50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (1)

Looking to mix up your weeknight dinner routine? Craving a little comfort-food besides your beloved — but boring! —beef stew? Pork recipes are flavorful choice (assuming your family has no dietary restrictions) that's easy to prepare and a champ when it comes to versatility. Lean cuts like pork tenderloin are a great way to get protein into your diet without adding excess fat, while indulgent pork shoulder is ideal for throwing into your Instant Pot to create mouth-watering pulled pork for taco Tuesday.

Got picky eaters in the family? Tempt them with crunchy cutlet sandwiches or sticky finger-licking ribs (all great kids' dinner ideas). And if you’re in a time crunch (who isn’t these days?) and want to get something on the table fast without sacrificing flavor, boneless chops can be your go to I-can’t-believe-it’s-6pm-already meal. Flavorful and inexpensive, pork is the underrated, jack-of-all-meats that works in all kinds of dishes — from stir-fries to salads, sandwiches and more. Here's proof!

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1

Mustard Glazed Pork Chops

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (2)

Roast potatoes and shallots on a sheet pan while you make the sweet and tangy chops — extras can be sautéed with eggs for breakfast or added to a comforting Creamy Corn Chowder the next day.

Get the recipe for Mustard Glazed Pork Chops »

RELATED: 16 Easy Sheet Pan Dinners That Make Cleanup a Breeze

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2

Pork Milanese Sandwich With Tomato Salad

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (3)

Who could resist panko-crusted chops sandwiched between cheesy bread? We can't.

Get the recipe for Pork Milanese Sandwich With Tomato Salad »

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3

Pork and Veggie Stir Fry

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (4)

A weeknight dream come true: A complete meal in less than half an hour!

Get the recipe for Pork and Veggie Stir Fry »

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4

Pork Chops With Bok Choy and Coconut Rice

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (5)

A sweet and spicy soy marinade gives the pork and veggies an irresistibly savory kick.

Get the recipe for Pork Chops with Bok Choy and Coconut Rice »

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5

Quick Pork Ragu With Ravioli

A speedy sauce made with ground pork and white wine means you could be eating this in less than 20 minutes flat!

Get the recipe for Quick Pork Ragu With Ravioli »

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6

Pork Chops With Bloody Mary Tomato Salad

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (7)

All the flavors of the fave brunch co*cktail (except the booze), paired perfectly with meaty grilled chops.

Get the recipe for Pork Chops With Bloody Mary Tomato Salad »

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7

Fennel and Thyme Pork Roast With Root Vegetables

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (8)

A perfect Sunday supper (the veggies go into the oven, too).

Get the recipe for Fennel and Thyme Pork Roast With Root Vegetables »

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8

Sriracha Meatball Hoagies

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (9)

Ground pork makes for more flavorful, tender meatballs than just beef alone. Add some mint, lemongrass, fish sauce and Sriracha to the mix to really make your taste buds do a little dance.

Get the recipe for Sriracha Meatball Hoagies »

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9

Hot 'n' Spicy Pork Noodles

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (11)

Standard spaghetti and meat sauce is always a crowd-pleaser, but ... snooze. This savory bowl of goodness is way more exciting and just as easy to throw together.

Get the recipe for Hot 'n' Spicy Pork Noodles »

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10

Balsamic-Glazed Pork Chops With Spinach Mashed Potatoes

Bone-in pork chops can look every bit impressive as a big old steak ... especially next to a heaping pile of mashed potatoes.

Get the recipe for Balsamic-Glazed Pork Chops with Spinach Mashed Potatoes »

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11

Tangy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (15)

Make the summer staple in record time — 25 minutes!

Get the recipe for Tangy Pulled Pork Sandwiches »

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12

Dijon Pork and Asparagus Sauté

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (17)

Minimize clean-up with this one-dish wonder. In less than 15 minutes, the mustardy pork and bright asparagus cook up together in a single skillet.

Get the recipe for Dijon Pork and Asparagus Sauté »

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13

Pork Tenderloin With Roasted-Lemon Orzo

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (19)

This super-lean cut has all the convenience of skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Just toss the meat with oil, salt and pepper; then pop in the oven for 30 minutes.

Get the recipe for Pork Tenderloin with Roasted-Lemon Orzo »

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14

Slow-Cooked Teriyaki Ribs

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (21)

With a little help from your slow cooker, these finger lickin' ribs are really easy to throw together. Almost too easy.

Get the recipe for Slow-Cooked Teriyaki Ribs »

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15

Pork Chops With Mustard-Apricot Sauce

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (23)

Stock up on apricot jam and grainy mustard, so you're always ready to whip up this sweet 'n' sticky glaze.

Get the recipe for Pork Chops with Mustard-Apricot Sauce »

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16

30-Minute Tuscan Ragu

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (25)

If you're debating whether or not you should invest in a pressure cooker, just know that this decadent pasta dish takes less than an hour to prepare in one.

Get the recipe for 30-Minute Tuscan Ragu »

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17

Vietnamese Noodle Salad

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (27)

This salad is extra satisfying, thanks to thin rice noodles (a.k.a. vermicelli) that cook quickly and absorb sauce easily. You may want to call dibs on the leftovers, for lunch tomorrow.

Get the recipe for Vietnamese Noodle Salad »

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18

Grilled Pork Scaloppine With Mango Salsa

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (29)

In Italian, "scaloppine" describes meat (think: veal, pork, chicken) that has been pounded thin, dredged in flour and sautéed.

