Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for ground pork
Best swap for ground pork: Ground turkey, 1:1; leaner, less fat - add a splash of oil if browning.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Ground Pork?
The best swap for Ground Pork is Ground Turkey, 1:1; leaner, less fat - add a splash of oil if browning. Another option is Ground Chicken, 1:1; milder flavor, leaner. The table below also lists Italian Sausage (Removed From Casing), 3 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Ground turkey | 1:1; leaner, less fat - add a splash of oil if browning How to use it: Cook it to 165°F, the poultry minimum, rather than the 160°F that ground pork needs. |
| Ground chicken | 1:1; milder flavor, leaner How to use it: Cook it to 165°F, the poultry minimum, rather than the 160°F that ground pork needs. |
| Italian sausage (removed from casing) | 1:1; pre-seasoned, reduce added salt Diet and health: Pre-seasoned meat can contain gluten, so check the sausage label if you avoid it. |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- FoodSafety.gov, Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures (opens in a new tab)
- Celiac Disease Foundation, Sources of Gluten (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Buying more? Storage times for ground pork