How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (2024)

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You don't have to be Italian to love the taste of tender, juicy porchetta. It's um-um-good and a dish that seldom has leftovers very long, since it's just as good cold as it is freshly cooked.

How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (1)

You make porchetta from pork belly and if you've cooked it properly, it will have delectably crisp skin but be so tender it almost melts in your mouth.

How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (2)

I hadn't cooked or even tasted it before a friend emailed me a recipe. Not being much of a pork roast fan, I was reluctant to make it. Instead, I put it in my recipe file in my email and forgot it.

It wasn't until that same friend invited me to dinner and served porchetta, did I realize that the recipe was almost worth its weight in gold. OMG! It was so good, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (3)

There's nothing difficult about making porchetta, but it is time-consuming, curing time, no preparation time. First, you must start with a whole pork belly that has the skin still on it, then rub salt into the meat and rub the skin with baking soda.

Put the meat in the fridge to allow the salt to work it's magic overnight. The rest of the process is relatively easy. You take the meat out, score it with a razor making lines that create small squares on the back, and expose the fat.

How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (4)

Lay the fat, scored side down, and add the layer of seasoning/stuffing on the top of the meat. The stuffing consists of garlic, fennel seed, rosemary, and lemon zest. You roll the meat as you might a bedroll and tie it neatly with string.

How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (5)

You may need to cut it to fit into the oven. Roast the roll or rolls at 400 degrees and you'll end up with the perfect porchetta that really only took fifteen minutes of preparation and a little forethought.

It's not really quick, but it doesn't take much effort and that's a huge selling factor for me. Once you taste it, you probably would make it even if it took all day. I know I would. Yummers, it's so good!

How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (6)
How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (7)
How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (8)

Get these ingredients

  • 5 to 6 lbs pork belly with the skin on or you can order half a belly

Rub:

  • 4 cloves of garlic sliced thinly
  • 3 tablespoon rosemary chopped
  • 2 tablespoon coarsely ground fennel seeds
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 or 2 tablespoon salt

Step by step instructions

  • First, you must start with a whole pork belly that has the skin still on it, then season the meat side liberally with salt.
  • Flip it over and rub some baking soda evenly into the skin.
    Put the meat in the fridge with the skin side facing up, uncovered to allow the salt to work it’s magic overnight.
  • Heat the oven to 400°F. Take the pork belly out from the fridge and lightly pat the skin with a paper towel to dry it.
  • Make sure to totally wipe off the remaining baking soda residue from the pork's skin.
  • Using a razor blade, carefully score the skin to expose the fat, without piercing it. Score in diagonal lines 2 inches apart. Then score in the opposite direction, also 2 inches apart, to create an even diamond pattern in the skin.
  • Flip the belly over so the skin side is down. Evenly scatter the garlic slices over the meat.
  • Follow with the chopped rosemary, coarsely ground fennel seed, and lemon zest.
  • Roll up the belly and tie it together at 3-inch intervals using butcher's twine, making sure the twine is snug but not too tight.
  • If your pork belly doesn't fit in a standard oven, you can cut it in half to make 2 roasts.
  • Place the pork belly on a pair of wire racks and roast for about 40 minutes.
  • After that, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and roast undisturbed for 3 hours.
  • Check it's tenderness by using a long thin knife or long wooden skewer to probe the meat — it should be very pliant but not falling apart.
  • Raise the oven temperature to 500°F and roast until the skin is evenly blistered and crispy, about 5-7 minutes (make sure to keep an eye all the time as the skin easily gets burned while blasting)
  • Remove the porchettas and let them cool for 30 minutes. Slice as thick as you like.
  • If you’re making sandwiches, 1 ½ inches is about right and serve.

Full Recipe

Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin

3.46 from 57 votes

Pin Recipe

Porchetta Recipe - An Italian roast pork that is meltingly tender, with an almost startlingly crispy skin.

Servings: 8

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 4 hours hours

Ingredients:

Main Ingredient:

  • 5 to 6 lbs pork belly (or with skin on )

Rub:

  • 4 cloves garlic (sliced thinly)
  • 3 tablespoon rosemary chopped
  • 2 tablespoon ground fennel seeds
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 or 2 tablespoon salt

Instructions:

  • First, you must start with a whole pork belly that has the skin still on it, then season the meat side liberally with salt.

  • Flip it over and rub some baking soda evenly into the skin.

  • Put the meat in the fridge with the skin side facing up, uncovered to allow the salt to work it’s magic overnight.

  • Heat the oven to 400°F.

  • Take the pork belly out from the fridge and lightly pat the skin with a paper towel to dry it.

