If you have to choose one and ONLY ONE, which will you choose? BEEF or PORK?

[kobetobiko]

Hi chow friends,

Last night I was having dinners with my friends, and while we were choosing our entree dishes between a pork and a beef dish, the conversation somehow evolved to "if you can only eat either beef or pork for the rest of your life, which one will you pick?"

And, even till now, I found myself unable to pick one! I love beef and a good steak is such an indulgence, yet pork is so versatile and I can never bypass a dreamy dish of pork belly or bacon. So I found myself having tough time going one way or the other (completely opposite to my experience in the election early this week :P).

How about you? If you can only eat either beef (any parts of a cow) or pork (any parts of a pig) for the rest of your life, which one will you choose?

(let's assume there isn't any religious restriction or else the point is muted)

EDIT: This is added later. If you can also add why you pick one over the other, that will be great!

[Kontxesi]

Choice: Pork, undoubtedly. It's pretty much the best.

Reasoning: I haven't been much of a steak fan since I escaped my teens. Ground pork beats ground beef in most applications. I would rather eat a pork or chicken stir-fry than a beef one, generally.

(Plus, if I have a hankering for beef, I can just pull some venison out of the freezer! Or is that cheating?)

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

I'll choose pork. I hardly ever eat steaks, so I'd get over it. I would miss burgers, but I absolutely love buffalo burgers, so those would always work as a substitute. Gyros might not be the same, but authentic ones are made out of lamb anyway (which I also love). I would REALLY miss brisket, pastrami, corned beef, and tongue, for which there are no real substitutes.

But giving up pork would mean giving up sausages (which I could always make meatloaf, meatballs, and meat sauces out of), bacon, ham, pulled pork, ribs, tacos al pastor, carnitas, Cuban-style marinated mojo pork, char siu, pork chops, pork tenderloin, and genoa salami, prosciutto, capicola, pancetta, soppresata, serrano ham, jamon iberico -- all the cured meats I consider the ultimate decadent splurges (most of which are necessary for classy Italian sandwiches).

[MysticYoYo]

Pork. It's so versatile! Bacon, sausage, spare ribs, bacon, ham, bacon, pork chops, did I say bacon? Bacon.

I am terrible at knowing/naming cuts of meat so I can't throw out the names of the cuts I'm referring to, but I hate that the fat has been bred out of a lot of pigs and pork has become "the other white meat".

[weezieduzzit]

An easy decision for me, with only a few exceptions it's how I live now- BEEF! I don't like pork. As I was just posting in the thread about food dislikes, white meat pork and ham taste rancid to me.

[Chemicalkinetics]

<I found myself unable to pick one! I love beef and a good steak is such an indulgence, yet pork is so versatile >

Same here. Years ago, my answer would have been beef, but in recent years, I start to appreciate the numerous pork products. Now, I would probably pick pork just because I find pork to be more versatile. I would have to give up "more" if I give up pork.

[KaimukiMan]

not at all an easy choice, but since most of the pork products i like tend to be processed in some way - sausage, bacon, ham etc, and since most of those can be mimicked fairly successfully with chicken or other poultry, I admit not perfectly, but close, then I would have to pick beef.

the wonderful thing is - i don't need to choose.

[Bill Hunt]

Yeah! Other than the OP, who said we had to pick ONLY one?

Some years ago, when in Hawai`i, I think that every one of my dinners was "Hawai`ian beef." All were great, but that was a completely atypical trip for me, as I am usually about 95% seafood - interesting year, and interesting trip.

Aloha,

Hunt

[sueatmo]

Honestly, if I had to choose only one animal flesh to eat it would be chicken. But I tend to like pork a little better than beef.

[Nanzi]

Until this week that would have been a really hard choice. Sam's Club didn't have the usual cut of pork I buy, so I got pork steaks.
I decided to do them just like our beef steaks and cooked til still pink in the middle. My gosh were they good,
We did them on a hot grill and I used a little of our rib rub, and a coffee based steak powder on them.
They tasted so much like beef steak that I can say I would choose Pork over Beef

[c oliver]

We grind our beef and pork and for the last six months perhaps have been eating pork burgers rather than making it all into sausage. We've gotten to the point where we KNOW that we like pork burgers better than beef burgers. I also prefer pork Bolognese to the authentic beef version.

