Site Overlay

HOMEMADE PORK CRACKLINGS (JUMĂRI) AND LARD – TRADITIONAL RICH DELICACY

By Delicious Recipes!Posted on
HOMEMADE PORK CRACKLINGS (JUMĂRI) AND LARD – TRADITIONAL RICH DELICACY

HOMEMADE PORK CRACKLINGS (JUMĂRI) AND LARD – TRADITIONAL RICH DELICACY

Last Saturday, my grandmother butchered the pig, and I got some pork belly fat with bits of meat to make delicious cracklings and lard—a small batch enough to enjoy for a year! Perfect with raw onions or used as a base for crackling spread or savory pastries.

🕒 Prep Time: 10 min

🍳 Cook Time: 2.5 hours
🍽️ Yields: About 1 bowl cracklings + 0.5 L lard

Ingredients

  • 1 kg pork belly fat (with some meat, with or without rind)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1 sprig dried thyme
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut pork belly fat into ~3 cm cubes.
  2. Place a cast-iron pot on the smallest burner. Add water, pork cubes, onion, and thyme.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cover. Simmer, stirring every 10 minutes.
  4. After about 1 hour, cubes become translucent. By 1.5 hours, fat has rendered and nearly covers the meat. Remove lid and continue cooking, stirring less frequently.
  5. Around 2 hours, pork begins to brown and is coated in rendered fat.
  6. After 2.5 hours, cracklings are golden and crispy; turn off heat.
  7. Place a sieve over a bowl and pour contents through to separate lard and cracklings.
  8. Press cracklings firmly with the back of a ladle to release excess fat.
  9. Spread cracklings on a plate lined with paper towels, sprinkle with salt, and let cool completely. Store in a sealed container.
  10. Strain lard through cheesecloth into a jar. Let cool and refrigerate or store in a cool pantry.

💡 Tips

  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even cooking and fat rendering.
  • Stir regularly at first to prevent sticking; less frequent once browning starts.
  • Store cracklings in an airtight container to keep them crispy.
  • Use rendered lard for cooking or baking traditional recipes.

🎉 Perfect For

  • Traditional homemade snacks
  • Flavorful cooking fat
  • Savory spreads and pastries
  • Rustic and authentic pork dishes

📝 Final Thoughts

Making your own pork cracklings and lard is a rewarding tradition that brings rich flavors and textures to your kitchen. Crispy, salty cracklings and pure lard elevate many dishes and offer a taste of homemade heritage.