Have you ever wondered what spices to use with pork? Find out the best seasoning for pork, and get a printable cheat sheet to keep in your kitchen!
What Herbs & Spices Go With Pork?
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We eat a lot of pork. It’s often less expensive than beef, but it’s different from chicken. Cooking pork the same way all the time can get pretty boring. You’ll want to check out this list of spices and seasonings that go well with pork and experiment in your own kitchen!
Be sure to check out these posts for free printable lists of seasonings that pair well with other meats.
How Do I Season Pork?
You can season pork with a brine or a marinade. If you’re ready to cook now, you can sprinkle your favorite flavors on the uncooked pork and give it a little rub so the seasonings really stick to the meat. If you’ve already cooked your pork, just sprinkle a small amount of your seasonings over the cooked pork before you serve it. (Dried herbs can have a pretty powerful flavor when they are sprinkled on cooked food, so just use a little bit if you’re going this way!)
I typically either use McCormick’s spices or Penzey’s Spices. I like McCormick’s because they are easy to find in my grocery store, are decently priced, and the flavors are consistent. If I’m making something special, or feeling like treating myself, I’ll go with Penzey’s Spices. I do need to plan ahead for Penzey’s since there isn’t local store and I need to order online. They do tend to be more expensive, but I enjoy using them for special occasions.
Allspice
Allspice has a traditional “holiday” type of flavor. It tastes a bit like a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This would be good on pork chops or a pork roast.
Basil
We love basil here. I like to use a lot of it in the summer with fresh basil from my herb garden. I keep a stash of dried basil for the winter, too! Use basil by itself or with any of the spices that are in Italian seasoning for even more flavor.
Cloves
Use ground cloves with a little bit of allspice to kick up the flavor a bit more.
Garlic
Garlic goes with everything! Use garlic powder, minced garlic, or roasted garlic to give pork dishes more flavor. Garlic works well with Italian seasoning; or with any combination of basil, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
Ginger
Raw, fresh ginger can have a very “sharp” taste. The flavor will mellow with more cooking. Ground ginger is not as pungent as fresh ginger. Use it in a stir-fry (cook fresh ginger for a minute before adding the pork), or on an oven-roasted or slow cooker pork roast.
Marjoram
Marjoram has a similar flavor to oregano, but it is not as strong. Marjoram pairs well with rosemary.
Mustard
If you like mustard, pork is the place to use it! Try a mustard glaze on grilled pork chops, a roasted pork loin, or oven-baked ribs; or simply top a grilled pork chop with some whole-grain mustard.
Oregano
Oregano is one of the classic Italian seasonings. Add it to basil, or use it with Italian seasoning for more flavor.
Paprika
Paprika will give pork recipes a subtle, smoky flavor. Use a bit of paprika in pork recipes with Italian seasoning, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, sage, or thyme for a little extra flavor.
Parsley
Parsley is great for a fresh flavor. Parsley works well with Italian seasoning, marjoram, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
Rosemary
Rosemary can have an overpowering flavor, so use it sparingly. It tends to have a hint of citrus flavor, so try it with marjoram.
Sage
Sage is a good flavor to use with pork, but a little goes a long way. Pair sage with garlic, paprika, parsley, or thyme.
Thyme
Thyme has a similar flavor to marjoram, but without the lemony undertone. Try thyme with garlic, parsley, or sage.
Ranch
You can never go wrong with Ranch flavors! Whether you’re topping a grilled pork chop with ranch dressing or using dry ranch mix as a seasoning rub, ranch always goes great with pork.
Chinese Five-Spice
In Asian-inspired dishes, Chinese Five-Spice will give you all the flavor you need. It is typically a combination of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and peppercorns. Try it with a little ginger for a great flavor combination.
Italian Seasoning
Pre-packaged Italian Seasoning mixes usually include a combination of basil, oregano, and thyme. Many of the pre-made spice mixes also contain salt. You can easily make your own “Italian seasoning” by combining these three herbs.
Lemon Pepper
I love using Lemon Pepper seasoning on pork. (This one from Lawry’s is my favorite.) It gives it a light, fresh flavor, without too much effort. Sprinkle it on before grilling, or top cooked pork with a dash of Lemon Pepper.
Free Printable for What is the Best Seasoning for Pork?
Do you want a printable version of this cheat sheet for your kitchen? This way, you’ll always know what is the best seasoning to use with pork! Click here to get the printable. (Here’s a printable cheat sheet for seasonings for chicken.)
What is your favorite flavor combination to use on pork?
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One spice you are missing from your list is ground cardamon. It is the only seasoning I use when cooking pork. Give it a try, you’ll be amazed.
Cardamom is a good one! You’re right, that should have made the list, too.
I haven’t cooked in a while and my husband really would like to have some pork, but I don’t know how to really season it. I didn’t know that if you gave it a dry rub that the seasonings would stick better to the meat. That would be really nice if the seasonings I picked stayed on while it was cooking. I will have to give it a try! Thanks for the tips!
My pleasure!