There is something elemental about building a meal with ground pork.
Of course pork chops, ribs, pork loin, and roasts all have their place in cuisine, but it turns out that ground pork is just as versatile as ground beef or ground turkey.
Ground pork is the basis for breakfast sausage after all.
It’s the garlic powder, sage, and pepper that really turns it into a breakfast patty or link.
We put together this list of easy ground pork recipes that use ground pork that encompass several different types of cuisine.
This Chinese inspired ground pork recipe is delicious and easy to make.
This is flavored with Chinese five spice and soy sauce.
Chinese five spice is an earthy spice made of star anise, fennel, peppercorns, cloves and cinnamon.
It is a unique flavor that when combined with soy sauce makes an incredibly delicious dish.
This dish also has shiitake mushrooms , hard boiled eggs and scallions.
It is served over rice.
Once you try this dish you will want to eat it over and over again.
It is unique and jammed with flavor.
Cooking Help: 5 soy sauce substitutes
Why don’t we eat more pork burgers?
Seriously, this is a fantastic use of ground pork.
Beef really should stop getting all of the bun glory.
This recipe combines pork with flavorful chorizo to form a burger patty that has so much flavor that your taste buds will stand at attention and thank you.
You can grill your burgers or you can cook them on the cast iron.
Cast iron burgers are fantastic and I lean towards that option quite often.
In this recipe the cook tops the burger with grilled red onion slices, fancy mayo and Manchego cheese.
Follow this brilliant cook’s guidance and you will have one darn juicy burger.
Got leftovers?
Here is how to properly reheat hamburgers.
Asian lettuce wraps are an appetizer that I often just turn into my entire meal.
They are deceptively filling.
These are so fun to eat, especially if the lettuce is perfectly crisp and green.
Though, I must admit that I often make one heck of a mess with these things.
When you cook up your ground pork dinner recipes here you will cook it with white onions, garlic, shiitake mushrooms and water chestnuts.
Yum!
Also, don’t overlook topping these lettuce wraps with those green onions.
They add flavor, texture and beauty to this dish.
While sesame seeds are a natural topper for many Asian dishes, they really make these lettuce wraps POP.
This is one of those easy ground pork recipes that you will want to make again and again.
Some folks are fanatical about their ramen.
If you fall in this camp, I think that you are gonna like this recipe.
This is a brightly flavored recipe.
It uses a heaping amount of fresh ginger.
If you can handle it, it also calls for a nice kick of Sriracha.
What I think makes this soup stand apart is the use of Bok Choy. Bok Choy is a lovely green that doesn’t tend to get enough love.
Well, in this soup it sure does.
Oh and the garlic.
Can we just talk about it for a mere moment.
Use more than recommended.
Ya know, just get a little heavy handed with it for once.
Your ground pork deserves all of the flavor love in this soup and for that matter so does your ramen.
Hot Tip: How to best reheat ramen
So pork fried rice is one of my all-time favorite Chinese dishes.
It has ground pork, rice and veggies.
This recipe also has pineapple, which I love.
When you combine Asian spices with the tangy sweet pineapple it just all comes together so deliciously.
One of my struggles with making ground pork fried rice at home is the tendency for it to come out too salty.
To avoid this, don’t over use the soy sauce.
You may think adding just a bit more will enhance the flavor but it will also make it so salty.
Hot Tip: How to reheat fried rice
We just had a party where sliders were the star of the show.
They are just so fun to eat.
These sliders are made with ground pork and barbecue sauce.
Then that ground pork mixture is topped with sautéed onions and melted mozzarella cheese.
Now, I personally recommend that your slider buns be Hawaiian rolls but that is up you.
These would also be delicious on pretzel rolls.
The question with this recipe isn’t will you like it.
It is how many will you eat in one sitting?
Dr Pepper is a Texas tradition.
That is why I had to, without question, add this pork recipe to the list.
I love tater tot casserole. Growing up this one was one of my favorite dishes.
I was a picky eater but this always got me to the dinner table.
