There are many dishes that can call for a combination of Pork and Beef meats to be cooked together, and you could be left wondering if it is possible to cook the meats together in the same pan.
So can Pork and Beef be cooked together in the same pan? Yes, the flavors of pork and beef compliment each other and can be cooked together without issue. Many recipes such as Meatloaf, Spaghetti, Meatballs etc call for a combination of both pork and beef, and it makes sense to combine the meats and cook them together in the same pan.
Whether you are cooking ground meats, steaks or roasts, the same principle applies, however there are a couple of things you may want to consider when cooking these meats together.
We will now look at the different cuts of beef and pork, and how you can cook them in the same pan, even though they may require slightly different timings and methods.
Cooking Pork and Beef Roasts In The Same Pan
If you are planning on cooking a pork and beef roast in the same pan, there are several things you will want to consider before putting the roasts into the oven.
Size of Roasts
Are both the pork and beef roasts the same size. If one is larger than the other, it may require longer cooking and so you will need to arrange your timings so that they are both cooked fully without one roast being more under or over cooked than the other.
Desired Doneness of Meat
It may surprise you to know, pork can now be cooked and safely eaten at medium rare, just the same as beef. As long as the internal temperature of the pork in the thickest part has reached a minimum temperature of 145oF/63oC, it is perfectly safe to eat when it is still pink in the middle.
However, if you prefer your pork to be a little more well done, but your beef to still be on the pink side, then you will need to arrange to either put the beef into the oven a little later than the pork, or take the beef out of the oven a little earlier than the pork.
Again, your timings will be dependent on the how differently the roasts differ in size to each other.
Types of Roasts
The cuts of meat that you are cooking together will also play a part in how successful cooking them together will work. For instance a Pork Shoulder will take much longer and slower cooking than a prime Rib of Beef. Equally a Boneless Pork Loin roast will require a different cooking method than a beef chuck roast.
When deciding to cook pork and beef roasts together, it is advisable to check that the roasts are compatible in cooking times, methods and temperatures, to avoid ruining the meat through incorrect cooking methods.
Cooking Pork and Beef Steaks in the Same Pan
It is totally acceptable to cook pork and beef steaks in the same pan with perfect results.
Much the same as with roasts, the level of success will be dependent on similar issues faced with cooking the roasts.
Types of Steak
Ensure you are using the similar cuts of meat that require the same method of cooking. A pork shoulder steak that requires slower cooking in liquid, will not be an enjoyable meal if is quickly seared in a cast iron skillet with a New York Strip beef steak.
However a pork loin steak would provide a delicious eating experience, if cooked in the same cast iron pan as a beef New York Strip Steak. This is because both steaks are taken from the same part of the animal (the loin) and are very similar in tenderness of meat, and cooking method required.
Typically, if the cut of meat comes from the front of the animal (fore quarter / shoulder), then it will require longer, slower cooking.
If the cut of meat comes from the Loin or Hind quarter of the animal, then the meat is more tender and can be cooked like steak to your preferred doneness.
Therefore, it would not be advisable to try and cook a cut of meat from the fore quarter, in the same pan as a cut of meat from the hind quarter of the animal. This is the same whether the two cuts of meat are from the same animal ie: beef with beef, or different animals ie: beef with pork.
Cooking Control With Pork and Beef Steaks in the Same Pan
An advantage of cooking pork and beef steaks together in the same pan is that you have much more control over the cooking process than if you are cooking roasts.
Cooking steaks takes a matter of minutes, and with an instant read thermometer, you have the control to remove the steak from the heat as soon as it reaches the desired doneness you are looking for.
Even if you slightly misjudge the timings, you know that whichever steak isn’t quite done, it will be within another minute or two.
Incidentally, if you do not own an instant read thermometer in your kitchen, you are doing yourself a great disservice as it will allow you to have perfect result every time when cooking any type of meat or fish. They are available in most food stores, or online from places like Amazon, and can be found for under $20.
A food probe will remove all the guesswork from your cooking and you will never have to eat under or over cooked meat again. This probe is the Amazon best seller.
Cooking Ground Pork and Ground Beef in the Same Pan
As mentioned earlier, there are many recipes that call for a combination of ground pork and beef to be cooked together in the same recipe.
These meats are exactly the same in regards to how they are cooked, and so it just makes sense for the meats to be cooked together in the same pan and at the same time.
Some people still insist on cooking the two meats separately and then combining after cooking, however by cooking together, you are getting the flavors from each meat infusing together to provide a more flavorful dish.
Thrifty Budget Tip!
Ground Pork is usually much cheaper than beef.
You can combine ground pork with ground beef up to 50/50 mix,
to make a cheaper dish wherever ground beef is the only ingredient.
It will also enhance the flavor of the dish.
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Types of Dishes Where Ground Beef and Pork Combine Well!
If you usually use only ground beef in your dishes, you may be surprised to find that a combination of pork and beef will provide a much better flavor.
Here are just some of the dishes where the mix of meats works well. You are free to experiment with just how much of a mix you wish to use, from 100% beef to 100% pork and every variable ratio in between.
I personally feel a 50% Ground Beef and 50% Ground Pork ratio is best!
- Spaghetti
- Meatloaf
- Meatballs
- Burgers
- Lasagne
- Chilli Con Carne
- Burritos
- Tacos
Pork and Beef Casserole Meat Cooked Together
Again, there is no reason why these meats cannot be cooked together in the same dish.
As with the ground meats, pork is often cheaper than beef, and can be a good way of bulking out a casserole if you are feeding a large group.
As with all the other meats, providing the cuts of meat being used are from the same part of the animal, then they should cook equally well together, and provide delicious results.
The sweetness of pork can be complimentary to the savory flavor of beef, and really enrich your dish.
Where I would use caution in mixing the meats, would be dependent on the other ingredients of the dish being prepared.
For instance, if you are cooking a dish that is specifically for pork, and includes ingredients such as apples and cider, then adding beef may be a little strange.
However, if you are cooking a more traditional casserole of meat and vegetables in a gravy base, then the combination of the two meats would work really well.
So Cooking Pork and Beef Together in the Same Pan Really Does Work?
Absolutely!
Hopefully you have learned from this article that both pork and beef can compliment each others flavors and can be advantageous to being cooked together in the same pan.
Alhtough it may not always work out how you planned, be brave and give these meat combinations a try the next time you are making a dish that calls for only one of the meats.
You may be pleasantly surprised at both the reduced prep time of cooking them separately, as well as the increased flavor of the dish you have always made the same way previously!
