Italian Porchetta Roll

Italian porchetta is a flavorful pork roll seasoned with Italian herbs. At Aalvink, we make our porchetta from the pork belly—the same cut from which bacon slices are also cut. We remove the bone, cartilage, and rind, then season the meat on the inside, roll it up, and tie it.

So you’ll receive an oven- and BBQ-ready porchetta roll weighing about 1.5 kilos. We’ve already done the prep work for you; all you have to do at home is cook the porchetta slowly. Perfect for a lavish dinner, a festive meal, or a nice cut of meat off the BBQ.

What is porchetta?

Porchetta is an Italian dish made from seasoned and rolled-up pork. It is characterized by the combination of juicy pork and aromatic Italian herbs.

Our porchetta is made from pork belly without the rind. Thanks to the natural marbling of the pork belly, the meat stays nice and juicy during cooking, and the roll develops a rich flavor.

Would you rather make porchetta entirely from scratch? Then check out our recipe for Italian porchetta. In it, we show you how to make porchetta yourself using a piece of pork belly.

How to Make Porchetta

The great thing about our porchetta is that all the prep work has already been done. The pork belly is seasoned, rolled up, and tied. All you have to do is cook it at home.

1. Take the porchetta out of the refrigerator before cooking.
2. Preheat the oven or BBQ.
3. Place the porchetta in a roasting pan or directly on the BBQ.
4. Let the meat cook gently.
5. Check the temperature in the center of the meat roll using a meat thermometer.
6. Remove the porchetta from the heat source once it reaches the desired internal temperature.
7. After cooking, let the meatloaf rest for at least 10 minutes.
8. Remove the string and cut the porchetta into nice slices.

Jan’s cooking tip: Porchetta naturally contains enough fat. So cook it gently and avoid letting the temperature get too high. This gives the fat time to release its flavor while keeping the meat juicy.

How to Cook Porchetta in the Oven

The oven is an easy way to cook our porchetta evenly. Place the roll in a roasting pan and let it cook slowly until it reaches the desired internal temperature.

It’s better to use a meat thermometer rather than relying solely on a set cooking time. This is because the actual cooking time can vary depending on the meat’s starting temperature and differences between ovens.

How to Cook Porchetta on the BBQ

Porchetta is also perfect for the BBQ or kamado. It’s best to cook the roll using indirect heat so the meat can cook slowly and evenly.

Since fat may drip from the porchetta during cooking, we recommend placing a drip pan or aluminum foil under the meat. This will prevent the fat from landing directly on the coals and causing unwanted flames.

For more BBQ tips and explanations from our butcher, check out ” The Butcher Explains.”

Can you cook porchetta on a spit?

Yes. Porchetta is ideal for cooking on a rotisserie. By letting the roll rotate slowly, it heats evenly and develops a nice roasted color all around the outside.

Our own porchetta recipe also describes porchetta as a wonderful Italian classic meant to be cooked on a rotisserie.

Core temperature of porchetta

Preparation	Core temperature
Juicy Porchetta	65–68°C
Overcooked	68–70°C

For a juicy porchetta, we recommend keeping a close eye on the core temperature and not overcooking the meat unnecessarily. Always take the temperature at the center and thickest part of the roll.

After cooking, let the porchetta rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing it.

Is Aalvink’s porchetta already seasoned?

Yes. We prepare our porchetta ourselves and season the inside with Italian herbs. Then we roll and tie the meat into a firm roll.

So you don’t have to cut up a piece of pork belly, season it, and tie it up yourself at home first. The porchetta is ready to cook right away.

How much porchetta do you need per person?

For a main course, allow an average of about 200 to 250 grams of porchetta per adult, depending on appetite and the number of side dishes.

Our porchetta weighs about 1.5 kilograms, making it a good portion for about 6 people as a main course.

What do you serve with porchetta?

