Savory Italian Porchetta Pulled Pork Sandwich
Indulge your taste buds with this delightful Savory Italian Porchetta Pulled Pork Sandwich, inspired by the traditional Italian street food. This recipe transforms an entire shoulder of pork into a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, ensuring every bite bursts with flavor. While traditional porchetta is crafted from roast suckling pig, this home-cooked version uses accessible ingredients, making it perfect for family gatherings or casual entertaining. Whether you choose the slow-cooked method in a crock-pot or the traditional oven-roasting technique, the results are irresistibly tender pulled pork served warm in crusty ciabatta rolls. With a marination period that infuses the meat with a rich profile of garlic, fennel, and rosemary, this porchetta sandwich elevates any meal into an Italian culinary experience.
10
Servings
420
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork shoulder
2 kg (boned, trimmed of fat and butterflied)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons (for cooking)
Onion
1 large (peeled and finely diced)
Garlic cloves
6 (peeled and finely minced)
Fennel seeds
2 -3 tablespoons (to taste)
Fresh rosemary leaves
2 - 3 tablespoons (finely chopped)
Fresh bay leaves
4 (finely chopped)
Ground cloves
1 teaspoon (divided)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Fresh ground black pepper
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Ciabatta rolls
10 (to serve)
Instructions
1
Lay the pork shoulder on a large chopping board, cover with cling film, and pound to an even thickness of about 1 inch using a rolling pin or mallet.
2
In a medium-high frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then add the diced onion, half of the minced garlic, half of the fennel seeds, rosemary, bay leaves, half of the ground cloves, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, then transfer to a plate to cool.
3
Once cooled, spread and rub the sautéed mixture evenly over the pork. Roll it up tightly and secure with kitchen string at regular intervals.
4
In a small bowl, mix the remaining minced garlic, fennel seeds, ground cloves, and olive oil. Rub this mixture over the outside of the rolled pork. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for 24 hours (or at least overnight) to marinate.
5
Remove the pork from the fridge 40 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Remove cling film and place the pork in a roasting tin.
6
Roast the pork for 4 to 5 hours or until it shreds easily with a fork. If the seasoning chars too much, loosely tent with foil for the last hour of cooking.
7
For the crock pot, place the marinated pork into the pot and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, or on automatic for up to 8 hours.
8
Once finished, let the pork rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing or shredding. Serve the tender pork in warmed ciabatta rolls.
Nutrition Information
28g
Fat
21g
Carbs
28g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Savory Italian Porchetta Pulled Pork Sandwich?
It is a home-cooked version of traditional Italian street food, featuring slow-roasted pork shoulder seasoned with garlic, fennel, and rosemary, served in crusty ciabatta rolls.
What cut of meat is used for this recipe?
The recipe uses a 2 kg pork shoulder that has been boned, trimmed of fat, and butterflied.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 10 servings.
Can I cook this porchetta in a crock pot?
Yes, you can cook it on high for 4 to 5 hours or on the automatic setting for up to 8 hours.
What are the primary herbs and spices used?
The key seasonings include fennel seeds, fresh rosemary leaves, garlic, fresh bay leaves, and ground cloves.
How long should the pork marinate?
For the best flavor profile, the pork should be refrigerated and marinated for 24 hours, or at least overnight.
What is the recommended oven temperature for roasting?
The oven should be preheated to 150°C or 300°F.
How long does the pork need to roast in the oven?
The pork needs to roast for 4 to 5 hours until it shreds easily with a fork.
What kind of bread should I use for the sandwiches?
Warm ciabatta rolls are recommended for serving these sandwiches.
How many calories are in one porchetta sandwich?
Each serving contains approximately 420 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 28 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in one sandwich?
One serving provides 28 grams of protein.
Should the pork be at room temperature before cooking?
Yes, you should remove the pork from the fridge 40 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
How do I prevent the seasoning from charring too much in the oven?
If the seasoning begins to char, you can loosely tent the meat with foil during the last hour of cooking.
How do I prepare the pork before adding the rub?
Lay the pork on a chopping board, cover with cling film, and pound it to an even thickness of about 1 inch.
What do I do with the diced onion and half the garlic?
Sauté them with olive oil, fennel seeds, rosemary, bay leaves, and cloves for 2-3 minutes before spreading the mixture inside the pork.
How is the pork roll secured?
The pork should be rolled up tightly and secured with kitchen string at regular intervals.
Does the outside of the pork get seasoned?
Yes, a mixture of minced garlic, fennel seeds, ground cloves, and olive oil is rubbed over the outside of the roll.
How long should the pork rest after cooking?
The pork should rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing or shredding.
How many garlic cloves are needed in total?
The recipe calls for 6 peeled and finely minced garlic cloves.
Are there carbohydrates in this recipe?
Yes, there are 21 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use ground cloves in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cloves, divided between the inner stuffing and outer rub.
What is the origin of the porchetta sandwich?
It is inspired by traditional Italian street food, typically made from roast suckling pig.
How much olive oil is required?
A total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil is used for sautéing and creating the rub.
Is fresh rosemary necessary?
The recipe specifies 2 to 3 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves for authentic flavor.
How much salt and pepper should I use?
The recipe suggests 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of fresh ground black pepper, or to taste.
What makes this 'pulled' pork?
The long, slow cooking process allows the meat to become so tender that it can be easily shredded or pulled apart with a fork.
What are some of the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include porchetta, italian sandwich, pulled pork, crock pot, slow roast, and comfort food.
Do I need to remove the bay leaves before serving?
Since the bay leaves are finely chopped and sautéed into the stuffing, they do not need to be removed.
Is this a good recipe for entertaining?
Yes, because it makes 10 servings and can be prepared in advance, it is perfect for family gatherings or casual entertaining.