Skin

Meat

Skin

Pork skin is the full dermis used for crackling, gelatin, and snacks. On a roast it protects meat and becomes the prize; removed, it can be simmered and fried into chicharrón. Quality skin is smooth, hair-free, and evenly thick. Dry thoroughly before high heat for crackling; simmer to soften before puffing. Add to stocks for body. Score without cutting deep into meat on whole roasts. Humidity is the enemy of crisp skin—airflow helps as much as heat.

Track this ingredient

Unit

Cuts & parts

Characteristics

Preparations

CracklingFreshFriedPeeledRoastedStockZested

Traits

CollagenOuter LayerProtectiveSometimes Edible

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 360

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 32 g
  • Saturated Fat 8.96 g
  • Trans Fat 0.2 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 14.4 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 8.64 g
  • Cholesterol 99.6 mg
  • Sodium 60.4 mg
  • Salt 0.16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 0 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 0 g
  • Complex / starch 0 g
  • Protein 18 g
  • Water 45 g
Detailed nutrients

Skin carries subcutaneous fat and collagen; crisping concentrates calories.

History

Whole-animal cookery always assigned skin a role rather than discarding it.

Latin American chicharrón makers built snack economies on carefully fried skin.

Roast-pork cultures from London to Manila judged skill by the skin’s crackle.

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