10+ Ground Pork Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Ground pork is one of those ingredients I keep coming back to. It’s affordable, flexible, and just plain easy to work with.

You can whip up so many different dishes with ground pork—there’s something for every mood and schedule. Seriously, tasty meals with ground pork don’t have to be complicated.

If you’re after a quick dinner or itching to try something new, ground pork has you covered. It cooks fast, loves bold spices, and plays nicely with most veggies.

Honestly, it’s a go-to for home cooks who want flavor without fuss.

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Ingredients

• Ground pork
• Common spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder)
• Vegetables (onions, garlic, bell peppers, or whatever you have)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium heat.
2. Add ground pork and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Toss in chopped vegetables and spices.
4. Cook until veggies soften, about 5 minutes.
5. Use in your favorite recipe or just eat it as is.

1) Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls

This dish is simple but loaded with flavor. Ground pork meets garlic, ginger, and a sweet-salty sauce for a punchy, caramelized finish.

It cooks up fast—ideal for busy nights. If you want to make it pop, toss in pickled carrots or a handful of cilantro.

The trick is letting the pork brown, then simmering the sauce until it clings to every bite. That’s when it gets really good.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 small chili, chopped (optional)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• Cooked jasmine rice
• Fresh cilantro and quick pickled carrots (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic, ginger, and chili; cook 1 minute.
3. Add ground pork and cook until browned.
4. Stir in fish sauce and brown sugar.
5. Cook until sauce thickens and coats pork.
6. Serve over rice with cilantro and pickled carrots.

2) Ground Pork Meatballs with Garlic and Ginger

You can throw together these meatballs in no time. Ground pork, fresh ginger, and garlic give them a nice kick.

Breadcrumbs help keep them tender, and you can bake or pan-fry, depending on your mood. I usually go for baking—less mess.

A splash of soy sauce adds some depth, but you can play around with other seasonings too. Serve them with rice, noodles, or heck, just eat them straight from the pan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground pork
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix ground pork, garlic, ginger, breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Shape into small meatballs.
4. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Serve warm.

3) Pork and Asparagus Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is a weeknight hero. Ground pork gets crispy, asparagus stays bright and snappy.

Toss in garlic, ginger, and scallions for a bold, fresh flavor. The sauce is a little spicy, a little savory—just enough to keep things interesting.

Cleanup is a breeze since it all cooks in one pan. You get your veggies and protein without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili paste or sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high.
2. Add pork and cook, breaking it up, until crispy, about 5 minutes.
3. Toss in garlic, ginger, and scallions. Cook 1 minute.
4. Add asparagus; cook until just tender, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in soy sauce and chili paste. Cook 1 more minute.
6. Serve hot.

You can find more tips here: Pork and Asparagus Stir-Fry Recipe – Bon Appetit.

4) Sweet and Spicy Ground Pork Lettuce Wraps

These lettuce wraps are light, fresh, and full of flavor. The pork cooks up in a sweet and spicy sauce, but it’s not overpowering.

Crunchy lettuce cups and veggies make every bite pop. If you’re looking for a low-carb dinner, this is a solid pick.

Add ginger, garlic, and hoisin for balance. It comes together quickly and feels a bit special, even if you’re just eating in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili paste (adjust to taste)
• 1 head of butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add ginger and garlic; cook 1 minute.
3. Add pork and cook until browned.
4. Stir in hoisin, soy sauce, and chili paste; cook 2-3 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, mix in carrots and green onions.
6. Spoon into lettuce leaves and serve.

5) Ground Pork Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are always a crowd-pleaser. Hollow out your peppers and fill them with ground pork, rice, and seasonings.

Tomato paste keeps the filling juicy, and you can toss in garlic, onions, or herbs for more flavor. Once stuffed, just bake until the peppers are soft and everything’s cooked through.

It’s a one-pan meal—less cleanup, more time to relax. Use whatever you have on hand and make it your own.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers, halved and seeded
• 1 lb (500 g) ground pork
• 1 ½ cups cooked white rice
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onions and garlic until soft.
3. Add pork and cook until browned. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Mix in rice and tomato paste. Stir well.
5. Stuff each pepper half with pork mixture.
6. Place in a baking dish and cover with foil.
7. Bake 30-35 minutes until peppers are tender.
8. Remove foil and bake 5 more minutes if you want a browned top.

