Spam Vs. Scrapple | How Do They Differ?

Craving pork but don’t have enough time to make something fancy. Try Spam, the staple canned pork. Another great option is scrapple. Often deemed as the same thing, Spam and scrapple are actually very different. Today we’ll explore how. 

Spam and scrapple are not alike. Even though both dishes contain pork as their main ingredient, Spam and scrapple are prepared with different meat cuts, cooking methods, and flavoring ingredients.

Spam is actually processed pork meat, while scrapple is a homemade dish. But that’s not the only point of difference between them. They only converge as pork is their main ingredient. 

You must read the whole article to learn more about Spam vs. scrapple. I am sure you’ll have the answers to all your questions by the end. 

Spam Vs. Scrapple | Difference Table

What Is Spam?   

Spam is processed canned pork made by the brand Hormel Foods Corporation. Pork with ham, water, salt, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate are the five ingredients used in its preparation.

Spam’s popularity in American markets has recently increased due to rising meat prices.

Spam is one of the most popular canned meats in the USA. More than 9 billion cans are sold to consumers and are available in 44 countries.

In addition to cheese, hickory smoke, black pepper, hot and spicy, and many other flavors, there are 13 varieties of Spam.

1. Classic Spam – Spam is canned pork with spices that closely resemble ham in taste and bologna in texture.
2. Spam Lite – Spam Lite has 33% fewer calories, 50% less fat, and 25% less sodium. The taste of Spam Lite is very similar to classic Spam, i.e., salty and a little bit spicy.
3. Spam Less Sodium – In Spam less sodium, the sodium content is lower than in regular Spam, but the flavor is still good. 
4. Spam with Real Hormel Bacon – This variety combines the taste of Spam and bacon to bring out the best possible flavor. The taste of bacon combined with Spam creates an intriguing flavor.
5. Spam Oven Roasted Turkey – It is made from 100% lean white turkey. This Turkey Spam is balanced and an amazing alternative to regular Spam.
6. Spam Hickory Smoke – This variety of Spam is for BBQ lovers as it has hickory smoke flavoring. It is an amazing addition to your BBQ sandwiches. 
7. Spam Hot and Spicy – In comparison to regular Spam, this is hotter and more flavorful. The red chili used to color the traditional light pink Spam gives it a pink shade. 
8. Spam Jalapeno – This variety is zesty and hot. With a jalapeno flavoring, it is the ideal fusion of heat and sweetness.
9. Spam Teriyaki – Spam Teriyaki has a salty, savory, and sweet flavor. It is the perfect Span variety if you want to make Spam musubi. 
10. Spam with Tacino Seasoning – From the land of the Philippines, there is a Tacino flavor for you guys. Tacino means bacon in the Philippines. This particular variety of Spam tastes exactly like bacon. It is perfect as a breakfast meal.

Spam Size Varieties

• Spam Single Classic – If you want to make a meal for one, choose Spam single classic. It’s a smaller version of Spam with a serving size of 2.5 oz.
• Spam Single Lite – It is a smaller portion of Spam lite. It has more nutritional value than regular Spam. It is the perfect go-to snack. You can combine it with a salad or a sandwich. 
• Spam Classic 7oz. – It is a miniature version of canned Spam. It tastes just like the original Spam and is available in small cans. 

What Is Scrapple?

 If you don’t want to waste, scrapple is here. At its soul, scrapple is pork scraps mixed with spices, broth, cornmeal trimmings, and wheat flour. The primary goal of a cook’s scrapple is to reduce food waste.

Its origins came to the Philadelphia region from Germany, and then the Pennsylvania Dutch brought scrapple to Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region in the 17th and 18th centuries. Pennsylvania’s most loved breakfast is scrapple. It is known as pannhaas.

 It is one of the staple products at restaurants and grocery stores in Pennsylvania. Scrapple is the kind of dish suitable for any meal of the day, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The best breakfast ever is delicious scrapple that is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and spiced to perfection. The dish is an ideal breakfast or dinner option when served with eggs, waffles, or pancakes.

Spam Vs. Scrapple | Similarities Between The Two

Both Are Made With Pork

Spam and scrapple are made with pork. Pork shoulder and pork ham are used to make Spam. Offal pieces like liver and heart are used in scrapple, along with pork butt.

Both Have The Same Texture

Spam and scrapple both have a spongy texture. The texture of Spam is similar to that of bologna or sausage patties.

Scrapple’s texture is crunchy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside.  

It is a delicacy because it is crisp on the outside, soft but not mushy on the inside, and has a savory sausage-like flavor that goes well with sauces like ketchup, maple syrup, applesauce, or apple butter.

