The Best Ways to Cook Common Cuts of Pork

Pork is a professional chef’s dream protein. From bacon cubes to smoked pork leg, every single cut of meat promises delicious results. With so many cuts to choose from, and the many different cooking methods, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Let’s break down some of the most popular cuts of pork, and some favoured ways of cooking them to produce mouth-watering results.

Pork Chops

Pork chops, also known as rib chops, are a restaurant menu favourite. Pork chops are a tender, quick-cooking cut of meat. You can cook it by simply preparing a brine of your own, marinating the pork and heating it on a skillet till both sides are cooked. You can also cook any accompanying vegetables to go along with it along with the pork chops or after they have been cooked. A simple and rich butter basting is all you need to prepare these tender, flavourful chops for any dining table.

Baby Back Ribs

One of the most popular backyard barbeque offerings, baby back ribs may be small, but sure do pack a punch in terms of flavour. This meaty cut works best when grilled, as many BBQ enthusiasts would testify. However, it can also a good choice for slow cooking. Stick them in your slow cooker with herbs for a tender, aromatic meal that will keep you coming back for more.

Pork Loin

The leanest cut of pork, this cut is taken from the muscle along the backbone. Due to its narrow shape, this cut roasts relatively quicker than most, and works great with a seasoning rub or a marinade. So, experiment with flavours and spices, and pan-fry, or simply toss it into the oven or grill for a delectable meal.

Pork Shoulder

Sourced from the fatty hind, pork shoulder is responsible for all those juicy, tender, pulled pork dishes we know and love. Slow cooking at low heat until the meat is soft is the recommended method for cooking the pork shoulder. The more time you let it cook allows the meat to grow more tender and lets the meat fall off the bone when eating.

Pork Belly

Just like with bacon, the savoury, succulent fats of pork belly add a delicious crispy texture to a meal when roasted or fried on a pan. Often used as an element of added texture and flavour to dishes like pasta, burgers and other pork-based meals, pork belly is a universal crowd pleaser.

Spare Ribs

A popular cut sourced from the underside, spare ribs, as the name suggests. What they lack in meat content, they more than make up for in tender fat, perfect for roasting or grilling. To prepare moist spare ribs, try cooking them in liquid, (or braising them) for best results.

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