Ground Pork Recipes
Ground pork is a versatile ingredient that can transform everyday meals into delicious and memorable dishes. Its rich flavor and ability to absorb spices and seasonings make it a favorite in many cuisines around the world. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a show-stopping dish for a special occasion, ground pork has you covered. Here are some mouth-watering recipes to inspire your next culinary creation.
1. Classic Pork Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup milk
- Olive oil for frying
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Add milk and mix until the ingredients are well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite pasta and marinara sauce, or as an appetizer with a dipping sauce.
2. Spicy Pork and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup snap peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, Sriracha, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add ground pork and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add garlic and ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add bell pepper and snap peas, and cook until tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in the sauce mixture and stir to coat everything evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in green onions and serve over cooked rice.
3. Pork and Apple Sausage Patties
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 apple, peeled and grated
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil for frying
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together ground pork, grated apple, onion, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Shape the mixture into small patties.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the patties and cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Serve with scrambled eggs and toast for a delicious breakfast.
4. Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Corn or flour tortillas
Pineapple Salsa:
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, cook ground pork over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the pork. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for the pineapple salsa.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Serve the seasoned pork in tortillas topped with pineapple salsa.
5. Pork and Cabbage Dumplings
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup cabbage, finely shredded
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- Dumpling wrappers
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Water for steaming
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine ground pork, cabbage, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger.
- Place a spoonful of the mixture in the center of a dumpling wrapper.
- Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water and fold to seal.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add dumplings and cook until the bottoms are golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- Add 1/4 cup of water to the skillet, cover, and steam for 5-7 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked through.
- Serve with soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Conclusion
Ground pork is a fantastic ingredient that can elevate your meals with its rich flavor and versatility. From classic meatballs to spicy stir-fries and delicious dumplings, there’s no shortage of ways to incorporate ground pork into your cooking. Try out these recipes and enjoy the delightful flavors that ground pork brings to your table. Happy cooking!