Porchetta
User Reviews
5
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Cook Time
2 hrs 15 mins
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Total Time
2 hrs 15 mins
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Servings
8 approx
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Calories
879 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Porchetta
Description
Porchetta features pork belly and pork tenderloin layered and rolled together, infused with a seasoned paste made from toasted fennel seeds, garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. The pork belly's fat is scored to render and crisp properly during cooking. This combination blends the fattiness and tenderness of belly with the leaner tenderloin, producing a roast with varied textures.
The toasted fennel seed and fresh herb paste delivers aromatic flavors that penetrate the meat, balanced by the subtle heat from red pepper flakes and brightness from lemon zest. Tying the roast secures the layers, allowing even cooking and maintaining its shape. The preparation method leads to a flavorful interior with a crusty exterior from the belly's rendered fat.
This porchetta makes an excellent main dish served sliced alongside roasted vegetables, potatoes, or crusty bread. The herbs and spices complement the richness of the pork, making it suitable for a special dinner or gathering. The dish benefits from resting before slicing to retain juices.
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork belly 1 slab, approx
- 1 lb pork tenderloin or larger also fine
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 2 cloves garlic or 3, depending on size, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon fennel fronds
- 1 tablespoon rosemary chopped, fresh
- 1 tablespoon sage chopped, fresh
- 2 teaspoon thyme chopped, fresh
- 1 lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the pork belly dry to remove any excess moisture. Score the fat side of the belly in a wide cross pattern, cutting into the fat but not as far as the meat. Turn belly so meat side is up. Lay tenderloin on top and trim the end if it hangs over the end - you want it about the same length. You can either tuck the chopped off piece in any thinner bit inside or use for something else. Alternatively you can cut and lay two pieces side by side if it is very long (as I did).
- Toast the fennel seeds a minute in a dry skillet/frying pan until fragrant. Crush them with a pestle and mortar and add all other ingredients. Start with the garlic, which should be roughly chopped then crushed with the seeds. Only use 1tsp salt at this stage. Alternatively, add all ingredients to a small food processor and pulse. Either way, you want a relatively smooth paste.
- Spread about ¾ of the paste over the meat side of the belly and around the tenderloin pieces so they are evenly coated.
- Tie up the belly by rolling the belly around the tenderloin and tying at one end, then using the long end of the string, move along about 1-2in and loop again by threading through and keep repeating until you reach the other end, then tie off at the other end. Each time you loop/tie, pull the string tight so it's against the meat but not too tight that it squeezes the loin out.
- Rub the remaining herb paste over the outside of the belly along with the additional ½tsp of salt.
- Refrigerate at least a day uncovered. Dab once or twice to remove any excess moisture.
- On day of cooking, allow the pork to come to room temperature as you preheat oven to 275F/135C.
- Roast for approx 2hrs. (Note this is time if both tenderloin and belly are about 2lb each; give a bit less or more if smaller/larger). You're looking to cook until a meat thermometer gives internal temp of 150F/65C.
- Increase oven temperature to 450F/230C and roast until the skin is brown and crisp but not burnt - keep a close eye on it. This will be around 15-25min.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8approx
Amount Per Serving
Calories 879 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 879kcal | 44% |
| Protein | 57g | 114% |
| Fat | 69g | 106% |
| Saturated Fat | 24g | 120% |
| Cholesterol | 229mg | 76% |
| Sodium | 592mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 1100mg | 23% |
| Vitamin A | 75IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1.9mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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