If you have to choose one and ONLY ONE, which will you choose? BEEF or PORK?

Question

Hi chow friends, 

Last night I was having dinners with my friends, and while we were choosing our entree dishes between a pork and a beef dish, the conversation somehow evolved to "if you can only eat either beef or pork for the rest of your life, which one will you pick?" 

And, even till now, I found myself unable to pick one! I love beef and a good steak is such an indulgence, yet pork is so versatile and I can never bypass a dreamy dish of pork belly or bacon. So I found myself having tough time going one way or the other (completely opposite to my experience in the election early this week :P).

How about you? If you can only eat either beef (any parts of a cow) or pork (any parts of a pig) for the rest of your life, which one will you choose?

(let's assume there isn't any religious restriction or else the point is muted)

EDIT: This is added later. If you can also add why you pick one over the other, that will be great!

Answer

If the pork came from the type of pig that was common 50 years ago, I'd choose pork.

Answer

Definitely pork! Oh but dang, what about short ribs? Definitely beef! Could they create a hybrid???

Answer

Pork

Answer

Bacon vs burgers?

Wow, that is a dilemma. But I have to go with pork. Bacon wins every time!

Answer

Life without bacon cheeseburgers? Horrors!! 
I would sooner drink hemlock.

Answer

If I was In India, it would be pork; if in a Semite country, beef. In seriousness, I prefer pork; Mexican, Latin, Asian, German and BBQ cuisines. It is said the Chinese use every part of the pig except the squeal and Henry Ford uses that.

Answer

i definitely would have to choose pork. i rarely eat beef as it is so i wouldn't miss it one bit. but pork, we eat anywhere up to 3 or 4 times a week.

Answer

A year ago I would have thought about a nice sizzling steak and said beef, no question, but now I think I'd say pork. Due to the economy I've cut my beef consumption way down over the last year or so, and I'm not missing it as much as I thought I would. Of course, there's a big difference between "not as much" and "never again", but I think I'd find it a lot harder to get by without ham and bacon and big juicy pork sausages than to not eat burgers.

Answer

As much as I'd miss my burgers and occasional strip steak, I have to say Pork. Between bacon, porkchops, pork shoulder, babybacks, St. Louis Ribs, (did I already say BACON?) tenderloin, etc. the world O'Pig is just so crazy-good. Thank God we don't have to choose...
Adam

Answer

Can I have lamb instead of either?

Answer

My heart instantly said PORK but then I started thinking about burgers and steak. I love love burgers! But I'm' still going with pork. I can eat pork so many different ways and not really think that I'm eating the same meat... bacon, ham, porkchops etc are all so different. And pork is just so flavourful.

WON
http://whatsonmyplate.wordpress.com

Answer

Simple for me, BEEF. I find pork to be very neutral in flavor whereas different cuts of beef have very different tastes. I always have to doctor pork and, like chicken, after you bite the outside seasoned part the insides are usually tasteless.

Answer

I'm just siting here thanking all the gods there are that I don't really have to choose. *G* I'm with Veggo above - can't bear the thought of life without another bacon cheeseburger. Not that I indulge often, but I could if I wanted to! 

I really love pork in its almost infinite forms, but beef... mmmmm beef. Could be because I was lucky enough to have indulged in two, count 'em two, porterhouse steaks in the last 10 days. And they were soooooo good. 

So I'd say beef, but with a real sense of loss.

Answer

Pork! 
Pork roast so tender it falls apart, proscuitto, pancetta, speck, bacon, pork chops, pork dumplings, salami, chorizo, jamon, ribs, sausage...oh the list could go on.

My daughters say pork too. One says "I'll never give up bacon!"

Answer

I'd take the hog.

 Don't get me wrong, I salivate at the thought of a huge rib steak grilled over mesquite chunks, or the comforting long beef braise.
Pork, however, seems so versatile in so many cuisines. Plus the fat...beef fat is ok and quite flavorsome, but pork fat can be exquisite.
Piece by piece, the hog may come out on top - ever eat cow skin? Not bad, but pig skin..... ooohhhhhh man. Cow foot vs pigs foot, my nod goes to the pig. Tail? Pig again. 
Charcuterie? Well Porky seems to have almost endless possibilities.

