There’s nothing quite like the crackling of perfectly roasted pork—a tender and juicy roast with a crispy, golden skin that’s both flavorful and satisfying. This roast pork with crispy crackling is the perfect dish for a Sunday roast or a special occasion. The skin gets perfectly crisp, and the meat remains succulent and full of flavor, thanks to a simple seasoning of olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt. With just a few easy steps, you can achieve a delicious roast that will impress everyone at the table.
Body Overview
Roasting pork with crispy crackling is easier than you might think, and it starts with scoring the skin. This technique helps the fat render out and crisps up the skin to create that signature crackling. The seasoning of olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt plays a critical role in both flavoring the meat and encouraging the skin to crisp perfectly. With the right cooking temperature and resting time, this roast pork recipe will yield tender meat with a beautiful crackling crust every time.
Detailed Recipe: Roast Pork With Crispy Crackling
Ingredients
- 2 kg pork leg (bone-in) or boned & rolled shoulder (Pork leg shown)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- 1 tbsp sea salt
Method
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 250°C (480°F) to ensure it’s hot enough to start the crackling process. The high initial temperature will help to crisp up the skin quickly.
Step 2: Score the Skin
Using a sharp knife, gently score the skin of the pork leg or shoulder. Make sure you cut through the skin and into the fat layer, but not into the meat itself. Score the skin in close parallel lines, creating a crisscross pattern. This allows the fat to render out during cooking, helping to create that crispy, crackling exterior.
Step 3: Season the Pork
Rub the entire surface of the pork, including the scored skin, with olive oil and the juice of one lemon. The oil helps to crisp the skin, while the lemon juice adds a subtle tang to the meat. After that, rub the sea salt generously over the pork, making sure to work it into the scores. The salt draws moisture out of the skin, which helps the crackling form.
Step 4: Roast the Pork
Place the seasoned pork in a large roasting pan. Put it in the preheated oven and roast it uncovered for 30 minutes at 250°C. This initial high heat will get the crackling started. After 30 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (350°F) and continue roasting for about 25 minutes per 500g of weight. For a 2 kg roast, this will take about 1½ hours. Be sure to check the crackling periodically—if it’s not as crispy as you like, you can turn up the heat for the last 10 minutes of roasting.
Step 5: Rest the Roast
Once the roast is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 20 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it moist and tender when carved. Don’t skip this step!
Step 6: Carve and Serve
After the roast has rested, carve the pork and serve with your favorite sides. The result is tender, juicy pork with that irresistible, crispy crackling on top. This dish pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a tangy apple sauce.
Conclusion
This roast pork with crispy crackling is a classic dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. The simple seasoning of olive oil, lemon, and sea salt is all you need to bring out the natural flavors of the pork and create the perfect crackling. The high heat at the start of the roasting process ensures that the skin crisps up beautifully, while the slow roasting ensures the meat stays juicy and tender. With this recipe, you’ll enjoy a mouthwatering roast pork that’s perfect for any occasion.