Get the recipe for Grilled Pork Scaloppine with Mango Salsa »

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19

Sweet 'n' Sticky Pork Chops With "Dirty" Rice

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (31)

Psst! This New Orlean's inspired-dish has not one, but two types of pork in it.

Get the recipe for Sweet 'n' Sticky Pork Chops with "Dirty" Rice »

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20

Roast Pork and Sweet Potatoes With Spicy Cabbage

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (33)

Fiery jalapeños balance out the sweetness of the barbecue sauce and potatoes in this easy weeknight meal.

Get the recipe for Roast Pork and Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Cabbage »

50 Totally Easy Pork Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

FAQs

What meals can be made from pork? ›

Quick and Easy Pork Dinners
  • 1 / 10. Pork and Fennel Ragout. The sweetness of fennel and caramelized shallots pairs perfectly with shredded pork. ...
  • 2 / 10. Japanese-Style Crispy Pork. ...
  • 3 / 10. Cheese-Stuffed Pork Chops. ...
  • 4 / 10. Pork and Apple Salad.

What are the 5 ways to cook pork? ›

There are a thousand ways to do it but here are the top 9 ways to cook pork.
  1. #9 Whole Hog Roasting. What can be more fun than gathering family, friends and neighbors for a pig roast? ...
  2. #8 Stewing. Stewing is the delicious result to slow-and-low cooking. ...
  3. #7 Broiling. ...
  4. #5 Braising. ...
  5. #4 Sautéing.

How do you make pork more tender? ›

You can slow cook it in a slow cooker or oven at a low temperature for several hours until it's fully cooked and tender. This will help break down the tough connective tissues and collagen in the meat, resulting in a succulent and tender pork belly. Braising: Braising is another method that works well for pork belly.

What is the easiest cut of pork to cook? ›

Pork Loin. Pork loin is often thought of as the most tender, leanest, and easiest to cook pork cuts—coming from between the shoulders, all the way to the back legs.

What tastes go well with pork? ›

Salt and pepper is always a go-to option, but try one of the options below too.
  • chinese 5 spice on a small dish. Chinese five spice. ...
  • A pile of cinnamon sticks on a small dish. Cinnamon. ...
  • Cumin grains pouring out of a pot. Cumin. ...
  • A bowl of dried red chilli peppers. Chilli. ...
  • Large garlic cloves. Garlic.

What should I season pork with? ›

Ingredients in pork rub
  1. Paprika – The recipe calls for smoked paprika, ideally. ...
  2. Onion and garlic powder – Sub: Double up on either if you are missing one. ...
  3. Oregano – Sub: 1 tsp mixed herb, or 1/2 tsp thyme or rosemary.
  4. Mustard powder – Sub: 1/4 tsp extra onion or garlic powder.
  5. Cumin – Sub: Coriander powder.
Aug 18, 2021

What makes pork taste better? ›

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.

What is secret pork? ›

Iberico Pork Secreto (secreto is “secret” in Spanish) is a one of Spain's best kept secrets! A fantastically tender and highly prized cut from the shoulder, the Secreto is darkly coloured, and it has a long grain that appears striped due to the dense marbling found in the Pata Negra breed.

What is the best cooking method for pork? ›

Dry-Heat Methods
  • Grilling - for both small pork cuts cooked over direct heat and large pork cuts cooked with indirect heat.
  • Broiling - for small cuts such as chops, kabobs and pork patties.
  • Sautéing/Stir-Frying - for small pork cuts such as chops, cutlets and strips.

How do Chinese make pork so tender? ›

How do you tenderise pork for stir fry? Velveting is a Chinese technique that helps keep meat tender during stir frying. Adding cornstarch and bicarb to your meat during the marinating process helps to coat your meat, giving it a velvety feel that makes the meat feel extra soft.

What liquid tenderizes pork? ›

A brine is essentially just salt and water. It helps prevent moisture loss during cooking, and the salt also helps tenderize the meat from the inside out.

What spices tenderize pork? ›

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.

What is the most flavourful cut of pork? ›

Pork Loin Chops

Note that thicker cut pork chops with the bone still attached cook up the juiciest and most flavorful. In descending order of tenderness (and thus expense), specific pork chops cuts are: Pork loin chops (a.k.a. pork loin end chops, loin pork chops, pork center loin chops).

What is the hardest part of pork to cook? ›

The most desirable cuts of meat come from higher up on the animal. By contrast, the shank and shoulder muscles produce the toughest cuts. With ​proper cooking, even those tougher cuts can be luscious and tender.

What is the most flavorful cut of pork? ›

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.

What is the most popular product from pork? ›

Bacon. Arguably the most popular pork product, bacon is loved for its salty, smoky flavor and crispy texture. It's used in a variety of dishes, from breakfast to salads to sandwiches. Bacon is a popular pork product that is made from cured and smoked pork belly.

What are famous pork products? ›

There are several popular types of pork used in cooking.
  • Bacon: A popular breakfast food item, bacon is cured, smoked, and sliced pork belly.
  • Salami: Salami is cured meat typically pulled from the neck of a pig.
  • Pork butt: Pulled pork is a popular dish made from the upper part of a pig's shoulder called the pork butt.
Dec 3, 2021

What is pork meat meal? ›

Pork meat & bone meal is a highly digestible protein source composed of the clean, dried, ground pork tissue.

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