Ready to switch things up in the kitchen? Let’s put pork in the spotlight with these 31 creative recipes that’ll make you rethink your dinner plans. From spicy stir-fries to comforting slow-cooked dishes, there’s something here to excite everyone at your table. Get cooking and see just how exciting pork can be as the star of your meal!
Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
This sweet and spicy pork ramen stir fry is your ticket to a quick, veggie-packed meal. It’s way more exciting than your typical chicken dinner, making it a perfect dish to spice up your weeknight routine.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops
Pretzel crusted pork chops with maple dijon sauce are a playful yet healthy option for dinner. Baked to perfection, they’re a protein-rich dish that showcases how creative pork can be.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Pork and cabbage stir fry is a quick and easy meal that brings out the best in ground pork. With cabbage and mushrooms in a tasty sauce, it proves pork can be the star of any stir fry.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Pork and Beans
Pork and beans is a quick, hearty dish that showcases the versatility and heartiness of pork. With tender pork shoulder and crispy bacon, it’s a satisfying meal that’s ready in just 35 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Beans
Pork Tostadas
Use leftover pulled pork to make delicious pork tostadas. This easy recipe is a fantastic way to give pork the spotlight in a fun and tasty dish that’s perfect for a casual dinner or as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Pork Tostadas
Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork
Make slow cooker balsamic pulled pork for a juicy and hearty dish that elevates pork to new heights. It’s perfect served over cheesy polenta and topped with avocado crema, showing just how versatile pork can be.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork
Mexican Pulled Pork Sliders
Mexican pulled pork sliders are a delicious twist on a classic, using green salsa and slow cooking for an effortless yet tasty way to enjoy pork in a fun, handheld form.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Pulled Pork Sliders
Slow Cooker Pork Ragu
Enjoy a hearty slow cooker pork ragu that brings out the best in pork for a comforting dinner. It’s a great way to make pork the star of your meal and a robust alternative to chicken.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Ragu
Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops
Crispy breaded pork chops made in an air fryer are a healthier option for a quick and tasty meal. They’re great for anyone looking for a delicious dinner without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops
Traeger Stuffed Pork Chops
Stuffed pork chops smoked on a Traeger grill are perfect for a special dinner. The savory filling makes these chops a great choice for a weekend meal that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Stuffed Pork Chops
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Try a sheet pan pork chop dinner for an easy weeknight meal. With juicy pork chops, red cabbage, potatoes, and apples all cooked together, it’s a flavor-packed meal that highlights pork’s versatility.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Spicy BBQ Pork Rice Bowl
Enjoy a spicy BBQ pork rice bowl for a quick and satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a tasty lunch or dinner, showing how pork can be both easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Spicy BBQ Pork Rice Bowl
Harissa Grilled Pork Chops
Spice up your meal with harissa grilled pork chops paired with a fresh peach and tomato salad. This simple, spicy meal puts pork front and center, perfect for summer barbecues.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Grilled Pork Chops
Glazed Pork Chops and Apples
Try glazed pork chops and apples for a cozy, autumn-inspired meal. The sweet pumpkin tea glaze brings out the best in pork, pairing perfectly with poached apples for a dish that’s great for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Pork Chops and Apples
Baked Skillet Gnocchi
Baked skillet gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, spinach, and melted mozzarella is comfort food at its best. It’s a one-skillet meal that shows pork’s versatility beyond the usual cuts.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi
Sticky Honey Soy Pork Chops
Sticky honey soy pork chops are just the thing for a flavor-packed dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes. Marinate in the morning, cook at night, and enjoy how pork can elevate a simple meal.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Honey Soy Pork Chops
Stuffed Delicata Squash
Stuffed delicata squash filled with a savory mix of ground pork, cranberries, apples, leeks, and fennel highlights pork’s ability to pair well with both sweet and savory flavors, making for a perfect fall dinner.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Delicata Squash
BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos
BBQ pulled pork nachos are a fun and hearty way to enjoy pork. Layer them up with cheddar, pickled red onions, and cilantro, and you’ve got a dish that proves pork is perfect for party food.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos
Grilled Pork Chops with Grapes & Fennel
Grilled pork chops with grapes and fennel salad is a simple, sophisticated meal that’s perfect for the grill. It’s a great way to enjoy pork in a lighter, flavorful dish that’s not just about chops and roasts.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Grapes & Fennel
Pork Cordon Bleu
Pork cordon bleu takes the classic chicken dish and makes it even better with pork. It proves that pork can be just as elegant and perfect for a special dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pork Cordon Bleu
Grilled Teriyaki Pork Chops
Grilled Teriyaki Pork Chops mix sweet and savory teriyaki sauce with the smoky flavor of grilled pork. It’s a great way to enjoy pork with a touch of Asian-inspired flavor at your next barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Teriyaki Pork Chops
Simple Skillet Pork Chops
Whip up these simple skillet pork chops for a quick and delicious dinner. They cook up moist and tender, showing just how great pork can be with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Simple Skillet Pork Chops
Traeger Smoked Gochujang Pork Tenderloin
Try a Korean-inspired twist with a Traeger smoked gochujang pork tenderloin. This spicy and smoky dish is perfect for anyone looking to add some excitement to their pork dishes.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Gochujang Pork Tenderloin
Crock Pot Honey Balsamic Pork
This crock pot honey balsamic pork combines sweet honey and tangy balsamic vinegar for a fuss-free dinner that’s tender and flavorful, perfect for a family meal.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Honey Balsamic Pork
Traeger Breaded Pork Chops
Make homemade breaded pork chops on a Traeger grill for a straightforward and satisfying meal. It’s a customizable dish that’s great for a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Breaded Pork Chops
Ground Pork Stir Fry
This easy ground pork stir fry is a 20-minute meal that’s loaded with flavor, topped with a savory peanut sauce. It’s a one-bowl wonder that shows pork’s potential as a dinner hero.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Stir Fry
Creamy Pork Chops
Creamy pork chops are all about big flavor with a rich sour cream sauce that enhances the pork beautifully. It’s a mouthwatering alternative to chicken for any dinner occasion.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pork Chops
Instant Pot Coconut Pork
Instant Pot coconut pork is a game-changer for pork lovers. The blend of turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom creates an aromatic and tender dish that’s great over rice, making it a fantastic pork dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Coconut Pork
Pressure Cooker Cranberry Balsamic Pork Loin
Make a cranberry balsamic pork loin in a pressure cooker for a quick and flavorful dinner. It’s a great meal that’s both easy to prepare and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Pressure Cooker Cranberry Balsamic Pork Loin
Pulled Pork Burrito
Wrap up a hearty and flavorful pulled pork burrito for a filling meal any time of day. It’s a great way to enjoy tender pulled pork with your favorite fillings in a satisfying burrito.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Burrito
Cheesy BBQ Pork Baked Sliders
These cheesy BBQ pork baked sliders are perfect for feeding a crowd or as a tasty appetizer at parties. They’re a fun and delicious way to enjoy pork in a small, tasty package.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy BBQ Pork Baked Sliders
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
