Not all pork is created equal.

One of the reasons customers fall in love with Kunekune pork is the breed's exceptional tenderness, marbling, and rich flavor. Whether you're grilling, smoking, roasting, or making sausage, Kunekune pork delivers a premium eating experience that stands apart from conventional pork.

If you're new to heritage breed pork, this guide will help you understand the best cuts of Kunekune pork, how to cook them, and what makes each one special.

Kunekune pigs are a heritage breed known for:

• Exceptional tenderness
• Rich flavor
• Natural marbling
• High-quality fat
• Slower growth rates
  

Because Kunekunes naturally develop more intramuscular fat than many commercial breeds, their pork remains juicy and flavorful across a wide variety of cuts.

If there is one product that consistently creates repeat customers, it's bacon... and sells out constantly.  (We're sorry... we wish there was more bacon on a pig, too!)

Why customers love it:

• Rich pork flavor
• Beautiful fat quality
• Excellent balance of meat and fat
• Perfect for breakfast, burgers, and recipes

Many customers tell us our Kunekune bacon is unlike anything they've purchased from a grocery store.

Best Cooking Methods

• Cast iron skillet
• Oven baking
• Smoker

Pork chops are one of the most popular cuts from a Kunekune hog.

The breed's natural marbling helps prevent the dryness that often gives pork chops a bad reputation.

Best Cooking Methods

• Grilling
• Reverse searing
• Pan searing
• Smoker

Best For

• Quick weeknight meals
• Family dinners
• Backyard grilling

Great sausage starts with great pork.

The quality fat found in Kunekune pork helps create:

• Juicier sausage
• Better texture
• Richer flavor

Whether you're enjoying original bratwursts, jalapeño cheddar bratwursts, breakfast sausage, or ground pork, this is where Kunekune pork truly shines.

Best Cooking Methods

• Grilling
• Cast iron skillet
• Smoker

Roasts are an excellent option for feeding a crowd.

Whether cooked traditionally or smoked low and slow, Kunekune roasts are known for their tenderness and flavor.

Best For

• Family gatherings
• Holidays
• Meal prep

The shoulder is one of the best cuts for low-and-slow cooking and excellent for feeding a crowd.  

As the connective tissue breaks down, it creates tender, flavorful pulled pork.

Best Cooking Methods

• Smoker
• Slow cooker
• Dutch oven

Best For

• Pulled pork sandwiches
• Carnivore meals
• Meal prep

Few things showcase heritage pork better than ribs whether it's spare ribs, baby back ribs, or country style ribs, this cut always wins dinner.

Kunekune ribs offer:

• Excellent flavor
• Rich fat content
• Tender texture

Best Cooking Methods

• Smoker
• Pellet grill
• Oven finished with a glaze

Hams and tenderized pork cutlets are one of the most versatile cuts available.

Hams are perfect for:

• Breakfast ham slices
• Homestyle sandwiches
• Dinner steaks
• Holiday centerpieces

Cutlets are ideal for:

• Chicken-fried pork
• Schnitzel
• Sandwiches
• Quick skillet meals

Because Kunekune pork is naturally tender, these cutlets cook quickly while maintaining excellent flavor.

Many customers are surprised to learn that pork fat is one of the most valuable parts of the animal.

Uses include:

• Rendering lard
• Soap making
• Baking
• Frying
• Traditional cooking

High-quality fat is one of the defining characteristics of Kunekune pork.

The answer depends on what you're looking for.

Best Overall Flavor

🥓 Bacon

Best for Grilling

🍖 Pork Chops

Best for Smoking

🍖 Boston Butt

Best for Quick Meals

🥩 Tenderized Pork Cutlets

Best for Sausage Lovers

🌭 Bratwursts and Sausage

Best for Traditional Cooking

🥓 Rendered Lard and Pork Fat

At Dos Lobos Ranch, we raise Kunekune pigs because we believe flavor matters.

Their combination of:

• Heritage genetics
• Exceptional marbling
• Rich flavor
• Pasture-based production

results in pork that consistently exceeds customer expectations.

Whether you're purchasing individual cuts or reserving a whole hog share, you're experiencing one of the most unique pork breeds available today.