How to Make Pork Appetizers

Learn how to make pork appetizers to please family and friends at your next gathering. Pork is one of the most economical meats and a favorite in many parts of the world. There are so many different tastes when it comes to pork. This is partly due to the different locations of the pig from where the cuts were taken. More important, the flavor varies greatly because of the various processes used to cure the pork. For instance, cured hams and salt pork are much saltier than fresh pork.

How to Make Pork AppetizersHow to Make Pork Appetizers

You will find that bacon, sausages of all kind, ham and even fresh pork play an important part when learning how to make pork appetizers. Sausages, bacons and commercially prepared pork mixtures which are popular in all parts of the world will show up in many recipes. This is because pork adds so much seasoning to any recipe. People seem to love all these contrasting flavors when making appetizers. According to the amount of recipes which I have, there seems to be two very popular types of pork appetizers. I have so many recipes for pork balls and those that are wrapped in some type of bread or dough.


After you have learned how to make pork appetizers, you might find it interesting to learn about what drinks go with pork. Since appetizers are a necessity at cocktail parties you should have an idea of what drinks to serve. Of course, I love cold water with lemon to be available for any gathering but choosing the right alcoholic beverage is also important. Most people, especially those of German heritage love a good brand of beer with salty cured pork like ham or salt pork. Beer also goes well with the many spicy sausages. For a wine try a nice French or Spanish rose. If your appetizer is made with a sweet taste to it such as a sweet sauce then serve a sweeter tasting white wine.


When I first learned how to make pork appetizers I started with very simple recipes. One of my first was simply by cutting bacon strips in half and wrapping the bacon around water chestnuts. Place them on a broiler rack in the oven at 325F degrees for 45 minutes. After baking on the rack place the appetizers in a casserole baking dish and reduce the oven temperature to 300F degrees. Combine and mix together ½ Cup of sugar with 1/3 cup of catsup and pour over the appetizers. Bake another 45 minutes and you have delicious and easy appetizers fit for any party.

NOTE: These can be made a day ahead and refrigerated.


STUFFED DATES can easily be made by stuffing pitted dates with whole toasted almonds. Wrap with 1/3 slice of bacon and bake at 375F degrees until the bacon is cooked. These can be made and baked within about 30 minutes. So fast!

BACON WRAPS RECIPE

This is another easy recipe if you are just learning how to make pork appetizer. 

  • 1 Small jar sharp Cheddar cheese 
  • White sliced bread (Remove crusts)
  • 1 Pound bacon strips (Cut slices in half)

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Spread several slices of bread with cheese; cut each slice into 3 strips.

Roll each strip up like jelly roll; wrap with bacon and secure with toothpick.

Finish shaping until cheese is used up; place on lightly greased baking pan.

Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown; serve with hot mustard.

NOTE: Can be frozen before baking and can be baked when frozen.

SAVAGE SAUSAGE RECIPE

Learn how to make pork appetizers to serve hot from chafing dish.

  • 2 Pounds bulk sausage
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon flour
  • 2 Cups milk
  • ¼ Cup butter
  • 1 Large onion (Finely chopped)
  • ½ Pound fresh mushrooms (Sliced)
  • 2 Teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Cups sour cream
  • Salt to taste
  • Melba toast

Brown sausage and garlic together in a Dutch oven over medium heat.

Drain off excess fat from meat; sprinkle in the flour.

Stir in the milk and cook until thickened.

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Add the onion and mushrooms; sauté until tender.

Add vegetable mixture to the sausage mixture.

Add the soy sauce, Worcestershire, sour cream and salt to taste.

Place mixture in chafing dish to keep hot; serve with Melba toast.

Serves about 10.

HANKY PANKY APPETIZERS

Learn how to make pork appetizers with this easy recipe.

  • 1 Pound ground beef
  • 1 Pound spicy bulk sausage
  • 1 Large package Velveeta cheese (Cut into small squares)
  • 1 Large loaf party bread (Or more)

Brown beef and sausage together in skillet; drain well.

Add cheese stirring until melted; serve on party bread.

GLAZED BARBEQUE SALAMI

Glazed Barbeque SalamiGlazed Barbeque Salami

Learn how to make pork appetizers with this easy and delicious recipe.

  • 1 Pound log of salami
  • 1 Cup sweet and sour sauce (bottled or homemade)
  • ¼ Cup barbeque sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Vegetables for garnish
  • Party bread OPTIONAL
  • Mustard on side OPTIONAL

Serves 8.

Preheat oven to 275F degrees.

Peel and score the salami, making large X’s.

Combine remaining ingredients to make a sauce.

Bake salami 1 ½ hours basting every 10 to 15 minutes.

Slice thinly and serve at room temperature.

Arrange on serving platter garnishes with small cut vegetables.

PIZZA BURGERS RECIPE

Learn how to make pork appetizers like mini pizzas.

