Roast pork with crackling

Roast pork with crackling – juicy meat and crispy crackling

Roast pork and crackling go together like a horse and carriage! Pork has a meaty, slightly sweet, and savoury taste and a firm, yet tender texture that is delightfully juicy to bite into. The perfect roast pork crackling, on the other hand, is crispy and salty and biting into this top part gives a satisfying crunch. The meat's great texture and mild taste make roast pork with crackling quite versatile as it may be paired with many different side dishes.

The simplest and most delicious centrepiece for dinner

There is something special about serving an entire roast and a pork roast with beautifully golden-brown crackling with flecks of salt may just be one of the most special ones. Roast pork with crackling is a classic dish that is both simple and delicious, making it perfect for any dinner.

The combination of juicy meat and crunchy crackling creates a mouth-watering texture and flavour that is sure to impress anyone you serve it to. And fortunately, mastering how to cook roast pork with crackling is not too difficult with our recipe.

Whether you are hosting a large gathering or simply want to treat your family or friends to a special dinner, roast pork with crackling is a dish that is sure to please.

Delicious side dishes for roast pork with crackling

Roast pork with crackling tastes great with vegetables on the side. Roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes are a classic choice that complements the rich flavour of the meat. Steamed or roasted green beans also make for a fresh side dish if you want even more crunch in your meal.

Roast pork with crackling is also delicious with potato sides like boiled, roasted, or mashed potatoes. Creamy mashed potatoes make for a comforting side that goes well with the meat. Consider making a classic brown gravy for the velvety mash to soak up. This will create a great contrast between the tender meat, crispy crackling, and creamy sides. To freshen the dish, you can serve it with pickled lingonberry or German red cabbage for a bit of tang. This combination is quite popular in many Northern European countries.

A light and refreshing salad can help balance the richness of the roast pork with crackling if you want to avoid making a meal that feels heavy. Opt for something like a crunchy broccoli salad, a creamy yet crispy coleslaw, or a crisp, flavourful apple and fennel salad to pair with the savoury meat.

Choose the best cut of meat

The best cut for roast pork with crackling that is deliciously crunchy is typically pork loin or pork belly. These popular cuts have a good amount of fat and a relatively thick layer of skin, which is essential for achieving the desired crispy texture of the crackling. Pork shoulder is not typically used because it has less skin and fat compared to these cuts.

While it is possible to make roast pork shoulder with crackling, it may not have the same crispy texture as the crackling on either a roast pork loin or a roast pork belly. The shoulder is more commonly used for slow-cooking methods such as braising, roasting, or smoking to break down the connective tissue and create a tender, juicy meat. So, you should rather make roast pork with crackling from cuts like the belly or loin, which are better suited for this style of oven cooking.

Experiment with herbs and spices

There are several delicious ways to experiment with or adjust a recipe for roast pork with crackling to add a personal touch. One idea is to cook it on a bed of herbed vegetables. Placing it on a bed of vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery with herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage can add flavour and moisture to the meat. The vegetables with fresh herbs can also absorb the juices from the pork and create a flavourful side dish.

You can also experiment with adding different seasonings and herbs directly to the roast pork with crackling to give it a unique flavour. For example, you could try using a dry rub made from a homemade spice mix with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and rosemary. Placing cloves and bay leaves in the crackling itself is also an option. Cooking roast pork crackling this way infuses this crispy part with great, pungent flavours.

Lastly, you can also brine the roast pork with crackling, that is soak it in a solution of salt, water, and other flavourings to enhance its moisture and flavour. You can create a simple brine by dissolving salt and sugar in water, and then adding other flavourings like herbs and spices.