17 Healthy Pork Recipes That Are Still Hearty Enough to Satisfy (2024)

Pork is a great choice for a low-calorie lunch or dinner recipe. Whether in a shredded pork sandwich, a roasted pork salad, or a satisfying pork stir-fry, lean pork tenderloin, chops, and roasts can be part of a healthy diet. Our collection of healthy pork recipes will show you how.

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Low-Sugar Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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17 Healthy Pork Recipes That Are Still Hearty Enough to Satisfy (1)

As much as we love pouring on the barbecue sauce, purchased sauces can be loaded with added sugar. Enter a tickle-your-tastebuds homemade sauce that's naturally sweetened with dates and tomatoes. Add that to lean, slow-cooked pulled pork atop a whole-wheat bun, and you've got a healthy pork dinner idea to satisfy any cookout craving.

Buy It: Crock-Pot Slow Cooker ($40, Target)

02of 17

Apple Cider-Brined Pork Chops

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Apple cider isn't reserved for cold-weather comfort food. The crisp drink gives boneless pork chops a moist and full flavor and reduces cooking time on the grill. Serve with miniature sweet peppers and French bread for a complete meal.

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Oven-Roasted Pork with Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce

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Pork loin takes on a bright spring flavor with tangy mango-rhubarb stuffing. Slather the lean pork recipe with a double dose of juicy barbecue sauce.

Test Kitchen Tip: Rhubarb not in season? Replace fresh rhubarb with 1½ pounds frozen cut rhubarb for the sauce.

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Curried Cider-Pork Stew

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This healthy pork shoulder recipe is the perfect cozy stew to help warm up on a chilly day. Sweet-tart apples, butternut squash, and carrots are added to the pot for a fall dinner that will have everyone coming back for second helpings.

Buy It: Lodge Dutch Oven ($100, Target)

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Pork and Red Cabbage Skillet

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This one-skillet healthy pork recipe is made with just five ingredients and takes 25 minutes total to prepare. A splash of apple cider vinegar adds a tart, crisp flavor to the juicy pork dinner. If you're not a fan of cabbage, substitute it for Brussels sprouts.

Healthy Skillet Recipes to Save Your Weeknights

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Jamaican Pork Stir-Fry

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Jamaican-style stir-fried pork and peppers with a bit of heat are easy ingredients to prep and toss together. Serve the 20-minute healthy pork recipe over brown rice or whole-grain pasta to add additional nutrients.

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Quick Pork-and-Vegetable Fried Brown Rice

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Fried rice isn't your typical "health food," but this one is loaded with veggies and swaps in nutrient-packed brown rice for traditional white. Meat takes the supporting role in this whole-grain, veggie-full meal, but each serving still packs 19 grams of protein while offering 4 grams of fiber.

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Cilantro-Lime Pork

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Fresh cilantro and tangy lime give this healthy pork tenderloin recipe bold flavor without adding empty calories. Toss your five ingredients into a slow cooker and enjoy this healthy pork dinner with any of your favorite toppers.

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Pork with Butternut Squash Barley Risotto

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Showcase fiber-rich barley and butternut squash in a healthy yet hearty risotto. Prep your pork tenderloin while the barley cooks for a complete meal that comes together in an hour.

10of 17

Healthy Pork Lo Mein

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This lightened-up twist on takeout features lean pork loin, plenty of veggies, and a reduced-sodium sauce. Don't worry; chili, sesame, soy, and ginger ensure that each bite of the healthy pork dinner packs all the Asian-inspired flavors you love.

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Roast Pork Salad with Ginger-Pineapple Dressing

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Spice up a boring brown-bag lunch with a healthy pork salad that can be made 24 hours in advance. After roasting the meat, divide it into four portions and pair with fresh pineapple, peaches, lettuce, and our fruity ginger dressing.

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Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas

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This healthy pork shoulder recipe is covered in spices and slow-cooked until juicy-tender. Enjoy a lower-carb take on the Mexican-favorite dish by serving the shredded pork on lettuce or cabbage leaves.

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Oven-Fried Pork Chops with Potatoes

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Healthy fried pork chops? Believe it! Just take your chops out of the frying pan and into the oven for dinner under 400 calories. Corn bread stuffing mix gives the pork a crisp and crunchy coating while keeping the inside unbelievably moist and juicy.

Skip the Extra Oil with These Delicious Oven-Fried Recipes

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Chile-Lime Pork

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For an uncomplicated healthy pork recipe, marinate pork tenderloin in a zesty lime-garlic sauce, then grill until golden. Purchased guacamole serves as a creamy dipper for the 190-calorie entrée. It's a genuinely satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.

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Grilled Pork and Pineapple

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Grilled pineapple and roasted cashews make this healthy pork chop recipe (complete with a marmalade glaze) a winner. The simple low-fat dinner takes just 18 minutes to complete.

These Easy Pasta Recipes Will Be On the Table in Just 20 Minutes

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Pan-Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Carrots, Chickpeas, and Cranberries

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Ditch the potatoes common to classic pork loin roast for fiber-rich, protein-packed chickpeas. Dried cranberries add a tart flavor to the healthy pork dinner's simple salt-and-pepper rub.

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Maple-Pork Wilted Salad

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If we're going to eat a salad for dinner, it's going to be one topped with meat, cheese, and nuts. This healthy pork recipe comes together in one skillet for easy cleanup and fuels with 24 grams of protein.

