26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (2024)

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26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (1)

By Alexia Dellner

Published Apr 22, 2020

Pork chops, we love you. And we’ll never turn down a pulled pork sandwich. But sometimes, we need to shake things up with something that’s a little more versatile. Hello, quick and easy ground pork recipes. From meatballs and dumplings to soups and tacos, here are 26 ways to transform that pound of meat in the fridge.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Pork Dumplings

These little parcels look impressive, but they’re actually a cinch to make. The trick is to use store-bought wrappers and keep the assembly simple (just fold each dumpling into a triangle). Don’t forget the spicy-sweet dipping sauce on the side.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. Sticky Asian Meatballs With Udon Noodles

We love spaghetti and meatballs, but sometimes you need to take things up a notch. Voilà, a flavor-packed recipe with sliced scallions, sesame seeds and carrot furls. (We won’t judge if you post it to the ’Gram before eating.)

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26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (4)

Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

3. Egg Roll Soup

We’ll eat this egg roll soup any day of the week, especially when it's this easy to make. (Oh, and did we mention that it makes great leftovers?)

4. Szechuan Noodles With Sesame Chili Oil

These sticky and spicy noodles can be made with ground chicken or pork. And the best part? You can whip up this Chinese-inspired dish faster than you can order takeout.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Lasagna Soup

Two of our favorite things in one delicious bowl. Made with ground beef, pork or Italian sausage and a lot of cheese.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. 20-minute Paleo Egg Roll Bowls

There’s no need to skimp on flavor (or spend hours slaving away over the stove) just because you’re following a special diet. Case in point: This bowl of saucy, savory deliciousness.

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7. Sheet Pan Stuffing With Delicata Squash, Fennel And Rosemary Sausage

Don’t wait for a holiday or celebration to whip up this crispy stuffing recipe, courtesy of Coterie member Phoebe Lapine.

8. Swedish Meatballs With Mashed Potatoes

These tasty bites are made the traditional way with a mixture of ground pork and beef. The cream sauce on top is also customary—and totally delicious.

9. Wonton Soup

Stuffing these flavorful parcels with pork, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, green onions and mushrooms is a little tricky, but so worth it. And once they’re assembled, you can freeze them for later or plop them straight into the aromatic broth.

What’s Gaby Cooking

10. Perfect Meatballs With Cherry Tomato Sauce

These guys freeze well, so make a double batch and you’ll never have to worry about what to serve unexpected dinner guests again. Just keep a box of pasta or polenta in the cupboard for serving and you’re good to go.

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11. Larb Moo (isaan-style Minced Pork Salad)

Larb is a ground meat salad from Thailand that somehow manages to be sweet, sour, spicy and salty, all at the same time. Coterie member Aida Mollenkamp stuffs her version in a lettuce leaf for an easy, portable dish.

12. Pork Banh Mi Burger

The popular Vietnamese sandwich, in burger form. Don’t skimp on the Sriracha mayo (or the pickled vegetables).

13. Gluten-free Pork Patty Waffle Sandwich

Shh, the waffles are store-bought. All you have to do in order to enjoy this decadent sandwich is make the pork patties and fry an egg.

14. Pork And Kimchi Potstickers

The fermented vegetables give every bite a refreshing crunch and are a great accompaniment to the spicy pork filling. Tip: Make a double batch and freeze any extras.

15. Queso Fundido

This Mexican dish means “melted cheese” in Spanish, aka our favorite thing. Two different types of cheese are mixed with spicy pork chorizo and green chiles before going into the oven until bubbly, then topped with fresh pico de gallo. Pass the chips.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

16. 15-minute Cheater’s Pad Thai

Just as good as your favorite Thai takeout, but on your table in half the time it takes to order delivery. And before you ask, there are no special trips to the international grocery store required.

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17. Pork Fried Rice

If you thought you could only make this dish with chicken, think again. Feel free to add in whatever veggies you have lying around—and don’t forget the scrambled egg.

18. Breakfast Casserole With Sausage And Cheese

A gluten-free and keto diet-friendly way to start the day that’s made with just six ingredients. (But feel free to bulk it out with some extra vegetables.)

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19. Low-carb Keto-friendly Piri Piri Pork Meatballs

Beautiful, easy to make and bursting with flavor, pork meatballs should definitely be your new dinner-party hack.

26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (21)

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20. Lemongrass Thai Ground Pork Stir-fry

Tip: Stashing a pack of ground pork in your freezer is a great move for quick weeknight keto meals.

26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (22)

SpoonForkBacon

21. Pork And Shrimp Dumplings

Not only are these guys delicious, but they also freeze fabulously—so you can have dumplings ready to go for last-minute meals.

26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (23)

Snixy Kitchen

22. Lasagna Bolognese With Béchamel

Layer and layers of cheesy goodness. What more could you ask for? (This is a rhetorical question.)

26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (24)

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23. Thai Pork Salad

The textures! The fresh herbs! We're having seconds. (And maybe thirds.)

26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (25)

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24. Pumpkin And Pork Cheesy Stuffed Shells

This cheese-filled dish has all of the warm, comforting flavors of fall—but we recommend making it all year round.

