How to make Haitian Griot or Fried Pork Chunks
Last updated on April 22nd, 2022 at 07:58 pm
Haitian Griot (Pork Bits) is one of the main dishes served in every Haitian household. Griot is served at every event (casual or formal) and is a favorite dish among the old and young generations. There is always someone asking for Griot at an event. And when you hear the request, you cannot help yourself by saying, “again! but you eat it at home!!!” It never fails.
What is Griot?
A Griot dish consists of pieces of pork that have been marinated, boiled, and fried in oil or roasted in the oven. Many people are roasting the pork pieces instead of frying the meat. This process eliminates excess fat and will help you avoid any kitchen accident, more importantly for health reasons.
I prefer roasting my meat instead of frying for health reasons. And let’s face it, it is much easier to bake or roast than frying meat. It is better for you as well, and frying meat required a lot more cleaning when finished.
Key ingredients are required to make a good Griot
The key to having a tasty Griot is the correct amount of lime juice and sour orange juice. The problem that may present with sour orange juice is freshness. Fresh bitter orange may be difficult to find depending on where you live. Sour orange juice is sold in bottles in many food stores, which may be the most convenient way to get the juice.
The bottles are usually found in the International/Caribbean/Spanish section of supermarkets. As they are readily available, make sure you buy a trusted brand. When purchasing the product, ensure that the sour orange juice taste “sour” and not semi-sweet. Lime juice is a good substitute if sour orange juice is not available. The key is to add the correct amount so the pork is not too acidic.
Nowadays, ready-mix dried and wet spices have made it easy to cook meat and other dishes. To obtain a more authentic taste, fresh spices are best to use. The right spice blend and the right acidic amount will make your Griot taste finger-licking good.
Have you tried this?
I also use Noubess Hot and Spicy Herbs Sauce to create that delicious and unexpected flavor. Griot is prepared with pork shoulder or shoulder picnic pork which is usually sold whole and not sliced. I would recommend having your butcher cut the meat before leaving the meat market to avoid having a fighting match with your meat. LOL.
Always remember to wash your meat before cooking to avoid cross-contamination.
Haitian Griot is served with Pikliz or Sauce Ti Malice, and now with Noubess Hot and Spicy Herbs Sauce.
Enjoy!
Haitian Griot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lb pork shoulder or Picnic Shoulder. Cut in 5cm – 8cm (2″ – 3″)
- ½ cup sour orange juice
- ½ cup lime juice fresh, about 2-3 limes
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
- ½ tablespoon thyme leaves only
- 2 stalks scallions chopped
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
- 1 tsp Noubess Original Hot and Spicy Sauce
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper optional, if not using Noubess hot sauce
Instructions
- Juice the limes and set aside. Do not throw away the limes juices.
- In a bowl add the meat and rub lime pieces on each meat pieces to clean. Rinse with cold water and set aside.
- In a separate dish add all the remaining ingredients except the oil and stir to combine. Add the scotch bonnet pepper if you are not using Noubess Hot and Spicy Sauce.
- Add the meat in a bag or bowl with all spices and let marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Marinate for a longer period of time for more flavor enhancement.
- Add the meat and marinade into a heavy pan or pot and boil on low to medium high heat covered for about 30 – 45 minutes or until the meat is tender. Remove the meat from the pot and fry the cubes in batches in hot oil. Remove them from the oil and place on plate covered with paper towel to remove any excess oil.
- If roasting in the oven, prepare a baking dish and add the meat pieces. Do not overcrowd pan. Preheat the oven 375°F degree and roast the meat until golden brown, about 20 – 25 minutes. Remove and serve hot with Pikliz or Sauce ti-malice or Noubess Hot and Spicy Sauces.
Notes
- Let meat marinate longer for more flavor.
- Use Noubess Hot and Spicy Sauces with the marinade for flavor enhancements.
- Do not use the scotch bonnet pepper is you are sensitive to hot and spicy food unless intended.
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
40 years ago as a new nurse my colleagues introduced me to this dish.
I have only had it made by my Haitian nursing sisters
I followed the recipe and my family who is southern loved loved it so flavorerful so tender !
It came out wonderful I made plantains black rice and salad as sides
Will make it at my next family reunion to introduce this scrumptous dish of love to others
Oh wow! Thanks, Beatrice. I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying our national dishes. Your dishes will be such a huge hit at the family reunion. Enjoy and thanks so much again.
I made this recipe for Thanksgiving and it was delicious. I have been using since. I have been looking for a good recipe and glad I found this one.
Enjoyed making this recipe. Added extra habanero for more kick! Definitely will be making this again.
I made for thanksgiving and it was so delicious. I have been using this recipe since.