Have you downloaded our NEW Guide To Buying Meat In Bulk? Our catalogue teaches you everything you need to know about pork cuts. Once you become an expert on cuts, you’ll be ready to move on to preparing and seasoning the meat, which is exactly what we cover in this blog.
Shoulder/Butt
These well-marbled cuts are best served grilled, roasted, braised, barbecued, or cured. The brisket cut is perfect for brining, smoking, or pickling. To enhance flavour, mix a dry rub of brown sugar, paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, sage, and pepper.
Picnic Ham/ Picnic Shoulder
Picnic cuts should cook at a higher temperature. They taste best when well marinated. We love making a spicy dry rub of brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, lemon peel, and black pepper!
Side Ribs/Baby Back Ribs
Ribs come from the belly, which makes them slimmer with thicker meat on the back. Side ribs taste dynamite when cooked slowly on low heat. Create a spice mixture of garlic powder, pepper, and salt. We love a simmering crockpot full of barbecue-lathered ribs.
Hock
Hock cuts are fatty and known for their hollow bone marrows. Season with salt and pepper, before braising them in barbecue sauce for pulled pork. Or, braise them with vegetables, white wine, and broth for Osso Bucco.
Loin
The centre loin is typically boned out, trimmed, and lean. Create a dry rub of brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. These cuts taste best when brined, smoked, or roasted. And, they taste great on a sandwich!
Chops
Pork chops are part fat, and the rest is lean meat. There are lots of possibilities when preparing chops! They taste delicious when pan-fried, roasted, baked, or shake & baked. Our favourite dry rub includes sweet paprika, pepper, salt, sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cayenne. It really locks in the juices!
Sirloin
Sirloin is exceptionally lean, and makes tasty sausage or schnitzel. This cut tastes best when it’s pounded out, breaded, and fried or baked. Create a seasoning mixture of flour, garlic salt, paprika, pepper, eggs, and panko crumbs.
Belly
Belly cuts can be lean or fatty, depending on the section. Belly meat tastes delicious as bacon. You can salt, fry, roast, or brine it. Bacon tastes delicious when seasoned with brown sugar, cayenne, and black pepper. The ultimate combo of salty and sweet!
Leg/Ham
Ham typically comes from the leg. It’s well marbled, but each cut differs in fat content. For the best flavour, create a rub with various spices. Our favourite rub includes brown mustard, brown sugar, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and white cloves. Ham is best served up when roasted or cured.
Yum! Which seasoning technique are you going to try first?
Our Side of Pork Package has plenty of delicious cuts to choose from! Place your order today by calling 403-378-3800 or 403-255-1232!