26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (26)

Well Plated By Erin

25. Whole30 Breakfast Casserole

Looking for a hearty and healthy brunch dish? This casserole is gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and Whole30-approved, but won't leave you feeling hungry afterwards.

26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (27)

The Gracious Pantry

26. Pork Burgers

Add balsamic vinegar and a handful of spices to ground pork and you've got yourself a ridiculously easy (and incredibly flavorful) burger recipe.

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26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (28)

Alexia Dellner

Executive Editor

Alexia Dellner is an executive editor at PureWow who has over ten years of experience covering a broad range of topics including health, wellness, travel, family, culture and...

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26 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between lean ground pork and ground pork? ›

Regular ground pork has a 70/30 meat to fat ratio while lean ground pork has a 90/10 meat to fat ratio.

What is the best meat for ground pork? ›

Fresh ground pork is also best from the shoulder. The loin is the animal's back muscle from the hip to the shoulder. The loin includes some of the most tender and popular cuts. Center cut chops are from the middle of the loin and include rib and loin cuts.

What should ground pork cook to? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends cooking ground pork patties and ground pork mixtures such as meat loaf to 160 °F (71.1 °C) as measured with a food thermometer. Cook all organ and variety meats (such as heart, kidney, liver, tongue, and chitterlings) to 160 °F (71.1 °C).

Is ground pork the same as ground sausage? ›

Essentially, the differences between ground pork and ground sausage really come down to their seasonings. Ground pork is fresh pork that has been pre-ground and packaged for easy preparation in a variety of dishes — including patties, meatballs, or crumbles. Ground pork sausage looks almost identical to ground pork.

Is ground pork healthier than beef? ›

Is pork worse than beef? Both pork and beef are high in proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, beef tends to have more calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol than pork. Pork may be a better choice, then, if you're trying to manage your blood cholesterol levels.

Which is healthier ground turkey or ground pork? ›

As you can see, the most significant difference between these two meat sources is their fat content. Otherwise, they contain many of the same vitamins and minerals in comparable quantities. The main exception is that turkey usually has a much higher concentration of B vitamins.

How long does ground pork last in the fridge? ›

Fresh, uncooked pork can be refrigerated about as long as other meats: three to five days. This is regardless of whether it's a roast or pork chops. Raw ground pork should also only be kept in the fridge for one to two days. Once cooked, pork dishes should be kept for two to three days in the fridge before tossing.

Why is ground pork cheaper than beef? ›

Pork is also more cost-effective due to processing which is primarily automated as opposed to beef, which is a more manual process, requiring more labour to carry and handle. In addition, pigs' lower transportation costs contribute to the lower price.

Is ground pork healthy? ›

Nutritionally, pork possesses a wide range of essential nutrients like energizing B vitamins, choline for developing babies, and iron for healthy red blood cells. A 3-ounce serving of lean pork is loaded with protein and low in fat. Eating lean pork daily can be a part of a well-balanced, high-nutrient diet.

Is a little pink okay in pork? ›

That color doesn't indicate anything nefarious—at 145°F, your pork is at a “medium rare” temperature. You would expect to see some pink in a medium-rare steak, so don't be surprised to find it in your pork chops! If the pink color freaks you out, you can continue cooking it until it reaches 155°F.

Do you wash ground pork before cooking? ›

While washing meat and poultry to remove dirt, slime, fat or blood may have been appropriate decades ago when many slaughtered and prepared their own food, the modern food safety system doesn't require it. Meat and poultry are cleaned during processing, so further washing is not necessary.

Can you over cook ground pork? ›

Michigan State University Extension recommends that care be taken to not overcook pork. Since there is less fat to moisten and add flavor to the meat it can become dry with overcooking.

Does ground pork taste like hamburger? ›

Whereas pork gives a lighter flavor, ground beef will provide the depth of flavor needed in a slow cooked dish.

Can you use ground pork instead of hamburger? ›

Why use ground pork instead of ground beef? Ground pork is extremely versatile and very cost effective. It is the perfect protein swap and can be easily interchanged in a lot of your favorite recipes. Pork is flavorful and pairs well with many different ingredients.

Is McDonald's sausage pork? ›

Sausage Patty

Ingredients: Pork, Water, Salt, Spices, Dextrose, Sugar, Rosemary Extract, Natural Flavors.

What is lean ground pork? ›

The Good Meat Lean ground pork is made from skinless, boneless pork shoulder ground using 8-10mm grinding plate, with 90:10 lean-fat ratio. Best used for: Picadillo, Tortang Giniling, Fresh Sausages, Longganisa, Meatloaf, Embutido, Lumpia, Dumplings.

Is lean ground pork good? ›

Pork is a rich source of certain vitamins and minerals your body needs to function, like iron and zinc. It's also an excellent source of high-quality protein. Minimally processed, lean, fully-cooked pork eaten in moderation can provide certain benefits when added to your diet.

Is there such a thing as lean ground pork? ›

Pork: Cuts of pork range from very fatty to very lean, so you can get extra-lean, lean and medium ground pork. A butcher may also do regular ground for you. Ground pork is often mixed with ground beef for more flavourful burgers and meatballs, or try tossing ground pork into a veggie-rich stir-fry.

Is ground pork considered lean? ›

Pork, ground, 84% lean / 16% fat, raw.

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