This is a fun twist on tater tot casserole because it is a ground pork recipe, that has bbq sauce and Dr Pepper.
It still has the heaps of stringy gooey cheddar cheese that you are accustomed too.
By the way, tater tot casserole is fantastic left over.
So you can double the batch and reheat it for lunches the next day.
This ground pork Korean soup has it all.
It has bok choy. It has hard boiled eggs.
It is made with a creamy coconut base.
It has gochujang chili paste and all of the aromatic flavors that you would expect.
The best part is you can absolutely make this ground pork recipe at home.
You can use udon noodles or dan dan noodles.
You can use ramen noodles that are frozen.
Heck you can even use that ramen noodles that you made in college.
Yes, those!
Why does beef get all of the chili love?
Well, after you eat this Ground Pork Chili recipe you will be asking this question for sure.
This chili recipe not only has stewed tomatoes.
It also has ro-tel diced tomatoes with green chilis.
That will be that surprising flavor that everyone will be asking you about.
Ya know that question that all of us cooks like.
So what is this flavor?
I know what it is but I can’t place it.
It is up to you as to whether you tell everyone or keep it as your secret.
First, let’s discuss the noodles in this soup.
These aren’t any skinny wimpy noodles that you see in a lot of soups.
These noodles are big and fat and glorious.
If you don’t want to make your own noodles, no problem.
You can use Zoodles or even make butternut squash noodles.
You pick the noodle that makes your tummy happy.
The broth is a chicken bone broth that is enhanced with coconut aminos.
Yep, you are thinking exactly the right thing here.
That is some seriously rich flavor.
Then we have the ground pork, and the shallots, cilantro and chives.
Oh my this soup is one for the ages.
This is some serious comfort food.
This casserole is hearty.
You can make it ahead and freeze it and bake it later.
It is filling and it is delicious.
This is an excellent use of ground meat.
I love meal prepping.
Back in the day, I was super into putting together casseroles on a Sunday and popping those bad boys in the freezer.
Then before work, I could put it in the fridge and have it thawing for when I got him.
Next, pop it in the oven and dinner is done.
This pork casserole has pork sausage, onion, garlic, pasta sauce, pasta cheese and oh so much more.
By the way, I would add even more cheese on top than you think that you should.
Then when you pull it out of the oven it will be all bubbly and amazing.
Yum!
Did you know that bibimbap means mixed rice?
Yeah, me neither!
This is a fantastic ground pork rice dish.
Now, this is a spicy dish but that is only true depending on how much of the Gochujang you add to the dish.
Gochujang is a Korean hot paste.
Generally speaking, when I cook with this I don’t use hardly any at all and frankly more often than not, I leave it out.
That is for you to decide.
You could actually substitute a dash of tomato paste in place of it for color and texture.
This recipe calls for sticky rice, which is not just ordinary white rice.
The good news is that you can buy pouches of sticky rice at the grocery store now.
That way all that you have to do is heat it up and use it in the recipe.
One of the things that I love about this casserole recipe is the beautiful presentation.
Those eggs on top of the dish are just so gorgeous.
Omelettes for dinner are the best!
Remember when you were a kid how exciting it was when mom would say breakfast for dinner?
I sure do!
This ground pork omelet recipe is very hearty.
It has diced potatoes, onion, tomatoes and for that extra kick diced jalapeño.
I suggest that you throw some biscuits in the oven and cook some bacon too.
Hey, why not make this a meat fest.
Nachos baby!
Yep, that is what I had for dinner last night.
I love nachos so insanely much.
Ground pork on nachos is a fantastic use of this meat.
This recipe is loaded with mozzarella cheese, olives, red peppers and green onion.
This won’t take you much time to put together but the entire house will be happy.
But hey, this is a perfectly fine recipe just for you too.
So don’t think that you need a crowd to make this lovely dish.
You don’t have to go to Ikea to get Swedish meatballs.
You can make your own at home right now.
These meatballs are made with a mixture of ground beef and ground pork.
You can serve these meatballs over rice, noodles or even mashed potatoes.
Heck you could even use cauliflower rice.
