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Thyme is a seasoning we can use without really thinking about it. It is one of our spice rack workhorses that pairs well with any meat, fish, and seafood — whether fresh or dried. But does thyme go with pork?
Yes, thyme goes very well with just about any pork whether grilled, broiled, sautéing or stir-fried, roasted, stewing, or braising pork.
And since Pork is tender meat, like chicken, you can never go wrong with a wide variety of herbs and spices besides Thyme.
What Is Thyme?
To succinctly put, Thyme is an aromatic perennial evergreen herb — a native to Asia, southern Europe, and the Mediterranean region — with dozens of culinary, medicinal, dietary, and ornamental uses.
Furthermore, it is a member of the mint family of Lamiaceae and has over 400 varieties, including Common Thyme, Lemon thyme, orange thyme, French Thyme, and other famous types you may know.
The savory, “penetrating” flavor fits almost all dishes, even baked goods. Thanks to that, Thyme has remained a culinary staple to this day.
Why You Should Use Thyme In Cooking
It Is Nutritious
Ingredients were supposed to be an add-on to our meals. Well, this reputable spice is much more than just an afterthought seasoning.
It boasts a slew of helpful vitamins and minerals that promote good health, like potassium for healthy cells, vitamin C for immune support, manganese for blood clotting and bone development. Thyme is also nutrient-rich in iron, calcium, fiber, and vitamin k — all that the body needs.
Very Flavorful, Easy to use, and Versatile
This is why Thyme is a workhorse in the kitchen pantry.
How can one SINGLE spice take on a multitude of dishes?
Well, that is Thyme for you. Besides, you don’t have to read any manual to use it.
Just add your desired quantity and watch what the flavor does to your meal. But ensure to do it earlier in the cooking process, especially if it’s fresh thyme, so it can slowly infuse its flavor into the dish.
Mind you; Thyme has a savory, clove-like flavor with traces of pungency. Its taste will make you go nuts when paired with sautéed mushrooms, roasted root vegetables, or Pork.
Additionally, you can use it for soups, stews, pasta sauces, egg dishes, stocks, beans, and poaching liquids.
If you are obsessed with southern Italian dishes, Thyme should be your companion as it pairs with nearly all of their natives, especially those dishes that simmer for a long period.
Preservative
Are you aware thyme is used as a food preservative? It might sound odd, but it’s true! Thyme has an epic history not only as an effective agent for preventing contamination but also for decontaminating meals that were once infected with bacteria.
If you are still scratching your head on how thyme became a preservative, well, research published in Food Microbiology shows that Thyme essential oil, which is gotten from its leaves, is what made it possible.
It could remediate lettuce that carries infectious organisms like Shigella. You can add this excellent herb to uncooked or fresh foods like salads and dressings to ensure it is safe to eat.
Conclusion: Does Thyme Go With Pork?
So now you know Thyme goes with Pork; when are you planning on cooking your palatable pork recipe? Lest I forget, when opting for Thyme, whether online or chopped in the grocer, the fresh herb tends to have more flavor than its dried counterpart.
Although you can use them interchangeably in almost all recipes, if you’re big on the new version, ensure it has green-gray leaves that don’t have any yellowing spots. Should there be any leftovers, don’t forget to store them in the refrigerator in a damp paper towel.
While the fresh herb can stay up to a week, dried Thyme lasts only about six months –so long as it is placed in a tightly sealed container. Just make sure you store it away from light and heat.
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