Of all the things that top a pizza so well, perhaps pepperoni punctuates the pie most perfectly. Those thin slices of seasoned pork are a star in that circular piece of heaven. It’s enough to make anyone weak in the knees to take one whiff of the smokey smell or look at the beautiful piles of grease that form in the middle of them.
Its no secret that Americans love their pepperoni pizza. We love it so much that The Washington Post reported in 2015 that Americans ate more than 250 million pounds of crust every year. It’s no surprise that people in this country love this meat so much—we made it (via Liguria Foods). It’s an American food that has earned a place in our hearts and kitchens, just like cornbread and Buffalo wings. Really, pepperoni isnt even an option, its an expectation. Pepperoni lovers from coast to coast just expect to see their favorite cheese on the menu when they go to a pizzeria.
Thankfully, you dont have to look that hard for a great pepperoni pizza. Papa Johns is a controversial pizza chain that has been delivering good food to our homes and restaurants for a long time. Its pepperoni pizza has won over a lot of fans. Even though Papa Johns pepperoni pizza is a well-known brand, there are some interesting things going on just below the crust of this southern favorite.
As a huge pizza fan, I’ve always wondered what gives Papa John’s signature pepperoni its distinctly delicious flavor. Is it made from beef like some pepperoni brands? Or the more traditional pork? Time to get to the bottom of this meaty puzzle.
Cracking the Case on Papa John’s Pepperoni
After some digging, the answer became clear – Papa John’s pepperoni is made from 100% pork, not beef. While some pizza chains do use beef as their pepperoni base, Papa John’s sticks to tradition using tasty seasoned pork.
This explains the recognizable taste their pepperoni delivers. Pork provides a perfect meaty canvas for the array of Italian spices baked into each crispy slice. The result is a pepperoni that’s rich, savory and slightly spicy – an ideal topping for pizza.
Why Do Most Pepperoni Use Pork?
There’s a good reason pork is the primary choice for pepperoni:
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Fat content – Pork has a higher fat ratio than beef. This yields a soft, supple texture.
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Milder flavor – Pork has a more neutral flavor profile that complements spices
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Tradition – Italian pepperoni has always relied on pork as the dominant meat
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Cost – Pork is typically cheaper than beef, keeping production costs down.
So by using flavorful but mild pork as the base, pepperoni makers can add copious amounts of paprika, chili powder, fennel, and other zesty spices to balance out the meat.
How Papa John’s Pepperoni Stands Out
While pork pepperoni is common, Papa John’s manages to make theirs exceptionally tasty through:
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Quality ingredients – They only use cuts of high-quality pork.
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Proprietary spice blend – Their exact mix of seasonings is unique to Papa John’s.
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Curing process – They use refined curing techniques to enhance the pepperoni’s texture and flavor.
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In-house manufacturing – Papa John’s makes their pepperoni in-house for optimal freshness and control.
So even though it’s made from the same traditional pork as other pepperoni, Papa John’s has found a way to make theirs pop with an irresistible flavor.
Non-Pork Alternatives Offered
Papa John’s recognizes that not all customers eat pork for religious, dietary, or personal reasons. That’s why they also offer:
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Turkey pepperoni – Made from seasoned turkey for a meaty flavor without pork.
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Veggie pepperoni – Created with soy and plant-based ingredients but mimics real pepperoni.
These alternatives allow non-pork eaters to still enjoy Papa John’s pizza with a topping that resembles the taste and texture of pepperoni. The turkey and veggie versions aren’t identical but provide satisfaction for most.
Nutritional Profile of Papa John’s Pepperoni
Since the pepperoni is pork-based, some key nutritional facts include:
- High in protein – 10g per serving from the pork.
- High in fat – 9g per serving from the pork and spices.
- Contains cholesterol – 30mg from the pork.
- No carbohydrates.
- 700 mg of sodium.
So while delicious, Papa John’s pepperoni is high in fat and sodium as you’d expect from most processed meats.
Perfecting the Pepperoni Pizza Experience
To maximize the tastiness of my Papa John’s pizza, I like to:
- Order extra pepperoni – More coverage means more flavorful pork goodness.
- Opt for thicker crust – Holds up better to the weight and prevents sogginess.
- Add some spicy red pepper flakes – Extra heat complements the pepperoni.
- Stick to bottled soda – The sweetness balances the saltiness.
With the ideal crust and perfect pork pepperoni from Papa John’s, you really can’t go wrong. Next pizza night, I know exactly what I’ll be ordering.
The Verdict – Pork Makes the Perfect Pepperoni
After getting to the bottom of this mystery, it’s clear that Papa John’s uses the traditional pork base for their acclaimed pepperoni. They then enhance the flavor with secret spices and high-quality ingredients.
The end result is a pepperoni that’s tasty, satisfying, and totally crave-worthy – exactly what you want on top of a hot pizza. Papa John’s offers options for non-pork eaters too. But for me, I’m sticking with their delicious classic pork pepperoni.
The next time I bite into a slice covered in those flavorful pepperoni slices, I’ll appreciate even more the savory pork goodness Papa John’s has perfected. Case closed!
Papa John’s capitalized on Simone Biles’s love of pepperoni pizza
The pepperoni pizza chain really went for the gold with one pizza lover. Pepperoni pizza has fans across the board, and sometimes on the mat too. In 2016, acclaimed gymnast Simone Biles said that after every gymnastics meet, she liked to treat herself, regardless of the outcome, to celebrate the work she had done. Her preferred treat might not be what you would expect from an Olympic athlete. As per ABC News, in 2016 at least, the Olympians favorite way to treat herself was with pizza — pepperoni, of course.
Now, in case youre rolling your eyes thinking this is a pure marketing gimmick to make Biles seem relatable, the gymnast was telling the truth. Per First We Feast, theres a long-recorded social media trail of the Olympian and her teammates chowing down on slices of pepperoni pizza. So big, and evident, was Biless love for pizza, that Slate theorized which brand would score an endorsement from her, saying Papa Johns was the leading contender. While the pizza chain never was able to get support from the gymnast, it was quick to offer 50% off pizza deals on to Biles fans on Twitter when the gymnast had to miss prom for practice meets.
The OG Papa John’s pepperoni pizza is price conscious
Besides being an absolutely scrumptious option, Papa Johns OG pepperoni pizza is among the more price-conscious choices on the major pizza market today. While Business Insider sought to compare Pizza Hut, Dominos, and Papa Johns by flavor, the site also noted in 2019 that the prices between the three major pizza plays were pretty comparable. Nonetheless, Papa Johns still is among the more frugal choices to be had.
At the date of writing, according to the source Real Menu Prices, a medium Papa Johns pepperoni pizza costs around $13.00, not including the regular deals that the chain typically runs around the meaty dish. Admittedly, the price disparities between Papas and other competitors are minimal. Dominos, for example, clocked in at $13.99. While sure, its only a dollar, in times when every penny counts, those sure are a lot of pennies. Pizza Hut may take the cake as the absolute cheapest choice, just barely, at $12.49. But, given the scathing review from Business Insider, you might be thankful to spend the extra 61 cents on a higher-quality pepperoni pizza.
Papa John’s Buy one get one pepperoni and beef pizza Mukbang | The Barkers
FAQ
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