Our Best Pork Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What spice brings out the flavor of pork? ›

When it comes to pork, the rich umami flavour of garlic works very well. You can use fresh garlic, garlic flakes or garlic powder, depending on the recipe. A no-nonsense seasoning requires a no-nonsense recipe, so, if you're fancying garlic and pork, try our Mexican Pork With Garlic And Kidney Beans.

Rib Chop: Cut from the rib section of the loin, these chops have a relatively high fat content, rendering them flavorful and unlikely to dry out during cooking. They are a favorite in the test kitchen. These chops are easily identified by the bone that runs along one side and the one large eye of loin muscle.

Pork Tenderloin: Pork tenderloin, the muscle that runs down either side of the backbone, is lean, mild, and, yes, tender—in fact, it's the single most tender part of the pig. We like to sear tenderloins and then finish them either in the oven or on the cooler part of the grill.

Consider Brining

While a simple brine of water and salt will do the trick, you can also use the brining stage to impart extra flavor with sugar and seasonings. Just be careful not to brine too long (two to four hours should do the trick) and rinse the pork before cooking.

In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and cinnamon. Rub pork with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle spice mixture all over pork. Roast tenderloins for about 25 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into centers registers 145°F.

Brine the pork.

Brining involves soaking your meat in salt water to increase the tenderness and moistness of the final dish. Brines always contain salt and water, but can also include other ingredients for added flavor like apple cider, brown sugar, rosemary, and thyme.

Pork butt is a cut of meat that comes from the thicker section of a pig's shoulder and includes parts of the neck, shoulder blade and upper leg. It's a semi-tough cut of pork that contains a lot of connective tissue and fat marbling throughout; it's typically sold with the fat cap intact.

What is the most expensive cut of pork? It's usually the pork tenderloin (also called pork tender or fillet). A lot of the other loin cuts tend to err on the more expensive side since it has some high-quality meat to offer.

Sirloin Chops. What they are: Cut from the back of the loin, near the hip area, sirloin chops are the most budget-friendly pork chops. Unlike the more lean loin and rib chops, sirloin chops are a tougher cut, containing various muscle groups, a higher percentage of bone, and more fat marbling.

Which pork is healthiest? ›

If you're looking for the healthiest pork options, you want lean cuts -- tenderloin, loin chops and sirloin roast. Bacon and other fatty cuts are very high in artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol and not for everyday eating.

By contrast, the shank and shoulder muscles produce the toughest cuts. With ​proper cooking, even those tougher cuts can be luscious and tender.

Season with a good rub.

"I love to season my pork chops with a nice homemade spice rub consisting of a teaspoon each of ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, granulated garlic and kosher salt," Kelvin Fernandez, of ICE in New York City, told TODAY.

Because pork chops are such a lean cut, they are relatively quick-cooking and prone to overcooking. When they're cooked for even a few minutes too long, whether it's in the oven or on the stovetop or grill, they're quick to dry out, and — you guessed it — become tough, chewy, and less than appealing.

Baking pork chops at 350 degrees F will result in more gently cooked and tender pork chops, but it will take more time. This temperature is ideal for thicker chops (between 1 and 2 inches) as well as pan-seared chops, since the lower, slower baking ensures that the pork cooks all the way through.

Great cooking is all about experimenting with flavours. Traditionally, pork pairs best with these herbs and Spices: Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Caraway Seeds, Mustard Seeds, Fennel, Cloves, Garlic and Parsley.

We use brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, a good amount of salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne! Make sure you use all of the seasoning! Also, really rub it into the pulled pork, get all of the nooks and crannies!

Depending on the cut and amount of marbling, a pork chop can be a lean, almost tasteless cut of meat. Seasoning with a generous amount of salt before cooking is an important step in bringing out the meat's natural flavors. Be creative and use a blend of your favorite seasonings and dry herbs with the salt.