Save
Looking for the best way to cook pork? Then you’ve come to the right place. Whatever time of year it is, whatever time of day, we’ve got you covered, from great pork chop recipes ideas to some inspirational stir-fries.
You don’t need to splash out on pork from Mangalitsa pigs to enjoy gourmet restaurant-grade pork recipes. Simply grab yourself a cut of decent quality pork from your local butcher and choose from one of our top 15 pork dinner ideas. You won’t be disappointed.
Best Pork Recipes
Fried pork fillet with pineapple and vegetables
Here’s an easy summer stir-fry that will see you well on your way to hitting your five-a-day without neglecting the protein. This sweet and slightly spicy wok dish uses a simple soy sauce and oyster sauce mix, proving that Chinese-style sauces don’t need to be intimidating. In fact, it takes less than half an hour to feed a family of four with our recipe for fried pork fillet with pineapple and vegetables.
Barbecued pork chop with garlic and lemon
The sun is out and it’s time to fire up the grill. These beautifully succulent pork chops take the effort out of the perfect barbecue – just let the mouthwatering lemon, garlic and pepper marinade do the hard work. Our barbecued pork chops with garlic and lemon recipe will also show you how to make a delicious creamy dressing to pour over a simple iceberg salad. This is barbecuing made easy, but no less tasty.
Pork stuffed with spinach and sheep’s cheese
So many things come stuffed with pork that it’s a wonder you don’t often see the reverse. Our pork stuffed with spinach and sheep’s cheese recipe does exactly that, adding French gourmet flair to a Greek-inspired dish. It’s not as difficult as it sounds either. It should take just 40 minutes to make these pork escalope parcels, including the tomato and rocket salad you can whip together while the meat sears. The secret is in restraint – don’t get greedy and overdo it on the spinach and sheep’s cheese stuffing.
Braided pork filet with balsamic vinegar
Here’s another deceptively quick recipe that’ll blow the minds of your dinner guests (whether you choose to tell them it only took half an hour or not). The pork filets are cut lengthways and then braided together, which helps them maintain the intense flavours of the balsamic vinegar. It may be stating the obvious, but using a high-quality balsamic is key to getting the best results from this Italian braided pork filet with balsamic vinegar recipe.
Mexican pork roast with bean salsa
We’ve kept it quick and easy up until now, so it’s time to take it slow and think about your next labour of pork love. Combining lots of herbaceous flavours with fruity zest, this Mexican pork roast with bean salsa recipe will require some tender loving care, but it’s well worth it. You’ll achieve a perfectly tender pork roast with a sweet and crispy glaze and depth of flavour that proves Mexican cuisine is about so much more than just spice. It doubles down on the protein by adding a delicious mixed bean salsa you can make while the meat cooks. If you have any Mexican-food skeptics in your circle, this is the dish to convert them with.
Pulled pork slider with coleslaw
Here’s another long one, but don’t let the 8-hour cooking time put you off. Most of that is spent waiting on the pork to cook, so this recipe for pulled pork sliders with coleslaw is one to get started and then return to after a day doing something else. You could even let the pork cook overnight, as a few extra hours will only add more fall-of-the-bone goodness (so long as you leave it covered with aluminium foil to keep it moist). Serve them with coconutty coleslaw and corn on the cob, or even make them the centrepiece of an epic picnic spread.
Juicy pan-fried pork chops
Steak lovers eager to add variety to their meat intake should really learn how to cook the perfect pork chop. It’s easy – just infuse half an onion, half a bulb of garlic, and some sprigs of rosemary into some oil, then chuck in your chop and, like steak, be careful not to overcook it. (Beginners should have a meat thermometer to hand for their first few attempts.) This recipe for juicy pan-fried pork chops will take you through the details.
Pork satay
Try pork skewers instead of the classic chicken with this tasty Thai pork satay recipe. They make a superb starter, whether you’re sticking with the Thai theme through every course or not. Or why not serve alongside a crispy salad for a light lunch? You might find the satay sauce a little fiddly to make, but you can always make extra and freeze a batch for next time.
Crostini with pork and red cabbage
These cute appetisers taste as good as they look, whether you’re serving them at a finger buffet or as an amuse bouche at your next dinner party. You’ll need to plan it with plenty of time to spare, however, as this Crostini with pork and red cabbage recipe takes slow cooking to the absolute max. It uses a smoker, but you can achieve decent results in a normal oven too.
Teriyaki pork with baby corn and kale
Here’s a mouthwatering Japanese stir-fry that’s as tasty as it is nutritious. Tender teriyaki pork with baby corn and kale is a colourful dish that looks great on the table, whether served as part of a full Japanese dinner spread or just on top of rice noodles for date night. On its own, however, this one’s notable for being protein-rich and gluten-free. It could become a regular favourite for those on special diets.
Pork stir-fry with egg-fried rice
Got a craving for restaurant-quality Chinese comfort food? Look no further than this succulent pork stir-fry with egg fried rice recipe. Using sweet chilli sauce (usually reserved for dipping) as the sauce base is an inspired touch, meaning the sweet, thick consistency of classic Chinese sauces can be achieved with little effort and no knowledge of using starches. It’s loaded with fresh veggies too, including bell peppers, mushrooms, mangetout and peas.
Mexican hominy and pork posole
Posole is a hearty stew made with meat, vegetables and hominy from Central Mexico. The savoury flavour runs deep in this Mexican hominy and pork posole recipe, which, despite the name, doesn’t settle for mere pork belly on the meat front – there’s also half a chicken in there. Meat lovers rejoice!
Potato and apple gratin with smoked pork
Here’s a sweet and savoury dish that makes a perfect side for any autumnal feast – or an easy slow-bake to enjoy as your main course. This potato and apple gratin with smoked pork recipe takes a little bit of preparation, but once that’s done, simply chuck it in the oven and come back to it when you’re ready to eat. If you have small baking trays, you can even bake separate portions and eat directly from them. You don’t even need to plate up.
Pork belly, tucupi, okra and pupunha
Here’s a gourmet treat for when you really need to impress in the kitchen. This pork belly, tucupi, okra and pupunha recipe was created by chef Felipe Schaedler from Banzeiro as part of the Brazil Flavors festival. It sounds complicated, but really isn’t. You just need to know what ingredients you’re working with. Tucupi is a Brazilian yellow sauce extracted from manioc root, which you can find pre-prepared, like a juice. Pupunha is a palm fruit sometimes known as peach palm in English, and you’re probably already familiar with okra, also known as ladies fingers, which are common in cuisines across the equatorial regions.
Coppa (seasoned pork shoulder) with fennel and pistachios
Coppa (or Capocollo) is a traditional pork cold cut from Italy and Corsica, which makes a great starter, light lunch, or addition to cheese and meat platters. This Coppa with fennel and pistachios recipe demonstrates how to prepare the meat until perfectly tender in a sous vide, served with fennel braised in sambuca and laid atop a bed of chopped pistachios. As a starter or light meal, try serving with pork gravy and garnishing with sprouts of your choice.
Hungry for more great ways to cook pork? Those 15 are some of our top go-to ways to cook pork, but you can also browse more of our favourite pork recipe ideas here.
