Learn about the best substitution for any type of common meat, poultry, or seafood with our infographic guide!
At one time or another, we have all tried to substitute ingredients. Sometimes it has gone well and other times we ultimately ordered take-out. No matter how your usual ingredient replacements turn out, you may be wondering if you could get better results by picking a different one.
We put together a Guide to Ingredient Substitutions for Meat Cuts to help you make decisions about what to cook. The goal of this infographic is to show you how to switch between different kinds of animal proteins while still following the original recipe by matching flavors and/or cooking times.
Now you may be wondering if you actually have much need to substitute different meats and seafood. Well, here are 5 ways our guide can help you in your daily cooking life:
Chicken is a versatile ingredient used in many classic dishes around the world. But if you want to change up your recipe rotation, pork makes an excellent alternative to chicken. Keep reading to learn everything about substituting pork for chicken.
Can You Substitute Pork for Chicken?
The short answer is yes, pork can be substituted for chicken in most recipes. The two meats have a similar texture and mild flavor that adapts well in all types of cuisines
Pork has a slightly bolder, sweeter taste compared to chicken. But with the right seasonings and cooking methods, pork stands in nicely for chicken in curries, stir fries, casseroles, soups, and more.
When swapping pork for chicken, opt for tender, lean cuts like
- Pork tenderloin
- Pork chops
- Pork loin
- Ground pork
These options mimic the leanness and mild taste of boneless, skinless chicken breasts Fattier cuts like pork belly or shoulder may overpower the other flavors
Benefits of Using Pork Instead of Chicken
Substituting pork for chicken offers several advantages:
More nutrients: Pork contains more B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus than chicken. These support energy, immunity, thyroid function, and tissue repair.
Richer flavor: The slightly bolder taste of pork livens up lighter dishes. It adds character to sauces, stir fries, and curries.
Lower cost: Pork costs 20-30% less per pound than chicken on average. It’s budget-friendly for large batches of soup or chili.
Versatility: Pork mixes well with diverse seasonings from Latin adobos to Indian masalas. It works in a wide range of global recipes.
Novelty: Chicken is so common that pork feels like an exciting change. It keeps meal prep interesting.
With its cost, flavor, and nutrition, pork is clearly an excellent stand-in for everyday chicken recipes.
How to Substitute Pork for Chicken in Recipes
When substituting pork for chicken, keep these tips in mind:
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Stick to lean, tender cuts like chops, tenderloin, or ground pork. Avoid fatty ribs or pork belly.
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Reduce oven temperature by 25°F since pork cooks faster. Check for doneness earlier.
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Pork needs thorough cooking to 165°F internal temperature to eliminate bacteria. Chicken is safe at 165°F.
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Adjust marinades and spices to complement pork’s richness. Use acidic citrus or warm spices like cumin, chili, and garlic.
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For stir fries, slice pork thinly across the grain so it cooks fast. Cutlets or ground pork work well.
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In slow cooker recipes, opt for pork shoulder or country-style ribs. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until fall-apart tender.
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When breading pork cutlets or chops, use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunch. Pork’s fat keeps the crust crispy.
With these simple modifications, pork swaps seamlessly for chicken.
Dishes That Work Well With Pork Instead of Chicken
Many classic recipes take deliciously to pork. Here are some to try:
Stir fries: Sliced pork tenderloin or ground pork shine in veggie stir fries. The rich pork boosts the flavor.
Curries: Lean pork combines wonderfully with Thai red or green curry. It holds up to the big flavors.
Chili: Ground pork lends hearty texture and pork shoulder makes insanely good carnitas chili.
Meatballs: Mixed with breadcrumbs, parmesan, and herbs, ground pork makes jumbo-sized, juicy meatballs.
Kabobs: Pork tenderloin cubed on skewers comes alive with a simple Greek marinade. Grill for perfect doneness.
Tacos: Shredded smoked pork shoulder fills tortillas with juicy Southwestern flavor. Top with avocado and lime.
Soups: Pork shoulder simmered in chicken broth and veggies makes a warming, protein-packed soup.
Casseroles: For family-friendly meals, substitute pork in classics like enchiladas, lasagna, or cheesy baked pasta.
With creative seasoning, pork fills the role of chicken seamlessly in all kinds of global recipes.
