What are the ingredients in HORMEL uncured pepperoni?

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

HORMEL Uncured Pepperoni includes ingredients like pork, beef, salt, spices, and natural curing agents such as cultured celery powder and cherry powder. Unlike traditionally cured pepperoni that uses synthetic nitrates, the "uncured" label indicates the use of naturally occurring nitrates from these plant-based sources.

Quick Summary

This article details the ingredients found in HORMEL uncured pepperoni, explaining the roles of primary components like pork and beef, as well as natural preservatives such as cultured celery powder and cherry powder. It clarifies the distinction between uncured and traditional cured products, discussing the curing process and the functional purposes of each ingredient.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: HORMEL uncured pepperoni is made from a blend of pork, beef, and salt, forming the foundation of its flavor and texture.
Natural Curing Agents: The product is cured using natural sources of nitrates, primarily cultured celery powder and cherry powder, rather than synthetic sodium nitrite.
Flavor Profile: Spices, natural flavorings, and a lactic acid starter culture contribute to the distinct, savory, and tangy taste.
Avoids Synthetic Preservatives: Unlike traditionally cured pepperoni, the uncured version omits synthetic additives like BHA and BHT.
Minimally Processed: The production process is described as minimally processed, aligning with consumer demand for more natural food options.
Labeling Clarity: USDA regulations require the label to state that nitrates are present from natural sources, clarifying that "uncured" still means the meat has been preserved.

A Closer Look at the HORMEL Uncured Pepperoni Ingredient List

According to the official HORMEL website and product packaging, the ingredients in their Natural Choice Uncured Pepperoni are a blend of high-quality meats, natural curing agents, and seasonings. The key to its "uncured" status is the reliance on plant-based ingredients for the curing process, rather than synthetic nitrates and nitrites. Understanding each component offers clarity into what you're eating and what makes it unique from conventional pepperoni.

Meats and Foundational Ingredients

At its core, HORMEL uncured pepperoni is a dry-cured sausage made from a combination of pork and beef. This meat blend provides the classic texture and savory flavor profile. The foundational list is straightforward:

Pork: Finely ground pork is a primary component, contributing to the rich, fatty taste and texture.
Beef: Beef is also a key ingredient, adding depth and a different dimension to the flavor.
Salt: A crucial ingredient for both flavor and preservation, salt is essential in the curing process.
Water: A small amount of water is used to help bind the ingredients together.

The Natural Curing Agents

This is where HORMEL uncured pepperoni truly differentiates itself from its cured counterparts. The product is marketed with the phrase "no nitrates or nitrites added, except those naturally occurring in celery powder and sea salt". The natural preservatives include:

Cultured Celery Powder: This is a key ingredient for curing. Celery is naturally high in nitrates. When cultured, these natural nitrates are converted to nitrites, which cure the meat and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Cherry Powder: Cherry powder also contributes naturally occurring nitrates and helps with the preservation process.
Sea Salt: In addition to standard salt, sea salt is used and contributes to the natural curing process.

Spices and Flavorings

The signature taste of pepperoni comes from its spice blend. In HORMEL uncured pepperoni, these are sourced naturally:

Spices: The specific combination of spices, which often includes paprika, is listed simply as "spices" to protect the proprietary blend. Paprika is also used to give pepperoni its characteristic reddish color.
Natural Flavoring: A general term covering natural extracts used to enhance the taste.
Lactic Acid Starter Culture: A beneficial bacteria culture that is essential for the fermentation process, which aids in preservation and creates the tangy, distinct flavor of pepperoni.
Turbinado Sugar: A type of raw sugar used in small amounts. It provides a food source for the starter culture and balances the savory flavors.
Lime Juice Concentrate: Acts as a natural acid and flavor enhancer.

Uncured vs. Cured Pepperoni Ingredients: A Comparison

To highlight the differences, let's examine a comparison of the typical ingredients in uncured vs. traditional cured pepperoni.


Ingredient Category	HORMEL Uncured Pepperoni (Natural Choice)	Traditional Cured Pepperoni (Standard HORMEL)
Primary Meat	Pork, Beef	Pork, Beef
Curing Agent	Cultured Celery Powder, Cherry Powder (containing natural nitrates/nitrites)	Sodium Nitrite (synthetic preservative)
Preservatives	None added (uses natural curing agents)	BHA, BHT with Citric Acid (synthetic antioxidants and preservatives)
Sweeteners	Turbinado Sugar	Dextrose
Flavoring	Natural Flavoring, Spices	Flavoring, Spices
Processing	Minimally processed	Standard processing, typically with more synthetic additives

This comparison shows that while the base meats are similar, the curing and preservative methods are fundamentally different. The uncured version avoids synthetic compounds, relying instead on natural sources of nitrates for preservation.

The Impact of Ingredients on Flavor and Texture

The ingredients in HORMEL uncured pepperoni result in a slightly different flavor and texture profile compared to traditionally cured versions. The natural curing process can produce a milder, less salty taste, which some consumers prefer. The absence of synthetic additives like BHA and BHT, which are used to protect flavor and prevent spoilage in conventional products, means the uncured version offers a cleaner, more natural taste. The fermentation with a lactic acid starter culture is key to achieving the classic tangy finish that defines both types of pepperoni.

Why Choose Uncured? A Consumer Perspective

For many health-conscious consumers, the choice to buy uncured meats comes down to the desire to avoid synthetic additives and preservatives. The use of naturally derived nitrates from celery powder and other plant-based sources is perceived as a more natural, transparent process. This aligns with a growing demand for products with simpler, more recognizable ingredient lists. The USDA-mandated labeling that states "no nitrates or nitrites added, except those naturally occurring..." provides an important distinction for consumers, though it's crucial to remember that natural nitrates still perform the same function as their synthetic counterparts.

Conclusion

In summary, the ingredients in HORMEL uncured pepperoni consist of a pork and beef base, with natural curing agents like cultured celery powder and cherry powder replacing synthetic nitrates and nitrites. It also includes a selection of spices and natural flavorings, along with a lactic acid starter culture for fermentation and taste. The label's defining feature is the use of these natural sources for preservation, offering a clean, flavorful alternative to conventionally cured pepperoni. This ingredient profile appeals to those seeking minimally processed meats with a transparent and understandable ingredient list. For more information on food labeling and safety, the USDA website is an excellent resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term 'uncured' means that the pepperoni was preserved using naturally occurring nitrates from sources like cultured celery powder, instead of synthetic sodium nitrite. While still preserved, it avoids the synthetic chemicals found in traditional curing.

Yes, HORMEL uncured pepperoni contains nitrates, but they are naturally occurring nitrates found in the cultured celery powder and sea salt used for preservation. The product label clarifies, "no nitrates or nitrites added, except those naturally occurring".

Cultured celery powder is a key natural curing agent. It contains high levels of naturally occurring nitrates. When processed, these nitrates convert to nitrites, which cure the meat and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, effectively preserving the product.

Yes, according to information on product packaging and from HORMEL's brand sites, their Natural Choice uncured pepperoni is gluten-free.

Uncured pepperoni can sometimes appear darker because it doesn't use artificial agents like sodium erythorbate to enhance the pink color. The natural curing process results in a slightly different, often less vibrant, shade.

The characteristic tangy flavor comes from the lactic acid starter culture used in the fermentation process. This beneficial bacteria not only helps with preservation but also develops the distinct taste associated with pepperoni.

Many consumers view uncured pepperoni as a healthier option because it uses natural curing agents and avoids synthetic preservatives. However, both still contain nitrates (natural vs. synthetic) and can be high in sodium and fat, so health benefits are a matter of personal preference regarding additives.