Golden crackling, tender pork and a Sunday lunch worth gathering around. If you're wondering how to cook porchetta at home, start with a well-prepared roast, pay attention to the skin and keep your sides simple.
This guide covers preparation, serving ideas and leftovers. For oven temperatures, cooking times and a safe internal temperature, follow the instructions supplied with your roast or ask our team before cooking.
What is porchetta?
Porchetta is an Italian-style pork roast seasoned with herbs and spices. At Rendina’s Butchery, our Traditional Porchetta Roast 2kg is made with accredited free-range rolled pork loin, seasoned with salt, pepper, aromatic herbs and spices. It’s full of flavour without being spicy.
Our Traditional Rendina Fresh Porchetta Roast 2kg is rolled pork loin seasoned with fresh herbs, salt, spices and garlic. With the seasoning already taken care of, you can focus on cooking and serving.
Prepare the skin for crispy crackling
Start by patting the skin dry with kitchen paper. Moisture on the surface works against crisp crackling, so give this step a little attention before cooking.
Check the preparation instructions supplied with your roast. If you're unsure whether the skin needs further preparation, ask our team for advice for your particular cut.
How to cook your 2kg porchetta roast
Follow the recommended cooking instructions for your porchetta, including the oven temperature and cooking method. Use a meat thermometer to check the centre against the recommended safe internal temperature rather than relying on the clock alone.
A 2kg roast’s cooking time can vary with its shape, your oven and the cooking method. Crisp crackling is not a reliable sign that the centre is cooked, so check both separately.
Rest before carving
Once your porchetta is cooked, let it rest before slicing to help retain its juices. Avoid tightly covering the crackling, which can trap steam against the skin.
Use a sharp knife to carve slices, giving everyone a little pork and crackling.
What to serve with porchetta
Porchetta brings plenty of flavour to the table, so it doesn’t need complicated accompaniments. Roast potatoes, seasonal greens or a fresh fennel and apple salad make lovely partners.
For a sweet, savoury contrast, serve a spoonful of Tracklements Original Onion Marmalade alongside the pork. It’s an easy finishing touch that’s also worth keeping for leftovers.
Leftover porchetta sandwich ideas
If you have porchetta left over, you have the beginnings of a very good sandwich. Store leftovers promptly in the fridge, then layer slices into a crusty roll with crisp salad leaves and a little onion marmalade.
It’s a simple way to enjoy the roast again without repeating Sunday lunch.
Porchetta cooking questions
How long does a 2kg porchetta take to cook?
There isn't one cooking time that suits every roast and oven. Follow the instructions supplied with your roast and check the centre with a meat thermometer. Ask our team for guidance if you don’t have cooking instructions.
Is Rendina’s porchetta already seasoned?
Yes. Our Traditional Porchetta Roast 2kg is seasoned with salt, pepper, aromatic herbs and spices. Our Traditional Rendina Fresh Porchetta Roast 2kg contains fresh herbs, salt, spices and garlic.
What goes well with porchetta?
Try roast potatoes, seasonal greens, fennel and apple salad, or onion marmalade for a sweet, savoury accompaniment.
Shop your Sunday roast centrepiece
Ready to bring everyone around the table? Shop our Traditional Porchetta Roast 2kg for your next roast lunch, or choose our Traditional Rendina Fresh Porchetta Roast 2kg.
Add Tracklements Original Onion Marmalade to your order for the finishing touch and a head start on tomorrow’s sandwiches.