  • Make sure to totally wipe off the remaining baking soda residue from the pork's skin.

  • Using a razor blade, carefully score the skin to expose the fat, without piercing it. Score in diagonal lines 2 inches apart. Then score in the opposite direction, also 2 inches apart, to create an even diamond pattern in the skin.

  • Flip the belly over so the skin side is down. Evenly scatter the garlic slices over the meat.

  • Follow with the chopped rosemary, coarsely ground fennel seed, and lemon zest.

  • Roll up the belly and tie it together at 3-inch intervals using butcher's twine, making sure the twine is snug but not too tight.

  • If your pork belly doesn't fit in a standard oven, you can cut it in half to make 2 roasts.

  • Place the pork belly on a pair of wire racks and roast for about 40 minutes.

  • After that, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and roast undisturbed for 3 hours.

  • Check it's tenderness by using a long thin knife or long wooden skewer to probe the meat — it should be very pliant but not falling apart.

  • Raise the oven temperature to 500°F and roast until the skin is evenly blistered and crispy, about 5-7 minutes (make sure to keep an eye all the time as the skin easily gets burned while blasting)

  • Remove the porchettas and let them cool for 30 minutes. Slice as thick as you like

  • If you’re making sandwiches, 1 ½ inches is about right and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 1475kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 150g | Saturated Fat: 55g | Cholesterol: 204mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Did you make this?I would love seeing what you've made! Tag me on Instagram @theforkbitedotcom or leave me a comment or rating below.

Course: dinner

Cuisine: Asian, Italian

Keywords: porchetta, roasted pork porchetta

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kmac153 says

    What would you suggest serving with this

  2. Tamara from Arizona says

    I was courageous enough to re-create this Porchetta the first time for my friends' gathering and it was a huge hit!! Simply delicious, I have made this recipe several times since.

  3. Allison Trey says

    I followed the recipe to a T and didn't need any tweaking at all..and it was a huge hit! My husband who is a chef said it was amazing... and I agree with him. Highly recommended. Thank you for sharing.

  4. Connie Rolland says

    I haven't done a roast before that's why I was nervous to recreate this dish, but it held its integrity and sliced beautifully. I so love this recipe and thank you for posting 🙂 Pinned!!

  5. Bernice Ayers says

    The flavors of this dish is amazing!! I'm actually a noob cook but I followed your recipe to a T and it turned out super delicious, I can't wait to make this recipe again, I believe this is the best dishes I've made so far 🙂

  6. Jacquelyne Wyne says

    you have a fantastic blog right here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my blog?

  7. London Mumma says

    In all honesty, I am not a pork fan, but this does look delicious. A perfect Sunday dinner dish.

  8. Margarette Puno says

    Oh this looks so delicious! It's a perfect family dinner. I will try this recipe soon.

  9. Aditi says

    This looks like a great recipe for meat lovers since I'm a vegetarian since birth I'm sad I won't be trying it anytime in my kitchen. I'll share it with my friends who love to eat and cook meat.

  10. Sondra Barker says

    I've never heard of prochetta before this post, but I was practically drooling over my computer while scrolling through your pictures. Pork is perfect when it has nice, crispy skin, but so hard to not dry out!

  11. sabrina barbante says

    I know the preparation is not easy at all but you are a great help for those who want to try!

  12. Ana De- Jesus says

    Haha I was about to be stupid and ask what porchetta was but it makes sense it is from the pig belly. My friend would love eating this!

  13. Familyearthtrek says

    Wow this is something to make when I want to impress my friends and family! And I would never thought of making a hamburger out of it! Look so good...now my mouth is watering to! I will pin it!

  14. StressedMum says

    This sounds amazing, we love pork and it is only in the last year or so I have discovered the easiest way to get a perfect roast pork and crackling. I am going to have to try this next time x

How to Make Roast Porchetta Recipe with Crispy Skin (2024)

FAQs

How to make roast pig skin crispy? ›

Insufficient heat will make it hard for the skin to get really crisp. Make sure to take the pork out of the fridge 30 minutes before you cook it so that the meat reaches room temperature. A high starting temperature (240C/220C fan/gas 9 in this recipe) is essential for crisping up the pork.

Does porchetta need to be skin on? ›

You'll want to find a rectangular section of pork belly. It's very important that the belly still has the skin on—the best part of porchetta is the crispy skin! If possible, try to find a belly that still has a little bit of loin meat attached. If you can't, the recipe will still work just fine.

What temperature should porchetta be cooked at? ›

Cook the porchetta to an internal temperature of at least 130°F depending on your preferred doneness, because continue to rise in temperature after leaving the oven. 5. Rest for at least 20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute, and use a serrated knife to make slicing easiest.

