Pork Side Dishes Ideas

Pork is one of the widely eaten meats all across the globe. It is mainly because of the variations that can be made to the pork recipes as well as the unique taste offered by different portions or cuts of pork. Grill it, roast it or bake it! Cook it in whichever way you like, it is surely going to leave you licking your fingers! Have you ever thought about the pork - apple connection? There are several recipes that call for cooking pork in cider. Moreover, applesauce is often served with pork dishes. Certainly! There has to be some link between them! The tangy and savory taste that the combination offers, must be the reason behind it. But there are many more side dishes that can be served with pork dishes. Let us have a look at some pork side dishes.

Pork Tenderloin Side Dishes
Pork tenderloin can be cooked in a variety of methods. Roast it or grill it! It is that cut of pork, which is tender and succulent and simply satiates one's taste buds, irrespective of the recipe used. Do not forget to glaze the pork tenderloin you have prepared. You could use barbecue sauces, fruit preserves, jams or jellies, reduced fruit purees and juices. Roasted cherries, apples, peaches, blueberries and pineapples do great with pork tenderloin! Maple glazed salads is one of the best pork side dishes! Baked potatoes, sauteed garlic asparagus, baked marinated vegetables, cheddar broccoli souffle and green apple salad are some other good pork side dishes!

Pulled Pork Side Dishes

Although it is a traditional dish from North Carolina, pulled pork is enjoyed by people in many parts of the world. It is made from pork shoulder, smoked on the grill over a hardwood fire. Pulled pork sandwiches are also quite common and serve as a great dish for a large crowd. Here are some pulled pork side dishes that can be added to the meal!

• Cheese potatoes
• Roasted garlic mustard potatoes
• Brussels sprouts
• Baked beans and Cole slaw
• Pasta salad
• Rosemary potato wedges

Pork Chops Side Dishes

Here are some side dish ideas to go with pork chops or specifically pork loin chops. I'm sure you will love these pork loin side dishes:

• Homemade applesauce
• Green bean casserole
• Cranberry sauce
• Baked sweet potatoes
• Creamed corn
• Macaroni and cheese

BBQ Pork Side Dishes

Barbecue, of any kind, is incomplete without dishes like cole slaw, potato salad or BBQ beans. There are scores of pork side dishes other than the three favorites mentioned above. Here are some:

• Corn bread
• Strawberries or bananas with cream
• BBQ green veggies
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Fried rice with shrimps
• Mandarin orange salad
• Scalloped potatoes

Pork Roast Side Dishes

Pork roast is a common dish prepared for many occasions like family gatherings, friends get together etc. The tender and succulent pork roast is enough to tickle your taste buds. But how can you forget the side dishes to go with pork roast recipes! Try some of these:

• Curried green tomatoes
• Brandied cranberries
• Green bean casserole
• Scalloped potatoes
• Sweet and sour cabbage
• Salads

Pork Side Dish Recipes

Applesauce
Ingredients:

• 3 lbs apples, peeled cored and quartered
• Lemon juice
• Lemon peel
• Cinnamon stick
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt

Directions:
Mix all the above ingredients in a large pot and add 1 cup of water to it. Cover and bring to boil. Allow it to simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and remove the lemon peel and cinnamon stick. Serve hot! It is one of the most common side dishes for pork!

Brandied Cranberries
Ingredients:

• 1 can of fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup brandy
• 1 ½ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoon shredded orange zest

Directions:
In a square baking dish, mix together, cranberries, sugar, brandy and orange zest. Bake uncovered, in a preheated oven at 325 degrees, for about an hour or so, until most of the liquid gets evaporated, stirring occasionally. It is one of the best side dishes with pork.

Grilled Corn on the Cob
Ingredients:

• Fresh corn in their husks
• Butter

Directions:
Place the corn in their husks on the hot grill, charcoal or gas, at about 550 degrees. Turn the corns occasionally until the husks are charred evenly on all sides. This may take about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove form the grill and let it stand for 5 minutes. Remove the charred husks and silk from the corn using a hand towel. Serve hot with butter! This is one of the all time favorite pork side dishes!

This was all about pork side dishes! The above pork side dish recipes can go with any pork dish and can fetch you loads of compliments! So go ahead! Enjoy the complete pork meal!

Char Siu (Char Siew)

Char siu (char siew) is of Cantonese origin where skewers of pork meat is marinated in a honey hoisin sauce, and then roast in oven to charred, savory, and sticky sweet perfection. If there is a pork recipe that defines Chinese cooking, I think char siu (char siew) would be it.

Ingredients :
• 1 lb pork butt (cut into 4 pieces)
• 3 clove garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 ½ tablespoons cooking oil

Char Siu Sauce :
• 1 ½ tablespoons maltose
• 1 ½ tablespoons honey
• 1 ½ tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese rose wine (玫瑰露酒)
• 3 dashes white pepper powder
• 3 drops red coloring (optional)
• ½ teaspoon five-spice powder
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil

Directions :
1. Add all ingredients in the char siu sauce in a sauce pan, heat it up and stir-well until all blended and become slightly thickened and sticky. (It will yield ½ cup char siu sauce.) Transfer out and let cool.
2. Marinate the pork butt pieces with 2/3 of the char siu sauce and the chopped garlic overnight. Add 1 ½ tablespoons cooking oil into the remaining char siu sauce. Keep in the fridge.
3. The next day, preheat the oven to 375°F and roast the char siu for 15 minutes (shake off the excess char siu sauce before roasting). Transfer them out of the oven and thread the char siu pieces on metal skewers and grill them over fire (I used my stove top). Brush the remaining char siu sauce while grilling until the char siu are perfectly charred. Slice the char siu into bite-size pieces, drizzle the remaining char siu sauce over and serve immediately with steamed white rice.

