Cody Casey
Pickled pork is a delicious, tender, and juicy dish that can be prepared in a crock pot or slow cooker. The meat is typically cooked slowly over several hours, resulting in a moist and flavourful roast that pairs well with various sides. While some recipes call for boiling the meat beforehand, this step is not always necessary, and the pork can be added directly to the crock pot with other ingredients like vegetables, spices, and vinegar. The leftover meat is versatile and can be used in sandwiches or other dishes, making pickled pork a convenient and economical meal option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Wash the pork under cold water to prevent scum formation. |
| Some recommend boiling the pork first to remove curing salts, vinegar, etc. | |
| Remove the skin unless it will cause the joint to collapse. | |
| Ingredients | Onion, carrot, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, brown sugar, malt vinegar, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, cinnamon, honey, broth, butter or lard, flour, salt, and pepper. |
| Optional: apple slices, mustard, favourite pickle, chutney, relish, or gravy. | |
| Cooking Method | Cook on low for 5-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. |
| Turn the pork over halfway through the cooking time. | |
| Allow the pork to cool in the cooking liquor for at least an hour. | |
| Remove the pork and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing or shredding. | |
| Serving | Serve warm or cold. |
| Can be served with mashed potatoes, wilted cabbage, potato salad, coleslaw, or sandwiches. | |
| Can be paired with roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, cauliflower cheese, or cheesy potatoes. | |
| Leftovers can be used in sandwiches or soups. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping the pork
Pickled pork is an economical cut of meat that can be cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker. It is a versatile dish that can be served hot or cold and is delicious when paired with mashed potatoes, wilted cabbage, mustard, potato salad, or coleslaw.
Wash the Pork
Start by washing the pork under cold water to remove any blood and prevent scum formation during cooking.
Prepare the Crock Pot
Layer the base of your crock pot with ingredients such as apple and onion slices, cinnamon, onion, carrot, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, brown sugar, and malt vinegar or apple cider vinegar. You can also add a few drops of lavender oil to infuse a unique flavor.
Add the Pork
Place the pickled pork on top of the ingredients in the crock pot. If desired, you can spoon honey over the pork for added flavor and moisture.
Add Liquid
Pour in enough water or apple juice to barely cover the pork. Alternatively, you can add just enough water to half-cover the pork and let it cook in its juices.
Cook the Pork
Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook. The cooking time will depend on your desired doneness and the settings of your crock pot. For a slower cook, set it to low for 4-8 hours. If you're in a hurry, you can set it to high for 3-4 hours.
Rest and Serve
Once the pork is cooked, turn off the crock pot and let the meat rest in the cooking liquid. This helps keep the meat moist and prevents shrinkage. Allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes before removing the pork from the crock pot. If serving warm, let the pork cool for about an hour before slicing or shredding it. If serving cold, let it cool for 2 hours in the crock pot, then transfer to a plate, cover, and refrigerate until chilled.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for pickled pork in a crock pot can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific recipe followed. Here is a detailed guide on the cooking time and temperature for achieving delicious results:
Cooking Temperature:
When using a crock pot or slow cooker, it is typical to cook on a low setting for pickled pork. This ensures that the meat cooks gently and becomes tender over an extended period. However, some recipes may suggest starting with a high setting initially to sear the meat or speed up the cooking process.
Cooking Time:
The cooking time can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific recipe. Here are some guidelines:
- Low and Slow: Cooking pickled pork on a low setting for an extended period, typically around 8 hours, results in tender and juicy meat. This longer cooking time allows the flavours to develop and infuses the meat with the surrounding spices and aromatics.
- High and Faster: For a quicker cook, you can set the crock pot to high. This will reduce the cooking time to around 4 hours. However, it is important to note that the meat may not be as tender as when cooked on a low setting for a longer period.
- Meat Thermometer: To ensure that the pork is cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. For pork, an internal temperature of 74°C to 76°C is recommended. This will ensure that the meat is safely cooked while remaining juicy and flavourful.
Resting and Cooling:
After cooking, it is essential to let the pickled pork rest. Remove the pork from the crock pot and allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing or shredding. This resting period helps retain juices and makes the meat easier to handle.
Additionally, some recipes recommend cooling the pork in the cooking liquor or liquid for about an hour before removing it. This step helps to further tenderize the meat and enhance its flavour.
In summary, cooking pickled pork in a crock pot typically involves a low and slow approach, with temperatures kept low and cooking times ranging from 4 to 8 hours. Using a meat thermometer ensures the desired level of doneness, and resting and cooling periods help enhance the tenderness and flavour of the final dish.
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Making a gravy
To make a gravy for crockpot pickled pork, you can use the drippings from the pork or make a gravy without them.
If you want to use the drippings, you can reduce the amount of fat in them by using a fat separator. You can then make a basic gravy by melting 2 tablespoons of butter or lard in a saucepan. Next, gradually add 2 tablespoons of plain flour, stirring constantly until the mixture turns a light golden brown, creating a roux. Then, slowly pour in 2 cups of broth, whisking to avoid lumps. Simmer the mixture for 5-10 minutes until it reaches the desired thickness. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
If you would like to make a gravy without the drippings, you can simply substitute any broth for the pan drippings in the recipe above. Your gravy will not have as much pork flavor, but it will still be delicious.
You can also make a gravy by searing the meat first, which adds flavor and creates a fond on the bottom of the skillet. You can then use this to start a flavorful liquid that eventually turns into gravy.
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Serving suggestions
Pickled pork is a versatile dish that can be served hot or cold and can be used as an ingredient in sandwiches and salads or as a main course. Here are some serving suggestions for your slow-cooked pickled pork:
Hot Serving Suggestions
- Hot with mashed potatoes, wilted cabbage, and mustard.
- With roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, and cauliflower cheese.
- With gravy and mashed potatoes.
- With mustard or your favourite sauce.
- With red beans.
Cold Serving Suggestions
- Thinly sliced with a salad and hot mashed potatoes.
- In sandwiches with mustard or a favourite pickle, chutney, or relish.
- Cold, shredded with a potato salad or coleslaw.
Other Serving Suggestions
- Use the remaining cooking liquid to make a pea and ham soup or to cook beans in.
- If your pork has skin on it, you can use it to make pork crackling bites.
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Storing leftovers
Firstly, the cooked pickled pork can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to four days. This is a quick and convenient method to store and use leftovers within a few days.
Secondly, the cooked pickled pork can be frozen for longer-term storage. It can be frozen for up to three months, although there is a slight risk of the meat drying out. To prevent drying, it is recommended to reheat the frozen pork in the oven or slow cooker instead of the microwave.
Additionally, the remaining cooking liquid can be saved and used to add flavor to other dishes, such as soups or beans. This liquid is quite salty and flavorful, so it can enhance the taste of other meals.
Overall, storing leftovers of cooked pickled pork can be done safely and effectively through refrigeration or freezing, and the leftover meat can be utilized in various dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
The ingredients needed are onion, carrot, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, brown sugar, malt vinegar, apple juice or water, and the pickled pork.
The pork should be cooked for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
The pork should be removed from the crock pot and allowed to rest for 10-15 minutes. It can then be sliced and served.
Pickled pork can be served with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, cauliflower cheese, wilted cabbage, mustard, potato salad, or coleslaw.
