Pork, Shoulder petite tender, boneless, separable lean and fat, raw

The petite tender is a small, lean, tube-shaped muscle taken from the pork shoulder that, despite its shoulder origin, cooks more like a tenderloin than a typical shoulder roast, staying tender with quick, high-heat methods like grilling, pan-searing, or roasting rather than the long braise a shoulder roast would need. It is often marinated briefly before cooking to add flavor, then sliced into medallions after resting, similar to how a beef or pork tenderloin is served. Its mild flavor takes well to rubs, marinades, and glazes, from simple salt and pepper to sweeter barbecue-style preparations.

Look for pieces with a consistent pale pink color and minimal surface moisture when selecting it raw, and store it refrigerated for a couple of days or frozen if not using soon. A 105 g piece has 128 calories and 21.6 grams of protein, reaching 43 percent of the daily value for protein, while fat stays modest at 3.91 grams and sodium at 50 milligrams. That combination makes it a lean protein cut well suited to building a quick weeknight dinner around, especially when portion size and short cook times are kept in mind.