Spices to complement pork | LovePork (2024)

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You’ll see it in cooking guides everywhere. They’ll tell you to “season” pork and rub it into the meat before cooking, but what seasoning is the best to go for and why? Seasoning is the heart of all cooking. If you know how to season, you can cook tasty, moreish food that pops with flavour.

Discover the best spices which complement pork and some general pork seasoning advice below.

The best spices to complement pork

The more you cook pork and the more you appreciate its flavour, the better you’ll understand what works with it best. Salt and pepper is always a go-to option, but try one of the options below too.

chinese 5 spice on a small dish

Chinese five spice

Pork and Chinese five spice were made for each other. Chinese five spice is known for blending five distinct tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami. This comes from the five ingredients in Five Spice, namely star anise, fennel, cloves, cinnamon and Sichuan peppercorns.

The mix of flavours binds to pork well. Pork has a distinct taste, but it really works well as a blank canvas for the spices to do their thing. As a result, Chinese five spice can be used in almost all pork recipes, from marinades and broths to stir-fries and wraps.

To use Chinese five spice in a basic way, just rub it into pork before cooking. Mix with salt and pepper and you’ll have a tasty meal in no time. While the seasoning is a favourite in marinades, you can make it quickly too, such as in ourSpeedy Five-Spice Pork with Noodles.

A pile of cinnamon sticks on a small dish

Cinnamon

Cinnamon – perhaps one of the most-used spices in the world – is an amazing tool to enhance other flavours. When mixed with other spices and meat like pork, it can add new depths to a dish.

You may see cinnamon as a strange pairing for pork but, especially when slow-cooked, it produces a mouth-watering blend of sweet and savoury.

For a recipe that brings out the full flavour of cinnamon, we recommend ourPulled Pork with Cinnamon and Ginger. When slow-cooked, cinnamon and pork feel like a match made in gourmet heaven.

Cumin grains pouring out of a pot

Cumin

Cumin is a favourite in curries, but it also works incredibly well with pork. It is a go-to savoury spice for a reason: its distinct, earthy flavour.

You wouldn’t necessarily just season pork with cumin, but mixing it with other seasonings like ginger and lime can enhance the flavour significantly.

We’d recommend using ground cumin in recipes like our, where the cumin can bring out the citrus and pork flavours well.

A bowl of dried red chilli peppers

Chilli

At Love Pork, we, well, love pork, but if there’s one thing wereallylove, it’s spicy pork. Dried chilli synthesises with all types of pork cooking, making it ideal for curries, spicy stir-fries and everything in between.

To use dried chilli flakes, rub it into the pork well before cooking. Alternatively, put it in a marinade with ground dried chillies or chilli flakes for more flavour.

You may have eaten Piri-Piri chicken a fair few times, but try ourPiri-Piri Style Pork recipeto bring out all that dried chilli goodness.

Large garlic cloves

Garlic

People cook with garlic all the time. It’s amazing how such a small vegetable is central to numerous dishes – we couldn’t imagine cooking without it sometimes!

When it comes to pork, the rich umami flavour of garlic works very well. You can use fresh garlic, garlic flakes or garlic powder, depending on the recipe.

A no-nonsense seasoning requires a no-nonsense recipe, so, if you’re fancying garlic and pork, try ourMexican Pork With Garlic And Kidney Beans.

Make the most of your pork seasoning knowledge

For seasoning inspiration browse through ourpork recipesusing various seasonings or experiment yourself.

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Spices to complement pork | LovePork (2024)

FAQs

Spices to complement pork | LovePork? ›

Depending on the cut and amount of marbling, a pork chop can be a lean, almost tasteless cut of meat. Seasoning with a generous amount of salt before cooking is an important step in bringing out the meat's natural flavors. Be creative and use a blend of your favorite seasonings and dry herbs with the salt.

What spices go well with pork? ›

Ingredients in pork rub
  • Paprika – The recipe calls for smoked paprika, ideally. ...
  • Onion and garlic powder – Sub: Double up on either if you are missing one. ...
  • Oregano – Sub: 1 tsp mixed herb, or 1/2 tsp thyme or rosemary.
  • Mustard powder – Sub: 1/4 tsp extra onion or garlic powder.
  • Cumin – Sub: Coriander powder.
Aug 18, 2021

Should pork be seasoned? ›

Depending on the cut and amount of marbling, a pork chop can be a lean, almost tasteless cut of meat. Seasoning with a generous amount of salt before cooking is an important step in bringing out the meat's natural flavors. Be creative and use a blend of your favorite seasonings and dry herbs with the salt.

What mixes well with pork? ›

Hot Apple Cider with Rum

Apple and pork are a classic combination in culinary traditions. This drink compliments pork tenderloin recipes having subtle spices. The hot drink accentuates the meat and also keeps you warm on a cold winter's night.

