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🍔 American · Main · Medium difficulty · Contains meat or poultry

Southern Fried Pork

A fragrant American main built around pork, seasoned with buttermilk and flour.

Prep time
12 min
Cook time
28 min
Total time
40 min
Servings
4
Calories
571 kcal
Protein
27 g
Carbs
31 g
Fat
38 g
Course
Main

About this American fried dish

Southern Fried Pork is a American main built around pork. It takes about 40 min from start to finish, 12 minutes of prep and 28 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.

Cooking method: fried dish. Difficulty is rated medium. Contains meat or poultry.

Ingredients

Quantities are for 4 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.

  • 500 g pork, sliced
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Oil for frying
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Step 1. Season the pork and set up a breading station with buttermilk, flour and paprika.

    Heat
    Off, no heat
    Look for
    Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
    Why it matters
    Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
    Avoid
    Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.

  2. Step 2. Dredge or batter each piece, pressing the coating on firmly.

    Heat
    Off, no heat
    Look for
    Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
    Why it matters
    Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
    Avoid
    Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.

  3. Step 3. Heat oil to 175°C (350°F) in a deep, heavy pan.

    Heat
    Medium to high
    Look for
    The oil shimmers and flows like water; a drop of water sizzles instantly.
    Why it matters
    Food added to a properly hot pan sears and browns instead of steaming and sticking.
    Avoid
    Adding food to a cold pan: it sticks, turns grey and soaks up oil.

  4. Step 4. Fry in small batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden.

    Heat
    Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
    Look for
    Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
    Why it matters
    Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
    Avoid
    Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.

  5. Step 5. Drain on a wire rack and sprinkle with salt while hot.

    Heat
    Warm plates
    Look for
    Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
    Why it matters
    Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
    Avoid
    Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.

  6. Step 6. Serve at once with black pepper.

    Heat
    Warm plates
    Look for
    Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
    Why it matters
    Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
    Avoid
    Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.

Chef's tip

Use a thermometer; oil that is too cool makes greasy food.

Equipment you will need

  • Deep heavy pan
  • Thermometer
  • Wire rack
  • 3 shallow dishes for breading

Nutrition per serving

Estimated per serving: 571 kcal, 27 g protein, 31 g carbohydrate and 38 g fat. Roughly 19% of the energy comes from protein, 22% from carbohydrate and 60% from fat, using standard energy values.

Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.

Substitutions and variations

  • Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as sunflower or rapeseed.
  • Bake or air-fry for a lighter result, checking for crispness near the end.
  • Drain on a wire rack rather than paper towels so the coating stays crisp.

Frequently asked questions about Southern Fried Pork

How long does Southern Fried Pork take to make?

It takes about 40 min in total: 12 minutes of prep and 28 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.

How many calories are in one serving?

Each serving has about 571 kcal, with 27 g protein, 31 g carbohydrate and 38 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 4 servings.

Is Southern Fried Pork gluten-free?

It is not marked gluten-free in our data. Use certified gluten-free alternatives for any sauces or stocks if you need to avoid gluten.

Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

No, it contains meat or poultry. For a meat-free version, swap the main ingredient for tofu, chickpeas or mushrooms and adjust the cooking time.

How difficult is it to cook?

It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.

Can I make Southern Fried Pork ahead or freeze it?

Best eaten fresh, because crisp or fresh textures do not survive storage. Prepare components ahead instead, and store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 2 days.

How many servings does it make?

This recipe makes 4 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.

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