Roast Pork Loin with Crackling
Roast Pork Loin with Crackling is a classic British and European dish featuring a lean cut of pork roasted until tender, topped with a layer of skin that puffs into a crispy, salty crust. The key ingredients are pork loin, salt, and often herbs like rosemary or thyme, with the crackling achieved by scoring the skin and roasting at high heat. It's a centerpiece meal for Sunday roasts and holiday feasts.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a high-protein, moderate-to-high-fat meal, with the loin providing lean protein and the crackling contributing saturated fat. It's a good source of B vitamins, zinc, and selenium, with a typical serving (about 4-6 oz of meat with crackling) ranging from 350 to 500 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbs | 0 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 480 mg |
| Phosphorus | 320 mg |
| Selenium | 45 mcg |
| Zinc | 4.5 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 8 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.7 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.9 mcg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.8 mg |
Per 1 serving (170 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The crackling is a prized culinary technique where the pork skin's collagen transforms into a light, airy, and crunchy texture through precise roasting, making it a textural contrast to the tender meat. Nutritionally, it's a complete protein source, but the crackling's high fat and salt content often makes it an indulgent treat rather than an everyday staple.
