Whether consumed in a fresh, crunchy lettuce wrap or topped on a savory marinara pizza, ground pork is extremely easy to prepare—especially for family-friendly weeknight meals!
High-quality ground pork bursts with flavor–plus it’s loaded with filling protein–which makes it very desirable for satisfying a crowd. So if you’re looking to jazz up your weekly meal prep, here’s exactly what to make with ground pork, along with our top-rated recipes and cooking tips.
What Exactly Is Ground Pork?
First things first—what exactly is ground pork? In short, ground pork is a common alternative to ground turkey, chicken, and beef. When it comes to fat content, ground pork contains less than beef but a bit more than chicken or turkey, which is exactly why it’s so extremely tasty.
Now, you might be wondering, is ground pork considered healthy? And the answer is yes, depending on the blend you choose. For example, at Coleman Natural, our ground pork is made of an 80% lean, 20% fat blend, unlike the typical 70% lean, 30% fat ratio you might come across in typical grocery stores. Our blend yields a rich flavor without excess fat, so the meals you serve can be as nutritious as possible.
Plus, did we mention you’ll always get high-quality? Coleman Ground Pork never contains antibiotics, artificial ingredients, or added hormones. We also source directly from American family farms that always uphold the same crate-free practices that have been part of our family standards since 1875.
“They’re just happy pigs. Happy pigs mean better-tasting pork for the consumer.”
Marylin Reckamp, The Reckamp Farm
Ensuring our farmers instill crate-free practices means that animals have more room to roam freely, which maintains a low-stress environment. In turn, our animals are happier and healthier!
How to Cook Ground Pork
As we mentioned towards the top, ground pork is particularly popular since it’s so versatile…there’s a multitude of ways to cook it, either on the stovetop, grill, or oven.
Grilling Ground Pork
Ready to fire up the grill over the weekend? You can quickly form ground pork into scrumptious burgers in no time at all. Remember, since ground pork already contains a plethora of flavor, you don’t need a ton of seasonings—a dash of salt and pepper on both sides of the patty will do the trick!
Now when it comes to grilling, you can preheat your grill to medium-high and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Frying Ground Pork
One of the quickest ways to prepare ground pork is by frying it up! And if you’re in a real pinch and don’t have time to work the grill, you can easily choose Coleman Natural pre-seasoned Original Ground Pork Sausage Roll or Spicy Ground Pork Sausage Roll—making the ideal topping or filling for creamy queso, chopped salads, homemade pizza, creamy queso, tacos, and more.
When it comes to frying ground pork, you don’t necessarily need to add a ton of oil, since it already contains enough natural fat. Also, be sure to drain any excess fat to ensure it’s as healthy as possible.
Cooking Ground Pork in the Oven
If you’re not in a major rush, cooking ground pork in the oven will allow flavors to marinate and can result in several scrumptious meals. For example, you can choose to bake meatballs instead of frying them! Depending on the recipe, you’ll likely heat up the oven to around 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 20-30 minutes.
If you have a few extra minutes to spare, you can even opt for pork meatloaf or a hearty Pork and Ale Pub Pie, which takes around 45 minutes to cook through at 350 degrees Fahrenheit fully. We guarantee that this warm, savory pie filled with seasoned veggies, tender ground pork, and smoky bacon will be a family favorite.
How Long to Cook Ground Pork
- According to USDA, no matter how you choose to cook ground pork, the internal temperature should always reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Hitting this internal temperature will ward off unwanted bacteria, making your ground pork 100% safe to consume.
- Also, if you still see a bit of pink, don’t fret! The pink might be due to the cooking method or added ingredients you choose.
Recipes for Ground Pork
So what types of ground pork recipes can you swiftly assemble at home? Here’s a roundup of our top-ranking recipes for every level of home cook in the kitchen.
Thai Noodles with Ground Pork
In just 15 minutes, you can serve up an authentic bowl of Thai noodles elevated with ground pork. Once you cook your soft wide rice noodles, fry up your ground pork, and add soy sauce, garlic chili sauce, and a pinch of pepper. Gently toss in some extra veggies, stir in the noodles, and top with crunchy peanuts. This meal will leave your family feeling like they dined at an authentic Thai joint up the street.
Asian-Inspired Pork Meatballs with Hoisin Sauce
If you’re looking to get the kids involved with meal prep, these delicious Asian-inspired pork meatballs will be an optimal choice! Simply combine ground pork, sesame oil, breadcrumbs, ginger, egg, garlic, and green onion to form bite-size meatballs. Bake for 30 minutes at 350º Fahrenheit and serve with some tangy Hoisin sauce. These make the perfect leftovers too.
Pork and Bacon Burgers
Ready to soak in some sunshine and coordinate a beachside barbeque? You’ll want to grill up these juicy pork and bacon burgers! To prepare, combine ground pork, spicy chorizo, crispy bacon, onion, garlic, and a bit of salt and pepper, then form into six patties. Grill each patty for about 3-4 minutes per side, then wedge between some buttered buns and sprinkle in your favorite burger toppings, like purple onions and beefsteak tomatoes.
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Ground Pork and Ginger
Looking for a low-carb, light snack? These stuffed cabbage rolls packed with crisp veggies, ground pork, and spices will leave you full for hours on end. With around 20 minutes of prep time, you’ll first mix ground pork, rice, mushrooms, carrot, green onion, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, cilantro, and black pepper. Then gently, you’ll fold this mixture into blanched cabbage leaves. Once rolled up, you’ll bake these decadent rolls for 45 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and serve them immediately. This recipe is the epitome of quick and easy!
Uplevel Family Meals With Coleman Ground Pork
When it comes to what to do with ground pork, the possibilities are endless, especially when you choose Coleman Ground Pork. Your whole family will be “asking for more” once they take a scrumptious bite of a perfectly cooked pork burger or those Asian-inspired pork meatballs.
Plus, with Coleman Natural Foods, you can completely uplevel your meal prep with American Humane Certified Pork, ensuring the highest level of animal care on a global scale, so you can feel 100% peace of mind feeding your family.
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