Whole Pig · Nose to Tail — The Homestead Classic — Almost Nothing Wasted

a whole or half pig is the classic homestead buy — the most versatile animal there is. It breaks into the primals: shoulder (low & slow / pulled), loin (chops & roasts, cook gentle), belly (bacon & braise), ham (fresh roast or cure), hocks & trotters (braise / stock), ribs, fat (lard), and all the trim for sausage. Fresh pork is leaner than it used to be — don't cook the lean cuts past 145°F. Buy a single primal when that's all you need.

ShoulderBoston butt / picnic · low & slow — 🍽️ Pulled / BBQ Shoulder, carnitas. also: 🥖 Quick Skillet Cornbread
Loin & chopslean · cook gentle — 🍽️ Pork Chops · loin roast. also: 🥘 Potato & Garden Veg Gratin
Tenderlointhe quick cut — 🥗 Seared & roasted to 145°F.
Bellybacon & braise — 🫒 Cured & smoked bacon, or braised crisp. also: 🫒 AI Pigs in a Blanket
Ham & ribshind leg · spare / baby back — 🍗 Fresh ham roast or cure · low-&-slow ribs.
Hocks, trotters & bonescollagen & stock — 🍲 Braised for collagen · Pork Stock.
Ground & trim → sausagethe versatile pile — 🍽️ Breakfast sausage · meatballs · ragù. also: 🍽️ AI Wild-Game Ragu · 🍳 Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sub · 🍽️ Swedish Meatballs
Fat → lardrender it — 🥖 Leaf lard, rendered.

ShoulderBoston butt / picnic · low & slow — 🍽️ Pulled / BBQ Shoulder, carnitas. also: 🥖 Quick Skillet Cornbread
Loin & chopslean · cook gentle — 🍽️ Pork Chops · loin roast. also: 🥘 Potato & Garden Veg Gratin
Tenderlointhe quick cut — 🥗 Seared & roasted to 145°F.
Bellybacon & braise — 🫒 Cured & smoked bacon, or braised crisp. also: 🫒 AI Pigs in a Blanket
Ham & ribshind leg · spare / baby back — 🍗 Fresh ham roast or cure · low-&-slow ribs.
Hocks, trotters & bonescollagen & stock — 🍲 Braised for collagen · Pork Stock.
Ground & trim → sausagethe versatile pile — 🍽️ Breakfast sausage · meatballs · ragù. also: 🍽️ AI Wild-Game Ragu · 🍳 Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sub · 🍽️ Swedish Meatballs
Fat → lardrender it — 🥖 Leaf lard, rendered.