Answer

beef, no question about it.

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Pig. The entire pig is much more versatile than the entire steer. I'd miss a good steak and pastrami and oxtails but otherwise the pig rules.

One condition: that it be the old Other White Meat, not the new Other White Meat.

Answer

This started out easy. Bacon, Italian Sausage, breakfast sausage, chops, and, oh my God, hot and spicy pork rinds. Pork wins.
Then...
Do I want to remove the beef from a bacon cheeseburger, or the bacon? 
Beef, much like Pork, seems to be losing its flavor as the years go by. Gourmet Markets sell beef advertised as "the way beef to used to taste". But it isn't.
So, yeah, it has to be Pork. Too many varieties, and, again, bacon.
But then it occured to me, it isn't just steak and burgers. It's Brisket. When it comes to BBQ, for me there are only two things, Brisket, and burnt ends. 
I have to change my answer to beef, and it is because of LC's in Kansas City's, Burnt Ends, and Sadlers Smoked Brisket.
But even the imagined thought of no bacon, will make it difficult to sleep tonight.

Answer

As long I can supplement with bison, then pork without question. I'll make up for all of my bacon consumption with lean American buffalo. Without the bison option, though, it would be a much harder decision. Existential dillemas such as "would I rather go without pork tenderloin or skirt steak for the rest of my mortal life" are tough... but when then I remember barbeque!

Spare-ribs and pulled pork! Yes, I think the noble pig still comes out on top.

Answer

Have to say I am surprised by the results so far - overwhelmingly PORK!

When I was younger, I often consider this country as beef-centric and pork is somewhat secondary. Perhaps it's an illusion as most Asian (myself) consider American diets as steaks, burgers, and hot dogs. But everyone seems to love pork these days!

Answer

Pork for sure! I can do without steak and burgers if I could have bacon, proscuitto, pork belly, not to mention the Chinese honey garlic pork chops and spare ribs. Oh , and dim sum and BBQ! There's just no way!

Like someone else said, thank goodness we can have both (in moderation)!

Answer

this is the best question I have ever seen posted on Chowhound, and the toughest to answer.

I love prime and dry aged beef, as well as brisket on my smoker. But I also love pork and the many different cuts, and uses. I love ribs, butt, & shoulder on my smoker, as well as the many byproducts(sausage, pork belly, bacon, etc.).

Chinese bbq vs a steak @ a top seak house.. thats a tough call as well.

Id hate to give up either, and choose one over the other, but I probably would have to choose pork for its versatility. 

Thank God I would never be forced to make such a decision in real life.

Answer

Pork, no question.

Answer

As I grew up in a household where pork was a rare item, I would have to say I would choose beef. I've learned to substitute chicken or turkey in many dishes where pork is called for (though I know it's not the same). But to think of going through life without a really juicy beef burger -- that's tough!

And if this question is expanded to consider the ramifications of not having milk if one chooses to consume pig only, the cow is a much more versatile animal.

Answer

While I have experienced great pork, I have experienced wonderful beef, "to-die-for" beef, transcendental beef. OK, I guess that it would be beef.

Hunt

Answer

Great topic! I'd hate to be limited to one or the other, but if I was, I'd choose beef. I love hot dogs (screen name is hotdoglover), burgers, bratwurst, and bacon. Hot dogs come in 2 main categories; German style beef and pork, and kosher style well seasoned all beef. I love both styles, but if I had to choose, it would be a beef frank since I'm in the mood for it more often than a pork/beef dog or a pork based bratwurst.

I also love burgers. I prefer steak to a pork or ham dish, and for coldcuts would take roast beef over ham. I'd hate to give up bacon. It would be the toughest sacrifice for me other than German style franks or bratwurst, but I've found that beef bacon is a decent alternative.

Answer

Has to be pork for me.

Bacon, pulled pork, chops, tenderloin, ribs. C'mon, steak is great. So are burgers but you can do so much more with a pig. 
You also have the added benefit of saving bacon grease for cooking and of course, ham hocks and bones to put in your beans, peas, greens and other awesome dishes.

The pig rules baby!!!

DT

Answer

I was going to say the answer was obviously pork, like many...

