How to make the perfect porchetta

Porchetta is a traditional Italian dish, known for its rich flavours and stunning presentation. At the heart of this recipe is the pork belly, rolled with fragrant herbs and roasted to perfection. Here’s how you can create a mouthwatering porchetta using a quality porchetta joint or rolled pork belly.

Ingredients:

• 1 rolled pork belly (around 2kg - serves 6)
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Olive oil

Method:

1. Prepare the pork belly: Lay your rolled pork belly or porchetta joint flat (if not pre-rolled), skin side down. Score the meat lightly and generously season with sea salt and pepper.

2. Make the herb rub: In a bowl, combine garlic, fennel seeds, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, and a drizzle of olive oil. Rub this aromatic mixture over the meat, making sure to massage it deep into the cuts.

3. Roll and tie: If you're working with an unrolled pork belly, carefully roll the meat from one end to the other. Use kitchen twine to secure the roll tightly at intervals, ensuring it holds its shape during cooking.

4. Prepare the skin: Turn the joint over so the skin is on top. Pat the skin dry with kitchen paper and rub a generous amount of sea salt over it. This helps achieve that all-important crispy crackling.

5. Roast: Preheat your oven to 150°C (fan). Place the rolled pork belly on a rack in a roasting tray and cook for around 3 hours. The low temperature ensures the fat renders beautifully, keeping the meat tender.

6. Crisp up the crackling: After 3 hours, increase the oven temperature to 220°C. Roast for an additional 30 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and golden. You are shooting for an internal temperature of 

   68–71°C.
   

7. Rest and serve: Once cooked, let the porchetta rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Serve slices of this succulent pork belly alongside roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad.

Enjoy your perfect porchetta—crispy on the outside, tender and flavourful on the inside!

For the best results, quality pork is essential, and Primrose Herd is an excellent choice. Based in Cornwall, Primrose Herd is renowned for its free-range, rare breed pork, reared using traditional farming methods that ensure exceptional flavour and texture. Their pork is well-marbled, which guarantees tender, juicy meat—perfect for a dish like porchetta where the balance of fat and lean is crucial.

At Farmfetch, we proudly source from Primrose Herd, offering you pork that’s not only ethically raised but also unmatched in taste. So, when preparing your porchetta, choose Primrose Herd pork belly to elevate your dish to the next level.

Don't worry, if you don't have the time to make this, you can buy our pre made Porchetta joint from DukesHill and simply chuck it in the oven!