As any home cook knows, finding thick, coarse hairs on your pork belly or other cuts of pork can be an unpleasant surprise. While not harmful, no one wants bristly pig hairs in their food. Luckily, you can take matters into your own hands and remove hairs from pork skin using a few simple techniques.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind hairy pork skin, walk through various de-hairing methods, and give tips for choosing the best option based on your skills. Read on to become a pork de-hairing pro!
Why Does Pork Skin Have Hair?
First, it helps to understand why pork skin is hairy in the first place. Here are some of the main reasons:
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Pigs are mammals – Like all mammals, pigs grow hair follicles all over their skin for insulation and protection. When we eat the pig skin, the hair remains
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Breed and genetics – Some pig breeds are simply hairier than others due to their genetics. Heritage hog breeds tend to have more hair
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Climate and living conditions – Pigs raised outdoors usually develop thicker hair to endure the elements. Hair protects them from sunburn and cold weather.
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Slaughterhouse practices – Sloppy slaughtering and rushed processing can result in hairs not being fully removed from the pig carcass.
While inconvenient, the hair presence makes biological sense for the pig. As pork consumers, we’re left to remove bristles through our own devices.
Evaluate Different Methods for Removing Pig Hair
When you notice hairs on fresh pork belly, shoulder, jowls, or other cuts, you have several options for removing the bristles yourself:
Scalding
- Immerse pork skin in hot – not boiling – water for 30-60 seconds
- Softens hairs for easy scraping
- Requires immediately chilling pork in ice bath
- Risk of partial cooking if water is too hot
Shaving
- Freeze pork skin briefly until firm but pliable
- Shave off hairs with a sharp razor in slow, short strokes
- Dispose of razor after to avoid bacteria transfer
Blowtorching
- Use short swaying motions with blowtorch across skin
- Remove hairs without cooking meat
- Requires blowtorch purchase if you don’t have one
Searing
- Heat cast iron skillet in 500°F oven for 30 minutes
- Press hot skillet firmly onto pork skin
- Singes hairs without cooking meat
- Best for smaller pork cuts
Ranking Methods from Easiest to Most Difficult
Now that you know the main DIY options for removing bristles from pork, let’s rank them from easiest to most difficult:
Easiest Method: Shaving
Freezing the pork skin firms it up for a smooth shave. With the right gentle razor strokes, the hairs come right off. Minimal equipment is needed – just a freezer, razor and cutting board.
Second Easiest: Searing
Searing with a hot skillet effectively singes hairs without cooking the meat. But it requires access to a screaming hot oven and cast iron skillet. You need proper mitts and tools to handle the hot vessel.
Third Easiest: Blowtorching
A culinary torch makes quick work of flaming off hairs. However, you need to own or purchase a blowtorch. Keeping the flame moving prevents burning.
Most Difficult: Scalding
This classic approach requires carefully monitoring water temperature. Chilling in an ice bath adds steps. Scraping takes time. Lots of pots and utensils to wash after.
For most home cooks, shaving provides the perfect balance of ease and effectiveness when removing pork hairs. But weigh the pros and cons of each method for your unique needs.
Handling Raw Pork Safely
Whenever you prepare raw pork, food safety is paramount. Follow these tips:
- Wash hands, tools, surfaces after contact with raw meat
- Never reuse cutting boards, plates that touched raw pork
- Cook pork to safe internal temperature (145°F)
- Refrigerate raw pork immediately
Pigs can carry bacteria like Salmonella and Yersinia that are killed by proper cooking. But these germs can spread in your kitchen if precautions aren’t taken.
Storing and Cooking De-Haired Pork
Once you’ve removed any pesky hairs, be sure to:
- Cook pork right away, or refrigerate for later use
- Freeze for longer storage up to 4-6 months
- Braise, roast, grill, slice for bacon, or use in your favorite pork recipe!
With the hairy issue solved, you can now enjoy pork skin’s full savory, crispy potential.
Troubleshooting Tips for Frustrating Pork Hairs
Dealing with a very hairy pork cut? Try these troubleshooting tips if you’re struggling to remove bristles:
- Use a razor primer – Rubbing alcohol helps soften hairs for closer shave
- Shave against the grain – Shave opposite of hair growth direction
- Trim first – Slice off thick hair patches before de-hairing
- Wash and repeat – Re-lather and shave areas you missed
- Patience! – Removing every single hair takes time and diligence
Satisfyingly Smooth Pork Skin is Worth the Effort
While buying bristle-free pork cuts from quality suppliers is ideal, DIY de-hairing lets you salvage any hairy hogs you end up with.
Hopefully this guide gave you the knowledge and confidence to banish pig hairs and enjoy smooth, delicious pork skin in all its glory. Let us know your own tips and favorite methods for tackling this hairy situation!
How to remove hair from a Pig – Easier and cleaner than skinning | A Free Range How-To #1
FAQ
How to remove hair from pork rind?
Is it okay to eat pork skin with hair?
Is it normal for pork belly to have hair?
How do you remove hair from pork belly?
As soon as the time is up, take the pork belly out of the pot and chill it in an ice water bath for 2-3 minutes. In the kitchen, lay the pork belly on a cutting board and scrape the hairs off using a small and sharp knife, such as a boning knife, a skinning knife, or a hunting knife. The hairs should have softened and be easier to remove.
How do you remove hair from a pig’s belly?
Removing hair from the pig’s belly can be done in four different ways: The first is scalding; the second is shaving; the third involves a blowtorch; and the last is heating the cast iron skillet over high heat and searing off the hair by pressing down on the meat.
How do you shave a pig belly?
Compared to scaling, shaving is a less capricious way of removing hair from the pig’s belly. Wrap the pork belly in plastic or seal it in a freezer bag, then place it in the freezer for 30 to 45 minutes. The cold will make the skin firm but supple, making it easier for you to shave the hair off.
Do you like hairy pork belly?
No one likes hairy pork belly, certainly not in their mouth. If the butcher did a sloppy job, you can make up for it at home. Many find it difficult to remove the hair from the skin of the pig’s belly when they pick it up at the butcher’s or grocer’s. They get home, open the package, and BOOM, there it is, full of pig hair.