Spam Vs. Scrapple | What Is The Difference Between The Two?

1. Meat Cut and Portion

 Spam consists of pork shoulder and pork ham. About 90%of Spam is made from pork’s shoulders, and the remaining 10% is from pig’s buttocks and thighs. Scrapple is made from a scrap of pork and uses pork butt and pieces of offal such as liver and heart.

 2. Taste 

The main taste difference between Spam and scrapple is the meat and seasoning used in them. 

Spam’s taste closely resembles ham and has a texture similar to bologna. It is salty and mildly spicy.

Scrapple’s flavor can resemble French country paté or liverwurst, depending on the ingredients used. Scrapple without liver tastes similar to breakfast sausage.

 As scrapple contains offal, such as the tongue, heart, and liver, its flavor is richer and more intense. It seasons with salt, thyme, sage, peppercorns, bay leaves, and pepper.

3. Ingredients

Spam and scrapple differ in ingredients as well. The six ingredients of Spam are salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite, combined with pork and ham meat. In the 1990s, potato starch was the only notable modification.

Cooked pork scraps and cornmeal are the ingredients for making scrapple. It has pepper, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, sage, salt, and offal organ parts like hearts, livers, tongues, tails, and skin. Along with the skin, rib tips, and pork loin ends. 

 4. Price

It is an affordable option, costing an average of $2.62 for 12 oz. of canned Spam. It is a low-cost meat that has seen recent growth in American markets. With an average price of $36.30, scrapple is slightly more expensive than Spam.

 5. Cooking Method

Spam preparation can be done in ways such as frying, baking, simmering, and braising. It had a longer shelf life, was less expensive, and didn’t require refrigeration.

Most people pan fry scrapple to reheat and add crispness because it is already fully cooked when purchased. If you have a loaf, cut it into pieces and pan-fry them in butter, oil, or lard until they are golden brown on both sides.

 6. Nutrition

Compared to Spam, scrapple is most likely of higher quality. Depending on the ingredients used in scrapple can increase the quality. Span is highly processed and does not contain any preservatives. Span has a high level of salt and sugar that is not good for health.

 Top Dishes To Make With Spam

Here are some of the most delicious and amazing recipes you can make with the help of spam.

1. Spam Musubi

Spam Musubi is a delicious dish from Hawaii. You can purchase Spam Musubi in Hawaii at any supermarket or gas station. It is accessible in most grocery stores where canned meats are sold on the mainland.

Preparation of Spam Musubi is simple, as it is only composed of five ingredients: Spam, rice, nori, soy sauce, and Furikake. 

The marinating of sauces and Spam is crucial to the success of this recipe. The dish is completed with cooked rice, marinated sauces, combined Spam, and nori sheets.

You can eat it warm or chilled, depending on your preference.

Pro Tip: Ready all the ingredients before you begin so the Spam is at its hottest and crispest since it hits the sushi rice.

2. Spam And Egg

Spam and eggs are the most popular breakfast option in Hawaii. It must be pan-fried, sliced, and served hot.

The main ingredients are eggs, salt, white pepper, milk, unsalted butter, a can of Spam, honey, and low-sodium soy sauce.

This recipe for eggs and Spam is simple to prepare. You don’t need 

a lot of ingredients or equipment. The Spam and eggs cook in the same pan. 

 Luncheon meat can be salty sometimes, so having Spam with eggs is a better option as it balances the flavor. Both eggs and Spam are high in calories and protein. 

3. Breaded Spam Steaks

 Breaded spam steaks are one of the easiest spam dishes to make. It is crispy and full of flavors. Ingredients used to make breaded spam steaks are eggs, Cornstarch, Flour, Garlic powder, and cooking oil.

The more crunchy it is, the tastier it is. The cornstarch and flour coating is essential in making breaded Spam steaks because it affects how crisp and flavorful the steaks will be. 

Pro tip: Double-coat the eggs so the flour and cornstarch will stick to them appropriately.

4. Spam Tacos

Spam tacos are one of the perfect recipes for spam. Spam is rich in flavor and almost creamy. It pairs with acidic, sweet, and spicy flavors that balance out its richness.

 The main components are luncheon meat, a package of taco seasoning mix, water, flour tortillas, shredded lettuce, Cheddar cheese, olives, tomato, and onion.

It pairs with pineapple, red peppers, and crunchy green cabbage to cut that richness in these tacos.

5. Spam, Cheese, and Spinach Muffins

Spam, cheese, and spinach muffins are one incredible combo to try.

We all know that Spam is incredibly salty, and the mixture of cheese and spinach muffins gives a favorable taste. This spinach and cheese muffin is moist and light with a cheesy flavor.

