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Pan con Chicharron

A iconic Peruvian sandwich filled with tender, crispy pork belly, fried sweet potato slices, and bright salsa criolla.

65 minMediumServes 4780 cal/serving

PeruvianLunchStovetopStandardHigh ProteinNut-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs pork belly, sliced
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large sweet potato, sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 4 crusty French rolls, halved

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine 2 lbs sliced pork belly, 2 cups water, and 2 tsp salt in a skillet over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Simmer until liquid evaporates, then fry pork in its rendered fat until crisp and internal temperature reaches 145F.

  3. 3

    Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in another pan and fry 2 large sliced sweet potato until golden.

  4. 4

    Mix 1 thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro in a bowl to make salsa criolla.

  5. 5

    Fill 4 halved crusty French rolls with sweet potato, crisp pork, and onion mixture.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Pan con Chicharron reach?

For Pan con Chicharron, the target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 2. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Is there a substitute for cilantro in Pan con Chicharron?

The entry for Pan con Chicharron calls for 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped. In its place: Flat-leaf parsley with a squeeze of lime, for anyone who tastes soap. The dish loses its signature note but stays fresh.

How much protein is in Pan con Chicharron?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 32 g of protein in about 780 calories, alongside 58 g carbohydrate and 46 g fat, plus 4 g fiber and 820 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein lunch collection.

Can I freeze Pan con Chicharron?

It is not a good candidate. Refrigerate what is left of Pan con Chicharron within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it. Potatoes turn grainy in the freezer, so keep this one in the refrigerator.

Can I halve or double Pan con Chicharron?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Halved, the pork drops from 2 lbs to 1 lb; doubled, it is 4 lbs. Every line in this entry carries its half and double quantity, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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