How to Adjust Seasoning When Using Pork Instead of Chicken
Pork has a slightly bolder flavor than chicken, so the seasoning may need a little tweaking. Here are tips to make recipes pop with pork:
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Use more acidic elements like lemon, lime, vinegar, tomatoes or yogurt. Acidity balances pork’s richness.
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Spice it up with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, five spice, harissa or Cajun seasoning. Spices pair perfectly with pork.
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Enable sweetness through pineapple, bell peppers, onions, honey, brown sugar, ginger, or orange. Sweetness accentuates pork’s flavor.
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Bring the umami with soy sauce, Worcestershire, fish sauce, miso, mushrooms, or Parmesan cheese. These amplify savoriness.
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Brighten with herbs like cilantro, basil, sage, rosemary, tarragon, parsley or chives. Herbs add freshness.
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Use marinades with acidic and umami ingredients like garlic, mustard, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Marinades tenderize pork.
With small tweaks like these, pork substitutes seamlessly for chicken in all kinds of dishes.
Answers to Common Questions About Substituting Pork for Chicken:
Can I use pork instead of chicken in stir fries?
Yes, sliced pork loin or tenderloin work great in stir fries. Just slice pork thinly across the grain and cook over high heat.
What cut of pork mimics boneless, skinless chicken breasts?
Pork tenderloin and pork sirloin chops mimic chicken breasts in leanness and mildness. They grill, bake, or pan-fry similarly.
How do I modify slow cooker chicken recipes to use pork?
Substitute pork shoulder or country-style ribs for chicken thighs or drumsticks. Cook on low 7-8 hours until fall-apart tender.
Which ground meat makes the best substitute for ground chicken?
Ground pork has a similar fat ratio and mild flavor. Use it just as you would ground chicken in dishes like meatballs, burgers, or meatloaf.
Can I bread and fry pork cutlets the same way as chicken cutlets?
Yes, pork chops or cutlets can be breaded and pan-fried for an easy dinner. The pork’s fat keeps the crust extra crispy.
Conclusion
Substituting pork for chicken is an easy way to bring variety to your dinner table. With a few simple tweaks, pork swaps seamlessly into stir fries, curries, tacos, meatballs, and many other recipes. Its cost and nutrition make pork a smart, flavorful alternative.
Just remember to choose lean cuts like tenderloin or chops, adjust cooking times and temperatures, and tweak seasonings to complement pork’s richness. With the proper modifications, pork can stand in for chicken in virtually any recipe with delicious results!
So next time a recipe calls for chicken, don’t be afraid to use pork instead. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you.
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Pork can substitute for chicken in most recipes with some simple modifications.
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Opt for tender, lean cuts like chops, tenderloin or ground pork over fattier ribs or belly.
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Reduce oven temperature, check doneness earlier, and cook to 165°F internal temperature.
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Tweak seasonings using more acid, spices, sweetness, umami and herbs to complement pork.
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Pork shines in stir fries, curries, chili, meatballs, kabobs and more.
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Pork offers advantages like richer flavor, lower cost, and more nutrients than chicken.
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With the right substitutions, pork can take the place of chicken deliciously in all types of global recipes!
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5 Reasons to Substitute Ingredients
Instead of feeling let down when you want to make a tasty meal but can’t find an ingredient that the recipe calls for, use our guide to find the best substitute. This way, you can still enjoy the dish’s flavors and cooking methods.
It’s possible that a certain animal protein is too expensive for you, or you may be trying to cut back on your monthly food budget. Our list can help you find the best cheap ingredients to replace expensive or average items like salmon or ground beef.
A lot of us have found a recipe that sounds delicious but calls for a type of meat that we don’t eat for religious, health, or personal reasons. Instead of skipping the delicious meal, our guide can show you how to successfully switch from one animal protein to another. This is also useful when you’re cooking for loved ones who have different dietary needs than you!.
Remember that you don’t have to buy pork chops for a recipe? You can easily use up the halibut or chicken thighs you already have in your fridge or freezer. Keep our infographic close by to make sure that none of your food (and money!) goes to waste.
According to this World Resources Institute article, beef production requires about 7x more land and emits 7x more greenhouse gases per gram of protein than chicken does. The next time a recipe calls for steak, our guide can show you how to substitute chicken breast instead. If you want to invest in sustainability even more, swap out your animal protein for plant-based options – bean production emits 20x less greenhouse gasses than beef (and will save you a pretty penny)!
You can get a free copy of our infographic guide here and print it out if you think it will make your life easier: