October 12, 2008
NEWS TO KNOW
Pork Pages
Pork and Health Science Update
A Guide to Pork Brands
Proper Pork Storage
Pork Recipes in 15 minutes or less
More...
 
 
Back  |  Pork Cooking Time Chart  |  Choosing the Right Cooking Method

Preparation Methods

Pork is best when cooked to medium doneness - 160 degrees F. on a meat thermometer. Correctly cooked pork is juicy and tender, with a slight blush of pink in the center.
 
WET OR DRY?
There are two basic methods for cooking meats: dry heat and moist heat. Generally, dry-heat methods are best applied to naturally tender cuts of meat. Moist-heat methods tenderize less-tender cuts.
 
Dry-Heat Methods
  • Grilling for both small cuts cooked over direct heat and large pork cuts cooked with indirect heat
  • Broiling for small cuts such as chops, tenderloin, kabobs and pork patties
  • Sautéing for small pork cuts such as medallions, ground patties, chops, cutlets and strips
  • Panbroiling for chops, tenderloin medallions, ham slices, bacon and ground pork patties
  • Roasting for large pork cuts - loin roasts, tenderloin, shoulder roasts, ham, leg roasts
Moist-Heat Methods
  • Stewing for smaller pieces of less-tender cuts, such as ribs and pork cubes
  • Braising for large or small cuts, but traditionally less-tender cuts


Home   |   Privacy Policy   |   Site Map   |   Contact Us   |   A Service of the National Pork Board