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The Perfect Pork Roast: A Juicy, Tender Center with a Crisp, Golden Exterior. Achieve Even Cooking with This One Simple Trick.

Administrator

15 February, 2025

Pork is a popular dish in Vietnamese family meals. Let’s discover the secret to boiling perfect pork below!

The Secret to Boiling Pork: Achieving Even Doneness and Enhanced Flavor

1. Why Is Boiled Pork Often Red Inside?

There are several reasons why boiled pork may not be evenly cooked:

Thick or large cut of meat: It is harder for heat to penetrate the center of a thick or large piece of meat, resulting in the outside being overcooked while the inside remains raw.
Unstable water temperature: Boiling at too high a temperature or not maintaining a consistent heat source can make it difficult for the inside of the meat to cook evenly.
Not allowing the meat to rest after boiling: Not giving the meat enough time to rest in the hot water can result in undercooked meat.

2. The Secret to Evenly Cooked, Naturally Sweet Pork

To ensure that a large piece of pork is evenly cooked and not red inside, simply add this extra step to your process:

Crucial Extra Step: Soak the meat in hot water after turning off the heat

Instead of removing the meat immediately after it is cooked, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the meat soak in the hot water for about 10-15 minutes.
This step allows the heat from the water to permeate the meat, ensuring even cooking while retaining its natural sweetness.

3. The Right Steps to Boiling Pork

Ingredients

Pork: 500g-1kg (belly or shoulder cut, depending on your preference)
Filtered water
Ginger, shallots, salt, vinegar (or lemon)

Boiling Pork the Right Way

Clean the pork:

Wash the meat with diluted salt water or lemon/vinegar to remove impurities and any unpleasant odors.

Blanch the pork:

Bring a pot of water to a boil and briefly dip the meat into it for about 2 minutes to remove any remaining blood and impurities.

Boil the pork:

Use fresh water for boiling, and add the pork along with a few slices of crushed ginger and shallots to neutralize any unwanted odors.
Add a pinch of salt to the water to enhance the flavor of the meat.
Bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a gentle simmer to allow the meat to cook gradually; avoid boiling at high temperatures, which can cause uneven cooking.

The Secret to Perfectly Boiled Pork: Even Cooking and Enhanced Flavor

Soak the meat in hot water:

When the meat is almost cooked, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the meat soak for 10-15 minutes.

After soaking, quickly dip the meat in ice-cold water for about a minute to maintain its firmness and whiteness. Then, drain the water before slicing.

4. Tips for Tastier Boiled Pork

Choose fresh meat: Fresh pork has a light pink color and no unpleasant smell, ensuring a more delicious dish.
Slice the meat correctly: For the best texture, slice the meat while it is still slightly warm to prevent it from falling apart.
Boil the meat just right: Do not overboil the meat to avoid dryness and loss of sweetness.

By simply adding the step of soaking the meat in hot water after turning off the heat, you can achieve evenly cooked, sweet, and delicious boiled pork without any raw parts. This simple yet effective tip will elevate your family meals and make them more enjoyable. Try it today and taste the difference!

The Secret to Boiling Pork: Achieving Even Doneness and Enhanced Flavor