The sauce is a beef broth based sauce that is made creamy using sour cream and heavy cream.
But to me, Swedish meatballs really should be served over noodles.
The sloppy joes are made using ground pork and they have a hint of citrus to them.
What makes a sloppy joe great isn’t just the glorious meat mixture.
It is also the bun used and the toppings.
In this case, the toppings are swiss cheese, pickles and mustard.
The meat is seasoned with so much deliciousness, which includes brown sugar, allspice, paprika and coriander.
Yep, this is one full flavored sloppy joe right here.
17. Asian Pork Tacos
I love tacos and I love tacos that have a fantastic slaw.
These ground pork Asian tacos fit that bill perfectly.
Oh and you can make this recipe in 30 minutes flat.
So you can have yummy without a lot of time.
This ground pork taco is topped with a cabbage slaw that has a zesty flavor and offers the perfect amount of crunch.
Then you drizzle on top of it all the spicy mayo.
Boom!
You got an amazing dinner in 30 minutes.
18. Pork Stir Fry
You can put together this dish in 30 minutes which makes it perfect for weeknight dinners.
So this is a quick and easy ground pork stir fry dish.
If you love stir fry but don’t wanna order one more thing from a Chinese restaurant this week, make this dish.
This stir fry has two main ingredients: ground pork and broccoli.
If you are like me and have a special adoration for bell peppers, I suggest adding a sliced red and yellow bell pepper to the dish.
You can also add fish sauce for even more depth of flavor.
Dried mushrooms and ground pork may be best friends.
I don’t know why exactly but these two items go together splendidly well.
This pasta dish also has spinach, parmesan cheese and crushed garlic.
This is a quick and easy dinner idea.
You can put this together and be eating within 20 minutes.
Even though the recipe calls for rigatoni pasta, you can use whatever you happen to have in the pantry.
This is also another dish that is perfect for family dinners on busy weeknights.
20. Bolognese Sauce
Pasta sauce from a jar is darn handy.
We use it plenty in this house but only when we are in such a hurry that we must.
When want a nice dinner we slow down the universe and we make a homemade sauce.
This slow simmer bolognese sauce is made using ground pork and it offers such a nice flavor.
But the rich flavor doesn’t stop there.
This sauce also has pancetta and ground beef chuck.
Then if you can get your hands on it buy a can of San Marzano tomatoes.
Oh and whatever you do, don’t skimp on the red wine.
It adds such flavor to a bolognese sauce.
This pasta is made with ground pork, bell peppers and a homemade marinara sauce.
In the recipe you will see that you can use either shredded cheese or cubed cheese.
I say that you should use both.
By the way, if you don’t have any gemelli pasta on hand, don’t sweat it.
Just use whatever short pasta that you have.
Since I am a spice lightweight, I do want to mention that you don’t have to add those red pepper flakes.
If you do so, do it sparingly unless you love that heat.
If that is you, enjoy.
22. Mini Pork Pies
Did you know that in England, they leave pork pies out for Santa instead of cookies?
Nope?!
I didn’t either.
But now I do and now I gotta know more about this treat that is oh so delicious that Santa must have one.
So a pork pie is essentially exactly what it sounds like.
It is a pie crust that is jammed with savory ground pork.
It’s seasoned with nutmeg, mustard powder and Worcestershire sauce and mixed with beaten eggs.
Give this one a try and let us know what you think.
Ok so imagine with me if you will, a Asian flavored meatball that is wrapped in a perfect cabbage leaf and then topped with a sticky sweet sauce.
That my darlings is an Asian Stuffed Cabbage Roll.
Not the same as an egg roll.
The flavors and spices used in this recipe are out of this world.
You will use freshly minced ginger, fresh garlic cloves, shiitake mushrooms, scallions and cilantro.
Honestly, there is so much goodness in this recipe that I can’t bring myself to list it all here.
24. Naan Pork Pizza
I love Naan pizza.
So this ground pork pizza recipe really caught my taste buds and got their attention.
What makes this pork pizza recipe unique is that it is seasoned with soy sauce, lime juice, adobo and then tomato sauce.
