Pork chops are among the most versatile meats you can prepare in the kitchen. The chop can be very lean or have more fat, depending on what part of the animal it comes from. But all pork has a neutral and mild flavor, so you can cook it and dress it up in a lot of different ways and it will still taste great. Pork isn’t talked about as much as beef, chicken, or fish when it comes to matching it with the right alcoholic drink. The truth is, pork pairs well not only with wine, but also with beer and cocktails.
The best drink to go with pork chops will depend on the sauces, glazes, and marinades you use to prepare them. However, a dry rosé wine, a hefeweizen-style beer, or a cocktail with sweet carbonation, like a mojito, are generally good choices. These drinks should go well with pork’s mild flavor, not overpower it, and they should also be a nice contrast to the meat’s rich fat.
Pairing the Perfect Drinks with Pork Dishes – A Guide to Complementary Alcohol Matches
As a lover of fine food and drink I’m always seeking the ideal pairings that bring out the best in both. Pork is a particularly versatile meat that can be transformed in countless ways – from quick pan-fried chops to long simmered roasts. But with so many preparations what beverages make the best partners?
In this article, I’ll recommend winning alcohol combinations for the wide range of pork plates You’ll discover
- Key factors that impact ideal pairings
- Light, crisp drinks to complement delicate pork
- Bold, intense drinks that match hearty pork
- Versatile beverage picks that pair well with most pork
- Specific drinks to try with popular pork dishes
Read on for a handy guide to picking complementary beverages that will elevate your pork entrees to sensational new heights!
Prime Pairing Considerations for Pork
There are a few key aspects that will steer you toward ideal alcoholic pairings with pork:
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Cut – The leaner and more delicate the cut, the lighter the drink should be. Heartier cuts can handle more robust drinks.
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Preparation – Grilled pork calls for a different match than braised or roasted. Complement the cooking method.
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Seasonings – Choose drinks that either contrast or enhance the herbs, spices, sauces and marinades.
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Richness – Fattier dishes may need brighter, more acidic drinks to cut through the richness.
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Flavor Intensity – Delicate dishes require equally subtle drinks. Robust plates need bolder pairings.
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Sweetness – Slightly sweet drinks pair well with pork’s mild sweetness.
With these factors in mind, let’s explore winning combinations!
Bright, Crisp Drinks for Leaner Pork
Lighter, swifter cooking pork cuts result in a more delicate flavor and texture. They call for equally featherweight pairings.
Chops – Bone-in or boneless chops need brightness to cut through the mild fat. Try dry sparkling wines, gin cocktails, pilsners or sauvignon blanc.
Tenderloin – Very lean and elegant, tenderloins call for equally refined pairings like French champagne, vodka martinis, or Pinot Noir.
Cutlets – Quick cooking cutlets need a crisp, acidic drink. Opt for margaritas, lemon drop martinis, or dry hard apple cider.
Medallions – Mild medallions pair well with bright elderflower liquors, melon liqueurs, and grapefruit radlers.
Rich, Intense Alcohol Matches for Hearty Pork
Slow cooked and well-marbled pork can stand up to much bolder, fuller bodied alcoholic duos.
Roasts – Big flavors demand equally big drinks, like aged rum, dubbels, Rioja, or Manhattans.
Ribs – Sweet and sticky ribs pair great with Belgian ales, Zinfandel, and Moscow Mules.
Stew – For pork stew, try Irish stout, bold Cabernet, or bourbon with a splash of apple cider.
Braise – All day braised pork calls for drinks like tawny port, Belgian tripels, or smoky Scotch.
Versatile Beverages for Most Pork Dishes
A few alcoholic options pair well with nearly any preparation of pork:
Sparkling Wines – Bubbles and acidity work with everything from delicate to heavy pork dishes.
Sauvignon Blanc – Bright citrus flavors and crispy acidity complement most pork plates.
Riesling – Dry Rieslings match lighter pork, off-dry styles pair with sticky glazed pork.
Rosé – Dry rosés have nice acidity and berry flavors to pair with any cut.
Pilsner – Clean, crisp Pilsners complement everything from chops to roasts.
