How to consistently achieve perfect pork crackling.
Here are some tips for making the ideal pig crackling. To do it right and make it simple, it typically takes two days. Perfect crackling requires patience.
The pork belly must first be scored by pricking only the skin with a pin. Make sure not to delve too far. A Jaccard Meat Tenderizer, which has more than 40 spikes, can be used instead of a sharp knife to create numerous small incisions at once. This is by far the best and simplest method for piercing the skin of the hog. The meat should next be salted (Kosher salt works best) and refrigerated overnight to allow the moisture to evaporate. The simplest approach to accomplish this is to arrange your pork belly skin side up in a tray and attempt to elevate it off the tray’s base using a wire rack or other similar device. This enables the air to move freely all around.
Using white vinegar to clean the pork skin before applying salt and letting it lie in the refrigerator uncovered is another method for making the ideal pork crackling.
Please take note that the flesh side is not being salted; only the skin side is.
The following day, before you put the pork on the charcoal spit, make sure to dry it off with a paper towel, apply extra salt to the outside skin, and season the rest of the meat with your preferred rub.
The easiest way to apply intense heat when your meat is ultimately on the spit is to drop it really low and keep it near to the lump charcoal from the very beginning. After the crackling is to your satisfaction, you can lift it high and start the spit roasting.
Any cuts of pork, including whole pigs, can be prepared using the method we described above for making the ideal pork crackling. The same method still applies if you are cooking in an oven rather than on a spit: preheat the oven to a high setting, place the meat inside, and then reduce the heat to a roasting setting after you are satisfied with the crispiness of the crackling.
Visit our blog post on How to Spit Roast a Pork Belly for more details.
How to Get Perfect Crackling
Want to become an expert at spit roasting? For information on lighting your charcoal, preparing your meat, cooking periods, and 15 different cooks from beginning to end, check out our Spit Roasting Masterclass.