Porchetta pairs well with roasted potatoes, oven-roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, or Italian-style vegetables. Thanks to the seasoning and the fat from the pork belly, the meat itself is already very flavorful.

For more ideas, check out our recipes and inspiration, or discover more large cuts of meat in our Roasts category.

Porchetta—or make your own porchetta?

Do you want to serve porchetta without any hassle? Then this ready-to-cook roll is the easiest option. We’ve already prepared, seasoned, rolled, and tied the meat.

Would you rather do the whole process yourself? Then you can start with our fresh pork belly and follow Aalvink’s porchetta recipe.

Product Information: Italian Porchetta

• Meat type: pork
• Made from pork belly
• Without bone and cartilage
• Without the rind
• Seasoned on the inside
• Rolled up and tied
• Weight: approximately 1.5 kilograms
• Ready to knit
• Suitable for the oven, BBQ, kamado, and rotisserie
• Vacuum-packed
• Delivered fresh and chilled

Want to learn more about what Aalvink looks for in meat? Then read “Focus on Meat.” Want to know how we carefully package meat and get it to your home? Then check out ” Buy Fresh Meat and Have It Delivered Chilled.”

Why buy porchetta from Aalvink?

At Aalvink, you can buy a porchetta that has already been prepared by our butchers. We make the roll from pork belly, season the meat on the inside, and roll and tie it up for you. That way, you can start cooking it right away at home.

• Prepared by our butchers
• Made from pork belly
• Italian-style seasoned
• Already rolled up and tied
• About 1.5 kilograms
• Ready for the oven or BBQ
• Also suitable for kamado and rotisserie
• Freshly chilled and delivered to your door

Be sure to check out our full selection of pork, our roasts, or use the Aalvink Meat Guide if you’re looking for a different cut of meat for your recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Porchetta

What is porchetta?

Porchetta is an Italian dish made from seasoned and rolled pork. Aalvink’s porchetta is made from pork belly without the rind; it is seasoned on the inside and then tied into a roll.

Is Aalvink’s porchetta already seasoned?

Yes. Our butchers prepare the porchetta, season the inside, roll it up, and tie it. All you have to do is cook it at home.

Does this porchetta have a rind?

No. For this porchetta, we remove the rind, bones, and cartilage before seasoning the meat and rolling it up.

How do you make porchetta?

You can cook porchetta slowly in the oven, indirectly on the BBQ or kamado, or on a rotisserie. Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness in the center of the roll.

What is the core temperature of porchetta?

For a juicy porchetta, aim for a temperature of about 65–68°C. If you want the meat cooked a bit more, you can go up to 68–70°C. Let the meat rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking.

Can you cook porchetta on the BBQ?

Yes. It’s best to cook the porchetta using indirect heat, and place a drip pan or aluminum foil under the meat to catch any drippings.

Can you cook porchetta on a spit?

Yes. Porchetta is perfect for a rotisserie. By letting the roll rotate slowly, it cooks evenly and browns all over.

How much porchetta do you need per person?

As a main course, allow about 200 to 250 grams per adult. A 1.5-kilo porchetta is therefore a good amount for about six people.

Can I make porchetta myself?

Yes. If you want to make the meatloaf entirely from scratch, you can use pork belly. Check out our recipe for homemade Italian porchetta for the complete instructions.

Is the porchetta delivered fresh?

Yes. The porchetta is vacuum-sealed and delivered to your home while still fresh and chilled.

Buy porchetta at Aalvink.nl

Want to buy porchetta without having to season and tie it up yourself first? At Aalvink, you can order an Italian porchetta roll weighing about 1.5 kilos. Our butchers have already prepared, seasoned, rolled, and tied the pork belly. All you have to do at home is cook it in the oven, on the BBQ, in a kamado, or on a rotisserie.

Be sure to check out our fresh pork belly, the porchetta recipe, our roasts, guides on meat and preparation, ” The Butcher Explains, ” and the Meat Guide.