What flavors go well with pork chops? ›

15 Best Side Dishes for Pork Chops
  • 01 of 15. Apple Sauce. ...
  • 02 of 15. Cranberry Pecan Salad. ...
  • 03 of 15. Butternut Squash with Onions and Pecans. ...
  • 04 of 15. Brussels Sprouts Gratin. ...
  • 05 of 15. Nancy's Butter Beans. ...
  • 06 of 15. Autumn Apple Salad II. ...
  • 07 of 15. Green Beans and Mushroom Medley. ...
  • 08 of 15. Awesome and Easy Creamy Corn Casserole.
Apr 29, 2020

What enhances pork Flavour? ›

You wouldn't necessarily just season pork with cumin, but mixing it with other seasonings like ginger and lime can enhance the flavour significantly. We'd recommend using ground cumin in recipes like our Pork Kebabs Marinated In Orange & Cumin, where the cumin can bring out the citrus and pork flavours well.

What makes pork taste better? ›

Marinades aren't just great for imparting flavor — they also help lock in moisture and tenderize your meat. For pork, you can marinate for up to 12 hours prior to cooking. Just be sure to store marinating pork in the refrigerator and do your best to cover all sides of meat with liquid or turn the meat occasionally.

What herbs to use with pork? ›

Great cooking is all about experimenting with flavours. Traditionally, pork pairs best with these herbs and Spices: Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Caraway Seeds, Mustard Seeds, Fennel, Cloves, Garlic and Parsley.

What is good seasoning for pork chops? ›

Season the pork.

Brush the pork chops on both sides with olive oil. Then sprinkle with your desired dry seasonings. (I like a mixture of garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper.)

How do you season pork before cooking? ›

Ingredients: Paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper. Instructions: Mix the spices in a dish and rub the mixture onto the pork steaks. Allow them to sit for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.

What is the best liquid to cook pork in? ›

Transfer everything to a large slow cooker and add a splash of liquid — water is great, but so is broth, apple juice, or beer if you have them handy. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily. Here's the thing about slow cooker pork: You can't rush it.

What to add to pork when cooking? ›

Adding Flavour to Pork
  1. Basil. We love basil here. ...
  2. Rosemary. Rosemary can have an overpowering flavour, so use it sparingly. ...
  3. Sage. Sage is a good flavour to use with pork, but a little goes a long way. ...
  4. Thyme. ...
  5. Ranch. ...
  6. Italian Seasoning. ...
  7. Lemon Pepper. ...
  8. Cloves.

What fruit flavors go with pork? ›

Pork is friendly to fruits like apples, cranberries, strawberries, currants, dried cherries, dried figs, mangoes, quince, plums, pineapple, pears, peaches, and apricots. See how lemon brightens up pork in Citrus Spiced Roasted Pork Loin Roast.

What makes pork chops taste better? ›

Tip #2: Season the chops with salt half an hour before cooking. This way, the salt has a chance to improve the flavor and texture of the meat. Pork chops are lean, so seasoning with salt before cooking is essential for making the most flavorful chops. Tip #3: Rub the chops with spices and some flour.

How to infuse flavor into pork chops? ›

The secret to a terrific pork chop is a tasty brine. Like a marinade, a brine will uniformly infuse the chop with flavor — in this case, salt, garlic, pepper, Bay leaf and rosemary. It softens the meat, and helps it hold onto its juices throughout cooking.

How to make pork chops less bland? ›

You can even add other seasonings, like garlic, peppercorns, fresh herbs, and lemon, to the brine for more flavor. If you fear bland pork chops, definitely give brining a try.

What dry herbs go with pork? ›

If you plan to put pork on the menu, don't forget about the herbs that go with it, like sage, coriander, thyme, fennel, dill, rosemary, chillies and garlic. Besides using these herbs to flavour the meat, they can be used in marinades, as rubs, in crumbed coatings and as butters for sauces.

When should you season pork? ›

For optimal flavor, it's best to season the pork steaks at least 30 minutes before cooking. This gives the seasonings enough time to penetrate the meat, infusing it with delicious flavors. For even better results, season the pork and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight.

Do you oil pork before seasoning? ›

When should you season pork chops? If you're following this recipe as written, you'll coat your pork chops in olive oil and then season them with sea salt. The olive oil helps the salt to stick to the chops!

What are the top 10 most used spices? ›

Top Ten Spices for Home Cooks
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Sesame. ...
  • Coriander. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Ginger. ...
  • Black Pepper. ...
  • Cardamom. A personal favorite, cardamom shows up often in my native Parsi dishes (Parsi is a regional Indian cuisine created by Persian immigrants).
Sep 7, 2020

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