Pork is an incredibly versatile meat available in more than 20 different cuts. Before shopping for pork, decide what you plan to cook with it and choose the best cut for your needs and budget.
Budget-friendly pork cuts like pork hock infuse tonnes of flavour into broths and soups but have little meat content. Pork mince or sausages are perfect for family midweek meals and if you’re entertaining, pork fillet or tenderloin is the perfect choice for a special meal.
Choosing the best cuts of pork and what to cook with them
Whatever you’re planning to cook, there’s a pork cut that should fit the bill. This guide explains the different cuts of pork available in New Zealand, from the cheapest to the most expensive and what you can cook with them.
| Pork Cut | Cost Per Kilo | Qualities | Best Cooking Methods |
| Pork Leg | $8 | Pork legs typically have the most meat due to their larger size. | Roasting, grilling, braising |
| Pork Hock |
$10 |
High in protein and saturated fat. Very tasty |
Slow cooking to infuse flavour in soups and stews |
| Pork Spare Ribs | $14 | Bone in, very meaty and juicy | Slow cooking, BBQ grilling |
| Pork Loin Chops | $15 | Bone in, tender with edge of fat perfect for crisping up | Grilling, air frying, pan frying |
| Pork Sausage | $15 | Seasoned, ground pork shoulder and leg combined with seasoning. Sold in packs of 5-6 | Grilling, frying, baking, BBQ, air fryer |
| Pork Shoulder |
$15 |
Best value pork cut. High meat content. Well-marbled, flavourful, versatile |
Slow roasting, braising, stewing, BBQ |
| Pork Mince | $17 | Ground meat, very versatile | Meatballs, burgers, stir fries, stuffing |
| Ham | $19 | Ham is a processed pork cut and pricier due to the curing and smoking process. | Slice for sandwiches and salads, dice for omelettes and soups |
| Pork Strips | $20 | Thin, quick to cook strips of pork very versatile. | Stir frying, grilling, sauteing |
| Diced Pork |
$21 |
Versatile, uniform pieces, quicker to cook |
Stir-frying, stewing, casseroles, curries, kebabs |
| Bacon | $22 | Vary from lean and meaty to juicy smoked bacon |
Grill or fry |
| Pork Belly |
$25 |
Pork belly is the fattiest and juiciest cut due to its high-fat content. Fat renders down during slow cooking keeping meat moist and succulent. |
Roasting, braising, BBQ, slow cooking |
| Pork Tenderloin |
$26 |
Pork tenderloin is the healthiest pork cut. It’s very lean with a high protein content, is tender and quick to cook |
Grilling, pan-searing, roasting |
| Pork Fillet |
$30 | Lean and tender pork fillet is the most expensive pork cut and melts in the mouth | Grilling, pan-searing, roasting |