To make this dish, you will go to the supermarket because the ingredients have a very long recipe, and as per the rule of every household, some will be short. 

The ingredients include Spam, wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, ground black pepper, paprika, milk, Cheddar cheese, butter, spinach, egg, onion, and basil leaves.

Top dishes to make with Scrapple

  1. Creamed Chipped Scrapple

Creamed chipped scrapple is one of the classic breakfasts in Pennsylvania. Ingredients needed for the recipe are scrapple, butter, flour, milk, and some chives to increase its beauty. It has a thicker and creamy texture.

It is an easy recipe. To maintain its shape and texture, toss it in a frying pan, and add butter and flour to make the gravy thicker with a creamier result. Milk has to be incorporated well with gravel with an addition of salt and pepper.

 Your creamed chipped scrapple is ready to serve.

  2. Cornmeal Scrapple

Cornmeal Scrapple will take you only 20 minutes to make. Ingredients used in cornmeal Scrapple are white or yellow cornmeal, whole milk, sugar, salt, water, pork sausage, cooked, drained, and crumbled, flour, butter, and maple syrup for sweetness.

You will enjoy more flavors in cornmeal scrapple the thickened and lathery it is. To make it thicker, reduce the heat and stir it for 10 minutes. Finally, cover the greased loaf pan and refrigerate it.

  3. Amish Apple Scrapple

Amish Apple Scrapple is pure heaven when served with an apple in each slice with maple syrup on top. 

For this recipe, you’ll need pork sausage, onion, butter, apple, thyme, ground sage, pepper, water, cornmeal, salt, and maple syrup. Its taste is a mixture of salty and savory.

Once the sausage and onions are cooked, add the drippings, 2 tablespoons butter, apple, thyme, sage, and pepper to the pan. Cook the apple until it is fork-tender. Cornmeal, salt, and the remaining butter cup should be combined separately. 

The mixture should be sufficiently thick to support a wooden spoon. Fill a pan with the final mixture, grease it, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. When it’s done, serve it with maple syrup on top.

 4. Scrapple and Eggs Breakfast Flatbread

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and many of us fail to eat it. As per my need, breakfast has to be tasty and healthy, and these two jointly are challenging to find in a single meal. 

 Scrapple and eggs breakfast flatbread are here with the solution. It provides good nutritional value and the tastes everybody demands. It consists of only four ingredients, i.e., Martin’s potato bread, butter, scrapple, and eggs.

Spam Vs. Scrapple | Which Is Healthier?

Scrapple contains large amounts of iron, vitamin A, protein, and both carbohydrates and sugars. It also contains a lot of sodium, saturated fat, and fat. Scrapple contains fewer calories.

Spam contains trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C. Although Spam is high in calories, fat, and sodium, it does contain some protein, zinc, potassium, iron, and copper.

In this category, scrapple is the winner.

Spam Vs. Scrapple | Which Is Tastier?

Spam’s taste closely resembles ham and has a texture similar to bologna. It is salty and mildly spicy. Spam has a salty ham luncheon meat flavor and a moist, spongy texture. 

Scrapple’s taste is richer and more intense with the presence of offal. Salt, thyme, sage, peppercorns, bay leaves, and pepper are used to season the scrapple. It is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

So we can safely say that scrapple is the tastier of the two.

Spam Vs. Scrapple | Which Is More Versatile?

Scrapple has more nutritional value and has more taste and a better texture. It pairs with food items like apples, cornmeal, maple syrup, and even eggs. Scrapple has a plus point as it customizes according to your preferences.

Span pairs with ingredients like French fries, Musubi, fries, instant Ramen, omelet, pizza, and sandwiches. Spam can work with anything, no matter what.

Spam takes the cake when we talk about which one is more versatile. 

Spam Vs. Scrapple | Which Is More Budget-Friendly?

Spam is considered a budget-friendly option with an average 12 oz. canned price of $2.62. It is a low-cost meat that has seen recent growth in American markets. 

Scrapple is slightly more expensive, with an average price of $36.30.

Thus, Spam is more budget-friendly than scrapple. 

Spam Vs. Scrapple | Which Is Better?

It’s time to choose between Spam and scrapple. Scrapple is undoubtedly the winner due to its rich flavor, crunchier texture, and crispiness. Moreover, the fact that it is customizable is a win for scrapple. 

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed Spam and Scrapple in detail. Whether it is their origin, uses similarities, differences, and many more.

The primary outcome is that it is all the play of flavors, and a correct amount of spices can make or break your dish. So the next time you’re cooking, remember to add salt or sugar. Save yourself from blunders.

Now, we are at the end of the conversation between our dearest Spam and Scrapple.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)