25 Ground Pork Recipes for Dinner You Haven’t Tried Yet
Ground pork is one of those ingredients that deserves way more attention in your dinner rotation. It’s incredibly versatile, budget-friendly, and cooks up faster than most proteins. Whether you’re craving bold Asian flavors, comforting classics, or something completely new, ground pork adapts beautifully to nearly every cuisine.
These recipes will show you just how exciting weeknight dinners can be when you think beyond the usual suspects and explore what this underrated meat can do.
1. Asian Pork Lettuce Wraps
These lettuce wraps are light yet surprisingly satisfying, with savory ground pork seasoned with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce tucked into crisp lettuce leaves. The contrast between the warm, flavorful meat and cool, crunchy lettuce makes every bite interesting. They come together in about 20 minutes and feel fancy enough for company but easy enough for a Tuesday night.
Plus, everyone can customize their wraps with different toppings, making them perfect for picky eaters.
2. Ground Pork Fried Rice
This is hands-down the best way to use up leftover rice sitting in your fridge. The ground pork adds a savory richness that takes fried rice from a side dish to a complete meal. You’ll get crispy bits of pork mixed with fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, and whatever vegetables you have on hand.
It’s incredibly forgiving and comes together in one pan in less time than it takes to order takeout.
3. Pork and Ginger Dumplings
Homemade dumplings might sound intimidating, but once you get the rhythm down, they’re actually quite relaxing to make. The filling combines ground pork with fresh ginger, garlic, and cabbage for a juicy, flavorful bite. You can pan-fry them for crispy bottoms, steam them for a lighter option, or freeze a batch for future lazy dinners.
That first bite when the savory broth bursts in your mouth makes all the folding worthwhile.
4. Spicy Pork Noodle Bowls
These noodle bowls bring serious heat and flavor with minimal effort. The ground pork gets cooked with chili paste, garlic, and sesame oil until it’s deeply browned and aromatic. Toss it with noodles, some greens, and a soft-boiled egg, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality bowl at home.
The spice level is totally adjustable, so you can make it family-friendly or sweat-inducing depending on your mood.
5. Pork and Cabbage Stir-Fry
This stir-fry proves that simple ingredients can create something really delicious. Ground pork and cabbage might sound basic, but when you add ginger, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce, everything caramelizes together beautifully. The cabbage gets tender but still has a bit of bite, and the pork develops these crispy edges that add texture.
It’s ready in 15 minutes and works perfectly over rice or noodles.
6. Thai Basil Pork (Pad Krapow)
This is the dish you see on every Thai restaurant menu for good reason—it’s incredibly addictive. The ground pork gets cooked with chilies, garlic, and loads of fresh basil until fragrant and slightly charred. Served over rice with a fried egg on top, it’s the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and aromatic.
The whole thing comes together in about 10 minutes, making it faster than most takeout options.
7. Pork Mapo Tofu
This Sichuan classic combines silky tofu with spicy, numbing ground pork in a sauce that’s both fiery and addictive. The fermented bean paste gives it an incredible depth of flavor that you just can’t replicate with other ingredients. Despite its complex taste, it’s surprisingly straightforward to make at home.
Serve it over rice to soak up every bit of that incredible sauce, and prepare for your taste buds to tingle.
8. Swedish Meatballs with Pork
Adding ground pork to traditional Swedish meatballs makes them incredibly tender and juicy. The creamy gravy with a hint of nutmeg is pure comfort food, coating each meatball in velvety richness. These are perfect for a cozy dinner, especially served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
The best part is you can make a big batch and freeze them for those nights when you need comfort food fast.
9. Pork Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ground pork gives stuffed peppers a lighter, more delicate flavor compared to beef. Mixed with rice, tomatoes, and herbs, then baked until the peppers are tender, this dish is wholesome and satisfying. The pork stays moist during baking, and all the flavors meld together beautifully.
It’s also a great meal-prep option since the peppers reheat perfectly and look impressive despite being simple to assemble.
10. Pork and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
These cabbage rolls are the ultimate comfort food, with tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of ground pork and rice. They simmer in tomato sauce until everything is melt-in-your-mouth tender and the flavors have completely melded together.
Yes, they take a bit of time to roll, but you can easily make them ahead and they actually taste better the next day. One batch feeds a crowd and freezes beautifully too.
11. Pork Larb (Thai Salad)
This bright, herbaceous Thai salad is refreshing and packed with bold flavors. The ground pork gets cooked with lime juice, fish sauce, and toasted rice powder for a unique nutty crunch. Fresh mint, cilantro, and chilies add brightness and heat.
It’s traditionally served with lettuce cups or sticky rice, making it a light but satisfying dinner that’s perfect for warm weather.
12. Pork Breakfast Sausage Patties
Who says breakfast sausage is only for breakfast? These homemade patties seasoned with sage, thyme, and a touch of maple syrup are incredibly versatile. They’re fantastic crumbled over pasta, stuffed into sandwiches, or served alongside roasted vegetables for dinner.
Making them yourself means you control the seasoning and they taste infinitely better than store-bought. Plus, they freeze perfectly for quick weeknight proteins.
13. Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl
All the flavors of an egg roll without the wrapper makes this a quick, low-carb dinner option. Ground pork cooks with cabbage, carrots, and ginger in a savory sauce until everything is tender and caramelized. It’s got that same addictive quality as takeout egg rolls but comes together in one skillet in about 20 minutes.
The leftovers are even better the next day once all the flavors have had time to develop.
14. Pork and Black Bean Tacos
These tacos have a slightly sweet and savory profile that sets them apart from typical ground meat tacos. The black beans add heartiness and fiber while the pork stays juicy and flavorful with cumin, chili powder, and a hint of cinnamon. They’re quick enough for a weeknight but feel special enough for casual entertaining.
Top them however you like, though fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime really make them shine.
15. Pork Picadillo
This Cuban-inspired dish is sweet, savory, and slightly tangy all at once. Ground pork simmers with tomatoes, olives, raisins, and warm spices until it’s deeply flavorful and aromatic. The combination might sound unusual, but the raisins add little bursts of sweetness that balance the briny olives perfectly.
Serve it over rice, use it to fill empanadas, or stuff it into peppers for a versatile, crowd-pleasing meal.
16. Pork Zucchini Boats
Hollowed-out zucchini makes the perfect vessel for seasoned ground pork mixed with tomatoes, cheese, and herbs. They’re lighter than traditional stuffed peppers but just as satisfying and flavorful. The zucchini gets tender while the filling stays moist, and the melted cheese on top adds that irresistible golden crust.
They’re naturally low-carb and look impressive on the plate despite requiring minimal effort.
17. Pork Banh Mi Meatballs
These meatballs capture all the bright, tangy flavors of a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich in convenient, poppable form. Ground pork mixed with garlic, ginger, and fish sauce gets baked until caramelized, then served with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. You can serve them over rice, in a bun, or just eat them straight with the toppings.
They’re also fantastic meal-prep friendly since they reheat beautifully throughout the week.
18. Pork and Mushroom Ragù
This rustic Italian sauce is rich, earthy, and deeply comforting. Ground pork and mushrooms simmer together with tomatoes, wine, and herbs until everything breaks down into a thick, luscious sauce. The pork adds a subtle sweetness while the mushrooms contribute umami depth.
Toss it with pappardelle or any hearty pasta, and you’ve got a dinner that tastes like it took hours but actually comes together pretty quickly.
19. Pork Wontons in Chili Oil
These little dumplings swimming in spicy, aromatic chili oil are dangerously addictive. The wontons are filled with seasoned ground pork and cooked until tender, then tossed in a sauce that’s numbing, spicy, and garlicky all at once. They make a fantastic dinner served with some steamed greens on the side.
The folding takes a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, you can make a huge batch to freeze.
20. Pork and Eggplant Stir-Fry
Eggplant and pork are a classic combination in Chinese cooking, and for good reason. The eggplant soaks up all the savory sauce while staying creamy and tender, and the ground pork adds rich flavor throughout. A good dose of garlic and ginger makes everything aromatic and irresistible.
It comes together quickly in a hot wok or skillet and pairs perfectly with steamed rice to soak up the sauce.
21. Pork Scotch Eggs
These British pub favorites feature hard-boiled eggs wrapped in seasoned ground pork, then breaded and fried until golden. When you cut into them, you get crispy coating, juicy pork, and a perfectly cooked egg in every bite. They’re surprisingly fun to make and are great served warm or at room temperature.
While they take a bit of effort, the impressive presentation and delicious results make them worth it for special occasions.
22. Pork and Fennel Sausage Pasta
Homemade Italian sausage flavors come together quickly when you season ground pork with fennel, garlic, and red pepper flakes. The fennel seeds add this wonderful aromatic quality that makes your kitchen smell amazing while it cooks. Tossed with pasta, a splash of cream, and some Parmesan, it’s restaurant-quality comfort food at home.
You can adjust the spice level easily and it comes together faster than waiting for delivery.
23. Pork Albondigas Soup
This Mexican meatball soup is warm, comforting, and packed with vegetables and herbs. The ground pork meatballs stay incredibly tender as they simmer in a flavorful broth with tomatoes, carrots, and zucchini. Fresh mint and cilantro add brightness that keeps it from feeling too heavy.
It’s the kind of soup that feeds your soul, and it actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have melded.
24. Pork and Sweet Potato Hash
This one-pan meal is hearty, slightly sweet, and endlessly adaptable to whatever you have on hand. Ground pork cooks with cubed sweet potatoes, onions, and peppers until everything is caramelized and tender. Top it with a fried egg and you’ve got a complete meal that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness that balances the savory pork beautifully.
25. Pork Dan Dan Noodles
This Sichuan street food favorite features noodles in a creamy, spicy, nutty sauce topped with seasoned ground pork. The sauce combines tahini or peanut butter with chili oil, soy sauce, and black vinegar for a complex flavor profile. The ground pork gets cooked until crispy and adds texture and richness to every bite.
It comes together in about 20 minutes but tastes like something you’d order at your favorite noodle spot.
