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Pepperoni

Pepperoni is a highly seasoned, cured sausage made from beef and pork, commonly used as a pizza topping in North American cuisine.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Pepperoni is a highly seasoned, cured sausage made from beef and pork, commonly used as a pizza topping in North American cuisine. It is typically bright red, mildly smoky, and flavoured with paprika and other spices. The term is also used for slices of this sausage, especially on pizza.

Definition

Pepperoni is generally defined as a highly seasoned sausage made from beef and pork. In common North American usage, it refers especially to the sliced topping used on pizza.

Ingredients and flavour

Sources describe pepperoni as cured, dry, and seasoned with paprika and other spices such as chili pepper. It is typically associated with a peppery, smoky, and slightly tangy taste.

Origins and naming

Pepperoni is widely described as an Italian-American product rather than a traditional Italian sausage. The name is linked to the Italian word *peperone*, meaning bell pepper.

Use in food culture

Pepperoni became one of the best-known pizza toppings in North America and is often sold pre-sliced for that purpose. It also appears in sandwiches and snack foods.

Key facts

  • Pepperoni is a spicy, highly seasoned sausage made from beef and pork.
  • It is especially associated with pizza in the United States and Canada.
  • Its red colour usually comes from paprika or similar seasonings rather than black pepper.
  • The word is related to the Italian word *peperone*, meaning bell pepper.
  • Dictionary sources also treat pepperoni as a variety of salami.
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Canadian context

Pepperoni is a common pizza topping in Canada and is widely recognized in Canadian food culture, especially in pizza shops and packaged foods.[4]

Frequently asked questions

What is pepperoni?
Pepperoni is a highly seasoned cured sausage, usually made from beef and pork, and commonly used on pizza.
Is pepperoni Italian?
It is usually described as an Italian-American food rather than a traditional Italian sausage.
What gives pepperoni its red colour?
Pepperoni is typically coloured by paprika and similar spices, not by black pepper alone.
Is pepperoni a type of salami?
Several dictionary sources describe pepperoni as a variety of salami or a closely related dry sausage.
Why is pepperoni popular on pizza?
It is thinly sliced, flavourful, and widely available, which made it a standard pizza topping in North America.

References

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepperoni
    Supports: Defines pepperoni as a highly seasoned beef and pork sausage.
  2. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pepperoni
    Supports: Describes pepperoni as a hard, highly seasoned sausage used especially on pizza; notes its relation to salami and the Italian word peperone.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepperoni
    Supports: Describes pepperoni as an American variety of spicy salami made from cured pork and beef seasoned with paprika and chili peppers.
  4. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepperoni
    Supports: States that pepperoni is a popular pizza topping in the United States and Canada.
  5. Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/pepperoni
    Supports: Defines pepperoni as a spicy sausage usually eaten on pizza.
  6. Food Network — https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-pepperoni
    Supports: Describes pepperoni as a spiced, cured, air-dried sausage made from beef and pork and discusses its Italian-American origins.