COOKING TIME AND TEMPERATURE

Cooking Pork

Pork today is very lean and shouldn’t be overcooked. The best test of doneness is to use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your pork. Use this chart as a guideline for cooking times. Click here for more information and the complete chart.

Click here for information on Buying, Handling & Storing Pork

Featured Recipe

Ham and Almond Pastry Ring

Ingredients

9 SERVINGS

1 cup ham (diced)
1/2 cup chive and onion cream cheese spread
2 Tbsp. caesar salad dressing
1 apple (large, seeded and chopped)
1/2 cup grapes (red or green, quartered)
1/2 cup red onion (finely chopped)
1/4 cup green bell pepper (diced)
16 oz. refrigerated crescent rolls
1 egg (beaten)
1/4 cup almonds (finely chopped)
nonstick cooking spray

Directions

In large bowl, blend cream cheese spread and dressing. Add ham, apple, grapes, onion and green pepper; gently stir until coated. Set aside.
Line a large baking sheet with heavy foil. Lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. Unroll both cans of crescent rolls and separate. On prepared baking sheet arrange triangles overlapping with shortest side of each roll toward center leaving 5-inch circle open in center. Points of crescent dough may hang over edge of baking sheet. Press overlapping dough to flatten and close center circle to 4-inches.
Spoon mixture evenly over widest part of dough. Pull points of dough over filling and tuck dough under dough in center to form ring. (Some filling will be visible.) Brush dough evenly with beaten egg and sprinkle with almonds. Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees F. for 25-30 minutes or until golden and pastry in inner circle is baked. (If necessary, loosely cover outer edge of pastry with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.) Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Using large spatula, carefully slide onto large serving platter.*
Makes 8 to 10 servings.
*If desired, use foil to lift and transfer pastry ring to serving platter. Cut foil in center of ring and underneath pastry ring; pull foil pieces to remove.

Find Recipe on Yummly

Thyme-Basted Ham with Roasted Grapes

Ingredients

15 SERVINGS

8 lb. fully cooked bone-in ham (trimmed)
pepper
1/2 cup grape jelly
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter (1/2 stick, cut into 4 to 6 pieces)
2 Tbsp. thyme (chopped fresh)
3 cups red grapes (green, or a combination)
4 shallots (halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch slices)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Position rack in lower third of oven.
2. Place the ham flat side down in a large shallow roasting pan and score a diamond pattern about 1/8-inch deep into any fat. Season with pepper and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the jelly, butter, and thyme, whisking occasionally until the jelly and butter melt together and the mixture comes to a gentle boil, 1 to 2 minutes. Cover and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the grapes and shallots. Set aside.
4. Baste the ham with the jelly mixture. Continue baking, basting with the jelly mixture and/or pan juices about every 15 minutes. When the internal ham temperature reaches 120 degrees F, add the grapes and shallots to the roasting pan, stirring to coat with the pan juices. Continue baking and basting until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F, 15 to 18 minutes per pound total cooking time. Remove the ham from the oven, transfer to a cutting board, and let rest 15 to 30 minutes. (If the grapes and shallots aren’t tender yet, return the roasting pan to the oven.)
5. Slice enough ham to serve and arrange on plates or a platter. Season the roasted grape, shallot, and pan juice mixture with pepper and spoon some on top of the ham. Serve the remaining grape mixture on the side.

Recipe Search

Searching for pork recipes can yield a diverse array of delicious options, from classic comfort foods to gourmet dishes. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner like pork chops with apple sauce or a more elaborate meal such as slow-roasted pork shoulder, there’s a recipe to suit every taste and occasion. Popular cuisines featuring pork include Chinese, Mexican, and Italian, each offering unique flavors and cooking techniques. With countless recipes available online, you can easily find step-by-step instructions, ingredient lists, and cooking tips to create the perfect pork dish.

Search Recipes