Ham vs. Pork — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Ham is a specific cut from a pig, often cured, while pork refers to the meat from a pig in general.
Difference Between Ham and Pork
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ham and Pork both originate from the same animal, the pig, but refer to different aspects of the meat.
Ham specifically denotes meat from the hind leg of a pig. It's often cured or smoked, resulting in popular products like Christmas and Easter hams. For example, you might purchase a honey-glazed ham for a holiday meal.
Pork, on the other hand, is a broad term encompassing all meat from a pig. This includes various cuts such as ribs, chops, and bacon. When you're shopping at a butcher, you might see a variety of pork cuts available.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Meat from the hind leg of a pig.
General term for meat from a pig.
Usage
Specific cut, often cured or smoked.
Broad term including all pig meat cuts.
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Common Products
Christmas ham, deli slices.
Bacon, ribs, chops, sausages.
Culinary Context
Often served in large portions for celebrations.
Used in diverse dishes and cooking methods.
Relation
A subset of pork.
Encompasses all meat, including ham, from a pig.
Compare with Definitions
Ham
Often cured or smoked for flavor.
The smoked ham had a rich, savory taste.
Pork
Includes various cuts like ribs, loin, and belly.
We grilled some pork ribs over the weekend.
Ham
Meat from a pig's hind leg.
We had roasted ham for dinner.
Pork
Can be ground for sausages or patties.
I used ground pork for the meatballs.
Ham
A popular choice for festive occasions.
We always have ham for Easter Sunday.
Pork
The general term for meat from a pig.
Pork chops are my favorite.
Ham
Ham is pork from a leg cut that has been preserved by wet or dry curing, with or without smoking. As a processed meat, the term "ham" includes both whole cuts of meat and ones that have been mechanically formed.
Pork
Common in many global cuisines.
Many Asian dishes use pork as a primary ingredient.
Ham
(in the Bible) a son of Noah (Gen. 10:1), traditional ancestor of the Hamites.
Pork
Typically white meat but varies by cut.
The pork tenderloin was tender and juicy.
Ham
Overact
She hammed it up for the cameras
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for the meat of a domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus). It is the most commonly consumed meat worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC.Pork is eaten both freshly cooked and preserved.
Ham
The thigh of the hind leg of certain animals, especially a hog.
Pork
The flesh of a pig or hog used as food.
Ham
A cut of meat from the thigh of a hog, often cured by salting or smoking.
Pork
Government funds, appointments, or benefits dispensed or legislated by politicians to gain favor with their constituents
"However much [the voters] may distrust Congress and dislike pork, the advantages of being represented by an incumbent with seniority are hard to deny" (Richard Lacayo).
Ham
The back of the knee.
Pork
To eat ravenously; gorge oneself. Used with out.
Ham
The back of the thigh.
Pork
To become fat. Used with out.
Ham
Hams The buttocks.
Pork
To engage in sexual intercourse with (another). Used especially of a man.
Ham
A performer who overacts or exaggerates.
Pork
(uncountable) The meat of a pig; swineflesh.
The cafeteria serves pork on Tuesdays.
Ham
A licensed amateur radio operator.
Pork
Funding proposed or requested by a member of Congress for special interests or their constituency as opposed to the good of the country as a whole.
Ham
To exaggerate or overdo a dramatic role; overact.
Pork
Law enforcement, those who side with criminal prosecution
Ham
To exaggerate or overdo (a dramatic role, for example).
Pork
(slang) A shag; a fuck; an act of coitus.
Ham
(anatomy) The region back of the knee joint; the popliteal space; the hock.
Pork
To have sex with (someone).
Ham
(countable) A thigh and buttock of an animal slaughtered for meat.
Pork
The flesh of swine, fresh or salted, used for food.
Ham
(uncountable) Meat from the thigh of a hog cured for food.
A little piece of ham for the cat
Pork
Meat from a domestic hog or pig
Ham
The back of the thigh.
Pork
A legislative appropriation designed to ingratiate legislators with their constituents
Ham
Electronic mail that is wanted; mail that is not spam or junk mail.
Ham
Obsolete form of home
Ham
(acting) An overacting or amateurish performer; an actor with an especially showy or exaggerated style.
Ham
(radio) An amateur radio operator.
Ham
(acting) To overact; to act with exaggerated emotions.
Ham
Home.
Ham
The region back of the knee joint; the popliteal space; the hock.
Ham
The thigh of any animal; especially, the thigh of a hog cured by salting and smoking.
A plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams.
Ham
A person who performs in a showy or exaggerated style; - used especially of actors. Also used attributively, as, a ham actor.
Ham
The licensed operator of an amateur radio station.
Ham
To act with exaggerated voice and gestures; to overact.
Ham
Meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
Ham
(Old Testament) son of Noah
Ham
A licensed amateur radio operator
Ham
An unskilled actor who overacts
Ham
Exaggerate one's acting
Ham
Can be served sliced in sandwiches.
I made a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch.
Ham
Available bone-in or boneless.
I prefer bone-in ham for its flavor.
Common Curiosities
Is ham considered pork?
Yes, ham is a specific cut of pork.
Which is saltier, ham or general pork cuts?
Ham, especially if cured, is often saltier.
Can I replace pork with ham in recipes?
It depends on the recipe; ham has a distinct flavor, especially if cured.
Is bacon considered pork?
Yes, bacon is a type of pork.
What part of the pig does ham come from?
Ham comes from the hind leg of a pig.
Are there dishes where both ham and other pork cuts are used?
Yes, some dishes combine multiple pork cuts.
How do curing and smoking affect ham's flavor compared to regular pork?
They give ham a saltier, smokier, and more intense flavor.
Are ham and pork nutritionally different?
They can be, depending on preparation and cuts.
Can I use pork loin in place of ham?
They're different cuts, so taste and texture will vary.
How can I tell if a recipe calls for ham or another pork cut?
The recipe should specify the type and cut of meat.
Which has more fat, ham or pork belly?
Pork belly typically has more fat.
Why is ham often associated with holidays?
Tradition; many cultures serve ham during celebrations.
Is there a difference in how ham and other pork cuts should be cooked?
Yes, different cuts and preparations have varied cooking methods and times.
Is pork sausage made from ham?
No, it's usually made from a mixture of pork cuts.
Which is more versatile in cooking, ham or pork?
Pork, due to the variety of cuts available.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