  • 1 Pound bulk spicy Italian sausage
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 Can cream of tomato soup (Not diluted)
  • 1 Teaspoon anise seed
  • 1 Teaspoon oregano 
  • 1 package (8 Ounces) grated Mozzarella cheese
  • 6 English muffins (Split)

Preheat oven to 450F degrees.

Brown bottoms of English muffins on cookie tray in oven about 5 to 10 minutes.

REDUCE HEAT TO 325F degrees.

Brown sausage and garlic in skillet until done; drain off excess fat.

Add tomato soup, anise and oregano to skillet; heat until hot.

Spoon mixture onto English muffin halves; sprinkle with cheese.

Bake until cheese is melted and slightly browned (Watch closely).

SAUERKRAUT BALLS

Learn how to make pork appetizers with kraut.

  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 Medium onion (Finely chopped)
  • ½ Stalk celery (Finely chopped)
  • 3 Pounds pork butt (Ground)
  • 2 Stale hard rolls (Coarse crumbs)
  • 1 Pound sauerkraut (Drained well and ground)
  • 2 Beaten eggs
  • 1 Beaten egg PLUS little milk for egg wash
  • Cracker meal for breading

In large skillet melt butter; add onion and celery.

Sautee vegetables until tender but not brown.

Add pork to skillet cooking just until done.

In a large mixing bowl combine pork mixture with crumbs.

Add sauerkraut and 2 beaten eggs; blend well.

Shape mixture into ¾ inch balls; place on tray and chill.

NOTE: If needed to shape balls add a little more beaten egg or crumbs.

Dip balls in egg wash and roll in cracker meal; deep fry at 350F degrees until brown.

Serve hot.

LIVERWURST SPREAD RECIPE

Liverwurst Spread RecipeLiverwurst Spread Recipe

Liverwurst is very convenient when learning how to make pork appetizers.

Layer 1 for mound

  • 1 Pound liverwurst
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • ½ Teaspoon dried basil leaves 
  • ¼ Cup finely chopped onion

Top layer 2

  • 1 Package (8 Ounces) softened cream cheese
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • 1/8 Teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon mayonnaise
  • GARNISH: Chopped fresh parsley or green onion

FOR LAYER 1 mash liverwurst with fork; mix in garlic, basil and onion.

Mound mixture on a serving plate; cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

FOR LAYER 2 Beat together cheese, hot sauce and mayonnaise.

Spread mixture over the liverwurst mound; refrigerate 8 hours.

Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley to serve; serves 16.

SIMPLE HOT HORS D’OEUVRES

Learn how to make pork appetizers which are quick and simple.

  • 1 Pound pork sausage (Hot or mild)
  • 1 Jar (8 Ounces) Cheese Whiz
  • 2 Cups biscuit mix

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Combine ingredients and mix well; shape into little balls.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes; serve hot.

NOTE: Can be frozen before or after baking.

RYE PARTY PIZZA

Remember that everyone loves pizza when you are learning how to make pork appetizers.

  • 1 Pound ground pork 
  • 1 Pound ground beef
  • 1 Pound Velveeta cheese
  • ½ Teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 Teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt/ pepper to taste
  • Party rye bread

Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

Combine meat together in skillet; cook until crumbled and browned.

Drain excess fat from meat; stir in cheese and seasonings until cheese melts.

Spread meat mixture on party rye slices; place on cookie baking sheets.

Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes.

NOTE: If desired, these can be frozen on the baking sheet. After freezing you can place in freezer bags until ready to bake.

LIVER PATE RECIPE

Learn how to make pork appetizers by making liver pate, a favorite for parties.

  • 1 Pound liver sausage
  • ¼ Cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons dill pickle juice
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 Drops hot sauce
  • ¼ Teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 Package (8 Ounces) softened cream cheese (Divided)
  • 1/3 Cup chopped dill pickle
  • ¼ Cup finely chopped onion

Blend together sausage and next 5 ingredients.

Blend in 1/3 CUP of the cream cheese; stir in pickle and onion.

Pack firmly in a 2 cup mold lined with plastic wrap; chill several hours.

Frost pate with REMAINING softened cream cheese.

Serve with party bread slices; serves about 16.

HAM CUBES 

Learn how to make pork appetizers with easy deli ham.

  • 4 Slices deli ham (Cut ¾ inch thickness)
  • ½ Cup butter
  • 1/3 Cup brown sugar
  • ¼ Cup maple syrup

Cut ham slices into cubes; set aside.

In a skillet stir together butter, brown sugar and maple syrup.

Warm mixture over low heat until the butter melts.

Stir the ham cubes into the skillet mixture until evenly coated.

As edges of ham begin to brown remove from heat.

Place ham cubes on serving platter and insert with toothpicks.