[grampart]

From what I read, beef may be more commonly used but not necessarily more "authentic".

[Harters]

I'd always thought "authentic" was a mix of beef and pork (in the form of pancetta)

[fourunder]

I would add veal into the mix as well....

[johnb]

Sounds like meat loaf mix.

[fourunder]

That would be true....however, I meant it in the context of another option. I generally make mine with ground veal and pork and pancetta....omitting the beef.

I would note the fat guy in orange clogs uses all four meat components.

[Bill Hunt]

Now, I do a tad bit of a "combo," but differently.

We find sirloin (sometimes choice, but sometimes prime - sometimes aged, but sometimes not), and have it double-ground for the patties. Then, I put applewood-smoked, thick cut Benton bacon on the upper rack, so that the fat drips down onto the all-beef burgers. To finish off, I lay about 2 slices (or portions there of) of crispy bacon on each burger for consumption. I cannot call them 100% beef, though the only meat in the patty, prior to cooking IS beef, because of the wonderful bacon drippings onto each patty.

Now, and has been mentioned, when one throws out that one term, "BBQ," then all bets are off, and pork wins with me.

Still life left in this thread!

Hunt

[Kholvaitar]

Beef

[Soop]

beef, easy.

[PAO]

We rarely eat meat anymore, except to season dishes. So it's an easy question: pork. Pancetta for Italian food, bacon or sausage for American. Pork chorizo for Mexican. Ground pork for Chinese. Ham hocks for black beans and split pea soup. Beef is just not as versatile.

[Lucia]

Pork b/c it's what I grew up eating much more of than beef. I'd miss burgers and meatballs, among other things, but I'm not a big steak eater.

[AngelSanctuary]

Beef, I like the taste better =/.

[OCNC]

Pork is way more versatile. Give me the pig!

[Caralien]

Considering the whole animal:

Pig (mmm...that one magical animal): prosciutto, jamon, bacon, tenderloin, shoulder, lard, hu tieu, wontons, cha gio, pea soup, tacos al pastor, whole roast pig (any origin)

Cow: tenderloin, milk, ice cream, cheese, burgers, suet, roast, pho, boots, tacos al carbon, bulgogi, kalbi

Due to the dairy & hide, cow is the winner; from a meat-only perspective, pig is the clear winner (or loser if you're the pig).

[KTinNYC]

Goat's milk makes some awesome cheese and other dairy products. Not trying to dissuade you but I just wanted to point this out.

[Karl S]

Dairy is a different issue than beef or pork: we're only talking fleshmeat here. So you could have pork and cow dairy products.

[Caralien]

KT & Karl,

I love cheese, milk, butter, and soap from goats, and heard that camel's milk was naturally sweet (haven't tried it yet, though).

My take was to consider the whole animal, and if I couldn't eat beef, I shouldn't be consuming any beef products. Obviously the post was intended as flesh vs. flesh, and for that, the pig easily won.

[The Professor]

No contest, the Pig wins the day. It tastes great and is more versatile.
I wouldn't miss beef at all, not even a hamburger...ground pork makes great burgers and they are probably a lot healthier than our average crappy American beef anyway.
I only wish that it were easier to find good quality old fashioned pork...the stuff in the supermarkets these days is just way too lean.

[LadyCook61]

beef because I like beef better than pork.

[fara]

with all of the pork products in enjoy: prosciutto, ribs, boiled ham, country ham, bacon, sausage, chinese pork dumplings, I enjoy them only occasionally, whereas I eat beef much more often. pork has such a strong and particular taste I don't eat it that often. beef is served in my house a few times as week.

so i say beef!

[chilihead]

I have to say that I would fall in on the "pork" side, but there is one chink in my porcine armor...flank steak, sliced thin marinated with some soy and sesame seeds and grilled.

[alliedawn_98]

I'd choose pork. I find it more versatile in combining with different flavors. I was actually told to not eat beef or any dairy products when I was a child due to some digestion problems. I do eat beef and sometimes crave it but would be better off if I didn't!

[Evilbanana11]

Pork, Just substitute beef with buffalo. You can still have your burgers, meatballs, steaks. It may not taste exactly the same but atleast it's healthier.

