Roast Pork with Seriously Good Crackling Recipe
This Roast Pork recipe features a succulent boneless pork shoulder joint with perfectly crispy crackling, enhanced by fresh herbs and garlic. The pork is roasted to tender perfection, served with a rich gravy made from the meat juices and wholesome vegetable stock, creating a comforting and satisfying meal ideal for family dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
Roast Pork:
- 2.2 – 2.5 kgs (4.8 – 5.5 lbs) rolled boneless pork shoulder joint
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried parsley)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp sea salt
Gravy:
- Meat juices from your roasted pork
- 3 chicken stock cubes, crumbled
- 720 ml (3 cups) hot vegetable stock from boiled/steamed vegetables and potatoes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp gravy browning (optional)
- 2 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch
- 5 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork: Score the skin of the pork shoulder with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut into the meat. Rub the sea salt, black pepper, minced garlic, thyme, and parsley all over the pork, making sure to get the seasoning into the scored skin and the meat underneath for maximum flavor.
- Roast the Pork: Place the pork joint on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Roast in a preheated oven at 220°C (428°F) for about 30 minutes to crisp up the crackling. Then reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (356°F) and continue roasting for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (167°F) and the meat is tender and cooked through.
- Rest the Meat: Once roasted, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for at least 15-20 minutes covered loosely with foil. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring it remains moist and flavorful when sliced.
- Prepare the Gravy: Pour off any excess fat from the roasting pan, then place the pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the crumbled chicken stock cubes and the hot vegetable stock to the pan, stirring to combine with the meat juices. Season with salt, pepper, and optional gravy browning to enhance color and flavor.
- Thicken the Gravy: In a small bowl, mix the cornflour with the cold water until smooth. Gradually whisk this mixture into the simmering stock in the roasting pan. Cook, stirring continuously until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Slice the rested pork and serve with the hot, savory gravy, alongside your favorite vegetables or potatoes for a complete meal.
Notes
- Ensure the pork skin is thoroughly dried before roasting to achieve the crispiest crackling.
- Adjust roasting times based on the exact size and weight of your pork shoulder joint.
- Letting the pork rest after roasting is crucial for juicy meat.
- You can substitute chicken stock cubes with vegetable stock cubes for a milder flavor.
- Gravy browning is optional but adds a beautiful dark color to the gravy.
Keywords: Roast pork, pork shoulder, crackling, homemade gravy, roast dinner, comfort food