This is a common question that many home cooks and chefs alike ponder when planning meals. The simple answer is yes, beef broth can be used when cooking pork. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind.
The flavor profile of pork
Pork has a relatively mild yet slightly sweet flavor. The meat takes well to a wide variety of seasonings and can work in many different cultural cuisines. Some of the most common flavor pairings for pork include:
- Fruit – such as apples, apricots, figs
- Savory spices – such as garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme
- Sweet spices – such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
- Tangy flavors – such as mustard, vinegar, lemon
- Rich and umami flavors – such as soy sauce, miso, mushrooms
As you can see, pork is very versatile. The sweet and mild meat takes to many contrasting flavors. When choosing a broth, you’ll want to keep the pork’s flavor profile in mind.
The flavor of beef broth
Beef broth is made by simmering beef bones, meat, and vegetables in water. This extracts the rich, meaty flavor and collagen from the beef, resulting in a savory and subtly sweet liquid. Some key flavor notes in beef broth include:
- Hearty, meaty, rich
- Slightly sweet
- Savory umami
- Peppery and mineral hints from the bones
A well-made beef broth provides a wonderful depth of flavor. It can add rich, savory nuance to dishes. The sweetness and savoriness pair nicely with the mild sweetness of pork.
Complementary flavors
When assessing how beef broth pairs with pork, consider how their flavors complement each other:
- The rich, hearty beef broth balances out the milder pork.
- The sweetness in both meats unite nicely.
- The savory umami flavors reinforce each other.
- The spices and aromatics traditionally used with pork also go well with beef.
The flavors have an innate synergy. Beef broth has components that make sense with pork’s taste profile. The broth fills out and adds dimension to the relatively blank canvas of pork.
Dishes that combine pork and beef broth
Beef broth shines when used as a cooking liquid for pork. Here are some classic dishes that traditionally rely on the pork and beef broth combination:
Pork and beef noodle soups
Noodle soups made with a beef and pork broth are common across many Asian cuisines. The broth provides a full, well-rounded base. It’s then combined with noodles, pork slices or meatballs, and vegetables. Some examples include:
- Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup)
- Laksa (Malaysian/Singaporean spice noodle soup)
- Khao soi (Northern Thai curry noodle soup)
- Ramen (Japanese noodle soup)
Braised pork dishes
Braising is ideal for tough pork cuts like shoulder or belly. Slow cooking the pork in broth produces succulent, fall-apart meat. Beef broth adds tremendous flavor. Classic braised pork recipes include:
- Carnitas (Mexican shredded pork)
- Ropa vieja (Cuban shredded beef and pork stew)
- Hong shao rou (Chinese red-braised pork belly)
- Osso buco (Italian braised pork shanks)
Simmered beans with pork
Beans and pork are a tried-and-true combination across many food cultures. Simmering them together in beef broth provides a richly-flavored base. Some examples are:
- Senate bean soup (U.S. Southern-style beans and ham hocks)
- Cassoulet (French beans baked with pork sausage, duck, and pork shoulder)
- Pork and beans (U.S. beans cooked with bacon and pork)
Potential concerns with using beef broth
While beef broth and pork are largely complementary, there are a couple factors to keep in mind:
Overpowering flavors
An extremely robust, concentrated beef broth could potentially overshadow the pork’s flavor. You may lose the nuances of a premium pork chop or tenderloin. Use a well-rounded broth and season the pork itself to ensure it still shines.
Restricted diets
Those avoiding red meat or beef products for health, religious or ethical reasons obviously wouldn’t want beef broth with pork.
Veggie or mushroom broth make suitable substitutes here. Chicken broth can work too, though the flavor profile differs more significantly from beef.
Tips for cooking with beef broth and pork
Here are some tips to keep in mind when combining pork with beef broth:
- Sauté aromatics like onions, garlic, and ginger first to add a flavor base.
- Add broth and pork to the aromatics and simmer gently until the meat is cooked through.
- Season the broth well with herbs, spices, soy sauce, etc. This builds flavor.
- For richer flavor, let the broth reduce slightly towards the end of cooking.
- Mix in vegetables towards the end to cook briefly and soak up broth flavor.
- Thicken and enrich broth further with a slurry of cornstarch and water if desired.
- Garnish finished dishes with fresh herbs, chili oil, lime wedges etc. This heightens flavor.
Recipe example: Pork ramen with beef broth
Here is a recipe for homemade ramen that brings together pork and beef broth beautifully:
Ingredients:
- Broth:
- 2 lbs beef bones
- 1 lb pork neck bones or knuckles
- 1 onion, halved
- 8 cups water
- 1 inch ginger, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- Pork:
- 12 oz pork belly or shoulder
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Noodles and toppings:
- 8-12 oz fresh or dried ramen noodles
- 4 eggs, soft boiled
- Sliced scallions
- Nori strips
Instructions:
- Simmer beef bones, pork bones, onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and peppercorns in water for at least 6 hours. Strain and reserve broth.
- Slice pork belly thinly. Marinate in soy sauce, honey, and garlic for 30 minutes.
- Cook pork slices in broth pot for 5-10 minutes until cooked through.
- Cook noodles according to package directions.
- Divide noodles, pork slices, soft egg halves, scallions, and nori between bowls. Ladle hot broth over top.
The savory, rich pork and beef broth is the foundation. It permeates the pork slices and noodles, creating an umami-packed noodle soup.
Conclusion
Beef broth pairs remarkably well with pork. The broth’s hearty savoriness provides perfect contrast to pork’s mild sweetness. Using beef broth as a cooking liquid draws out pork’s flavor and juices for tender meat in soups, braises, stews and more. With a few minor considerations around intensity and dietary restrictions, beef broth can be a delicious match for various pork dishes.