Decoding Pork Cuts in Australia

Choosing the right pork cut can be confusing, even for experienced home cooks. With so many names and variations, it can be hard to know which cut suits your recipe. Understanding how each one cooks and the flavour and texture it brings can completely transform your meal.

Our chefs have created a simple guide to Australia’s most popular pork cuts, featuring premium Linley Valley products and delicious recipe inspiration to help you make the most of every dish.

Pork Belly

Pork belly has rich layers of meat and fat that, with patience, yield tender flesh and crisp crackling. 

Pork Belly Roast

Roast pork belly is a crispy, tender favourite enjoyed in cuisines from Chinese banquets to Italian feasts and Aussie Sunday roasts.

• Perfect pairing for this cut: Crackled Fennel and Chilli Roasted Pork Belly.
• Ingredients: Pork belly, olive oil, sea salt flakes, fennel seeds, garlic, dried chilli, red onions, thyme.
• Cooking method: Score and salt for crackling. Rub spices into the flesh. Roast hot to blister, then slow-roast until tender. Rest, slice, and serve with roasted apples.

Discover the full recipe.

Rolled Pork Belly

Rolled pork belly delivers even cooking, neat slices, and reliable crackling, making it perfect for roasts and festive entertaining.

• Try this showstopping recipe: Easy, Crispy Pork Belly.
• Ingredients: Pork belly, olive oil, sea salt flakes.
• Cooking method: Dry the rind overnight and score, oil, and salt. Start hot for crackling, then reduce the heat to finish gently. Rest before slicing.

Discover the full recipe.

Pork Shoulder

Pork shoulder is richly marbled and deeply flavoured, perfect for slow cooking until tender. 

Rolled Pork Shoulder

Rolled pork shoulder offers a uniform, easy-to-slice roast that absorbs bold seasonings beautifully. It’s excellent for slow-roasted dishes, shredded pork, or rich ragùs.

• Must try recipe: Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Roasted Capsicum.
• Ingredients: Rolled pork shoulder, mixed vegetables, garlic, roasted capsicum, beef stock.
• Cooking method: Brown chunks, add vegetables and stock, then simmer until spoon-tender. Skim and serve.

Discover the full recipe.

Scotch Fillet Steaks

Pork scotch fillet, cut from the shoulder, is marbled, juicy on the grill, and perfect for barbecues or weeknight dinners.

• Your next table centrepiece: Kansas BBQ Scotch Fillet with Chickpea Salad.
• Ingredients: Pork scotch fillets, chickpeas, tomatoes, parsley, snap peas, cooked rice, olive oil.
• Cooking method: Toss a bright salad. Grill the steaks until caramelised. Rest, slice, and plate with herbed rice and crisp greens.

Discover the full recipe.

Whole Scotch

Whole pork scotch is a shoulder cut made for low-and-slow cooking, pulling easily into juicy strands for smoking, roasting, or pulled pork feasts.

• A creative recipe idea: Beer Pulled Pork.
• Ingredients: Pork scotch, American mustard, barbecue rub, Emu Export beer.
• Cooking method: Smoke to build bark. Wrap with beer and return to the heat. Rest, then pull into tender pieces.

Discover the full recipe.

Pork Loin

Pork loin is tender and versatile, with a mild flavour that pairs well with herbs and citrus. Loin steak medallions are lean, quick to cook, and perfect for elegant plates from pan sears to light grills.

Fillet

Pork fillet, the most tender cut, has a mild flavour that pairs with herbs and citrus, perfect for quick roasts, pan-roasts, or elegant mains.

• Try this mouthwatering masterpiece: Parmesan Garlic Parsley Crusted Pork Fillet.
• Ingredients: Pork fillet, sourdough crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon, cherry tomatoes.
• Cooking method: Coat with mustard and herbed crumb. Roast until just cooked. Rest and serve with blistered tomatoes.

Discover the full recipe.

Loin Chop

Loin chops balance flavour and leanness, grill perfectly, take marinades well, and suit barbecues, tray bakes, or fresh salads.

• From our recipe collection: Pineapple Turmeric Pork Chops.
• Ingredients: Loin chops, pineapple slices, pineapple juice, honey, cider vinegar, Dijon, turmeric, chilli, sesame oil, lime.
• Cooking method: Reduce a sweet-tangy glaze and grill the chops and pineapple. Toss with noodles, herbs, and the glaze.

Discover the full recipe.

American Style Pork Ribs

Loin ribs hold tender meat, love spice rubs and slow heat, and shine in roasting, smoking, or sticky glazes.

• Recommended recipe: Cajun Ribs with Parmesan Ranch.
• Ingredients: Pork back ribs, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, chilli, salt and pepper.
• Cooking method: Rub, cover, and slow-roast until tender. Slice and dip into a creamy Parmesan ranch.

Discover the full recipe: Cajun Ribs with Parmesan Ranch Dipping Sauce.

Other Loin Cuts

The pork loin rack roasts evenly with bones on for a striking centrepiece, while cutlets and boneless roasts cook quickly, stay juicy, and deliver crisp crackling.

• Chef’s Pick: Roasted Pork Loin with Crackling and Creamy Potato Bake
• Ingredients: Pork loin roast, oil, sea salt, potatoes, onion, cream, stock, and cheese.
• Cooking method: Score and scald the rind, then salt and roast it hot for crackling. Lower the heat to finish. Bake creamy potatoes alongside.

Discover the full recipe.

Pork Leg

Leg Steak and Rolled Roast

Leg steaks cook quickly, soak up marinades, and shine on the grill, while rolled leg roasts carve neatly and pair with sweet glazes for festive meals.

• Recipe spotlight: Maple and Mustard Roast Pork Leg with Slaw.
• Ingredients: Pork leg, parsnips, olive oil, wholegrain mustard, maple syrup, cabbage, parsley, parmesan, lemon.
• Cooking method: Dry the skin, score, season, and roast for crackling. Glaze with maple. Serve with a crunchy slaw.

Discover the full recipe.

Underrated Pork Meat Cuts Full of Flavour

Lesser-known pork meat cuts deliver rich flavour and surprising versatility. Marinate and sear rump steak for bold stir-fries, while slow cooking turns knuckle and hock into tender, collagen-rich feasts.

Adventurous cooks unlock even more flavour with these gems. Stir fry strips and diced pork create quick, vibrant meals, while trotters and head enrich stocks, braises, and snacks with gelatin, silky cheeks, and crisp ears.

Learn more: When is Pork Done? A Complete Guide to Cooking Pork.

Cuts of Pork That Count

Experimenting with new pork cuts is a fantastic way to learn new recipes and techniques, and fire up your imagination for new flavour combinations. 

Explore our products page, premium packs, and specialty cuts like Boned and Rolled Shoulder or Netted Leg Roast to find even more inspiration. 

Trying a new cut this week? Share your creation on Instagram or Facebook and tag Linley Valley Pork so we can celebrate your masterpiece.