One of my favorite features of a 1/2 or whole hog is all the creativity it brings to our meals. The variety you get helps me try fun new things and enjoy all our favorite staples. Plus we always have something good to eat just a few steps away in our freezer!
When we got our most recent 1/2 hog, I thought it would be fun to keep track of every meal we made from that one half. And it was! We just recently finished, and as I read the list over, I feel so happy remembering all the wonderful, delicious meals we've enjoyed as a family and with friends this year.
Read on for our top 10 favorite meals we made. Complete list coming soon!
10 Best Meals from Our 1/2 Hog
1. My son's 1st birthday breakfast
Weekend breakfast is a big deal in our house. Saturdays are often hectic, with plenty to do on the farm, but on Sundays, we try to take extra time to have something special together.
One of my favorite parts of getting a 1/2 hog is stocking up on breakfast meats so we're always ready for special breakfast. Bacon and sausage links are my kids' favorites with waffles, pancakes, and muffins. We went with bacon and a chocolate Dutch baby for my son's 1st birthday this year--an extra special breakfast!
2. BLTs
I always have bacon in my freezer, but especially in summer. As soon as those first ripe tomatoes come on, BLTs are a must!
Super good, crisp bacon; a fresh, ripe tomato; and great lettuce are, of course, the staples. I love adding spicy mayo or goat cheese. My husband opts for spicy mustard. Or, jazz it up a bit more with an Open-Faced Tomato, Goat Cheese, and Bacon Sandwich.
3. Roasted Garlic & Hot Honey Dip
This recipe calls for prosciutto, but I make it with crispy crumbled bacon and it's AMAZING. If you just make a single batch of the dip, you don't need a whole pound of bacon; I saved the rest to put on salad. I made this dip for our Christmas meal and a birthday celebration this year. People always ask for the recipe.
4. Crockpot Mojo Pork
Pork roasts are the first cut I used up. It's the easiest thing in the world to throw in the crockpot in the morning and magically turn into something so delicious by the end of the day. I have at least a dozen beloved pork roast recipes, but this one is at the top because it's so easy and so delicious. We make it when friends come over, as everyone loves a rice and bean bowl with lots of fixings!
5. Pulled Pork Gyros with Dilled Radish Tzatziki
This recipe is also so easy: throw some ingredients in a crockpot in the morning and then toss together the tzatziki before you eat. We eat it over salad with feta and hot sauce. It's delicious, especially in spring and summer when we have big piles of dill and cucumbers to enjoy.
6. Honey Sriracha Pork Chops
I can't believe how much flavor you get from a recipe this simple. It's one where great pork chops really shine! I made this dish several times with our pork chops this round, serving them over salad or with Umami Garlic Noodles.
7. Jalapeno Grilled Pork Chops
8. Egg Roll in a Bowl
Ground pork is another cut I always run through quickly. It's so easy and versatile! Almost all of my favorite ground pork recipes take 30 minutes or less and are so good, especially for how easy they are. This is a quick and simple favorite we ate over and over this year.
9. Easy Dan Dan Noodles
We discovered this recipe when we were avoiding sugar--a delightful discovery! I've made it multiple times since and love it every time.
10. Creamy Tortellini Sausage Soup
A neighbor recommended this recipe to me and it's a winner! I took it to our family's Christmas soup extravaganza and it was a hit with everyone.