Pork shoulder is a delicious and versatile cut of meat that can be used in everything from pulled pork to roasts. But when it comes to preparing pork shoulder, many home cooks find themselves wondering: what should I do with the skin?

As a long-time food blogger and home cook, I’ve cooked my fair share of pork shoulders over the years And let me tell you, that skin can really take your pork to the next level when used properly

In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting the most out of pork shoulder skin, including:

• The benefits of cooking with the skin on
• How to crisp up the skin for tacos and nachos
• Making chicharrones or cracklings
• Using the skin for flavorful stocks and soups
• Step-by-step instructions for removing the skin
• Skin-on and skinless pork shoulder recipes

Let’s dig in!

Should You Cook Pork Shoulder With the Skin On or Off?

This is one of the most common questions when it comes to preparing pork shoulder So what’s the verdict?

The main benefit of leaving the skin on is that it helps keep the meat incredibly moist and flavorful during the long, slow cooking process. The fat under the skin bastes the meat from the inside out.

However, the skin can prevent your spice rub or marinade from fully penetrating the meat. It also may not fully render down, leaving you with tough, chewy skin.

So in my experience, the best approach is to score the skin deeply before applying a dry rub. This allows the seasoning to really get down into the meat. Then, remove most of the skin prior to cooking. You can leave just enough to add flavor and moisture.

This gives you the benefits of both methods – maximum flavor and moisture, without the risk of chewy skin.

How to Use Pork Shoulder Skin for Crispy Cracklings

If you want to take your pork shoulder game up a notch, leave some of that skin on for crispy cracklings!

Cracklings involve frying up small pieces of pork skin until they become deliciously crispy and golden brown. They make a fantastic topping for tacos, nachos, salads, soups, and more.

Here’s a simple step-by-step method:

• Cut the pork skin into 1-inch pieces. Make sure to cut away any excess fat.

• Simmer the pieces for 2 hours in water, broth, or even cider vinegar to help break down the skin.

• Drain and pat the pieces dry. Make sure to remove any softened fat.

• Fry the pieces in oil over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Flip occasionally until both sides are browned and crispy.

• Season with salt or your favorite spices as soon as they come out of the oil.

And that’s it – you’ve got crispy, crunchy pork cracklings to take any dish to the next level!

Crispy Pork Skin Recipes

Here are just a few of my favorite ways to use those delicious chicharrones:

• Crispy Carnitas Tacos – Top pulled pork carnitas in tortillas with pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, and crispy pork skin.

• Nacho Bar – Set out tortilla chips, shredded pork shoulder, beans, salsa, and let guests top their own nachos with crispy pork cracklings.

• Pork Salad – Toss crispy pork skin pieces into any salad for crunch. Goes great with spinach, bitter greens, or kale salads.

• Ramen Topping – Sprinkle cracklings over bowls of ramen for texture and porky flavor.

• Breakfast Hash – Fry up potatoes, peppers, and onions. Top with a fried egg and crunchy pork skin pieces.

The possibilities are endless when you have a batch of crispy pork cracklings ready to go. They’re my secret weapon for adding texture and flavor to so many dishes!

Turn Pork Skin into Chicharrones

Another fantastic thing you can do with pork shoulder skin is turn it into chicharrones. These are essentially the same thing as cracklings, just under a different name.

Chicharrones are enormously popular in Latin cuisine, but they make a fantastic snack for anyone who loves deep fried foods.

To make chicharrones:

• Cut the skin into long, 1-inch wide strips.

• Fry the strips in hot oil until puffed and crispy, 5-7 minutes. Flip halfway through.

• Drain on paper towels and immediately season with salt or Mexican chili powder.

That’s all it takes to enjoy these crispy pork treats! They are delicious on their own, in tacos, over salads, or as a crispy soup topping.

Use Pork Skin for Flavorful Stocks and Soups

Don’t want to fry up the pork skin? No problem! You can also use it to make insanely rich and flavorful stocks and soups.

The collagen in pork skin adds body, texture, and tons of flavor to any broth or soup. Here are some of my favorites:

• Pork Ramen – Simmer pork skin in your broth along with aromatics like ginger and garlic. Use the broth to make pork ramen bowls topped with crispy pork belly.

• Pozole Rojo – Add pork skin pieces to this traditional Mexican hominy and pork stew. They impart deep flavor to the broth.

• Italian Wedding Soup – Simmer pork skin in the broth before adding meatballs, pasta, and greens. The skin gives the broth a silky richness.

• Split Pea Soup – Toss in a few pieces of pork skin while simmering split peas for an added flavor boost.

As you can see, pork skin can seriously elevate the flavor of so many soups and stews. It’s one of my secret weapons in the kitchen!

How to Remove Pork Shoulder Skin

If you’d rather remove the skin from your pork shoulder before cooking, it’s easy to do at home with just a sharp knife.

Here is a simple step-by-step method:

• Place the pork skin-side down on a cutting board. This gives you better traction as you slice.

• Start by slicing through the skin along one side, where it meets the meat.

• Slide your knife under the skin, cutting and scraping to slowly detach it from the meat.

• Use your hands to pull the skin away as you go, peeling it off in strips.

• Trim off any excess fat or skin, leaving just a thin layer if desired.

It takes a bit of effort, but removes easily once you get it started. Then you’re ready to rub down the meat and start cooking!

Delicious Pork Shoulder Recipes Without Skin

Don’t let removing the pork skin deter you from making amazing pork shoulder dishes. Here are some of my go-to recipes that don’t require the skin:

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Coat pork shoulder in dry rub
• Cook on Low 8-10 hours
• Shred meat and toss with BBQ sauce

Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder

• Rub shoulder with herbs and mustard
• Roast at 300°F for 4-5 hours
• Slice and serve with pan juices

Chile Verde Pork

• Cook pork with salsa verde
• Shred and use for tacos, nachos, burritos

Carnitas

• Cook with orange juice, garlic
• Shred and crisp in skillet before serving

Hoisin-Glazed Pork

• Cook roast and coat with hoisin sauce
• Finish under broiler to caramelize

As you can see, pork shoulder makes for incredible dishes even without the skin. Don’t be afraid to remove it if needed.

Conclusion

Hopefully this guide has helped show that pork shoulder skin can truly take your dishes to the next level. Whether you fry it up into cracklings, use it for flavorful soups, or simply crisp up the skin on a roast, the skin has so much to offer.

Of course, incredible pork dishes can still be made without the skin too. At the end of the day, cook pork shoulder to your preferences and take advantage of the skin however you see fit.

For more pork cooking tips and recipes, be sure to check out my website and subscribe to my email newsletter. Happy cooking!