Confused at the meat counter as to what type of pork to choose, or what it should look like? Follow these simple steps to choose the perfect pork!

• Select pork just before you check out at the grocery store. It is important that pork stay as cold as possible.
• Look for cuts with a small amount of fat over the outside. The meat should be firm and pink in color.
• Once selected, put the pork in disposable plastic bags to avoid any leakage that could contaminate other foods in your grocery cart.
• Take pork home immediately and refrigerate it to 40 degrees. Use the pork within 2 to 3 days or freeze.

Safe Minimum Internal Temperature for popular cuts of Pork

Pork cooking temperatures are the final step in a perfectly juicy, tender cut of meat. Pork today is very lean, making it important to not overcook and follow the recommended pork cooking temperature.  The safe internal pork cooking temperature for fresh cuts is 145° F.

Download this how-to as an infographic PDF or image!

Here is a helpful chart from Path to the Plate on the cuts of pork.

Check out our whole collection of pork recipes!