Description
This homemade head cheese is rich, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make with simple ingredients and traditional methods. Perfect for rustic platters or snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pig’s head, cleaned and split
- 1 onion, halved
- 2–3 garlic cloves
- 1–2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: diced bell peppers or pickles
- Water to cover
Instructions
- Clean the pig’s head and place in a large pot. Add onion, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 4–6 hours.
- Remove head, cool slightly, and pick the meat from bones. Chop finely.
- Strain the broth and mix with chopped meat and add-ins.
- Pack into loaf pans, cover with broth, and chill overnight until set.
- Slice and serve cold with mustard or bread.
Notes
Use pork hocks or trotters as an alternative to a full pig’s head.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg