Pork Roast with Crispy Crackling

Recipe By Rachel Anne |Updated 2025-10-02 |15 Comments

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Pork Roast with Crispy Crackling

PREP15 min

COOK1 hr 45 min

This Pork Roast with Crispy Crackling recipe delivers juicy, succulent meat with irresistibly crisp skin – an easy, impressive main dish perfect for gatherings.

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6SERVINGS

Ingredients

4 lb (1.8 kg) pork shoulder or pork butt, skin on
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp flaky sea salt
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 onion, quartered (optional, for roasting bed)

Instructions

1
Pat pork skin dry and score deeply with a sharp knife, taking care not to cut into the meat.
2
Rub olive oil all over the pork, especially the skin. Generously sprinkle flaky sea salt into the score marks and over the skin. Season meat side with pepper, garlic, rosemary, and thyme.
3
(Optional) Place pork uncovered in the fridge for 1 hour or up to overnight for extra crispy crackling.
4
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Place pork on a rack in a roasting pan. Scatter onion quarters underneath, if using.
5
Roast for 30 minutes at 450°F to blister the skin.
6
Lower oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue roasting for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
7
For extra crackling, increase oven temperature to 465°F (240°C) for the last 5-10 minutes (watch carefully to avoid burning).
8
Remove roast from oven and rest, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Slice crackling and pork to serve.