...but do I have to give up veal stock?

Answer

I haven't eaten beef in years, and haven't missed it one bit. 

Bacon, has no adequate substitute. So pork it is.

Answer

I've only had pork once accidentally (religious heritage) and I didn't even enjoy it. Therefore I'd choose beef all the way.

Answer

Pork. I feel it has more options for dressing it up. Beef doesn't taste good with everything the way pork does.

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OMG - Hands down, PORK. Pork fat rules. :)

Answer

This is tough, so with tongue in cheek let me add up the situation:

If I went with Beef, I’d be giving up Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Ham Steaks, Pork Chops, Pork BBQ, or Roast Pork (w/ or w/out the Chop Suey).

If I went with Pork, I’d be giving up Steak, Pastrami, Corned Beef, Hamburger and Beef BBQ.

Hmmm, BBQ’s cancel each other out, that leaves it 6 to 4. Well, looks like Wilbur better get his affairs in order, because I’d have to pick Pork! (Besides, bacon is just too un-do-without-able.)

Answer

VERY tough choice, excellent question. 
burgers v bacon
brisket v pork shoulder
steak v chops
etc
in the end i come down on the side of beef (HAHA) - it is my comfort food, my grandfather was a dairy farmer so we ate a lot of it when I was growing up.

Answer

It would be beef for me. Pork is a meat I can only have once in a while.

Answer

Bacon, pork belly, pancetta, suckling pig, ham, most french canadian foods, sausage, parma ham... need I say more?
Don't get me wrong, I like beef, but I prefer buffalo anyways so pork wins, hands down!
(can we keep veal?)

Answer

But then again, Ive never had Kobe Beef...

Answer

Not even close for me. Pork, pork, pork.
I don't eat that much beef anymore, just hamburgers.

Actually, it would be lamb > pork > chicken > beef.

Answer

Pork, based on sam gyup sal and siu yook alone.....you can't get crispy skin with beef

Answer

Delicious Whole roast Pig with cripy skin, baby back ribs, Kalua Pig, Carnitas, Pork Chitterlings, sausage, Char siu, and BACON!!.......Pork for the win!!

Answer

I'd have to choose beef: nothing tops a prime dry aged steak, or hamburger or prime rib or short ribs, etc. but I must give a tip of the hat to that philospher, Homer Simpson, who asked daughter Lisa: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animial again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No
Homer: What about ham?
Lisa: No
Homer: What about pork chops?
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal!!
Homer: Heh, heh, heh, oh yeah, right Lisa. A wonderful ...magical animal!!

Answer

Seeing as you've eliminated lamb which is my favourite and most often eaten meat, and chicken (which is second on my list) then I'll have to go for pork.

Reason - more versatile as it features in more cultures than beef. Of course, you have to allow me to continue to buy free-tange rare breed meat, not bland supermarket crap.

Answer

I would not love thee, Ribeye, half as much,
Loved I not Bacon more...

Answer

Pork for sure in all its forms. My top two are a garlic laden BBQ'd butt and a simmered till tender then roasted skin on meaty hock.

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Pork, Just substitute beef with buffalo. You can still have your burgers, meatballs, steaks. It may not taste exactly the same but atleast it's healthier.

Answer

I'd choose pork. I find it more versatile in combining with different flavors. I was actually told to not eat beef or any dairy products when I was a child due to some digestion problems. I do eat beef and sometimes crave it but would be better off if I didn't!

Answer

I have to say that I would fall in on the "pork" side, but there is one chink in my porcine armor...flank steak, sliced thin marinated with some soy and sesame seeds and grilled.

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with all of the pork products in enjoy: prosciutto, ribs, boiled ham, country ham, bacon, sausage, chinese pork dumplings, I enjoy them only occasionally, whereas I eat beef much more often. pork has such a strong and particular taste I don't eat it that often. beef is served in my house a few times as week.

so i say beef!

Answer

beef because I like beef better than pork.

Answer

No contest, the Pig wins the day. It tastes great and is more versatile.
 I wouldn't miss beef at all, not even a hamburger...ground pork makes great burgers and they are probably a lot healthier than our average crappy American beef anyway. 
I only wish that it were easier to find good quality old fashioned pork...the stuff in the supermarkets these days is just way too lean.