[torty]

Pork for sure in all its forms. My top two are a garlic laden BBQ'd butt and a simmered till tender then roasted skin on meaty hock.

[Will Owen]

I would not love thee, Ribeye, half as much,
Loved I not Bacon more...

[Harters]

Seeing as you've eliminated lamb which is my favourite and most often eaten meat, and chicken (which is second on my list) then I'll have to go for pork.

Reason - more versatile as it features in more cultures than beef. Of course, you have to allow me to continue to buy free-tange rare breed meat, not bland supermarket crap.

[steakman55]

I'd have to choose beef: nothing tops a prime dry aged steak, or hamburger or prime rib or short ribs, etc. but I must give a tip of the hat to that philospher, Homer Simpson, who asked daughter Lisa: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animial again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No
Homer: What about ham?
Lisa: No
Homer: What about pork chops?
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal!!
Homer: Heh, heh, heh, oh yeah, right Lisa. A wonderful ...magical animal!!

[Jaytizzle]

Delicious Whole roast Pig with cripy skin, baby back ribs, Kalua Pig, Carnitas, Pork Chitterlings, sausage, Char siu, and BACON!!.......Pork for the win!!

[bitsubeats]

Pork, based on sam gyup sal and siu yook alone.....you can't get crispy skin with beef

[racer x]

Not even close for me. Pork, pork, pork.
I don't eat that much beef anymore, just hamburgers.

Actually, it would be lamb > pork > chicken > beef.

[hungryungry]

But then again, Ive never had Kobe Beef...

[hungryungry]

Bacon, pork belly, pancetta, suckling pig, ham, most french canadian foods, sausage, parma ham... need I say more?
Don't get me wrong, I like beef, but I prefer buffalo anyways so pork wins, hands down!
(can we keep veal?)

[hotteacher1976]

It would be beef for me. Pork is a meat I can only have once in a while.

[jujuthomas]

VERY tough choice, excellent question.
burgers v bacon
brisket v pork shoulder
steak v chops
etc
in the end i come down on the side of beef (HAHA) - it is my comfort food, my grandfather was a dairy farmer so we ate a lot of it when I was growing up.

[Morganna]

Yeah, I like beef better overall. :) Beef for me too!

[cuccubear]

This is tough, so with tongue in cheek let me add up the situation:

If I went with Beef, I’d be giving up Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Ham Steaks, Pork Chops, Pork BBQ, or Roast Pork (w/ or w/out the Chop Suey).

If I went with Pork, I’d be giving up Steak, Pastrami, Corned Beef, Hamburger and Beef BBQ.

Hmmm, BBQ’s cancel each other out, that leaves it 6 to 4. Well, looks like Wilbur better get his affairs in order, because I’d have to pick Pork! (Besides, bacon is just too un-do-without-able.)

[Bill Hunt]

Yes. I was there. It's beef, no wait, it's pork. Let me think on that, no it's beef... Finally I gave up, and decided to try and distill the ultimate, that I had tasted, even if it meant that I would have to give up so much on the other side of that coin.

Hunt

PS - interesting how this thread came back to life! A zombie, and it's not even close to Halloween.

[luvsseattle]

OMG - Hands down, PORK. Pork fat rules. :)

[Avalondaughter]

Pork. I feel it has more options for dressing it up. Beef doesn't taste good with everything the way pork does.

[bermudagourmetgoddess]

Being that I was raised on a pig farm, it's PORK all the way

[Chew on That]

I've only had pork once accidentally (religious heritage) and I didn't even enjoy it. Therefore I'd choose beef all the way.

[mpjmph]

I haven't eaten beef in years, and haven't missed it one bit.

Bacon, has no adequate substitute. So pork it is.

[ktb615]

I was going to say the answer was obviously pork, like many...

...but do I have to give up veal stock?

[hungryungry]

Actually, you can do almost everything veal stock does with dark roasted chicken stock. I know it's like apples and oranges, but give it a try, it's worth it for bacon

[Davwud]

Has to be pork for me.

Bacon, pulled pork, chops, tenderloin, ribs. C'mon, steak is great. So are burgers but you can do so much more with a pig.
You also have the added benefit of saving bacon grease for cooking and of course, ham hocks and bones to put in your beans, peas, greens and other awesome dishes.