What makes pork skin crispy? ›

You need a LOT of salt on the skin. In fact, salt is what helps the skin go bubbly-crispy rather than hardening into an impenetrable hard, flat sheet of skin; Oil – To make the seasonings adhere to the flesh and skin, as well as being a heat conductor; Garlic and onion – The pork sits on top of these as it roasts.

How do you keep roast pork skin crispy? ›

For the crackling to stay crispy, you must NOT wrap it in plastic. Plastic will trap any residual moisture and will make the crackling soft and chewy the next day. You must store the crackling at room temperature and in a dry location. Perhaps wrap it in food-safe paper and store in a brown lunch bag.

Why is my porchetta not crispy? ›

If you are at the correct internal temperature but the skin isn't quite crisp enough, broil the skin for 6-8 minutes until it puffs up, watching carefully to ensure it doesn't burn. Rest the pork belly for at least 15 minutes prior to serving, then carve into individual portions.

What cut of meat is porchetta made from? ›

Though you can make porchetta from a single cut of boned pork belly or shoulder, a combination of fatty belly and lean, tender loin – with the skin left on the belly for maximum crisp – offers the best of both worlds. You'll probably need to go to a butcher to make sure you get pieces of the right shape.

How to get extra crispy crackling on pork? ›

Preheat oven to 230°C, 210°C fan or Gas Mark 8. Put the joint in a roasting tin on the top shelf for 20 minutes. This sudden blast of heat is the key to crispy crackling. Reduce the temperature to 180-190°C, 160-170°C fan or Gas Mark 4-5 and follow the cooking times below to ensure the joint is cooked through.

Why is my porchetta skin hard? ›

The heat at which you cook pork cracklins can also cause them to become hard. If the temperature is not high enough, the skin won't crack properly, resulting in a rubbery texture. Make sure to cook pork skin in oil that has a smoke point of 400 degrees.

Do you cook porchetta fat side up or down? ›

Place fat-side up on a wire rack in a roasting pan. Roast for one hour, until the fat is crisp. Reduce heat down to 325º F (160°C) and cook until the internal temperature reaches 168° F (75°C), about 60 to 80 minutes longer; test in several spots to be sure of your measurement.

Do you cook Porketta covered or uncovered? ›

Tenting can be suitable for some cuts of meat, but if you want a crunchy crust on your roast, then it's best to leave it uncovered. If you notice that the roasted pork is browning too much, you can lightly cover it with aluminum foil. However, do not cover it for the last 5-10 minutes in the oven.

What to eat with porchetta roast? ›

Pairing Perfection: 11 BEST Side Dishes for Porchetta
  1. Produce.
  2. • 1 Buttered asparagus.
  3. • 1 Carrot slaw with cilantro and mint.
  4. • 1 Cherry tomato salad with fresh basil.
  5. • 1 Corn, on the Cob.
  6. • 1 Mashed potatoes with chives, Creamy.
  7. • 1 Parmesan and garlic green beans.
  8. • 1 Polenta with mushrooms, Creamy.

How many pounds of porchetta per person? ›

How much porchetta to serve per person? Most of the time you'll want to buy ½ pound of uncooked meat per person. But once you start eating pork belly it's incredibly hard to stop, which is why we plan on 1 pound per person. Also, leftovers are excellent in sandwiches so it's wise to plan on making extra!

What is the best temperature for pork roast? ›

Pre-heat oven to 325F (163C). Bake pork roast in the oven UNCOVERED for approximately 25-30 MINUTES *PER POUND* (55-66 MINUTES PER KILOGRAM) Or until internal temperature reaches 155F (68C), rested to a final 160F (71C).

How do I make my whole hog skin crispy? ›

Shovel coals directly under the hog for the last 15 - 20 minutes of the cook to bubble and crisp up the skin. Pull the meat onto a chopping block. Also bring in pieces of the crispy skin.

Why is my pork skin hard when roasting? ›

If the heat is too high, the skin will get rock hard, along with the meat. That's why we use medium heat when we fry. And don't forget to dry the pork as much as possible first. The drier it is, the crispier the skin.

How do you make pork skins crispy again? ›

Use one tablespoon of vegetable oil and half a tablespoon of salt. Cook and roast your pork rinds using a wire rack in a baking tray at 240 for up to 50 minutes until the rinds crackle.

How to cook pig skin soft? ›

Place the skin into a cast iron skillet or heavy pot. Cover the skin with the rendered fat. If you're using a skillet or pan without a lid, cover the top with a sheet of foil. Place the covered vessel into the oven and cook for two hours, until the skin is very soft and shrunken.

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