Putting Pairings into Practice
Here are some specific dishes with recommended drink duos to try:
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Herb crusted pork tenderloin – French champagne
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Pulled pork sandwich – Kentucky bourbon
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Hoisin glazed ribs – Riesling
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Carnitas tacos – Lime margarita
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Char siu pork – Ginger beer Moscow Mule
-Porchetta – Tuscan red blend
- Pork paprikash – Hungarian Tokaji
So go forth and experiment with pork and alcohol pairings! When drinks and dishes are carefully matched, it brings the flavors of both to new sensational heights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drinks to Pair With Pork
Still hungry for more tips on picking beverages for pork? Here are answers to common questions:
What is the best alcohol to drink with pork?
In general, lighter bodied dry whites and fruity reds pair well with most pork. Sparkling wines, dry rosés, and crisp pilsners are also versatile pairings.
Should I pair pork with red or white wine?
Both whites and reds can complement pork beautifully. Dry, bright whites pair with delicate dishes while fruity, medium-bodied reds match heartier preparations.
What cocktails go well with pork?
Citrus forward cocktails like margaritas and gimlets work with leaner cuts. Bold brown spirits like bourbon and rum match richer roasts and braises.
Does beer pair well with pork?
Yes, many styles of beer make fantastic pairings! Lagers, pale ales, and wheat beers work with lighter pork. Heartier Belgian ales, stouts, and porters match robust pork.
Should I avoid high tannin reds with pork?
Very tannic reds can clash with pork, so choose mellower, fruit-forward styles. But roasted and smoked pork can handle more tannic wines.
I’m now fully prepared to match beverages with any pork creation to take the flavors to the next level! Pairing wine, beer and cocktails with pork unlocks a whole new world of complementary tastes.
The best wines and beers for pork chops
Dry rosé wines, as opposed to sweet ones, are some of the most food-friendly wines on the market. When compared to red wines, they tend to have a wider range of flavors without the tannins. They have the lighter body of a white wine. A dry rosé will let the flavor of the meat shine while adding some fruity, refreshing notes. This is true for both Asian-marinated pork chops and grilled chops served with rhubarb compote. If you cook or serve your pork chops with a lot of herbs, like in a chimichurri sauce, it’s easy to go into red wine territory. A light and fruity choice, like a Beaujolais or pinot noir, would be ideal.
When it comes to beer, a fatty pork chop can be delicious with a cold hefeweizen. Most of the time, this type of beer tastes fruity instead of hoppy or bitter, and it has a lot of carbonation. The fruitiness and bubbles will cut right through the tasty pork fat, making for a full, satisfying meal and drink experience. A sour-style beer can be a somewhat adventurous pork pairing, but one that often works well. Put it on a chop that has a lot of fat in it. It will make you want something sharp. A fruity glaze or sauce, like apricot or pineapple, would also be delicious with this pairing.
Which Wine Goes Best with Roast Pork? Food and Wine Matching with Emma and Anna
FAQ
What alcohol is good for pork?
What alcohol goes with roast pork?
Is pork best with red or white wine?
What wine goes with pork?
Because pork is a relatively fatty meat, you want to pair it with a medium-bodied wine with high acidity. And if you choose a red wine, the fat will help combat the tannins. Of course, as you may know from my ebook, pork wine pairing is all about making the right connections.
Can one eat pork?
A cooked, medium pork cutlet or steak provides 239 calories, 34 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 4 grams saturated fat, 697 milligrams sodium, and 0 grams carbohydrate, if you eat only the lean part of the steak. Pork contains many of the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) found in beef and it is high in protein, but can be lower in fat than beef—depending on cut and preparation. Meat from any kind of mammal, including pork, can cause an allergic reaction (and some people who are allergic to mammalian meat also react to poultry).
Can you drink wine with pork?
But, there are no hard and fast rules for pairing wine with pork. Nutritional studies class pork as a red meat, despite its relatively light appearance and a renowned advertising campaign by the US National Pork Board entitled ‘the other white meat’.
What wine goes well with pork ribs?
Wine Pairing: When grilling pork, consider wines with a bold presence. Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its dark fruit flavors and hints of smoke, is like the grillmaster of wines. It can stand up to the smokiness of the grill and the flavors of your pork. So, fire up the grill and uncork that Cabernet for a memorable pairing.