The pig rules baby!!!

DT

[Veggo]

And who ever heard of putting lipstick on a cow, or casting pearls before a heifer?

[Karl S]

At this point, the requisite Winston Churchill bon mot is in order: "I like pigs: cats look down on human beings, dogs look up to them, but pigs just treat us as their equals."

[hotdoglover]

Great topic! I'd hate to be limited to one or the other, but if I was, I'd choose beef. I love hot dogs (screen name is hotdoglover), burgers, bratwurst, and bacon. Hot dogs come in 2 main categories; German style beef and pork, and kosher style well seasoned all beef. I love both styles, but if I had to choose, it would be a beef frank since I'm in the mood for it more often than a pork/beef dog or a pork based bratwurst.

I also love burgers. I prefer steak to a pork or ham dish, and for coldcuts would take roast beef over ham. I'd hate to give up bacon. It would be the toughest sacrifice for me other than German style franks or bratwurst, but I've found that beef bacon is a decent alternative.

[Bill Hunt]

While I have experienced great pork, I have experienced wonderful beef, "to-die-for" beef, transcendental beef. OK, I guess that it would be beef.

Hunt

[Miss Needle]

As I grew up in a household where pork was a rare item, I would have to say I would choose beef. I've learned to substitute chicken or turkey in many dishes where pork is called for (though I know it's not the same). But to think of going through life without a really juicy beef burger -- that's tough!

And if this question is expanded to consider the ramifications of not having milk if one chooses to consume pig only, the cow is a much more versatile animal.

[Louise]

Pork, no question.

[swsidejim]

this is the best question I have ever seen posted on Chowhound, and the toughest to answer.

I love prime and dry aged beef, as well as brisket on my smoker. But I also love pork and the many different cuts, and uses. I love ribs, butt, & shoulder on my smoker, as well as the many byproducts(sausage, pork belly, bacon, etc.).

Chinese bbq vs a steak @ a top seak house.. thats a tough call as well.

Id hate to give up either, and choose one over the other, but I probably would have to choose pork for its versatility.

Thank God I would never be forced to make such a decision in real life.

[karen2006]

Pork for sure! I can do without steak and burgers if I could have bacon, proscuitto, pork belly, not to mention the Chinese honey garlic pork chops and spare ribs. Oh , and dim sum and BBQ! There's just no way!

Like someone else said, thank goodness we can have both (in moderation)!

[carey24]

Considering I hate ham of any kind, only eat turkey bacon, and haven't had a pork chop in over a decade, I'm gonna go with BEEF!

[kobetobiko]

Have to say I am surprised by the results so far - overwhelmingly PORK!

When I was younger, I often consider this country as beef-centric and pork is somewhat secondary. Perhaps it's an illusion as most Asian (myself) consider American diets as steaks, burgers, and hot dogs. But everyone seems to love pork these days!

[Karl S]

It's not as surprising when you consider that the greatest family of cuisine in the world - Chinese - is unthinkable without pork but readily imaginable without beef.

[dolores]

Same here. I can't think of anything pork that I can do without. But a hamburger? Impossible.

But as some have said, I can do without both, in a heartbeat. Ice cream would be my staple.

[RealMenJulienne]

Speaking as another Asian -American, I felt the same way when I was a kid. I think it was because fast food places all had chicken and beef, but we ate pork all the time at home.

Pork or beef? Let's do an item-by-item comparison:
- Pork chops/tenderloin VS any steak - beef by far
- Ham VS roast beef - beef, slightly
- Cold cuts - pork, slightly
- Sausage of any kind - pork by far
- Pulled pork and spareribs VS brisket and beef ribs - pork, definitely
- Bacon VS ??? - pork by default
- All of Chinese cuisine: pork!

So pork is my overwhelming choice then, although I have to say that I would miss Chicago Italians, Philly cheesesteaks, Taiwanese spicy beef noodles, and all-beef hot dogs most of all.

[Karl S]

Don't forget: lard vs suet. (Don't get me wrong, I appreciate suet and tallow, but lard rules over them)

[RealMenJulienne]

I've never used pure lard, but I have used bacon grease to cook with, and yes, the cow can offer nothing comparable.