Answer

Considering the whole animal:

Pig (mmm...that one magical animal): prosciutto, jamon, bacon, tenderloin, shoulder, lard, hu tieu, wontons, cha gio, pea soup, tacos al pastor, whole roast pig (any origin)

Cow: tenderloin, milk, ice cream, cheese, burgers, suet, roast, pho, boots, tacos al carbon, bulgogi, kalbi

Due to the dairy & hide, cow is the winner; from a meat-only perspective, pig is the clear winner (or loser if you're the pig).

Answer

Pork is way more versatile. Give me the pig!

Answer

Beef, I like the taste better =/.

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Pork b/c it's what I grew up eating much more of than beef. I'd miss burgers and meatballs, among other things, but I'm not a big steak eater.

Answer

We rarely eat meat anymore, except to season dishes. So it's an easy question: pork. Pancetta for Italian food, bacon or sausage for American. Pork chorizo for Mexican. Ground pork for Chinese. Ham hocks for black beans and split pea soup. Beef is just not as versatile.

Answer

beef, easy.

Answer

Beef

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We grind our beef and pork and for the last six months perhaps have been eating pork burgers rather than making it all into sausage. We've gotten to the point where we KNOW that we like pork burgers better than beef burgers. I also prefer pork Bolognese to the authentic beef version.

Answer

Until this week that would have been a really hard choice. Sam's Club didn't have the usual cut of pork I buy, so I got pork steaks.
 I decided to do them just like our beef steaks and cooked til still pink in the middle. My gosh were they good, 
We did them on a hot grill and I used a little of our rib rub, and a coffee based steak powder on them. 
They tasted so much like beef steak that I can say I would choose Pork over Beef

Answer

Honestly, if I had to choose only one animal flesh to eat it would be chicken. But I tend to like pork a little better than beef.

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not at all an easy choice, but since most of the pork products i like tend to be processed in some way - sausage, bacon, ham etc, and since most of those can be mimicked fairly successfully with chicken or other poultry, I admit not perfectly, but close, then I would have to pick beef.

the wonderful thing is - i don't need to choose.

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<I found myself unable to pick one! I love beef and a good steak is such an indulgence, yet pork is so versatile >

Same here. Years ago, my answer would have been beef, but in recent years, I start to appreciate the numerous pork products. Now, I would probably pick pork just because I find pork to be more versatile. I would have to give up "more" if I give up pork.

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An easy decision for me, with only a few exceptions it's how I live now- BEEF! I don't like pork. As I was just posting in the thread about food dislikes, white meat pork and ham taste rancid to me.

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Pork. It's so versatile! Bacon, sausage, spare ribs, bacon, ham, bacon, pork chops, did I say bacon? Bacon. 

I am terrible at knowing/naming cuts of meat so I can't throw out the names of the cuts I'm referring to, but I hate that the fat has been bred out of a lot of pigs and pork has become "the other white meat".

Answer

I'll choose pork. I hardly ever eat steaks, so I'd get over it. I would miss burgers, but I absolutely love buffalo burgers, so those would always work as a substitute. Gyros might not be the same, but authentic ones are made out of lamb anyway (which I also love). I would REALLY miss brisket, pastrami, corned beef, and tongue, for which there are no real substitutes.

But giving up pork would mean giving up sausages (which I could always make meatloaf, meatballs, and meat sauces out of), bacon, ham, pulled pork, ribs, tacos al pastor, carnitas, Cuban-style marinated mojo pork, char siu, pork chops, pork tenderloin, and genoa salami, prosciutto, capicola, pancetta, soppresata, serrano ham, jamon iberico -- all the cured meats I consider the ultimate decadent splurges (most of which are necessary for classy Italian sandwiches).

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Choice: Pork, undoubtedly. It's pretty much the best. 

Reasoning: I haven't been much of a steak fan since I escaped my teens. Ground pork beats ground beef in most applications. I would rather eat a pork or chicken stir-fry than a beef one, generally.


(Plus, if I have a hankering for beef, I can just pull some venison out of the freezer! Or is that cheating?)

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If you have to choose one and ONLY ONE, which will you choose? BEEF or PORK?

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