So it has a unique flavor profile compared to your traditional pure Italian style pizza.
Meatloaf recipes have come a long way since I was a kid.
This Ground Pork Meatloaf recipe is one example of that.
This meatloaf recipe is made with a mixture of beef and ground pork.
I think that a key to this recipe is that it calls for fresh breadcrumbs.
Then it brings in freshly ground black pepper.
Those small details really make an impact.
26. Dirty Rice
What is dirty rice?
Well, it is a Cajun flavored dish that starts off with traditional white rice as the foundation.
It becomes dirty because it turns brown from all of the meat and seasonings.
The dirtier the better when it comes to dirty rice.
This recipe is jammed with spices and herbs.
These include Cajun seasoning, thyme, garlic, onion and bacon grease.
Yep, you read that right.
This thing has some serious flavor.
Oh pot stickers are legit just the best!
Sometimes we will have nothing but Gyoza for dinner.
As a matter of fact, I almost had a batch of them for lunch today.
This is a recipe for how to make your own from scratch right at home.
If you want to have some fun in the kitchen I strongly recommend giving this recipe a try.
But do be warned, these are addictive.
Do you like stroganoff?
I sure do but oddly I don’t have it nearly often enough.
This recipe is a bit unique which is why it made the list.
It is made with ground pork, of course but there are some surprise ingredients too.
This stroganoff is made with sliced apples and button mushrooms.
Also, I do really feel that stroganoff should be made with egg noodles.
So make sure that you pick some of those up when planning for this meal.
Stuffed peppers are pretty if they are done properly.
This recipe shows you how to do them properly.
Now of course, it doesn’t matter how pretty your food is if it doesn’t also deliver in the taste department.
This recipe does just that.
The beauty of this recipe is all in the ingredients and the method.
This recipe calls for lots of fresh ingredients including fresh ripe tomatoes and fresh rosemary.
By the way, check out our favorite sides for stuffed peppers.
Hot Tip: How to reheat stuffed peppers
30. Dan Dan Noodles
Dan Dan Noodles is a popular Chinese noodle dish well-known for its robust flavor.
It features a thick sauce with a distinct nutty, fiery, and numbing flavor from the combination of Chinese sesame paste, five-spice powder, and ground Sichuan pepper.
The key to this dish’s success is how the ingredients’ layers come together.
Freshly boiled noodles are topped with seasoned stir-fried pork and pickled mustard greens, and the whole thing is doused in a scorching, smokey red chili sauce.
Lastly, the noodles are topped with chopped green onions for a pleasantly crisp, aromatic bite and crushed peanuts for a little crunch.
All that’s left to do after you’ve stirred the noodles and sauce together is to slurp them up!
Be prepared to become the ultimate cheese dip maker at your next family gathering or party after making this dish for everyone to enjoy!
You may be wondering what makes this queso recipe so special.
This one has taco seasoning in it!
Taco seasoning adds a savory spice flavor as well as warmth, spice, and smokiness to this gooey and luscious queso dip.
Unexpectedly, the tomatoes compliment the salty-sweet Velveeta without dominating the dish, and the milk smoothes out the overall flavor profile and dipping consistency.
Indulge in this cheesy snack with your go-to chip, or go carb-free by serving it alongside some fresh vegetables.
These breakfast sausage patties from Homemade Breakfast Sausage are irresistible because they have that classic savory-but-sweet flavor.
Since ground pork is relatively flavorless, it pairs well with various herbs and spices.
This dish uses Marjoram leaf to give the tender meat a subtle sweetness and pleasant aroma with a little sharp taste.
There’s a hint of mint in the dried sage that really makes the earthy flavors pop in this breakfast sausage recipe.
And if you let it sit overnight, the next day’s taste will be even better!
Try it on a breakfast sandwich or with pancakes and eggs; you won’t be disappointed!
While beef and lamb ragus are more popular, that doesn’t mean pork ragus can’t be just as delicious.
Many pork ragu recipes call for pork shoulder, but ground pork is an excellent option.