[Agent Orange]

As long I can supplement with bison, then pork without question. I'll make up for all of my bacon consumption with lean American buffalo. Without the bison option, though, it would be a much harder decision. Existential dillemas such as "would I rather go without pork tenderloin or skirt steak for the rest of my mortal life" are tough... but when then I remember barbeque!

Spare-ribs and pulled pork! Yes, I think the noble pig still comes out on top.

[Bobfrmia]

This started out easy. Bacon, Italian Sausage, breakfast sausage, chops, and, oh my God, hot and spicy pork rinds. Pork wins.
Then...
Do I want to remove the beef from a bacon cheeseburger, or the bacon?
Beef, much like Pork, seems to be losing its flavor as the years go by. Gourmet Markets sell beef advertised as "the way beef to used to taste". But it isn't.
So, yeah, it has to be Pork. Too many varieties, and, again, bacon.
But then it occured to me, it isn't just steak and burgers. It's Brisket. When it comes to BBQ, for me there are only two things, Brisket, and burnt ends.
I have to change my answer to beef, and it is because of LC's in Kansas City's, Burnt Ends, and Sadlers Smoked Brisket.
But even the imagined thought of no bacon, will make it difficult to sleep tonight.

[Karl S]

Pig. The entire pig is much more versatile than the entire steer. I'd miss a good steak and pastrami and oxtails but otherwise the pig rules.

One condition: that it be the old Other White Meat, not the new Other White Meat.

[chilihead]

For years I've added gator as the original white meat, jurassic pork.

[Passadumkeg]

Funny, the Mine Lobster Council refers to lobster ans the other white meat, cretaceous pork.

[jfood]

beef, no question about it.

[porker]

I'd take the hog.

Don't get me wrong, I salivate at the thought of a huge rib steak grilled over mesquite chunks, or the comforting long beef braise.
Pork, however, seems so versatile in so many cuisines. Plus the fat...beef fat is ok and quite flavorsome, but pork fat can be exquisite.
Piece by piece, the hog may come out on top - ever eat cow skin? Not bad, but pig skin..... ooohhhhhh man. Cow foot vs pigs foot, my nod goes to the pig. Tail? Pig again.
Charcuterie? Well Porky seems to have almost endless possibilities.

[jcattles]

Pork!
Pork roast so tender it falls apart, proscuitto, pancetta, speck, bacon, pork chops, pork dumplings, salami, chorizo, jamon, ribs, sausage...oh the list could go on.

My daughters say pork too. One says "I'll never give up bacon!"

[Catskillgirl]

I'm just siting here thanking all the gods there are that I don't really have to choose. *G* I'm with Veggo above - can't bear the thought of life without another bacon cheeseburger. Not that I indulge often, but I could if I wanted to!

I really love pork in its almost infinite forms, but beef... mmmmm beef. Could be because I was lucky enough to have indulged in two, count 'em two, porterhouse steaks in the last 10 days. And they were soooooo good.

So I'd say beef, but with a real sense of loss.

[cstr]

Simple for me, BEEF. I find pork to be very neutral in flavor whereas different cuts of beef have very different tastes. I always have to doctor pork and, like chicken, after you bite the outside seasoned part the insides are usually tasteless.

[wontonfm]

My heart instantly said PORK but then I started thinking about burgers and steak. I love love burgers! But I'm' still going with pork. I can eat pork so many different ways and not really think that I'm eating the same meat... bacon, ham, porkchops etc are all so different. And pork is just so flavourful.

WON
http://whatsonmyplate.wordpress.com

[lynnlato]

Me too. My heart instantly said I LOVE THE PIG! Bacon, pork belly, jowls, chops, tenderloin, boston butt, prosciutto, etc. But the thought of life w/o burgers, steak or short ribs is very sad. But pork is much more versatile, IMHO.

Read about my experience w/ Portuguese suckling pig at: www.mamaliciouseats.wordpress.com.

[mlgb]

Can I have lamb instead of either?