6) 3-Ingredient Thai Chili Pork Stir-Fry

This one is almost too easy. All you need is ground pork, coleslaw mix, and sweet Thai chili sauce.

Brown the pork, add the coleslaw, then stir in the sauce. That’s it.

It’s sweet, a bit spicy, and comes together in about 15 minutes. Perfect for those nights when you just can’t be bothered.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 (14-ounce) bag coleslaw mix
• ½ cup sweet Thai chili sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium.
2. Add pork, break it up, and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in coleslaw mix, cook 3-4 minutes until slightly wilted.
4. Pour in Thai chili sauce, mix well, and cook 2 more minutes.
5. Serve warm.

7) Pork and Cabbage Dumplings

Dumplings are always a good idea. Ground pork, cabbage, ginger, and green onions make a juicy filling.

You can use store-bought wrappers to save time. Boil, steam, or pan-fry—whatever you’re in the mood for.

Pan-frying gives you that crispy bottom, but boiled or steamed are great too. Dip ’em in soy sauce and enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 cup finely chopped napa cabbage
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Dumpling skins (about 40 pieces)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix pork, cabbage, green onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a bowl.
2. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of a dumpling skin.
3. Fold and seal the edges tightly.
4. To boil: cook in boiling water 5-6 minutes until they float.
5. To steam: steam for 8-10 minutes at 212°F (100°C).
6. To pan-fry: heat oil in a pan, add dumplings, fry until bottoms are golden, add water, cover, and steam until cooked.

8) Budget-Friendly Dirty Rice with Ground Pork

Dirty rice is one of those classic, no-fuss dishes that makes ground pork shine. You just brown the pork with some spices, onions, and bell peppers.

Mix everything with cooked rice, and suddenly you’ve got a hearty meal that tastes like it took way more effort. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.

You can play with the spice level—keep it mild or crank up the heat if you’re feeling bold. The whole thing comes together in one pan, which makes cleanup a breeze.

Ground pork keeps things affordable but still gives the dish plenty of flavor. With the right seasonings, it’s got that familiar Cajun vibe, almost like the original dirty rice but way easier.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Toss in the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until they’re soft, about 3 minutes.
3. Add ground pork and cook, breaking it up, until it browns.
4. Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour in the rice and chicken broth. Bring it to a boil.
6. Turn heat down to low, cover, and let it simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.
7. Fluff with a fork and dig in while it’s hot.

9) Pork and Snap Pea Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is honestly a weeknight lifesaver. Brown the pork, then toss in sugar snap peas for that crunchy bite.

The sweet and spicy combo is just right—not too heavy, not too bland. Use gochujang or teriyaki sauce, whatever you’re in the mood for.

Sesame oil adds that nutty aroma. The whole thing takes maybe 20-30 minutes, tops.

Serve it over rice or noodles. It’s easy, fresh, and doesn’t make you feel weighed down.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 cups sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp gochujang or teriyaki sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha (optional for spice)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium-high.
2. Add garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Toss in the ground pork and cook until it’s browned.
4. Mix cornstarch with water and pour it in.
5. Add gochujang (or teriyaki), soy sauce, and sriracha if you like it spicy.
6. Throw in the snap peas and cook for 3-4 minutes, just until they’re crisp-tender.
7. Serve it up warm, over rice or noodles.

If you want another take on this, check out this easy spicy pork stir fry with snap peas.

10) Homemade Pork Lasagna

You can totally make a killer pork lasagna with ground pork instead of beef. Pork brings a tender, rich flavor that just works with cheese and tomato sauce.

Honestly, this one’s a lifesaver for meal prep or those big family dinners. Start by cooking the ground pork with garlic and onion—don’t skip that step, it really boosts the taste.

Layer the meat sauce with noodles, cheese, and either béchamel or ricotta. I usually go with ricotta when I’m feeling lazy.

Bake it until it’s bubbly and golden brown. The smell alone is enough to make everyone hungry.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground pork
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 diced onion
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a skillet, sauté garlic and onion until soft. Toss in the ground pork and cook until it browns. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour in marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Spread a thin layer of sauce in a baking dish. Add a layer of noodles, then ricotta, pork sauce, and mozzarella. Keep layering.
6. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Take off the foil and bake another 10 minutes, or until you see those golden, bubbly edges.
8. Let it rest for 10 minutes before you cut into it—trust me, it’s worth the wait.