How long to cook pork to retain nutrients

It would seem that what could be easier than boiling meat, right? But it turns out that there are many secrets that allow you to get a richer broth for first courses or the most juicy meat for a salad. And there are a lot of other nuances and questions about how to cook pork: what water to put in, when to salt, how long to cook in a saucepan and pressure cooker. Let’s find out!

How to choose meat for cooking

The first step is to get the right cut. The best for cooking is the front, back, fillet with layers of fat, but without films and veins. If your carcass is too fatty or too lean, it’s best to cook something else. Ideal cooked meat should be tender and soft.

The nutritional value of cooked pork will also vary significantly. 100 grams of lean meat contains about 10.6 grams of fat and approximately 185 calories, and 100 grams of fatty meat contains 30 grams of fat and 365 kcal. So it’s worth taking this point into account.

How to prepare pork

The selected piece of meat must be thoroughly washed in cold running water. If necessary, you can cut off excess fat, films and hard veins. In some cases, it is more advisable to cook in pieces, then the meat should be immediately cut into medium slices (do not cut it too small!). But most often the pork is cooked in a whole piece, and then cut into pieces, this way the meat retains more juiciness.

The main points in cooking pork

Once the meat has been selected and prepared, the correct cooking method must be determined. If it is important for you to preserve maximum vitamins in the meat, that is, the ultimate goal is to get tasty meat, put the pork in hot water. This will help quickly seal the whites inside (similar to frying in a well-heated frying pan). You can cook over medium heat, removing the foam that forms on the surface.

If you plan to cook meat for soup (broth), then it is important for you to infuse the water with flavors and aromas. In this case, place the pork in cold water and slowly bring to a boil. After boiling, simmer the meat over low heat until soft, then in the process it will release maximum vitamins and flavor into the broth.

If we cook pork with vegetables, in order to add additional shades of aroma and taste, it is better to give preference to dense vegetables – onions, carrots, celery, roots. By the way, vegetables can be added not only for cooking the broth, but also for a richer taste of the meat itself.

When we cook pork with seasonings, it is best to add them to the pan immediately. A classic set for meat – bay leaf and allspice perfectly highlight the taste of pork, but do not overwhelm it. You can always use more intense spices for variety: nutmeg, coriander, basil, cardamom.

When to salt

The debate about when to salt meat continues. There is an opinion that salt makes pork tough, so you should add it 5-10 minutes before the end of cooking. In fact, what is relevant for a fried steak, for example, is not suitable for a large piece of boiled meat. If you add salt at the very end, the meat simply will not have time to completely salt. Most likely, you will get over-salted pork on top, but bland inside.

For delicious boiled meat, add salt to the pan immediately after the water boils. But the broth can be salted immediately by placing meat, salt, and spices in a cold bowl at the same time.

How long to cook?

Another very important nuance that is worth paying attention to. It will take a minimum amount of time, about 30-35 minutes, to cook the meat cut into pieces.

If you have a whole piece, cooking boneless pork takes about 1 hour per 1 kg. meat (if the piece is larger, add another half an hour for each kilogram).

Since it takes longer to cook pork on the bone, it will take at least 2 hours.

Separately, I would like to dwell on the question of how long to cook pork jellied meat. To get the richest taste and thickest consistency of the jelly, you need to cook the jellied meat over the lowest heat for 5 to 7 hours, depending on what parts of the pork you use.

How to determine readiness

When the cooking time comes to an end, do not rush to remove the meat from the heat. To begin, use a fork or knife to carefully pierce a piece in the center. The puncture should be effortless, smooth, and the juice that will be released should be transparent. If the meat is soft and without blood, it is ready.

Cooking delicious pork

Now let’s look at the most popular methods and options for cooking meat on the stove and using kitchen appliances.

How to cook pork in a saucepan

The most common option is to cook the meat on the stove. To do this, you will need a selected piece of pork, a suitable sized pan, salt and spices to taste. Depending on what dish you plan to prepare, the process will be slightly different.

How to cook pork for borscht

To prepare tasty and rich borscht, choose meat on the bone. The shank is perfect for an appetizing broth.

Wash the pork, place in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Add salt, spices and put on fire. After boiling, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 1.5-2 hours until soft, removing the foam. Then strain the broth, add the remaining ingredients, disassemble the shank and place the meat in the pan.

How to cook pork for soup

The basis for the soup can be a rich broth with meat on the bones or a lighter one, exclusively based on pulp. Since pork pulp takes less time to cook, it is perhaps used more often. In addition, to cook the soup, you can cut the meat into pieces, then it will cook even faster.

Let’s take a separate look at how to cook ribs for soup. Wash them, put them in a saucepan, add salt and spices, and fill with clean water. After boiling, cook the ribs for about 1.5 hours on low heat. Afterwards, strain the broth, cut the ribs into portions (along the bone) and return to the pan.

How to cook pork for salad

When the flavor of the broth is not a priority, the cooking process will be a little different. Wash the meat, place in a saucepan and fill with hot water. Place on the fire and bring to a boil. Then remove the foam, add salt and cook the meat over medium heat until soft. Cool a little and chop.

How to cook pork in a bag

Another interesting cooking option that will allow you to make the most tender and juicy meat for sandwiches, for example. For this recipe, the pork must first be washed, dried and marinated with salt and your favorite spices. After placing in a baking bag or vacuum sealer, remove excess air (do not use regular plastic bags unless they are designed for high temperatures). Place the meat in the bag in a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Simmer for about an hour, then carefully turn over and continue to cook for another hour or so.

How to cook pork in a slow cooker

Using kitchen appliances will make the process even easier. Simply wash the meat, place it in a bowl, add salt and spices to taste and add water. And then just set the “Stew” or “Soup” mode and the required time. Depending on the power of the equipment and the selected piece, it will take approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

How to cook pork in a pressure cooker

In a pressure cooker the meat will cook even faster. In the “Meat on the bone” mode, the time will be halved compared to the stove. In the “Soup” mode it will be reduced by about 30 minutes. The process for preparing pork will be the same as for a slow cooker.

How to cook pork in a double boiler

You can also steam tender meat. In this option, the meat must not only be washed, but also dried, and then rubbed on all sides with spices and salt. If desired, you can place it in a bowl of cold water, add salt and spices and leave for an hour or two.

To shorten the cooking process, you can cut the pork into medium slices and lightly pound it. In addition to salt and spices, you can add marinade to the slices of meat to taste.

Place the meat on a tray and pour water down. Turn on the steamer and cook the meat for 1 hour. Then check readiness and continue the process if necessary.

Do you have any secrets for cooking juicy meat? Share in the comments!