Tillie Doyle
Cooking pig's feet is a tradition in the South, especially during New Year's celebrations, where they are believed to bring good luck. This soul food dish has deep cultural roots, tracing back to resourceful cooking methods developed by enslaved Africans during slavery. Enslaved Africans were often given the leftover or unwanted parts of animals and turned these into something flavorful and nourishing.
Today, cooking pig's feet in a crock pot is a popular method, yielding tender and juicy results.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crockpot contents | Pig's feet, onions, garlic, thyme, bell peppers, celery, bay leaves, bouillon, paprika, white wine vinegar, water, salt, and pepper |
| Crockpot contents (alternative) | Pig feet, white onion, garlic, paprika, bullion powder, salt, garlic powder, brown sugar, pickled jalapenos, and water |
| Crockpot contents (alternative) | Pig's feet, seasonings, cubes, water |
| Cleaning the pig's feet | Wash in saltwater, scrub, rinse, and soak in milk or vinegar |
| Cleaning the pig's feet (alternative) | Wash under cold water, remove hair with a razor or kitchen torch |
| Cooking time | 4-6 hours on high, 8-10 hours on low |
| Serving suggestions | Hot, with rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, collard greens, cornbread, candied yams, mac and cheese, potato salad |
| Refrigeration | 3-5 days in an airtight container |
| Freezing | Freeze in a freezer-friendly bag or container |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the pig's feet
Cleaning the pig's feet is an essential step in preparing this dish. You'll need to remove any hair from the skin and ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Here's a step-by-step guide to cleaning the pig's feet:
Step 1: Wash the Pig's Feet in Salt Water
Fill a container with cold water and add a generous amount of salt. Place the pig's feet in the saltwater solution and let them soak for a few minutes. This step helps to remove any dirt or impurities from the surface of the meat.
Step 2: Scrub and Rinse
After soaking, use a clean brush to scrub the pig's feet gently. Pay extra attention to the areas between the toes and around the joints, as these areas can be difficult to clean. Once you've scrubbed them thoroughly, rinse the pig's feet under cold running water to remove any remaining salt or debris.
Step 3: Remove Stray Hairs
Even after scrubbing and rinsing, there may still be some stray hairs on the skin. To remove these, briefly singe the meat over an open flame. Be careful not to burn the meat, and ensure that all hairs are removed. After this step, give the meat another thorough wash.
Step 4: Soak in Milk or Vinegar (Optional)
For an even milder taste, you can soak the pig's feet in milk or a light vinegar mixture before beginning the rest of your prep work. This step is optional but can help enhance the flavor of the dish.
Step 5: Rinse and Scrape
Finally, give the pig's feet a final rinse under cold running water. Use a clean, sharp knife to carefully scrape away any remaining impurities or residue from the surface of the meat. At this point, your pig's feet should be thoroughly cleaned and ready for the next steps in your crockpot recipe.
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Prepare the crock pot
To prepare the crock pot, start by washing the pig's feet in saltwater. You can use a disposable razor or kitchen torch to remove any hairs for a clean presentation. Then, scrub and rinse the pig's feet properly to ensure they are extra clean.
Next, prepare the crock pot by placing the pig's feet at the bottom. You can use about 3 pounds of pig feet in an 8-quart slow cooker or a 6-quart slow cooker. Chop and add vegetables like white onion, garlic, thyme, bell peppers, and celery. You can also add some bouillon powder, paprika, and garlic powder. If you want to add a little sweetness to your dish, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar can be added. You can also add some spice with pickled jalapenos, raw jalapenos, habaneros, or chili peppers, depending on your preference.
Now, it's time to add the liquid. Pour in enough water to cover all the ingredients partially or fully, depending on the recipe you follow. Some recipes also call for white wine vinegar or lemon juice to be added at this stage. You can also add some bullion powder and salt to taste.
Finally, give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients, and you're ready to start cooking!
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Cooking time and temperature
Cooking pig feet in a crock pot is a great way to make them tender and juicy. The low and slow method is ideal for this cut of meat, and it's a good idea to cook pig feet for a long time to ensure they are soft and full of flavour.
