The truth is that, no matter how delicious pork can be, it's also known for easily drying out — and nobody likes a dry pork chop. So, how can you become a pork-cooking master?
With these six tips, of course! Here's our best advice for preparing better pork:
Keep the Fat
The fat on pork is great for flavor, so definitely don't trim it off. Instead, season well and enjoy the extra crispy, salty bites. Your pork will be more likely to stay moist with the added juiciness of the fat.
BuyBone-In
Similarly to not removing the fat, cooking your pork still on the bone will also help keep it from drying out. Look for thick-cut, bone-in cuts for delicious, marbled, on-the-bone flavor.
Embrace Marinades
Marinades aren't just great for imparting flavor — they also help lock in moisture and tenderize your meat. For pork, you can marinate for up to 12 hours prior to cooking. Just be sure to store marinating pork in the refrigerator and do your best to cover all sides of meat with liquid or turn the meat occasionally.
Consider Brining
Soaking your pork in a brine before cooking can help it retain moisture during the cooking process. 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.
Use a Meat Thermometer
While all of these previous steps are important, the ultimate influence in whether your finished product is juicy and tender comes down to preparation method. Depending on your cut, you can sear, pan-fry, bake, roast, grill and more. Regardless of what you choose, use a meat thermometer to ensure the interior of your pork doesn't get overcooked. Aim for a middle temperature of 145 degrees F, which should be mostly white with a slight touch of pink.
Let it Rest
Just like beef, giving your pork a resting period after you remove it from heat will keep the juices from running out when you cut it open. Trust us: The difference in flavor will be well worth the wait.
Now that you're a pork-cooking expert, make sure you buy the best cuts for your next meal.
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FAQs
1. Brine them for several hours. One of the easiest, simplest ways to make your pork chops more flavorful is to brine them. Brining pork chops has the added benefit of increasing the meat's moisture content as well as amping up the flavor.
How to make pork more flavorful? ›
1. Brine them for several hours. One of the easiest, simplest ways to make your pork chops more flavorful is to brine them. Brining pork chops has the added benefit of increasing the meat's moisture content as well as amping up the flavor.
How can I enhance the taste of pork? ›
You wouldn't necessarily just season pork with cumin, but mixing it with other seasonings like ginger and lime can enhance the flavour significantly. We'd recommend using ground cumin in recipes like our Pork Kebabs Marinated In Orange & Cumin, where the cumin can bring out the citrus and pork flavours well.
How do you cook a pork loin so it doesn't dry out? ›
Grilling
- First, use a high-heat area to quickly brown the meat on all sides. ...
- Next, move the loin to a low-heat area of the grill and cover it with foil.
- Now, you can roast the pork using indirect cooking for approximately one to one and a half hours, or about 20 minutes per pound of meat.
The sweetness of brown sugar is a great balance to the natural savoriness of pork. Cumin, thyme, oregano, and mustard all mix beautifully with pork as well. And chili powder and paprika both add spice without overpowering.
How do you add flavor to cooked pork? ›
Use garlic powder, minced garlic, or roasted garlic to give pork dishes more flavour. Garlic works well with Italian seasoning; or with any combination of basil, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Raw, fresh ginger can have a very “sharp” taste. The flavour will mellow with more cooking.
What gives pork its flavour? ›
Caraway enhances the natural flavour of pork and smoked paprika gives it a roasted tone. Brush 1 tbsp caraway and mix with 1 tbsp cumin and a pinch of salt. Use the mixture as a rub before grilling or roasting the meat.
What makes pork so delicious? ›
The colours of the meat and the fat of pork are regarded as more appetizing, while the taste and smell are described as sweeter and cleaner. It is also considered easier to digest. In rural tradition, pork is shared to celebrate important occasions and to form bonding.
Why is my pork tasteless? ›
The pork you buy from the grocery store is dry and tasteless because genetically, the hogs are bred for less fat, while ours are the way pigs traditionally are, with tremendously tasty intra-muscular fat.
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.
Soak your pork in a salt-based brine before cooking it using your desired method. Pork chops need to soak between 12–24 hours, an entire pork tenderloin needs to soak for 6–12 hours, and an entire pork loin requires 2–4 days of soaking. Rinse the brine from the meat after the brining period is complete.
Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? ›
Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? Cooking a pork loin at 400°F will give a nice crust and cook it faster, reducing the risk of drying out.
How do you keep pork moist when cooking? ›
Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference. It's not strictly necessary — you can still use this method to make great pork chops even without brining — but if you have some extra time, I recommend it.
Does pork get more tender the longer you cook it? ›
Unlike the more lean tenderloin and chops, pork shoulder is an incredibly forgiving cut of meat. It becomes more tender as it cooks and benefits from a lengthy cook time, so even if it stays on the heat a few minutes too long, you won't suddenly end up with something dry or rubbery.
What food makes pigs taste better? ›
A pig will eat as much as twenty pounds of acorns a day. Ibérico pork is always delicious, but the nut-heavy diet has an incredible effect on the meat: the flavor is deep, rich, earthy, intensely savory. And the texture is luscious.
How do you make pork taste less gamey? ›
Information. The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water.