The chewy penne pasta and the smooth ragu sauce are fantastic textural pairing.
Also, onion springs and celery give this dish a distinctive flavor profile of leafy, aromatic freshness that you won’t soon forget.
In no time at all, you’ll be dousing your favorite noodles in this velvety, flavorful sauce!
This recipe for spicy, meaty, saucy ragu is so delightful I promise you’ll want to devour the entire bowl.
34. Egg Roll Soup
This Egg Roll Soup has all the flavor and comfort of your favorite egg roll but in a warm, hearty soup.
When you want a delectable Asian appetizer but are not in the mood to wrap or fry, try this lighter version of traditional egg rolls.
The soup gets a little more body and flavor from the cabbage, and pork absorbs and enhances the flavors of the other vegetables, and voila: a balanced soup you’ll be craving all week long.
Also, the ginger gives everything an excellent, refreshing kick.
It’s incredibly savory because of the beef broth—delicious!
So many great flavors—it’s hard to imagine how this soup could possibly fail!
Stir- fried green bean recipe is an excellent introduction to the deliciousness of this veggie!
It’s a simplified take on the classic Szechuan dish, green beans stir-fried with ground pork.
You can’t make this stir fry without first charring the beans; it’s a significant step.
It helps the beans keep their crisp texture, brings out their natural aroma, and blends well with the other spices.
Oyster sauce and Shaoxing wine produce a thick, glossy sauce that adds flavor complexity and a pleasant umami taste.
Dried chilies give this dish a subtle spice and a beautiful dash of color.
You may help your palate adjust to the salty and spicy sauce by serving this over rice or rice noodles.
There is no better union than the one created by the flavors in a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup.
Every element of the dish is perfectly executed, making it so delectable.
Meatballs are made in Italian style and are brimming with the tastes of fresh parsley and cheese.
Also, the meatballs will stay together better if you use grated Pecorino cheese instead of shredded, and its salty, tangy flavor will spread evenly.
The pepper, salt, garlic, and sage-seasoned broth match the spinach and kale’s nutty earthiness.
Plus, nothing beats the satisfying chew of Orzo pasta.
There is one thing this soup has in common with weddings, though: it can feed a TON of guests.
Making spring rolls is a fantastic way to use ground pork.
Some people might ask if egg rolls and spring rolls are the same things.
Their wrappers are what sets them apart from one another.
For egg rolls, flour and egg are combined to make a dough that is chewier and thicker, whereas flour or rice wrappers are used to make spring rolls, which are thinner and crispier when fried.
These crackling-crisp rolls are crunchy outside and have a tender, flavorful center.
From the pleasantly chewy rice noodle and sweet carrots to tenderly moist meat and aromatic green onion—this spring roll dish is tasty all the way through!
Wrapping takes a bit of practice, but the tasty rewards are well worth it.
This gorgeous dish is a spectacular burst of bright and zingy flavors!
Everything you might want in a salad, this one has lightness, freshness, and wholesomeness.
A vibrant salad of baby greens, red bell peppers, and fresh mint leaves mixed in a tangy, sweet-spicy vinaigrette.
You can taste the peanut’s crunch, the toasty rice powder, the ground pork’s richness, and the tang of the fish sauce and lime juice sauce, all working together in perfect harmony; Thai cuisine is at its finest.
For an extra kick, you can jazz up your dressing with chili garlic sauce or sriracha.
Serve it at your next summer cookout alongside some sliced steak or grilled chicken.
39. Pork Giniling
In Filipino, giniling means “ground meat.”
While ground pork is the traditional meat used in giniling, ground beef is a popular alternative, and even ground chicken appears occasionally.
Succulent ground pork and a variety of vegetables are cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce until every taste has melded together.
A hearty and delightful main course that works equally well as a sandwich filler, a taco filling, or an empanada stuffing or with a bed of steaming rice.
You can usually count on seeing hard-boiled eggs on the side.
Yes, it may sound weird, but it somehow gives an additional mushy texture and tastes fantastic with other ingredients.
