Discover Iowa pork recipes and deals this October

There’s so much to love about fall in Iowa: the pink sunsets, the football games, the sweater weather and the October Pork Month deals.

Check out your local grocery ads this October, and you will find specials on high-quality pork, including Iowa chops, pork tenderloin, pork roasts and more.

With rising prices at the meat counter, these fall pork deals are worth taking advantage of. If you have freezer space, now is the time to stock up on pork and save money.

The many flavors of pork

Pork is a versatile, nutritious protein that fits into your family’s favorite meals.

In fact, pork boasts more than 110 unique flavors. Some are obvious, like salty, acidic, sweet and umami (a Japanese word for savory). But many pork flavors are surprising, such as apple, ginger, clove, coconut, mushroom and hazelnut.

This versatility is why pork is one of the most consumed proteins in the world, says Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof, a human nutrition expert and director of nutrition research at the National Pork Board, based in Clive.

“(Pork) is rooted in many traditional cultures,” Hicks-Roof says. “Look at Mexico or you go to the Caribbean, you go over to Korea and China, and pork is central and a staple in their diet. It’s found everywhere. I was just in Italy last year, and you couldn’t even go a day without eating pork.”

Pork recipe ideas

With so many easy-to-cook pork cuts to try, you can get creative at dinnertime and save money by cooking at home.

Try these family-pleasing Iowa pork recipes using cuts on sale during October Pork Month:

Ground pork. One of the best deals at the grocery store, try ground pork in spaghetti, tacos, casseroles and other kid-friendly meals.

• Ground pork protein bowls
• Easy ground pork enchiladas
• BBQ pork tater tot casserole

Pork tenderloin. A lean protein that’s packed with nutrition, it also fits into many heart-healthy eating plans, including the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet.

• Pork tenderloin spring roll bowls
• Pork tenderloin sheet pan dinner
• Herb roasted pork tenderloin

Pork loin roast. Perfect for slow cooker meals on busy (or lazy) fall days, and the leftovers are great for weekly meal prep as a healthy protein for salads and sandwiches.

• Pork nuggets
• Roasted pork loin
• Big game Italian pork sandwiches

Pork butt roast. Another family favorite, you can make so many creative meals with variations on pulled pork.

• Easy pulled pork
• Teriyaki pork sandwiches
• Pulled pork taquitos

Pork chops. When you can find them on sale, Iowa chops are easy to grill and always turn out tender and juicy.

• Grilled pork street tacos
• Loaded pork chops
• Air fryer pork chops

Iowa farmers raise high-quality pork

Iowa is the nation’s leader in pork production, and Iowa farmers have generations of experience in caring for pigs and raising high-quality pork. 

Because of today’s safe farming practices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has lowered the recommended cooking temperature for pork.

Now, the USDA recommends cooking whole pork cuts to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by 3-minute rest time. This ensures that pork is safe to eat while staying juicy and tender.

In addition, today’s pork has about 16% less fat and 27% less saturated fat compared to 30 years ago thanks to modern farming practices.

“Farmers love pork. They eat pork all the time. And they love what they do. They work really hard to create this incredible protein that offers nutrition for (people) around the world,” Hicks-Roof says.

To learn more about how Iowa farmers ensure meat quality, food safety and animal well-being, visit www.realfarmersrealfoodrealmeat.com.

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Learn more about author Teresa Bjork here.