Buy It: Cuisinart Skillet ($23, Bed Bath & Beyond)

17 Healthy Pork Recipes That Are Still Hearty Enough to Satisfy (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat pork? ›

Instead of frying, opt for grilling, roasting, baking, or broiling. It's best to avoid fat-heavy pork products like bacon. Opt instead for leaner varieties that are minimally processed and higher in protein. Eating undercooked or raw pork can result in parasitic infections.

What is a good sauce to put on pork chops? ›

15 Sauces For Pork To Instantly Upgrade Suppertime
  • 01 of 15. Blackberry-Honey Mustard Sauce. ...
  • 02 of 15. Alabama White Sauce. ...
  • 03 of 15. Mustard Sauce. ...
  • 04 of 15. Mustard-Cream Sauce. ...
  • 05 of 15. Spinach Pesto. ...
  • 06 of 15. Eastern North Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce. ...
  • 07 of 15. Gingered Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • 08 of 15. Pork Tenderloin Dijon Pan Sauce.
Mar 22, 2024

How healthy is pork? ›

Pork is naturally rich in protein. Protein contributes to the maintenance and growth in muscle mass and is needed for normal growth and development of children's bones. Pork is a source of zinc, selenium and vitamins B12 and B6, these help the immune system to work normally.

Is pork chops good for diabetics? ›

Absolutely, pork chops can be part of a well-balanced diabetic meal plan. Pair them with non-starchy vegetables like roasted asparagus or sautéed spinach, and whole grains like quinoa or brown rice to create a nutritious and blood sugar-friendly meal.

Why is pork the most unhealthy meat? ›

One serving of ground pork alone has more than 12 grams of unsaturated fat. And don't forget about all the sodium. “Because most pork is processed, it contains high amounts of sodium, which can cause increases in blood pressure and lead to heart disease and stroke,” Zumpano adds.

Why is pork the unhealthiest meat? ›

Pork contains high amounts of saturated fat and omega-6 fatty acids like linoleic acid. These fats can demonstrably worsen the effects of alcohol abuse and cause fatty liver disease. It can worsen liver health and lead to cirrhosis. The exact way pork affects the liver is still unclear and requires more research.

Why do people dip pork chops in applesauce? ›

Pork has a meaty, slightly sweet, and very savory flavor, but it is also quite oily. Apples have a sweet, relatively dry, slightly acidic flavor, and the dry acidity is a good complement to the oiliness of pork. People have served pork with apples for at least a couple thousand years.

What is the secret to making tender pork chops? ›

How to Make Tender Pork Chops
  1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
  2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
  3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
  4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
  5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
  6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
  7. Serve.
Feb 14, 2018

What flavors go well with pork? ›

Pork chops or steaks are a quick and easy weeknight meal. Herbs will help to lift these dishes. Pork chops work well with fresh flavours such as fennel, dill, chives, rosemary, garlic, and sage. They can be used in rubs or butter, melted and added as you serve.

What is the unhealthiest meat? ›

Hot dogs, bacon, sausage, and regular ground beef should be avoided or consumed sparingly due to their high fat, calorie, and sodium content, and potential health risks. By using this ranking system, you can make informed choices about the meats you eat and maintain a healthy diet.

Does the Bible say not to eat pork? ›

It is only in Leviticus 11:7 that eating pork is forbidden to God's people for the very first time—“… and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.” This is where and when pork in all its forms (including ham, bacon, sausage, etc.)

Why do Muslims not eat pork? ›

The pig is considered an unclean animal as food in Judaism and Islam, and parts of Christianity. Although Christianity is also an Abrahamic religion, most of its adherents do not follow these aspects of Mosaic law and do consume its meat.

What meat does not raise blood sugar? ›

Healthful meat options

Share on Pinterest Lean meats, including some cuts of beef, pork, and chicken, can be suitable food options for people with diabetes. People with diabetes should choose lean meats to limit their intake of unhealthful fats.

Can diabetics eat bananas? ›

A person with diabetes can enjoy bananas in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The vitamin, mineral, and fiber content of bananas may even offer health benefits for people with diabetes, as long as an individual does not eat excessive portions.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.

Are there healthy cuts of pork? ›

Pork holds its own against other meats when it comes to fat, calories and cholesterol. Many cuts of pork are even as lean or leaner than chicken. But pork has the added bonus of greater amounts of vitamins and minerals. If you're looking for the leanest option when it comes to pork, look for loins and chops.

Is pork better for you than chicken? ›

Lean pork is every bit as good for your body as lean beef and chicken. In one study, substituting lean pork for beef and chicken led to less body fat and better heart health. For a spicy take, try ancho-rubbed pork tenderloin. It's lean, flavorful, and perfect for grilling.

Why you shouldn't eat pork everyday? ›

Eating pork products, which are loaded with artery-clogging cholesterol and saturated fat, is a good way to increase your chances of developing diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.

Is it better to eat pork or chicken? ›

Out of the three, chicken is the healthiest, because it is a lean protein source that doesn't contain saturated fat – the bad kind of fat that raises blood cholesterol. But the pork comes in at a fast second. But keep in mind that the cut of the meat and trimming away excess fat and skin makes all the difference.

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