10 Irresistible Pork Recipes For National Pig Day (Slideshow)

Pork, sometimes called "the other white meat," is one of the most versatile proteins out there. From candied bacon pork and chive dumplings to pork spare ribs with homemade barbecue sauce, we've rounded up 10 of our favorite pork recipes to show off the pig's incredible versatility and potential diversity of flavor and texture.

Buttery, fluffy vanilla cupcakes are already pretty incredible, but this recipe adds to American favorites: bacon and beer. Smoky, salty bacon helps to cut through sugar, giving this classic dessert new dimension.

For the Bacon and Beer Cupcakes recipe, click here.

There's nothing wrong with a little boxed stuffing, and this baked pork chop recipe proves it. If you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this simple dish will get the job done with ease while providing plenty of comforting, warm flavors.

For the Baked Pork Chops and Stuffing recipe, click here.

Liquid smoke enriches the deep, meaty flavor of these grilled pork ribs. Bottled barbecue sauce also gets an upgrade with cherries, chipotle in adobo, and lime juice, adding deep dimensions to this dish.

For the Barbecue Pork Rib Stack recipe, click here.

This Chinese takeout staple is shockingly easy to make at home. Soy sauce and sugar play off each other, making a flawless salty yet sweet sauce. Meanwhile, mushrooms and bamboo shoots add some much-needed texture and earthy flavors.

For the Best Moo Shu Pork recipe, click here.

The absolute best pork product has to be bacon. Salty, fatty, and perfectly crisp when cooked, this food product alone is enough to make you want to sing the praises of the pig. This simple candied bacon recipe uses brown sugar, adding delicious caramel flavor and sweetness to the favorite snack.

For the Candied Bacon recipe, click here.

Classic Coca-Cola adds acidity as well as sweetness to this ham. This four-ingredient dish makes for a simple alternative to a pricey honey-baked ham.

For the Coca-Cola Glazed Ham recipe, click here.

The tender taste and texture of a pork chop is perfectly complimented by the charred flavor from a flaming hot grill. This basic grilled pork chop recipe will take your summertime barbecues to the next level.

For the Grilling Pork Chops recipe, click here.

Ginger, scallions, and soy sauce make these Chinese appetizers fragrant and boldly flavorful. These doughy, bite-sized dumplings can be pan-fried, boiled, or deep-fried to your liking.

For the Pork and Chive Dumplings recipe, click here.

A basic, beyond-tender pork tenderloin is complimented perfectly by a fruity yet robust plum salsa in this recipe. The beautiful deep purple and red color of this salsa also make for one stunning presentation.

For the Pork Tenderloin with Warm Plum Salsa recipe, click here.

No pork dish roundup would be complete without tender, melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooker pork. Browning the meat in onions and before braising it adds hearty flavors that make this pork totally irresistible.

For the Slow-Cooker Braised Pork Shoulder recipe, click here.