How To Roast Pork (With Perfect Crackling) Using Murray River Salt

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a roast pork sizzling away in the oven, promising crispy crackling and juicy, tender meat. The secret to mastering this classic dish? Quality ingredients and the right technique. 

Murray River Salt, with its unique mineral profile and delicate texture, is the perfect choice for enhancing the flavour of your pork and achieving that memorable crunch on the crackling.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to roast pork like a pro, with tips inspired by Cheat Meats recipes and links to their step-by-step instructions for extra inspiration.

The Essential Steps to Roast Pork

1. Choose the Right Cut

For the ultimate roast pork, select a cut with a good layer of fat and skin. Popular choices include:

• Pork belly
• Pork shoulder
• Pork loin with rind

These cuts not only deliver great flavour but also provide the perfect canvas for crispy crackling.

2. Prepare the Pork

Preparation is everything – follow these steps:

1. Score the skin: Use a sharp knife to score the pork skin in a crisscross pattern or straight lines. Be careful not to cut into the meat.
2. Dry the skin: Pat the skin dry with paper towels and leave it uncovered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This removes moisture, which is crucial for crackling.
3. Season generously: Rub a generous amount of Murray River Salt flakes into the scored skin. The salt will draw out any remaining moisture and help the crackling puff up beautifully.

3. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to high heat (230°C/450°F) to start. The intense heat at the beginning of the roasting process is essential for crisping the crackling.

4. Roast the Pork

• Initial Blast: Place the pork on a roasting rack in a tray. Roast at high heat for 20–30 minutes, or until the skin starts to puff and blister.
• Lower the Heat: Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C/350°F and continue roasting. Use Cheat Meats’ recipes for precise cooking times based on the cut and weight of your pork:
  • No Prep Pork Belly Recipe
  • Salt Crusted Pork Belly Recipe
  • Asian Crispy Pork Belly with Sticky Dipping Sauce
  • Pork Belly Banh Mi Recipe

5. Rest the Pork

Once cooked, let the pork rest for 10–15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender meat.

Tips for Perfect Crackling

• Avoid oil: With Murray River Salt doing the heavy lifting, there’s no need for extra oil on the skin.
• Keep it dry: Moisture is the enemy of crackling. Ensure the skin is completely dry before seasoning and roasting.
• Check the oven’s heat: Consistent, high heat is crucial. If your crackling isn’t crisping up, return it to the oven under the grill for a few minutes, keeping a close eye on it.

Why Use Murray River Salt?

Murray River Salt has a subtle, natural sweetness. Its fine flakes dissolve easily, making it ideal for seasoning and drawing out moisture from the pork skin, which is key to creating crispy crackling.

Pairings and Leftovers

• Serve your roast pork with roasted vegetables and a tangy apple sauce for a classic pairing
• Use leftovers in creative dishes like pork belly banh mi sandwiches, inspired by this Cheat Meats recipe.

Roasting pork to perfection is an art, and Murray River Salt is your ultimate tool for achieving it. Its ability to enhance flavours and create crunchy crackling is unmatched. Try these techniques and explore Cheat Meats’ recipes to bring restaurant-quality roast pork to your table.

Ready to elevate your roast pork game? Grab a pack of Murray River Salt and start cooking today!