25 Of The Most Amazing Mexican Chicharrones Recipes

CHICHARRONES TACOS

Steps:

• In a large, heavy skillet, add the pork fat and salt and cook over low heat until the pork has fully rendered its fat and the pieces are puffed and airy, about 40 minutes. Transfer the chicharrones to a large saucepan, add the tomatillo salsa, and cook on medium-high heat until the sauce is almost dried up and coats the chicharrones, about 9 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and serve immediately, or keep warm in the pan until ready to serve.
• To serve, lay the tortillas side by side, open face and overlapping on a platter. Divide the filling equally between the tortillas and top with garnish and salsa. Grab, fold, and eat right away. Or build your own taco: lay a tortilla, open face, in one hand. Spoon on some filling, top with garnish and salsa, fold, and eat right away.

CHICHARRóN CASERA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250°F.
• Cut the skin into large, wide pieces, about 6 inches long by 4 inches wide.
• Place the skin on a rack set over a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour. Lower the heat to 200°F and bake for 2 to 3 more hours, until the skin is a dark caramel brown and the top is no longer moist or sticky. (The bottom may still be slightly moist with fat.) Wash the rack and baking sheet, return the rack to the pan, and set them next to the stove.
• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. When very hot (at least 320°F), add a piece of pork skin. After about 30 seconds, it should bubble and puff up into a chicharrón. Flip if necessary to make sure both sides are cooked. Once puffy and golden brown, transfer to your prepared baking sheet and season with salt. Repeat with the remaining pieces of pork skin.
• Serve as soon as the pieces have cooled, with salsa or guacamole if desired. Or store the pieces in an airtight container for snacking later. They will keep for up to 5 days.

CHICHARRONES (PORK CRACKLIN'S)

Steps:

• Rub the pork belly with the salt and let sit for 1 hour.
• Rinse well under cold water, pat dry, and cut into roughly 2x½" (5x1.5-cm) chunks.
• In a heavy pan, melt the lard over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and bay leaves. Stir well for 2 minutes, then add the pork belly. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes, turning the meat every 15 minutes.
• Increase the heat and sear every side of the pork pieces over high heat for a further 15 minutes. Remove the pork and cut it into smaller chunks. Serve hot with lime wedges.