “off,” then it’s likely gone bad, and you should throw it away. 

Pepperoni should be dry to the touch, so if it looks wet or slimy, this is a sure sign that it’s gone bad. Sliced pepperoni should peel apart easily, though they may be a bit stiff if they’ve just been taken from the fridge. Due to the preservatives that are generally found in pepperoni, looking for mold as your sole indication of it being bad or not isn’t accurate. 

The smell is the other indicator to use when determining if pepperoni has gone bad. It may begin to smell overly sour or rancid. Because there is fat in pepperoni, as it ages, it can become rancid like old oil. Finally, a sour, pungent smell signifies that the meat has gone bad and should be tossed out. 

One caveat to judging pepperoni by its appearance is that if it’s not stored properly, the ends will dry out and appear shriveled. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s bad. As long as you’ve stored it in the refrigerator or freezer, it’s likely still good to eat. You can cut off the ends (much like you may do if a block of cheese starts to dry out) and smell the pepperoni. You might even try a small piece to help you make your judgment call on whether or not you’ll use it. However, if you have any doubts, throw them away. 

What can I substitute for pepperoni?

Since pepperoni is a type of salami, some other dry, cured meats in the salami family work as an acceptable substitute. Options similar to pepperoni (but less flavorful and colorful) are specialty salamis like Salame Secchi, saucisson, and Borsellino. You might also buy vegetarian pepperoni if you want a closer flavor match.

When placing your Instacart order, you can let your shopper know if you will accept a substitute, and what you’d like. If you’re not open to accepting a substitute, there’s a place where you can note that as well. 

How does pepperoni compare to salami?

When it comes to pepperoni vs. salami, some people are firmly in favor of one over the other. Actually, they are not that easy to compare. Pepperoni is a type of salami, but unlike the other types of salami, pepperoni is not a true Italian sausage and thus has a different flavor profile which you do not find in other salami meats. 

Buy pepperoni for your at-home pizza night

Pizza night is a staple in many households, and making your own pizza is not only inexpensive and healthier than getting delivery, but it also provides a fun family activity. You can order all your pizza night staples from flour and yeast to toppings like cheese and pepperoni from the comfort of home with Instacart. Place your order early in the day, and you may be able to get same-day delivery right to your door. Buy pepperoni now!

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.