Notes :
You don’t have to roast the pork in the oven if you use an outdoor grill. As I used the stove top to char the char siu, I roasted the char siu in the oven so they were cooked. It’s impossible to cook the char siu by using the stove top alone. You can roast the char siu thoroughly for 25-30 minutes in the oven. It’s best to use the S-shape hook and hang your char siu at the top layer of the oven, with a roasting pan or aluminum foil sheet at the bottom for the drips.

Bean Curd Stew with Vegetables

If you don't like pork belly in your clay pot bean curd, replace it with seafood or meat of your choice.

Ingredients :
• 1 block soft bean curd
• 30 gr carrot, sliced
• 5 snow peas
• ½ shallot, shredded
• 5 Chinese mushrooms, soaked in warm water for 15 minutes and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 200 gr pork belly, sliced

Seasonings :
• 1 ½ tablespoon oyster sauce
• ½ tablespoon preserved spicy bean paste
• 1 tablespoon preserved minced bean paste (taucheo)
• ½ teaspoon chicken stock granules (optional)
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon corn starch
• A few dashes of white pepper powder

Directions :
1. Clean the pork belly well with water and drain.
2. Cut the bean curd into 6 portions and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Heat up a wok, add oil, and deep fry the bean curd until golden brown and crispy. Set aside.
4. Heat up another wok of water, add in carrots and snow peas, blanch for a while and dish out. Set aside.
5. Heat up the clay pot and add in little oil. Stir-fry the chopped garlic until aromatic, add in the sliced pork belly, stir-fry until cooked.
6. Add all seasonings and do a quick stir. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir well.
7. Add in water and cover the clay pot with the cover. Lower the heat to low and braise for 15 minutes.
8. Before serving, add in the corn starch to thicken the sauce. Serve hot.

For 2 servings

Prawn Crackers with Ground Pork and Nuts

This Thai-inspired dish is called "Ma Haw". The ground pork and peanut relish is traditionally eaten with a small piece of pineapple. However, prawn crackers makes a great - if not better - substitute. The crunchy prawn crackers goes extremely well with the savory and sweet relish.

Ingredients :
• 200 gr ground pork
• 100 gr ground peanut
• 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 ½ tablespoons palm sugar
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 4 kaffir lime leaves, finely shredded
• 1 pack fried prawn crackers
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• Some cilantro or parsley leaves, for garnishing

Directions :
1. Heat up 1 tablespoon oil and stir-fry the chopped shallots until aromatic.
2. Add ground pork and stir-fry until the color changes. Use the spatula to break the lumps.
3. Add fish sauce, palm sugar, dark soy sauce, lime juice, and kaffir lime leaves into the ground pork and continue to stir-fry.
4. Sprinkle ground peanut into the ground pork, stir to blend well, dish out and set aside.
5. Place a heaped teaspoon of filling into a prawn cracker, garnish the topping with a cilantro or parsley leaf and serve immediately.

For 20-24 servings

Onion Soup Pork Chops

A delicious dinner for two, including a savory side dish of oniony wild rice, takes just a few easy steps to make. Add a simple salad and some candlelight to make your meal an elegant repast.

Ingredients :
• 2 pork chops
• 1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
• 1 (6 ounce) package uncooked wild rice
• 3 cups water

Directions :
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown pork chops in a medium skillet over medium heat. In a medium bowl combine the soup mix and rice. Mix together and spread in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Lay browned chops on top of rice. Pour water over all, gently. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until internal temperature of pork has reached 160°F (70°C).

For 2 servings

Amount Per Serving Calories : Calories: 471 | Total Fat: 6.6g | Cholesterol: 59mg

Marinated Baked Pork Chops

It is quick and easy, and makes for a tasty weekday supper or occasions. Double the sauce to serve over rice.

Ingredients :
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 6 pork chops, trimmed

Directions :
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a small bowl, thoroughly blend soy sauce, vegetable oil, Worchestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, and ketchup.
3. Place pork chops in a medium baking dish, and spread with ½ the sauce.
4. Bake pork chops 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Turn, and spread with remaining sauce. Continue baking 30 minutes, or until internal temperature of the chops has reached 160 degrees F (70°C).

For 6 servings

Amount Per Serving Calories : Calories: 241 | Total Fat: 12.4g | Cholesterol: 76mg

Pork Chops with Mushroom Onion Gravy

Ingredients :
• 6 pork chops
• 1 tablespoon dried marjoram
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ¾ cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 onion, chopped

Directions :
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat a small amount of oil in a large skillet, add chops and brown on both sides. When chops are almost done, sprinkle marjoram on both sides.
3. Stir together half the can of soup, water, salt and pepper. Pour into a foil-lined 9x13 inch baking pan.
4. Put the onions and then the browned chops on top of the soup mixture. Spoon the remaining soup over the top of chops so they are covered. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Take off foil and bake another 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

For 6 servings

Amount Per Serving Calories : 167 | Total Fat: 9.3g | Cholesterol: 37mg

Caramelized Onions Pork Chops

Caramelized onions give the flavor to these easy to make pork chops - yummy! Great with parsley potatoes. It's simple recipe but awesome.

Ingredients :
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 (4 ounce) pork loin chops, ½ inch thick
• 3 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 onion, cut into strips
• 1 cup water

Directions :
1. Rub chops with 2 teaspoons seasoning salt and 1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste.
2. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Brown pork chops on each side. Add the onions and water to the pan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Turn chops over, and add remaining salt and pepper. Cover, and cook until water evaporates and onions turn light to medium brown. Remove chops from pan, and serve with onions on top.

For 4 servings

Amount Per Serving Calories : 221 | Total Fat: 11.3g | Cholesterol: 75mg