29 Simple Ground Pork Recipes Ready For Cheap Dinners

As a healthy alternative to ground beef, there are many dishes you can create with ground pork. From Asian dishes to Italian dishes, from meatballs to burgers and stir-fries.

29 Simple Ground Pork Recipes Ready For Cheap Dinners

The recipes can be cheap and you can cook them in batches to have a prepared dinner that you only need to reheat to have ready in minutes.

In this guide, we will look at 29 simple dinner recipes using ground pork. We will also have a bonus section for ground beef dishes you can share with others.

Ground Pork Recipes

1. Pork Fried Rice

A cheap, flavorful dinner for all the family is Pork Fried Rice. Scramble eggs then set aside and add to the skillet some diced onion, ground pork, and seasoning.

Once the pork is cooked, add more oil then cooked rice, frozen peas, carrots, and soy sauce, and cook until the rice is warmed through. Add the eggs back to the pan, stir in sesame oil and serve.

A cheap, flavorful dinner for all the family is Pork Fried Rice. Scramble eggs then set aside and add to the skillet some diced onion, ground pork, and seasoning.

Once the pork is cooked, add more oil then cooked rice, frozen peas, carrots, and soy sauce, and cook until the rice is warmed through. Add the eggs back to the pan, stir in sesame oil and serve.

2. Crispy Pork Stir Fry

You will need to get your skillet super hot to create this particular stir fry. Pat the pork dry then add salt and toss with cornstarch.

Blitz together anchovy, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, and pepper then set aside. Cook the bell pepper and snow peas until tender then heat up the skillet. 

Once the oil is close to smoking, fry the pork until crispy then turn it down to warm up the vegetables and half of the sauce.

Quickly coat the pork and vegetables in the glaze then add the rest of the sauce and serve on steamed rice. 

3. Garlic Sriracha Pork Stir Fry

Another really simple stir fry can be made from ground pork with a few simple ingredients. First, brown the ground pork and set aside then sauté onion and garlic and quickly fry bell pepper and eggplant.

In a bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, and Sriracha then return the pork and add green beans. Once the pork is warmed through, top with cilantro and serve. 

4. Sweet And Sour Pork

Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic takeout recipe and you can make your own by bringing white vinegar, sugar, ground ginger, and ketchup to a boil and then simmering to reduce. In a bowl, combine, cornstarch with water and add to thicken.

Steam some rice, pat the pork dry then season, and mix with cornstarch then shake off the excess.

Cook the pork through and drain then cook onion, bell pepper, and pineapple in the same skillet with most of the oil poured away. Return the pork and stir then serve with the rice.

5. Ginger Pork Noodle Soup

For a delicious soup, create meatballs first by mixing together the ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, beaten egg, water, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and seasoning.

Leave them to refrigerate while you combine the chicken stock with rice vinegar, and soy sauce then bring to a boil. Add noodles then the meatballs and leave to simmer until they are cooked through.

Stir in spinach to wilt then remove from the heat.

6. Dan Dan Noodles

For a Sichuan classic that you can make at home, try Dan Dan Noodles. Heat up Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and a cinnamon stick in oil then retain the infused oil and add red pepper flakes.

Brown the pork, add sweet bean sauce, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and spice powder then set aside with some sautéed pickled vegetables. 

Combine tahini, soy sauce, sugar, spice powder, peppercorn powder, chili oil, and garlic. Cook the noodles then blanch leafy greens in the leftover water and drain.

Pour the sauce into a serving bowl then add noodles, greens, pork, and sautéed pickled vegetables. 

7. Thai Pork Salad

Forget going all the way to Thailand, create your own Thai Pork Salad. Start with the dressing by combining freshly squeezed lime juice, fish sauce, grated ginger, and chili garlic sauce.

Brown the ground pork with garlic then drain off the fat and leave to cool. Combine with the dressing then layer with red onion slices, shredded carrot, cilantro, and peanuts to serve over cooked rice.  

8. Spicy Pork Ramen

Give it just 25 minutes and you can have a tasty ramen dinner. Begin by boiling your ramen noodles (keep a cup of the water for later) , rinse the noodles then drizzle with sesame oil.

Toast peanuts then set aside while you create the sauce by mixing chicken stock, oyster sauce, soy sauce, Japanese rice wine, hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and cornstarch.

Brown the ground pork with onions, and seasoning then add carrots, garlic, ginger, and bell peppers. 

Stir in your sauce, bring to a simmer then add noodles, cabbage, and peanuts. Add the leftover water if you need to then season and garnish with green onions. 

9. Sweet And Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps

These lettuce wraps can be ready in minutes so begin by frying ginger and garlic until fragrant.

