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If you would have asked me what I thought the most-consumed meat in the world was, I’ll be honest, I would have guessed beef. As a burger-loving American, my mind first goes to all the ways you can use beef, from steak to stew to stir-frys. But, prepare for a shock—beef ranks well behind the most-consumed meat in the world.
The USDA reports that pork is the most widely-eaten meat in the world, accounting for 36% of total meat consumption. Poultry makes up 33%, while beef makes up only 24%. In the land of chicken and beef, this may come as a shock—pork is the third most-consumed meat in the United States. But, pork is the primary meat consumed in China, which has a population of 1.4 billion people, making it reign supreme in world-wide consumption.
Here at Delish, we may give a lot of love to chicken and beef (and even plant-based proteins), but we also love a good pork recipe. It’s incredibly versatile—from dumplings (and dumpling bowls) to carnitas to pork chops to BBQ classics like pulled pork and ribs, pork’s limitations know no bounds. We turn to this protein more often than we even realize, and love experimenting with ways to add it to recipes, whether it’s starring as the main character or in a supporting role (meatballs just aren’t the same without it, IMO). So if you’re looking to up your pork game or just see all the ways you can use this widely-consumed protein, check out our 20 favorite recipes below where pork shines:
Southwestern Wedding Soup
This Southwestern wedding soup has many of the same ingredients you’d expect from the source material, like ground pork meatballs, pasta, and plenty of vegetables. This version, however, uses many of the aromatics and seasonings you’d typically find in Tex-Mex food for a fun spin on a cozy classic.
Get the Southwestern Wedding Soup recipe.
Roasted Pork Tenderloin
When you’re craving an easy weeknight dinner protein but are tired of old standbys like chicken breast or ground beef, look no further than pork tenderloin. It’s quick-cooking, takes extremely well to countless flavors, and is easy enough for a family meal but remarkable enough for holidays and special occasions.
Get the Roasted Pork Tenderloin recipe.
Pork Dumpling Bowls
Craving dumplings, but not the effort it takes to make them? Enter: pork dumpling bowls. These deconstructed bowls are my favorite hack that delivers on the same salty-savory, soy sauce-soaked pork, shrimp, and cabbage filling, but combined with easy wheat noodles that mimic the same chewy flavor you love in a dumpling.
Get the Pork Dumpling Bowls recipe.
Chicharrones
Deep-fried pork should be an official love language because one bite of crispy chicharron leaves us lost for words. Garlic, sour orange, and oregano marinated cubes of pork belly are boiled until tender then fried until deep golden brown, crunchy, and insanely juicy. Topped with a sprinkle of flaky salt and a squeeze of lime, these are the perfect two-bite snack.
Get the Chicharrones recipe.
Egg Roll Bowls
When we’re craving crispy egg rolls but need a more filling lunch option, we turn to these bowls. Whether you’re low-carb, are looking for a creative lunch, or simply want to spice up your weeknight with an easy, budget-friendly dinner, these egg roll bowls are the way to go.
Get the Egg Roll Bowls recipe.
Smash Dumplings
Pleating dumplings is a full-on art, but if you’re all fingers and thumbs with a wrapper (like me!), smash dumplings are the way to go. Layered with an aromatic pork and cabbage filling, this effortless take on gyoza is simple enough to whip up any night of the week.
Get the Smash Dumplings recipe.
St. Louis-Style Ribs
With a complex rub, a low-and-slow cook, and a sweet BBQ sauce, these spareribs turn into tender, fall-of-the bone dreams. To get REALLY traditional, you’ll want to smoke your ribs, but we opted to bake these in the oven for convenience. Don’t worry—oven-baked ribs still get perfectly fall-off-the-bone-tender!
Get the St. Louis-Style Ribs recipe.
