23 Easy Pork Recipes

Let’s Talk About PORK

Pork is a versatile and flavorful ingredient, prized for its adaptability, and is a star ingredient in a wide range of cuisines and dishes all over the world. Its different cuts offer varied textures, from the tenderness of pork tenderloin to the richness of belly or shoulder. Pork quickly absorbs marinades and seasonings, making it ideal for quick weeknight meals and slow-cooked dishes. It can be roasted, grilled, braised, or stir-fried, balancing lean meat and fat to create juicy, satisfying dishes. It’s widely available and can be paired with various flavors, from sweet to savory.

How many RanchHERs raise pork across the United States?

According to data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture, 1.2 million women in the United States accounted for 36 percent of farmers and ranchers. ¹However, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ERS research, this percentage tends to be higher for farms specializing in livestock, such as pork. In 2019, 49.2 percent of U.S. pork operations had a female as a principal or secondary operator.

How much pork does the U.S. produce annually?

The United States is one of the largest pork producers in the world. In recent years, the U.S. has produced around 28 to 30 billion pounds of pork annually. In 2022, U.S. pork production reached approximately 27.2 billion pounds. ²Of that supply, 6.3 billion pounds of pork products were exported to countries like Mexico, Japan, China, and South Korea, making the U.S. one of the largest global exporters of this meat.

As for production within the country, the largest pork-producing states are concentrated in the Midwest, particularly in Iowa, which accounts for around 30% of U.S. pork production. Other top-producing states include North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana​. ³

What is the most popular cut of pork in the world?

The most popular cut of pork worldwide varies depending on regional preferences, but pork belly is generally one of the most favored cuts globally. Known for its rich flavor and succulent texture, it is particularly popular in Asian cuisine, where it’s used in dishes like Korean samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) and Chinese braised pork belly. In Western countries, cuts like pork chops and pork loin are more popular due to their versatility and leanness, commonly used for grilling, roasting, or frying. Pork shoulder (or Boston butt) is also widely used, especially for slow-cooked dishes like pulled pork.

Pigs contain a wide variety of cuts, many similar to beef. However, since they are smaller in size, many leaner cuts cook similarly to chicken. Still, pork contains more fat than chicken, so the results are more tender, juicy, and flavorful—savory with a slight sweetness.

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Easy Pork Recipes for Lunch & Meal Prep

Pork is a great choice for meal prep and lunches because it is versatile, flavorful, and easy to cook in bulk. It can also be stored in the fridge and reheated multiple times without getting tough.

Here are seven perfect pork recipes for lunch and meal prep:

Pork Soup and Stew Recipes

There’s nothing more comforting in fall and winter than a fatty, pork-filled soup or stew to warm you up from the inside out. Since pork is full of fat and flavor and pairs well with a variety of produce and other ingredients, producing a delicious and filling pork soup or stew doesn’t take much coaxing or time.

Check out these four soup and stew recipes featuring pork as the star ingredient:

Inside-Out Egg Roll Pork & Cabbage Soup
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Transform a takeout favorite into an easy and comforting soup! This recipe for Inside-Out Egg Roll Pork & Cabbage Soup by Served From Scratch includes all the flavors you’d expect from an egg roll filled into a warm, comforting bowl of soup. This soup is packed full of vegetables and pork, ready in no time, easy to make, and has all the components you want from an egg roll, including a crunchy topping!

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Here are six unique pork recipes that get a full dinner (complete with a protein and sides) on the table fast and utilize the best seasonal produce:

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Easy Pork Main Dish Recipes

Since pork takes some time to get fall-off-the-bone delicious, it’s a go-to ingredient for set-it-and-forget-it-type meals made in the crockpot or Instant Pot. However, it also stands up to quick cooking on the grill or air fryer.

No matter how you want to cook it, you’ll love one of these five easy pork main dish recipes:

Garlic Butter Pork Chop Recipe (Ready in Just 15 Minutes!)
^{Recipe by The Forked Spoon}

This Garlic Butter Pork Chop recipe from The Forked Spoon produces juicy, delicious pork with golden-seared edges in just 15 minutes! Enjoy this crazy delicious and tender pork chop recipe with all your favorite side dish recipes for a fast, flavorful, easy dinner the whole family will love.

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Do you have a special farm family recipe to share? Submit a Recipe for a chance to be featured by the FarmHER Kitchen!

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Everybody Eats

At the heart of every meal is a story—a tale of dedication, nurture, and the enduring spirit of those who tend the land. Everybody Eats is the place where the narratives of food and agriculture converge. In partnership with FarmHer, we meet courageous women who embody not just the power of nurturing but also the strength of leading in transforming our food systems. They are the unsung heroes, educators, and compassionate souls who have relentless commitment and extraordinary care embedded in cultivating our food. Feed your curiosity, nourish your understanding, and grow your appreciation for the stewards who make sure that Everybody Eats.

Nationwide, a leading provider in farm and ranch insurance, acknowledges that more than half of all farming operations in the United States have at least one female operator. These women constitute the fastest-growing segment of farmers and are known for their innovative approaches. Given the current challenging circumstances, it is critical to assess your insurance coverages and financial services to ensure comprehensive protection and stability for your farm or ranch operations. Find a Nationwide Agent.

1. “USDA Releases 2022 Census of Agriculture Data.” U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Accessed from USDA releases 2022 Census of Agriculture data ↩︎
2. 2024-Production-Analysis-Full-Report-1.pdf (porkcheckoff.org) Pork Checkoff. “2024 Production Analysis Full Report.” Accessed from: porkcheckoff.org ↩︎
3. ERS charts of note. USDA ERS – Charts of Note. (n.d.). https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/charts-of-note/charts-of-note/?topicId=eeb3cccd-e3e8-4938-b646-e374507a0e6b
   
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