The cooking time will depend on the weight of the meat and the quantity of pig feet you are using. For example, a recipe that uses 3 lb of pig feet in an 8-quart slow cooker recommends cooking on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 10 hours. If cooking on HIGH, check the crock pot at the 4-hour mark. If cooking on LOW, check at the 8-hour mark. If the pig feet are smaller, they will cook faster.
Another recipe recommends cooking pig feet on HIGH in the slow cooker for 6 hours. This will result in tender meat that falls off the bone.
If you are cooking on a stovetop, a recipe recommends simmering the pig feet for 2-3 hours on medium-high heat, or until tender. This recipe also recommends stirring periodically and keeping an eye on the water level to ensure it hasn't boiled off.
If you are using a pressure cooker, one recipe mentions that it takes 1.5 hours to cook the pig feet to their desired level of tenderness.
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Serving suggestions
Pig's feet are a classic soul food dish with deep cultural roots and a long history in Southern and soul food cooking. They are especially popular on New Year's Day, when they are believed to bring good luck.
There are many ways to serve pig's feet, depending on your preferences. They can be served hot straight from the crockpot, with the juices spooned over the top. They can also be paired with classic Southern sides, such as:
- Collard greens
- Black-eyed peas
- Cornbread
- Candied yams
- Mac and cheese
- Potato salad
- Baked beans
- Barbecue sauce
For a milder taste, you can soak the pig's feet in milk or a light vinegar mixture before beginning preparation. You can also add an extra kick of spice with some pickled jalapenos, raw jalapenos, habaneros, or chili peppers.
If you're looking for a soul food adventure, you can serve pig's feet with other soul food favourites, such as baked macaroni and cheese, red velvet cake, and fried chicken gizzards.
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Storing leftovers
When storing leftovers of pig feet cooked in a crock pot, there are a few important steps to ensure the food remains safe and tasty for future consumption.
Begin by letting the leftover pig feet and broth cool down to room temperature. It is not advisable to store hot food in your refrigerator, as it can raise the temperature, causing other foods to spoil faster and creating a favorable environment for bacteria to grow. Once the pig feet and broth have cooled sufficiently, transfer them to shallow, airtight containers. You can use glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. If you have a large amount of leftovers, consider dividing them into smaller portions before storing. This will help the food cool down faster and make it more convenient to reheat individual servings.
It is recommended to store the cooked pig feet and broth separately. This way, the broth can be skimmed of excess fat, which will solidify once refrigerated, making it easier to remove. It also allows you to use the flavorful broth for other purposes, such as a base for soups or stews, or simply reheating the pig feet in the broth to keep them moist and juicy.
The containers with the pig feet and broth should then be placed in the refrigerator. Leftover pig feet will keep well in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. During this time, it is safe to reheat and enjoy the leftovers. Simply reheat the desired portion in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through, or warm it in the microwave, ensuring it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
If you wish to store the leftovers for a longer period, freezing is an option. The leftover pig feet and broth can be frozen in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It is advisable to label the containers with the date and content before placing them in the freezer. When properly stored, the frozen pig feet will retain their best quality for about 2 to 3 months. To thaw, move the desired portion from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight, or use the microwave's defrost function according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Remember, these are guidelines, and it is always important to use your best judgment when storing and consuming leftovers. If the food appears or smells off, it is best to discard it. By following these steps, you can safely enjoy your delicious crock-pot pig feet for several meals.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times vary depending on the size of the pig's feet and whether your crock pot is on high or low heat. For high heat, cook for 4-6 hours, checking at the 4-hour mark. For low heat, cook for 6-10 hours, checking at the 8-hour mark. The pig's feet are ready when the meat is falling off the bone.
Wash the pig's feet in saltwater, then scrub and rinse them to ensure they are extra clean. You can also soak the pig's feet in milk or a light vinegar mixture to make the taste milder.
Onions, garlic, thyme, bell peppers, celery, bay leaves, bouillon, paprika, white wine vinegar, and water. You can also add salt, pepper, lemon juice, and barbecue sauce to taste.
Pig's feet are often served with classic Southern sides like collard greens, black-eyed peas, cornbread, candied yams, mac and cheese, and potato salad.