HAM AND CHEESE WHEELS

Ham and Cheese WheelsHam and Cheese Wheels

Pinwheels make a pretty presentation when learning how to make pork appetizers.

  • 1 Package (8 Ounces) softened cream cheese
  • ¼ Cup chopped green onion
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ Cup mayonnaise
  • 24 Thin ham slices

Combine and mix cream cheese with next 3 ingredients.

Spread mixture over ham slices; roll up, cover and refrigerate.

Cut each roll into ¾ inch rings.

PORK LIVER, BACON AND SALT PORK PATE

If you are learning how to make pork appetizers bacon and salt pork add a lot of flavor.

  • 6 Slices bacon
  • 6 Tablespoons butter (Divided)
  • 8 Ounces chopped pork liver
  • 8 Ounces salt pork (Blanch and chop)
  • 1 Large onion (Finely chopped)
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • ½ Cup milk
  • ½ Cup apple cider
  • Salt/ pepper
  • 4 Bay leaves
  • 6 Allspice berries

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Grease a 1 quart mold, baking dish or pan.

Line bottom and sides of mold with bacon.

Melt ¼ CUP of the butter in a large skillet.

Add the liver, salt pork, onion and garlic; cook 10 minutes.

Place mixture in food processor; process until smooth.

Melt 2 TABLESPOONS of butter in a medium saucepan.

Stir in flour; cook and stir 1 minute.

Gradually stir in the milk and apple cider; bring to a boil.

Stir mixture constantly and cook for 3 minutes.

Season mixture with salt and pepper; stir in liver mixture.

Spoon mixture into prepared mold smoothing the top.

Top with bay leaves and allspice berries; cover with buttered foil.

Place mold in larger pan; add boiling water to halfway up sides of mold.

Bake for 1 hour or until firm to touch; cool to room temperature.

Cover and refrigerate until cold; serves 8.

SAUSAGE STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Sausage Stuffed MushroomsSausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are a favorite at parties if you are learning how to make pork appetizers.

  • 24 Large fresh mushrooms (Separate caps from stems)
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • ¼ Cup oil
  • 1 Small onion (Finely chopped)
  • 1 Pound spicy hot sausage
  • ½ Cup dry bread crumbs
  • 1 Egg
  • Salt/ pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 300F degrees.

Heat butter and oil in a skillet; chop mushroom stems and place in skillet.

Add oil, onion and sausage to the skillet; cook until sausage is done and cool.

Mix in the bread crumbs and egg; season with salt and pepper.

Stuff mixture in the mushroom caps; place in a casserole baking dish.

Place in oven until thoroughly heated about 30 minutes; serves 6.

HOW TO MAKE PORK APPETIZERS: JERK PORK

Learn how to make pork appetizers with great flavor.

  • 2 Teaspoons dry Caribbean jerk seasoning 
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 Teaspoons lime juice
  • 1 ½ Pound pork tenderloin
  • 1 Pound loaf French bread (Cut in ½ inch slices)
  • 1 Mango (Cut in half lengthwise, pit, cut in 1 ½ inch pieces)
  • Fresh chopped cilantro

Caribbean Mayonnaise

  • ½ Cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • ½ Teaspoon grated lime peel
  • 1 Tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 Teaspoons honey
  • ½ Teaspoon dry mustard

Combine and mix jerk seasoning, oil and lime juice until well blended.

Coat pork with mixture and place in zip lock bag.

Seal bag tightly and refrigerate 30 minutes.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 425F degrees.

Place pork in a greased pan; bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes.

NOTE: The thickest part of meat should reach 155F degrees on meat thermometer.

Remove from oven; cover and let stand 15 minutes until thermometer reaches 160F degrees.

Cut pork into ¼ inch slices (pork should be slightly pink in center).

FOR CARIBBEAN MAYONNAISE combine and mix all ingredients.

Place bread on baking sheet; bake about 3 minutes to toast.

Spread Caribbean mayonnaise on toasted bread; top with pork and mango.

Garnish with chopped cilantro; makes 32 appetizers.

BARBEQUE PORK RIB APPETIZERS or CHUNKS

Barbeque Pork Chunk AppetizersBarbeque Pork Chunk Appetizers
Barbeque Pork Rib AppetizersBarbeque Pork Rib Appetizers

If you are learning how to make pork appetizers, I must tell you that ribs are one of my favorites.

  • 1 Cup cranberry sauce (Whole berries)
  • ½ Cup hoisin sauce
  • ½ Teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 Pounds pork ribs (Cut between bones for appetizers) OR (boneless pork chunks) 

NOTE: Ribs have the best flavor but the chunks are less messy for parties.

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

Combine and mix sauces and seasonings; set aside.

Place ribs on rack in roasting pan in single layer.

Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.

Brush ribs with half of the sauce mixture.

Bake uncovered about 20 minutes or until pork is tender.

Heat remaining sauce mixture to boiling; serve with ribs.