[adamshoe]

As much as I'd miss my burgers and occasional strip steak, I have to say Pork. Between bacon, porkchops, pork shoulder, babybacks, St. Louis Ribs, (did I already say BACON?) tenderloin, etc. the world O'Pig is just so crazy-good. Thank God we don't have to choose...
Adam

[mordacity]

A year ago I would have thought about a nice sizzling steak and said beef, no question, but now I think I'd say pork. Due to the economy I've cut my beef consumption way down over the last year or so, and I'm not missing it as much as I thought I would. Of course, there's a big difference between "not as much" and "never again", but I think I'd find it a lot harder to get by without ham and bacon and big juicy pork sausages than to not eat burgers.

[vttp926]

i definitely would have to choose pork. i rarely eat beef as it is so i wouldn't miss it one bit. but pork, we eat anywhere up to 3 or 4 times a week.

[Passadumkeg]

If I was In India, it would be pork; if in a Semite country, beef. In seriousness, I prefer pork; Mexican, Latin, Asian, German and BBQ cuisines. It is said the Chinese use every part of the pig except the squeal and Henry Ford uses that.

[Veggo]

Life without bacon cheeseburgers? Horrors!!
I would sooner drink hemlock.

[dalaimama]

Bacon vs burgers?

Wow, that is a dilemma. But I have to go with pork. Bacon wins every time!

[OCAnn]

mmm...bacon. I pick pork on bacon alone.

[goodhealthgourmet]

despite the fact that i woke up with an *insane* craving for bacon for breakfast this morning, my first instinct was to say beef because i eat it more frequently...and then i started thinking about all the dishes i love that are prepared with prosciutto or pancetta...plus, the thought of life without bacon makes me sad.

oh, crap. why can't anyone ever post an EASY dilemma? ;)

[OCAnn]

I too eat beef more frequently than pork, but mmmm bacon....

[iluvtennis]

Pork

[c oliver]

Definitely pork! Oh but dang, what about short ribs? Definitely beef! Could they create a hybrid???

[kobetobiko]

Hi c oliver,

See, this is the dilemma! I love pork belly, bacons, and Chinese style suckling pigs. And the cracklings! You can't really find the same thing (at least cook the same part in the same way) with a cow!

But then, I have to part my way to a good beef burger? And a good dry aged steak? Not to mention, Japanese kobe beef? I don't know if I can!

It's so much easier if it is chicken vs pork or chicken vs beef, because with the chicken these days I have my clear answer to not to pick chicken. But beef vs pork! That's tough!

[adamshoe]

Maybe it could be called "Bork"!! Sounds better than "Peef"

[grampart]

If the pork came from the type of pig that was common 50 years ago, I'd choose pork.

[dolores]

No contest. A hamburger every day for the rest of my life, with cheese of course.

[queencru]

YES! I don't really eat much beef or pork, but I would be sad to give up burgers for the rest of my life. That said, pork dumplings are one of my absolute favorites as well, but at least there are other yummy dumpling varieties so I could deal with giving it up.

[grampart]

Try the pork chop pictured on the left and this decision becomes much more difficult.

[grampart]

Same goes with a steak that looks like this!

[fourunder]

I would have to make my choice to be a Roast Suckling Baby Pig with Crispy Skin...Chinese Style

[thew]

i adore beef, but, may my genetic heritage forgive, if i had to pick one, pork.
apologies to my yiddishe momma

[JoanN]

I'm curious, thew. Did you, as did I, grow up in a household in which pork wasn't allowed across the threshold? I didn't taste ham until I was in my teens and didn't have a pork chop until I went away to college. And I've been making up for it ever since. When I get a new cookbook, I turn to the index and look up pork. Chops, ribs, belly, shoulder, even tails and feet. To say nothing of chiccharones! It would be a Solomonic decision, but I think I'd have to go with pork.

I could still have lamb, couldn't I?

[thew]

no actually not. it was a pretty secular household, but my parents did come from eastern europe, so they grew up w/out it in their diet, and thus it didn't show up often in the house. not restricted,just not in the rotation.

[chicgail]

Although I share your genetic heritage, I was raised in a household where spare ribs, bacon and pork sausage were served. Ham? no. Pork chops, tenderloin or roasts? never.

And as odd as it is, I won't serve those things in my home and I rarely order them out.

It's an easy choice for me. As delicious as good pork is, I'd go with beef.