PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Football season is upon us, and that can only mean
one thing: It’s time to tailgate. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a
pregame backyard get-together or slow cooking at the stadium before kickoff, there
are plenty of dishes to choose from – but this year, the clear winner is pork.
No matter what team you’re rooting for, the secret to tackling your game-day
gathering is serving a meal that’s tasty and easy to cook – and pork offers unmatched
versatility in terms of flavor and preparation methods. These four cuts are perfect on
the grill or in the slow cooker and pair well with all kinds of bold flavors.
Tangy Grilled Back Ribs
Cuban Pork Tenderloin
Pork Ribs:
Whether you’re craving back, country-style or St. Louis-
style spareribs, ribs are an easy, popular food to enjoy on
game day.
Pork Chops:
Rib, sirloin and top loin are among the most popular cuts of
pork because they don’t require long cooking times.
Pork Tenderloin:
This mild, tender cut is a favorite when complemented
with spice rubs or marinades.
Pork Loin Roast:
Roasts are delicious brined or rubbed with a spice mixture
and barbecued.
Did you know?
Some healthy facts about pork:
- Today’s most popular cuts of pork have 16 percent
less total fat and 27 percent less saturated fat
than they did more than 20 years ago.
- Cuts of pork that come from the loin – including
chops and roasts – are the leanest available.
- Ounce for ounce, pork tenderloin is as lean
as skinless chicken breast.
Game-Day Pork
No matter how much time you have before kickoff,
plenty of recipes – such as Spicy St. Louis-style
spareribs, Teriyaki Pork Chops and slow-cooked Perfect
Pulled Pork – are touchdown-worthy.
For a dish like Grilled Pork Chops with Basil-Garlic Rub
(left), marinate the meat for just 15 to 30 minutes
in a tangy, homemade sauce. Then, before the game,
you’ll only need to grill them for 10 to 12 minutes.
This flavorful recipe will ensure you won’t be distracted
by hunger when it’s time for the game-winning play.
Tips for the Grill
Grilling pork on game day is easier than you think,
especially when you keep these tips in mind:
- Prevent meat from sticking on the grill by using
clean racks and lightly coating them with vegetable
oil or a nonstick vegetable oil spray.
- Preheat the grill to the proper temperature to ensure
the pork is seared quickly and to give it a flavorful crust.
Cook to Perfection
When cooking pork, the most
important thing to remember
is to avoid overcooking it.
The National Pork Board
recommends cooking fresh pork
to an internal temperature between
145oF (medium-rare) and 160oF (medium), with a three-
minute rest. And be sure to use a digital thermometer to
ensure an accurate reading.
Grilled Pork Chops
with Basil-Garlic Rub
Scan or click this ad for more tasty pork ideas (see page 5);
for these and other delicious pork recipes, go to PorkBeInspired.com.
