CLIVE, IOWA (September 28, 2026) — This October, Iowa Producers are celebrating Porktober by highlighting one of pork's biggest nutritional strengths: protein.
With "protein-maxxing" trending among consumers looking to add more protein to their diets, pork offers a flavorful, affordable way to do so, thanks to the farm families and workers who raise it with care.
Pork is one of the most convenient ways to meet your protein needs at the dinner table. A single three-ounce serving delivers an average of 23 grams of protein, helping you work toward the at least 100 grams of protein per day now recommended for most adults under the updated federal Dietary Guidelines.
Lean cuts like pork tenderloin meet the criteria for the American Heart Association Heart-Check mark (which means they contain less than five grams of fat, two grams or less of saturated fat, and 480 milligrams or less of sodium per label serving) proving you don't have to sacrifice nutrition for flavor.
Per three-ounce serving:
- Pork Loin: 23 grams protein
- Pork Sirloin Roast: 26 grams protein
- Pork Tenderloin: 22 grams protein (also leaner than skinless chicken breast!)
And behind every cut is a story of care for the pigs raised responsibly, the Iowa farm families and workers who raise them, and the land and environment they depend on. Porktober celebrates all of it: real nutrition, real flavor, and the people committed to doing it right.
To help home cooks put that protein power to work, IPPA is featuring three recipes this Porktober:
- Street Corn Pork Chops — Juicy, seasoned-grilled pork chops topped with a creamy, charred corn salad, finished with lime, cotija cheese, cilantro, and a hint of jalapeño. With 46 grams of protein per serving, it’s a protein-packed dinner with bold, fresh flavor.
- Sausage Gnocchi — A hearty, one-pan weeknight meal pairing savory pork sausage with pillowy gnocchi for a comforting dish (packed with 32 grams of protein per serving) the whole family will ask for again.
- Pork Tenderloin Pimento Sandwich — Tender, lean pork tenderloin piled high with creamy pimento cheese for a Southern-inspired sandwich that turns a high-protein, lean cut into a satisfying, craveable meal with 37 grams of protein per serving.
"Pork is one of the easiest ways for families to get more protein on the table without sacrificing flavor," said IPPA President Dean Frazer, a pig farmer from Conrad.
"Whether it's a weeknight sausage gnocchi or grilled pork chops with friends, every recipe this Porktober is built around real nutrition families can feel good about."
Recipes, cooking tips, and more information about pork's nutritional benefits are available at iowapork.org/recipes.
About the Iowa Pork Producers Association
The mission of the Iowa Pork Producers Association is promoting, educating, and providing a leading voice for a sustainable, socially-responsible, and globally-competitive pork industry.
