Easy Pork Dishes: 9 Pork Recipes for Home Cooks

Pork is the meat from domesticated pigs. Butchers divide into a variety of cuts, including pork belly, bacon (a cut from the pork belly), pork loin, spareribs, pork butt, pork chops, pork roast, and ham.

Pork is a versatile protein source that you can braise, roast, grill, smoke, or bake. Choose a cooking method based on the cut and always cook pork until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook lean cuts like a pork loin roast in a medium-heat oven. Avoid high heat as it will dry out the meat. Portions that contain more fat content, like pork butt, are ideal cuts to add to the slow cooker. As they cook, the fat will melt and keep the meat juicy.

When you’re selecting pork at the grocery store or butcher shop, look for meat that is bright pink or red. Avoid gray-looking meat or packaged pork that contains excess liquid or looks like there is blood in the juices, as this can possibly signal spoiled or contaminated food.

A number of side dishes pair well with pork. Green beans drizzled with a lemon Dijon dressing can be a fast summer side dish, while mashed potatoes provide a cold-weather comfort food side. Roasted veggies like sheet pan Brussels sprouts cooked with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar carrots, or caramelized sweet potatoes can enhance pork's sweet and savory flavor.

You can cook pork dishes on the stovetop for a fast weeknight meal, or braise pork in the slow cooker on cold days. Here are pork recipes that highlight the meat’s versatility:

1. 1. BBQ pork ribs: Pork ribs require some preparation. First, you need to trim the spareribs and apply a dry rub seasoning. If you are smoking them, they will need to smoke for about three hours before you start grilling. Try Aaron Franklin’s BBQ ribs recipe.
2. 2. Katsudon: A Japanese pork cutlet rice bowl, known as katsudon, includes tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlet) and a dashi-steamed egg over rice. You can use brown rice or white rice. For crispy pork cutlets, coat the boneless pork loin chops with panko breadcrumbs. Try this easy katsudon recipe.
3. 3. Pork chops: Bone-in pork chops or boneless pork chops can be cooked in as little as fifteen to twenty minutes in a hot oven. For a crisp exterior and juicy interior, sear the pork chops in a hot cast-iron skillet, then finish them in the oven. Try this simple oven-baked pork chops recipe for a weeknight main dish.
4. 4. Pork stew: Stew is a great dish for using up extra veggies. Make Italian pork stew by searing cubes of boneless pork shoulder in olive oil. Then in a large pot, combine the meat with fennel, potatoes, beans, spinach or kale, and broth, and simmer all the ingredients until they become tender. Garnish the stew with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Try making a classic pork stew.
5. 5. Pork tacos: Make traditional pork tacos, called cochinita pibil, with suckling pig, though homecooks can substitute pork roast or pork butt. Avoid using lean cuts like pork tenderloin or else the meat will end up dry. These tacos include a flavorful spice paste (achiote) made of ground annatto seeds and vinegar, along with coriander seeds, Mexican oregano, ground cumin seeds, garlic, and other spices. Learn how to make these Yucatán-style pork tacos.
6. 6. Pork tortas: For an easy lunch or weeknight dinner, try pork tortas (a Mexican pork sandwich). Spread a layer of mayonnaise on a roll, then fill it with shredded pork or pulled pork, and top it with cilantro, hot sauce, lettuce, jalapeños, and other toppings. It’s an ideal way to use leftover pork shoulder or pork butt. Try this and other variations of the Mexican street food classic using this pork torta recipe.
7. 7. Slow cooker pork carnitas: Spicy pork carnitas can be a great comfort food meal. To make them, simmer pork shoulder in its own fat for several hours until the meat is tender enough to shred. Choose your level of spice by using red pepper flakes, chipotle, paprika, ancho, or adobo seasonings. Make pulled pork sandwiches or pork enchiladas with the leftovers. Learn how to make homemade slow cooker pork carnitas.
8. 8. Steamed pork buns: Called nikuman in Japan, these buns include ground pork mixed with seasoning and veggies like green onions and cabbage. To make, prepare the dough and roll it out into thin rounds. Stuff the dough with the ground pork mixture, then pleat the dough to seal each bun. After you steam them, the dough will become pillowy soft, and the meat mixture will have the texture of meatballs. Try making your own with this recipe for steamed pork buns.
9. 9. Tonjiru: Make Japanese pork soup, also called tonjiru, with tender, juicy pork cuts and hearty root vegetables like gobo (burdock root), konnyaku (konjac or edible corm), yam, satoimo (taro), daikon radish, and carrot in a miso soup broth. The addition of soy sauce and dashi make this a savory soup full of umami. You can find most ingredients in Asian food markets. Learn how to make your own tonjiru.

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