{"id":"chicharron_40ea1b7783","slug":"chicharron","title":"Chicharrón","description":"A classic Latin American snack of crispy, golden-fried pork belly. These bite-sized delights are incredibly crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, rendered in their own savory fat.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":75,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 kg Pork belly, with skin, cut into 1-inch pieces","name":"Pork belly","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"cut into 1-inch pieces","notes":"with skin on","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500 ml Water","name":"Water","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2 1/8","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"enough to partially cover the pork","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 tbsp Salt","name":"Salt","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granular","notes":"to taste","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/2 tsp Baking soda","name":"Baking Soda","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"optional, for extra crispiness","group":"Main","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the pork belly pieces in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the water, salt, and baking soda (if using). The water should almost cover the pork.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the pork belly pieces","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the water has completely evaporated. This process will take about 30 to 45 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring the water to a boil","timerMinutes":45,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Once the water is gone, the pork will start to cook in its own rendered fat. Continue cooking over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure even browning.","group":"Cooking","title":"Once the water is gone, the pork will start","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Fry the pork in its fat for another 20 to 30 minutes until the skin is blistered and golden-brown. Be careful as the fat may splatter.","group":"Cooking","title":"Fry the pork in its fat","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Remove the chicharrones with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels. Serve warm with lime wedges or arepas.","group":"Serving","title":"Remove the chicharrones","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Using a heavy-bottomed pot or a traditional 'paila' helps with heat distribution. If the pork is very lean, you may need to add a tablespoon of lard to start the frying process, but usually, pork belly renders more than enough of its own fat.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican","Colombian","Dominican"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["boil","fry"],"equipment":["Heavy-bottomed pot","Slotted spoon","Paper towels"],"diet":["high_protein","keto","low_carb","gluten_free","dairy_free","egg_free","nut_free","soy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":500,"unit":"g","note":"Final weight after rendering and frying"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Chicharrón is best eaten immediately, but it can be reheated in an air fryer to maintain crispiness."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 5 minutes until crispy again."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fchicharron_40ea1b7783%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7250d2e5-4e9e-45be-8c61-389773271e7f","imageAlt":"Chicharrón — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["pork","crispy","snack","latin american","keto","high protein"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Chicharrón","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:53:17.401Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:53:17.401Z","related":[{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8","slug":"arepa-de-queso","title":"Arepa de Queso","description":"A classic Latin American snack consisting of golden, pan-seared corn cakes made from pre-cooked cornmeal and filled with gooey, melted cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Colombian","Venezuelan"]},"course":["snack","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=45319391-0036-45d0-b2a4-cd86df8b987e","imageAlt":"Arepa de Queso — recipe cover","tags":["cheese","cornmeal","gluten-free","street-food","cheesy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"chifles_191c5b72a2","slug":"chifles-crispy-fried-plantain-chips","title":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips)","description":"A classic Latin American snack of paper-thin green plantain slices fried until perfectly golden and crunchy, finished with a touch of salt.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Ecuadorian","Peruvian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fchifles_191c5b72a2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7f3e8c86-3d11-4104-9064-fb1f6050e18f","imageAlt":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips) — recipe cover","tags":["plantain","chips","crispy","latin american","salty","vegan snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":5}]}