There is no way you won’t enjoy this tomatoey saucy, tangy, and umami version of pork stew, just like I did!
If you’ve found fresh Chinese eggplant at a farmer’s market but aren’t sure what to do with it, give this dish a shot!
The Chinese eggplant is related to the tomatillos and other nightshades.
Chinese eggplants differ from “normal” in several ways, including thinner skin, longer shape, fewer seeds, and milder flavor.
Pan-frying eggplants in a bit of oil is the best method for cooking this recipe.
Instead of deep-frying the eggplants, pan-frying them on the skin before mixing them with the sauce retains the eggplant’s tenderness and absorbs the sauce wholly rather than being greasy.
Also, the lovely purple tone remains.
Most people’s first thought when they hear the term “wonton” is “soup.”
Still, it’s much tastier when fried.
Despite the social stigma attached to fried foods, fried wontons remain a popular snack.
Infused with soy sauce and sesame flavors, the pork and green onions inside each fried wonton are a meaty and delectable bite.
Since the wonton wrapper sheet stiffens all around the filling, the edges become marvelously crispy while the center remains toothsome and chewy.
Dunking them in honey mustard or sweet and sour sauce will take the experience to the next level.
Both deep-frying and air-frying will work for these tasty nibbles.
Sure thing, you can’t eat just one!
Homemade baozi is the epitome of coziness.
The dough is supple but still has some chew to it; the flavor is lightly sweetened, making it a good match for, well, nearly everything.
It may take some practice to make steamed buns that appear like beauty queens, but the filling inside is what really counts.
This recipe has a flavorsome, rich, moist meat filling and a pleasant aftertaste from the sweet bean sauce.
The seasonings are noticeable, but they do not dominate the flavor and instead serve to accentuate the mellow flavor of the buns.
Although they look like an appetizer, they’re actually highly filling and can serve as a breakfast or lunch on the run.
The bottom line
If you are looking for easy recipes to cook with lean ground pork, this list will not disappoint.
You can make juicy ground pork burgers one night. Then next time you can make juicy pork meatballs.
The options with ground pork truly are endless.
One of my favorites is deconstructed egg rolls. Want that low-carb recipe? Email us hello@cookingchew.com and ask for Andi’s Deconstructed Eggrolls Recipe!
Let us know if you try something new with ground pork!
42 Best Ways To Cook Ground Pork
These are the best ground pork recipes that we could find. There is something here for everyone to choose from.
Ingredients
- Ro Zao Braised Ground Pork
- Chorizo And Pork Burger
- Asian Lettuce Wraps
- Gingery Pork Ramen
- Pork Fried Rice
- BBQ Pork Sliders
- Dr Pepper Pork Tater Tot Casserole
- Korean Style Ground Pork Soup
- Ground Pork Chili
- Ginger Garlic Pork Noodle Soup
- Pork Lasagna Casserole
- Bibimbap Ground Pork Casserole
- Spicy Ground Pork Omelet
- Loaded Ground Pork Nachos
- Swedish Meatballs
- Cuban Sloppy Joes
- Asian Pork Tacos
- Pork Stir Fry
- Pork Pasta With Dried Mushrooms
- Bolognese Sauce
- Cheesy Sausage & Pepper Pasta
- Mini Pork Pies
- Asian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Naan Pork Pizza
- Ground Pork Meatloaf Recipe
- Dirty Rice
- Ground Pork Pot Stickers
- Ground Pork Stroganoff
- Ground Pork Stuffed Peppers
- Dan Dan Noodles
- Sausage Queso Dip
- Breakfast Sausage
- Pork Ragu With Penne
- Egg Roll Soup
- Chinese Stir-Fried Green Beans
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Pork Spring Rolls
- Spicy Thai Salad With Minced Pork
- Pork Giniling
- Chinese Eggplant & Pork
- Crispy Pork Wontons
- Steamed Pork Buns (Baozi)
Instructions
- Pick one or more options from our list of Ground Pork Recipes here!
- Start creating your new favorite dish.
- Share and comment! Did you make any changes to make it even better?