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Yuca con Chicharrón (Cassava with Fried Pork)

Salvadoran Yuca con Chicharrón (Cassava with Fried Pork)

Crispy fried pork belly paired with tender boiled yuca and optional curtido slaw. Savoury, tangy, and rich with garlic, lime, and spice.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Marinating Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine Salvadoran
Servings 4
Calories 595 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot (for boiling yuca)
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Frying pan or skillet
  • Slotted spoon or tongs
  • Paper towels​ (for draining)

Ingredients
  

For the Chicharrón

  • 700 g pork belly or pork shoulder cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 cup water

For the Yuca

  • 1 kg fresh or frozen yuca cassava, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Water to cover

For the Curtido (Cabbage Slaw)

  • 2 cups finely shredded cabbage
  • 1 small carrot grated
  • ½ small white onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup hot water
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp dried oregano

For Serving

  • Lime wedges
  • Fresh coriander leaves optional

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the pork pieces with garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and lime juice. Mix well to coat evenly. Let the pork marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature to deepen the flavour.
  • Place the marinated pork in a deep pan with the cup of water. Cover and cook over medium heat until the water evaporates, about 25 minutes. As the water reduces, the pork will begin to render its own fat.
  • Once the liquid is gone, allow the pork to fry in its fat until golden and crisp on all sides. Stir occasionally for even browning. Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Keep warm while preparing the yuca.
  • Peel the cassava completely, removing the thick brown and pink layers. Cut into even chunks. If using frozen yuca, thaw before cooking. Place in a large pot and cover with salted water.
  • Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 20–25 minutes, or until the yuca is tender when pierced with a fork. Drain carefully and remove the fibrous core from the centre of each piece. Keep warm.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine cabbage, carrot, and onion. Mix vinegar, hot water, salt, and oregano separately, then pour over the vegetables. Toss well and leave to sit for at least 30 minutes for the flavours to develop.
  • Arrange the warm yuca pieces on a serving platter. Place the crispy chicharrón on top and spoon over a generous helping of curtido.
  • Finish with lime wedges on the side and a sprinkle of coriander if desired. Serve immediately while the pork is still crisp and the yuca tender.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 595kcalCarbohydrates: 103gProtein: 25gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 1592mgPotassium: 1209mgFiber: 7gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2642IUVitamin C: 72mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 3mg
Keyword pork
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