It’s no secret that Southerners love pork. You’ll find pork chops on the menu at every meat and three, and there’s a barbecue joint in almost every town in the South.

Pork is inexpensive and adaptable. You can slow-cook a pork roast, fry chops in a skillet, or bake a ham in the oven. Pork is also grill-friendly, and with its mild flavor, kids tend to love it. 

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite pork options to help you plan meals and get dinner on the table. 

Pork chops with cherry peppers.Photo bySouthern Food and Fun

Pork Chops with Cherry Peppers

Pork chops with cherry peppers and onion are perfect for a quick dinner. You’ll have this dish on the table in less than an hour! The sweet cherry peppers lend a delightfully piquant flavor to the sauce, which begs for some crusty bread to sop it up.

What you’ll need:

• 4 center-cut pork chops, 1 1/2-inch thick
• One 16-ounce jar of sweet cherry peppers, drained, ½ cup juice reserved
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red onion, cut into eighths
• 1 cup chicken broth

Get the recipe details: Pork Chops with Cherry Peppers

A sandwich made with oven-pulled pork.Photo bySouthern Food and Fun

Oven-Pulled Pork

Oven-pulled pork, made with a zesty BBQ rub and dark beer, is cooked at a low temperature in the oven for hours to reach tender perfection. This slow-cooking process allows the spices from the rub and the beer to meld and infuse the meat, creating the best oven-pulled pork you’ve ever had!

What you’ll need:

• One 6.5 lbs. pork butt roast
• 2 bottles of Abita Amber beer or other dark beer
• 3 tablespoons of barbecue rub

Get the recipe details: Oven Pulled Pork

Braised pork shoulder tacos.Photo bySouthern Food and Fun

Braised Pork Shoulder

This tender Braised Pork Shoulder is slow-roasted and marinated in dark beer and aromatic herbs, then combined with caramelized onions and a kick of chipotle. It’s a comfort dish that never disappoints and will have your folks clamoring for more!

What you’ll need:

5.5 lbs. Boston butt pork roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes

Marinade

• 1 bottle of dark beer
• ¼ cup lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 4 bay leaves

Pork

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped garlic
• 6 cups chopped onion
• 5 chipotle peppers, finely chopped
• 1 bottle of dark beer
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• 3 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Get the recipe details: Braised Pork Shoulder

Oven-baked ribs slathered with sauce.Photo bySouthern Food and Fun

Oven Baked Ribs

These oven-baked ribs are covered in a spicy rub, slathered in barbecue sauce, and roasted with our foolproof cooking method for the most tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs you’ve ever tasted! They are perfect any time of year and will make a great addition to your regular menu rotation.

What you’ll need:

• 2 lbs. baby back ribs or spare ribs
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• ½ cup barbecue rub

Get the recipe details: Oven Baked Ribs

Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup

Pork chops with cream of mushroom soup will become a family favorite the first time you make them! Millions of readers can’t be wrong, and this recipe has been in our top ten for more than a decade. Perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions, this recipe is a delicious twist on traditional pork dishes that everyone will love.

What you'll need:

• 4 bone-in pork chops, 1/2-1-inch thick
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
• ½ soup can of water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Get the recipe details: Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup

All of these pork recipes freeze well and offer many ingredient-swapping options. You’ll love how easy it is to get dinner on the table with these delicious pork-based meals.