Add the ground pork until browned then add hoisin sauce with Sriracha and spoon into lettuce leaves. Sprinkle on the carrot, sesame seeds, and scallions then drizzle on Sriracha. 

10. Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs can be a quick and easy dinner that you can freeze after for another time.

Combine breadcrumbs with milk then separately combine ground pork (you can use ground beef with it too), sausage meat, finely chopped onion, garlic, and seasoning.

Stir in the breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. 

Form into balls, sear over a medium heat until crusted, set aside then bring marinara sauce to a simmer in the skillet and return the meatballs. Serve over cooked pasta once cooked through.  

11. Mexican Meatballs

There is a subtle difference with Mexican Meatballs and you need to prepare rice for the dish first rather than pasta.

Meanwhile, whisk together paprika, egg, oregano, cumin, water, and seasoning then stir in the ground pork, cilantro, garlic, and crushed tortilla chips.

Mix together and form into balls then broil until cooked through. Simmer the marinara sauce, stir in the chipotles in adobo sauce with cinnamon, add the meatballs then serve on the rice with sour cream.

12. Swedish Meatballs

There are Swedish Meatballs too which are made by combining ground pork (you can use ground beef with this recipe too), breadcrumbs, egg yolks, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.

Mix in the onion then form into meatballs and fry in butter and olive oil until golden and set aside. Create a gravy by whisking flour into melted butter and adding beef stock, then simmering until thick.

Return the meatballs to the skillet then add parsley and heavy cream, spoon over the gravy and cook through to serve over pappardelle.  

13. Dumpling Meatballs

Sometimes, you just want that dumpling taste without having to fiddle around with those skins.

Just turn the filling into meatballs by combining ground pork, green onion, cilantro, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, egg, and garlic powder.

Bake the meatballs at 450°F (230°C) until cooked through while you make the dipping sauce by combining rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds.

Sprinkle the meatballs with green onion and serve with the dipping sauce on the side. 

14. Pork Meatball Subs

Enjoy your meatballs in a sub too by mixing ground pork, fennel seed, garlic cloves, chili flakes, breadcrumbs, diced onion, egg, and seasoning.

Form into balls and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F (205°C). In a skillet, fry baby kale with garlic and seasoning until wilted then set aside. 

Warm the marinara sauce and drizzle the rolls with olive oil then toast. Melt cheese over the meatballs and assemble in the rolls with the sauce and wilted kale.

15. Chipotle Pork Burgers

For a smoky burger, try these Chipotle Pork Burgers. Combine your ground pork with minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic powder, cilantro, and seasoning.

Form into patties then grill and top with cheese when cooked through. Served on rolls with some sliced avocado.

16. Barbecue Pork Burgers

Once you turn to pork burgers, you may not go back to beef. Form your patties by combining ground pork with minced onion, barbecue sauce, coarse salt, and pepper.

Grill until cooked through and serve on toasted onion rolls with sliced red onion and barbecue sauce. 

17. Pesto And Brie Pork Burgers

Pork burgers go with all sorts of flavors, including rich brie and pesto (you can make your own or just use shop-bought).

Simply form the ground pork into patties, grill until a deep golden brown then top with Brie. Toast the buns and place your patties on the bottom bun, top with pesto, and serve.

18. Bratwurst Burger

Try another spicy pork burger, a Bratwurst Burger (see also ‘28 Bratwurst Recipes You Can’t Ignore‘) with herbs, spices, and mustard for instance.

Combine the ground pork with mustard, white pepper, garlic powder, marjoram, caraway seeds, ginger, nutmeg, and Kosher salt.

Shape into patties and brush the onion with oil to grill both. Once the burgers are cooked through and the onion is charred, layer your burgers with onion, kraut, lettuce, and mustard. 

19. Asian Sloppy Joes

If you want a tasty alternative to burgers, try these Asian-styled Sloppy Joes. Fry diced onion and garlic in sesame oil and, once tender, cook garlic until fragrant.

Add the ground pork and brown then add ketchup, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Season then leave to thicken and remove from the heat. 

Separately combine mayonnaise, lime juice, and shredded cabbages and make your burgers.

Top the lower half of the bun with the Sloppy Joe mixture then top with slaw, green onions, sesame seeds, and the other bun half. 

20. Pork Meatball Banh Mi

For a delicious sandwich, try a Banh Mi with pork meatballs. Create a hot chili mayo from mayonnaise, green onions, and hot chili sauce.

In a bowl, mix together ground pork, garlic cloves, finely chopped basil, green onions, fish sauce, hot chili sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and seasoning.

Roll up meatballs in your hands and sauté in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until brown.

Remove the bread from the inside of the baguette then spread the hot chili mayo, arrange jalapeño chilies and cilantro, top with meatballs, and top with pickled vegetables like carrot and daikon (see also ‘18 Delicious Daikon Recipes‘).

21. Pork Bolognese

You may be used to creating bolognese with ground beef but you can barely tell the difference with pork.

Sweat carrots with garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil and once the carrots have softened, add the ground pork and cook until browned.

Add dry red wine and simmer until absorbed then add milk, heavy cream, and nutmeg followed by diced tomatoes, and add the juice from the can.

Add the salt, cover, and allow to simmer for half an hour then add seasoning and serve over spaghetti.

22. Pork Ragù

Another Italian recipe is Pork Ragù so begin by browning bacon pieces then add carrots, celery, and onion.

Throw in the pork mince then brown and add dry red wine, and tomato paste with some chicken stock.

Combine and simmer for a couple of hours while gradually adding the rest of the stock and milk with seasoning. Ladle over cooked pasta and add grated Parmesan cheese. 

23. Pork Tacos

Tacos can be so simple and rewarding. Warm tortillas then fry up ground pork, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in olive oil.

Prepare apple slaw then serve with the pork mixture in the tortillas.

24. Pork Chili

Of course, there is a chili recipe to create with ground pork. Brown the pork with diced onion and garlic then add chili powder, oregano, salt, tomatoes, and tomato sauce.

Bring to a boil, simmer for an hour then stir in kidney and pinto beans and simmer uncovered until thick.

25. Sausage Hash

You can have Sausage Hash for dinner too then save some for breakfast the following day.

Brown the ground pork, add diced onion, carrots, and green pepper then cook until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in cooked potatoes and season then cook until heated through.

26. Egg Roll Bowls

Egg rolls can be tricky to create, so just have the filling instead.

Fry the garlic and ginger until fragrant then brown the pork, push to one side and add sesame oil to fry onion slices, shredded carrot, and sliced green cabbage.

Combine then add soy sauce, sriracha, and seasoning. Once the cabbage is tender, garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.

Bonus: Sharers

Several recipes using ground pork can be used for sharers. From nachos to dumplings, and dip for chips, you can use these recipes time and time again when you have guests over.

27. Pork Nachos

One of the ultimate party foods is nachos so start by browning ground pork in olive oil. Add garlic and water then, once the water has evaporated, add cherry tomatoes and leave to cook until mushy.

Add seasoning, leave to cool, then spread out tortilla chips on a baking tray then top with the pork, olives, red peppers, and mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 350°F (180°C) until the cheese has melted then top with chopped green onions. 

28. Pot Stickers

Just like dumplings, you will want to serve these Pot Stickers for friends and family.

Create your dumplings by combining ground pork with chicken stock, green onions, grated garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, fish sauce, and egg.

Form your dumplings by either using wrappers or pleating and sealing each one. Fry the dumplings in vegetable oil sealed side up until golden underside.

Steam the dumplings in the skillet with water and transfer them to a serving plate.

Create your dipping sauce by mixing together rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and green onions then serve on the side with your dumplings. 

29. Sausage Queso Dip

For gatherings, you really need a dip and Sausage Queso Dip is incredibly versatile.

Brown ground pork then stir in cream cheese and add canned tomatoes with chilies, drained corn, and grated cheese.

Cook until the cheese has melted then garnish with more cheese, chopped chives, and diced tomatoes. 

Final Thoughts

You may be surprised to learn that ground pork is just as versatile as its beef equivalent. It also proves healthier and is used extensively in Asian cooking, as well as in Italian cuisine.

While you may use ground pork in ragù and bolognese, it proves just right for stir-fries, dumplings, and banh mi sandwiches. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Is Healthier; Ground Pork Or Ground Turkey?

Ground turkey does not only contain less fat, but it also has more vitamins. Ground pork typically has double the amount of fat as ground turkey.

There is almost six times as much vitamin A in ground turkey as there is in pork, twice as much vitamin B3 and more B5, B6, folate (B9), B12, iron, and copper.

Is A Pork Burger Healthier Than A Typical Beef Burger?

If you were to compare ground pork to ground beef, you should find more nutritional value in a pork burger. However, beef does contain more iron and zinc.

29 Simple Ground Pork Recipes Ready For Cheap Dinners

29 Simple Ground Pork Recipes Ready For Cheap Dinners

Recipe by Jenna

If you have some ground pork, there are many dishes you can create for dinner, and on a budget. Here are 26 simple ground pork recipes ready for cheap dinners.

Course: Dinner
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