Bánh Mì Kebabs
A classic bánh mì is one of the world’s great sandwiches. Think contrast: flavor and texture from the meat, veg, and condiments are key to this sandwich standout. An ideal way to get that classic bánh mì taste? With these kebabs! Par-cooked carrots and slightly sweet daikon grill up nicely with thick pieces of pork chop.
Get the Bánh Mì Kebabs recipe.
Carnitas Tamale Pie
Delish started something extra special by inverting the classic tamale pie to give it a cornbread crust instead of a cornbread topping. This method provides a sturdy bottom that helps the tamale pie cut and lift like a slice of loaded pizza, leaving the shredded pork surface open for extra toppings like fresh tomatoes and scallions.
Get the Carnitas Tamale Pie recipe.
Slow-Roasted Pork & Peppers
There’s very little prep for this simple dinner—it’s just a matter of halving bell peppers and cutting onions into wedges, then the oven does the rest of the work, transforming the boneless pork shoulder into meltingly tender meat.
Get the Slow-Roasted Pork & Peppers recipe.
Pozole
Looking to feed (and impress!) a crowd, or need a soup that’ll warm you up? Make Mexican red pozole! Filled with pork shoulder, hominy, and a fair amount of heat, pozole is a cozy comforting stew that isn’t shy about its flavor. Don’t let the time commitment scare you, either: this is a set-and-forget-it recipe that truly rewards you for all of your patience.
Get the Pozole recipe.
Honey-Glazed Pork Chops With Mango Salsa
Perhaps pork chops are part of your regular rotation, but you’re sick of pairing them with apples or potatoes. Fear not: These honey-glazed pork chops with mango salsa are here to shake things up with a flavor explosion.
Get the Honey-Glazed Pork Chops With Mango Salsa recipe.
Air Fryer Korean-Inspired Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps
Pork tenderloin is the perfect vehicle for the spicy sweet sauce in these lettuce wraps. They’re fun to eat like lettuce tacos, but you could also just transform the whole thing into a rice or grain-based bowl.
Get the Air Fryer Korean-Inspired Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Chile Verde
Chile verde is a traditional dish from Northern Mexico that can be made with several types of meat. Pork is classic, and here, you’ll turn a pork shoulder meltingly tender through a long braise. This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for serving at a dinner party or a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Get the Chile Verde recipe.
Instant Pot Pork Puttanesca
For this dish, we were inspired by classic Italian puttanesca, a tomato-based dish with anchovies, capers, and olives that’s traditionally served over pasta. Pork makes it extra-hearty, but thanks to our Instant Pot this dish still comes together in just 30 minutes (!!!).
Get the Instant Pot Pork Puttanesca recipe.
Pulled Pork
If you’re looking for the best pulled pork recipe ever—this is it. It’s endlessly versatile: Whether you sandwich it between a soft potato bun, pile it on top of a baked potato, or even eat it on its own, pulled pork works for practically any meal, any time of year.
Get the Pulled Pork recipe.
Jajangmyeon
Commonly ordered in noodle shops, and even more commonly devoured in the instant form of chappaghetti (or jjapaghetti), jajangmyeon is Korean comfort fare at its best.
Get the Jajangmyeon recipe.
Broccoli Rabe & Italian Sausage Lasagna
Sausage and broccoli rabe is a classic pasta combination. It felt right to feature the dynamic duo in this decadent white lasagna, held together by a creamy mornay sauce. (AKA bechamel + Parmesan.)
Get the Broccoli Rabe & Italian Sausage Lasagna recipe.
Pork Schnitzel
There’s not much that rivals a thinly pounded piece of meat, breaded and fried until perfectly golden brown. This recipe for pork schnitzel is just that and is the perfect main for when you want a super-satisfying meal.
Get the Pork Schnitzel recipe.
Salt & Pepper Pork Chops
Looking for extra juicy, super-crisp pork chops? Look no further than this recipe, where we skip the traditional deep-fry in lieu of a pan-fry that’s still full of flavor and just the right amount of heat.
Get the Salt & Pepper Pork Chops recipe.
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