Most people want to know how to use smoked pork shank?
This blog post will look at several dishes used with smoked pork shank and how to make them.
Smoked baked beans, smoked mac and cheese, herby roasted potato salad, celery and parmesan salad, pasta salad, and a variety of additional side dishes may wonderfully complement your smoked pork shank.
What is Pork Shank?
A pork shank is derived from the pig’s forearm.
Because of the well-developed muscles in the arm and shoulder area, it is a harder component of the animal.
Because of the strong muscular fibers and connective tissue throughout, shank meat is leaner than other swine cuts.
This tissue slowly degrades when cooked at moderate temperatures, resulting in a rich flavor and texture.
Furthermore, the bone marrow contained in pig shank will render and provide a great buttery taste to the meat.
What To Do With a Smoked Pork Shank?
Smoked pig shanks may be used in various ways, including as the basis for various delicious side dishes.
There is a lot to learn about smoking pork shank in this section, whether you’re looking to keep things traditional, serve your family and friends, or keep things simple.
Here’s a list of the finest smoked pork shank side dishes:
1. Coleslaw in the Southern Style
If you have 3 to 6 minutes, you can create a wonderfully balanced recipe for southern coleslaw.
This is the ideal side dish for your smoked pork shank. If you got cabbage already shredded, you should just need three minutes.
It’s creamy, tangy, and just a little sweet and guaranteed to delight. It is also adaptable.
For example, if you have any leftover coleslaw from the night before (unlikely given how delicious it is), pile it on top of a smoked pork shank.
Even if it was all gone the night before, it is so delicious and simple to prepare that you could make another batch anyhow.
2. Baked Smoked Beans
How to use smoked pork shank? Baked beans are an excellent accompaniment to smoked pork shank.
They complement smoked pork shank wonderfully, but one of the nicest aspects of baked beans with smoked pork shank is how well they take on smoke.
3. Tomato Salad with Pickled Onion
If you don’t have time and are out of ‘luxury’ ingredients, this recipe will come in handy.
This recipe is absurdly simple to prepare and is the ideal fresh and zesty salad to cut through the heaviness of smoked pork shank.
You’ll need to leave aside some time for the onion to ‘pickle’ in the juices, so create this salad a couple of hours before you want to eat it.
Apart from planning ahead of time, there isn’t much more you need to do besides cut up some onions and tomatoes.
This is the salad to eat if you have a lot going on at the same time.
4. Smoked Mac and Cheese
Smoked Mac and cheese is the ultimate decadent side dish to accompany your perfectly smoked pork shank.
This version does not necessitate a slew of unfamiliar cheeses (although you can use a few different kinds of cheese if you like).
Instead, you’ll get a wonderful smoky flavor and smoked pork shank spices.
While your main protein is resting, you can cook this in the smoker.
Depending on how hot your smoker can get, you may want to finish it with a brief broil in the oven.
5. Herby Roasted Potato Salad
We had to add this popular potato salad since it is so popular.
Potato salads are often heavy and creamy, which is excellent, but this version is a little lighter and zestier.
The potatoes in this salad are also roasted, giving them a new flavor and texture that is (in our view) much superior to normal boiled potatoes.
Smoked pork shank adds a delicious rich crispness to this meal, and everything is topped with fresh herbs to keep it light and aromatic.
6. Collard Greens
A bowl of collard greens is a fantastic accompaniment to smoked pork shank for many people.
In a traditional southern meal, adding onion and garlic intensifies the taste.
This is one delightful way to consume your greens. Pour some spicy sauce or vinegar over your serving for an extra kick of flavor.
However, for others, nothing is required to make this meal successful.
This dish’s components are neither sophisticated nor mysterious; rather, the way they all fit together so perfectly makes it such a pleasant meal.
7. Salad with Watermelon and Fennel with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette
This salad is an excellent way to counteract the stronger tastes of smoked pork shank.
However, this salad is good and distinctive enough that you could serve it on almost any occasion, resulting in delighted guests and a bit of a ‘wow’ factor.
All the ingredients and tastes in this recipe have been well studied and matched, so as bizarre as it may seem, it will taste delicious.
8. Smoked Chantilly Potatoes
Potatoes are simple to adore.
However, adding cream, cheese, and a smokiness becomes utterly delectable when combined with smoked pork shank.
You'll need to fire your smoker to make these extremely addicting potatoes.
But if you’ve already got it out for the remainder of your dinner, why not put it to good use?
This meal requires few ingredients; most of the labor is slicing the potatoes into 1/8 circles.
Even better if you have a device that can perform the cutting for you!
This recipe is for you if you’re looking for creamy, carby, cheesy, buttery pleasure.
9. The Pasta Salad
This is a very flexible side dish to serve with your smoked pork shank; use homemade garlic vinaigrette, and you won’t go wrong.
Choose the shape of pasta you want, toss in some vegetables (if you don’t have cucumber, asparagus will do), and cheese.
And the best part about this pasta salad is that it can be made ahead of time and only improves with age.
10. Celery and Parmesan Salad
If you don’t want to spend much time on your smoked pork shank, this celery and parmesan salad is a great option since it takes 10 minutes to cook.
While the method is straightforward, the flavor is significantly more nuanced.
This crisp and refreshing salad pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, poultry, and seafood, such as cedar-planked salmon.
You’ll be in salad heaven if you add more mayonnaise to the mix.
11. Steamed Asparagus
Because steamed asparagus is already so rich and exquisite, a simple meal to accompany your smoked pork shank may be preferable.
This quick microwaved asparagus side dish might be just what you’re looking for.
You may season them with lemon and pepper or top them with browned butter.
Whatever method you choose, the asparagus will provide a mild counterpoint to the hefty brisket.
12. Mixed Vegetables
When it comes to mixed vegetables, you should surely experiment and be creative!
Instead of the typical vegetables, Mixed vegetables are an excellent accompaniment to smoked pork shank.
Consider combining Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli, peppers, and cauliflower.
This will not only offer you lots of nutrients, but it will also bring color to your meal.
Coat your vegetables with butter and spices, place them in a glass baking dish, and bake for 40 minutes for delicious roasted vegetables.
If you're short on time, you may substitute frozen vegetables for fresh ones and sauté them on the stove.
13. Corn Pudding
Corn pudding is a southern favorite that goes well with smoked pork shank! When you offer this side dish, be prepared to have no leftovers!
The cornmeal and corn kernels combine to create a rich flavor that isn’t overbearing but complements the smoked pork shank.
Remember that you should use heavy cream to make this a delicious meal, and you may use frozen corn for drained canned corn.
14. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Do you want some Vitamin A? Then roasted sweet potatoes are an excellent option.
Plus, if you want extra texture, skip removing the skin and cut them up with some garlic, and go!
When you use maple syrup to offer only a touch of sweetness and a little crispness and color to your potatoes, they complement the smoked pork shank wonderfully.
Final Verdict
How to use smoked pork shank? You may use the above side dishes to balance out the brightness and shadow of the smoked pork shank.
Most side dishes are fast and simple to prepare, and the ones on our list will complement the smoked pig shank wonderfully.
We hope you liked our list of the greatest smoked pork shank side dishes.
Thanks for reading!