Cooking is an integral part of the experience in Atlus’ acclaimed RPG Persona 4. As the protagonist, you will frequently need to prepare meals using various ingredients to boost your stats and relationship levels with friends. Pork is one of the most versatile and commonly available meats in the game. However, to get the most out of pork-based dishes, it’s important to know how to properly prepare the meat.
In this guide we’ll go over everything you need to know to cook delicious pork dishes in Persona 4 including
- The Benefits of Cooking with Pork
- Finding Quality Pork Ingredients
- Necessary Tools and Equipment
- Preparation and Seasoning Techniques
- Cooking Methods for Different Cuts
- Making the Most of Leftovers
- Creative Recipe Ideas
The Benefits of Cooking with Pork
There are a few reasons why pork is such a useful ingredient in Persona 4:
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Restores SP – Pork dishes typically restore a good amount of SP to your party members This allows them to use more abilities in battle
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Boosts Affection – Cooking pork for friends can raise their affection/understanding levels. This unlocks special perks and story events.
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Versatile Meat – As you’ll see, pork is very versatile with tons of preparation methods.
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Easily Obtained – Pork can be purchased from the fridge or grocery store regularly.
Regularly cooking up pork-based meals is a great habit to get into in Persona 4. Now let’s look at selecting the best pork.
Finding Quality Pork Ingredients
Not all pork is created equal. Here are some tips for selecting high-quality pork cuts and ingredients:
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Check Freshness – The fresher the better. Avoid meat that looks discolored or smells funky.
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Examine Marbling – Good marbling or fat content means more flavorful meat
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Get Thicker Cuts – Thicker pork chops or cuts will be juicier when cooked.
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Buy Seasoned Varieties – Pre-seasoned pork can make preparation easier.
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Consider Prepped Options – Diced pork, pork strips, or ground pork can save time.
Taking a bit of extra time to select your pork will pay off with better tasting finished dishes.
Necessary Tools and Equipment
Having the right tools for the job will make pork preparation much easier. Here are some essentials:
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Sharp Knives – A good knife makes trimming and slicing pork a breeze.
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Cutting Board – Provides a safe surface for cutting pork.
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Mixing Bowls – Useful for preparing marinades, rubs and seasoning mixes.
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Measuring Spoons – Ensures you add seasoning amounts properly.
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Meat Thermometer – Lets you accurately judge pork doneness while cooking.
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Tongs – Makes moving pork cuts in the pan or grill easy.
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Bakeware – Things like pans and racks to roast pork nicely.
Investing in high-quality equipment leads to better results. Next, let’s talk about prepping the pork.
Preparation and Seasoning Techniques
Before cooking, pork needs to be properly prepared:
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Rinse and Pat Dry – Rinse under cold water and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels. Remove excess moisture for better searing.
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Trim Away Excess Fat – Cut away large chunks of fat to prevent greasiness. Leave some for flavor and moisture.
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Apply a Dry Rub – Coat the pork evenly with a homemade blend of spices and herbs. Let sit 10-20 minutes to form a flavorful crust.
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Marinate Overnight – For extra juicy and tender meat, let pork soak 8-12 hours in a homemade wet marinade.
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Partially Freeze – For thin cuts like chops, 20-30 minutes in the freezer can make slicing easier.
Proper preparation and seasoning is crucial for maximizing the pork’s flavor and texture. Now let’s get to the good stuff – the cooking!
Cooking Methods for Different Cuts
The cooking technique you use will vary based on the particular pork cut:
For Chops:
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Pan Sear – Cook 4-5 minutes per side in a hot skillet to get a nice sear. Finish in a 375°F oven until 145°F internal temperature.
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Braise – Brown the chops, then braise in a sauce until very tender. Great for leaner chops.
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Grill – Sear over direct heat before moving to indirect heat to finish cooking. Glaze with barbecue sauce in the final minutes.
For Roasts:
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Oven Roast – Seasoned roasts can roast uncovered at 350°F until 140-145°F internal temperature. Let rest before carving.
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Slow Cooker – Place roast with veggies and seasoning in a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours. Shred and use for tacos, pasta, etc.
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Sous Vide – For the most tender roasts, cook 1-2 hours in a water bath at 135°F before a quick sear.
For Ground Pork:
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Sausage – Mix ground pork with spices and herbs and form into patties or links to make homemade sausage. Pan fry.
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Meatballs – Roll seasoned ground pork into balls and bake at 400°F or pan fry until cooked through.
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Stuffed Vegetables – Fill peppers, squash, etc. with ground pork stuffing mixes and bake until tender.
Mastering different cooking techniques will allow you to prepare pork in diverse, delicious ways.
Making the Most of Leftovers
Like in real life, having leftovers in Persona 4 can be useful. Here are some tips:
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Store cooked pork properly in the fridge for 3-4 days maximum.
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Shred or chop leftovers to use in fried rice, omelets, pasta, or stir fries.
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Combine diced or ground pork with barbecue sauce and serve on buns for quick sandwiches.
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Slice cold roasted pork thin and use in wraps, salads and tacos for a protein boost.
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For roasted or braised pork, remove the meat from the bones and reserve bones for making stock.
With creativity, you can transform leftovers into entirely new pork dishes instead of eating the same thing again!
Creative Recipe Ideas
Here are just a few of the many ways to use pork in Persona 4:
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Ramen – Pork broth, roasted pork belly, pork shoulder
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Mapo Tofu – Ground pork and soft tofu in spicy sauce
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Sweet and Sour Pork – Battered, fried nuggets in tangy sauce
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Bibimbap – Thinly sliced pork belly with veggies over rice
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Carnitas – Slow cooked shredded pork for tacos and bowls
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Banh Mi – Vietnamese sandwiches with pork pâté and sliced pork belly
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Katsudon – Breaded pork cutlet over rice with egg
Don’t be afraid to get creative with new marinades and spice blends!
Cooking pork dishes will quickly become one of your favorite parts of Persona 4. With the preparation tips provided here, you’ll be making the most delicious, satisfying pork meals possible. Just be sure to pay attention to the visual cues so you perfectly cook the pork each time. Your party members will thank you with boosted stats and deeper bonds!