Ground Pork

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National Pork Board

Ground pork is an easy-to-prepare, quick-cooking meat that can be used by itself or in an endless variety of casseroles, meat loaves, or other specialty dishes.

Varieties

Ground pork may be made from the muscle meat and fat of any part of the animal. It is often labelled according to the percentage of fat it contains and is considered lean if it is less than 17% fat. Ground pork, like ground beef, is an easy-to-prepare, quick-cooking meat that can be used by itself or in an endless variety of casseroles, meat loaves, or other specialty dishes such as meatballs.

Buying and storing tips

Ground pork should be a fresh-looking pinkish-red. Avoid meat that is pale or that has a greenish or brown tinge. For a meatier dish, choose lean ground pork.

Keep raw ground pork in its original wrapping and store in the refrigerator for no more than 2 to 3 days. Cooked ground pork will keep four to five days in the refrigerator. To freeze raw ground pork, wrap the meat well in plastic, foil, or butcher paper and store at 18°F (0°C) for up to three months. Leftover cooked pork may be frozen for one month. Thaw ground pork in the refrigerator; 1 pound (445g) takes 16 to 20 hours. Do not refreeze thawed ground pork.

Availability

Ground pork is available fresh or frozen in most grocery stores year-round.

Preparation, uses, and tips

The parasite that causes trichinosis has been virtually eliminated from commercially grown pork, but because bacteria tend to live on cut surfaces of meat, all ground meat, pork included, should be thoroughly cooked.

Pan-fry

Form ground pork into patties or meatballs. Fry in a skillet over medium high heat five minutes per side or until the surface of the meat is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).

Broil

Form ground pork into patties and place them on a pan so they are 5 to 7 inches (12.7–17.7cm) from the heat source. Turn when patties are golden brown and cook on the other side. Ground pork patties are done when both sides are brown and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).

Grill

Combine ground pork and herbs and spices in a bowl and mix to blend. Mould the ground-pork mixture around skewers, forming logs 3/4 inch (2cm) in diameter. Cook on the grill over medium high heat for about 10 minutes, turning several times during cooking.

Bake

Combine ground pork with cut vegetables, herbs, spices, salt, and pepper. Form into a loaf and place in an ovenproof dish. Cook at 350°F (180°C) for 1 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). When combined with vegetables, onions, grains, herbs, spices, salt, and pepper, ground pork can also be stuffed in cabbage leaves or green peppers, then baked or braised in a sauce.

Nutritional Highlights

Ground pork (cooked), 3 oz. (85.05g)
Calories: 252.4
Protein: 21.8g
Carbohydrate: 0.0g
Total Fat: 17.6g
Fiber: 0.0g

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.