Spiced Cured Pork, my recipe for Homemade Haitian Endui
Spiced cured pork is also called “endui.” Endui is a creole term I can only translate to spiced cured pork. Pork belly cut into cubes, seasoned with our special green seasoning, oil, and dried seasoning blends.
Condiments have been part of the culinary world for many centuries. Green seasoning or fresh ground seasoning and spices blend, one of the most famous condiments in every cuisine, are used to prepare meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and grains. Seasoning blends and sauces are what one might say is the epitome of a great cook.
What is Endui?
Endui is the name of a condiment in Haitian cuisine. This condiment contains tons of flavor from the seasoning blends. It is a mixture of pork meat with a seasoning blend. You can make endui with a mixture of dried seasoning blend as well. The recipe mixture is quicker to make because you don’t have to make a fresh seasoning blend. But if you have it already made, you can use it instead. For this blog article, I will provide both recipes for you to try.
I make my endui with pork belly. I find pork belly the perfect cut for slicing and the perfect cut for the amount of fat attached to the meat. The pork belly cooks quickly, and the fat absorbs the seasoning very well.
What is endui or spicy cured pork use for?
You can use endui however you want. Spicy cured pork or endui is used to make the following dishes:
You can use it in whatever recipe or dishes you feel that would benefit from the flavors. If you are a fan of bacon, sausages, or smoked meats, you may substitute them for endui as a flavoring enhancer.
Where do you buy pork belly?
Pork belly may not be available in all supermarkets. I usually buy my pack at Costco. As we all know, Costo sells in bulk. It is not a problem if you are making a large amount of Endui or giving away. Costco is definitely the route to go.
Pork Belly Pork Belly Pork Belly
You can also find pork belly at many local supermarkets. It will not be cheap but think about how long the spiced cured pork will last.
How to make the recipes, with fresh herbs and with dried herbs
Recipe 1: For the Cured Pork with Fresh Herbs or Fresh Herbs Endui
- 1 to 1 ¼ pound fresh pork belly cut ½ to 1-inch pieces
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 ½ tablespoon ground thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons kosher or sea salt
- 2 scallions chopped
- ¼ cup white onion chopped
- 1 whole hot pepper scotch bonnet or habanero (seeds removed if preferred)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice or sour orange juice
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
Everything is mixed well and store in a glass container or mason jar.
Recipe 2: For the Cured Pork or Endui with Dried Herbs
- 1 to 1 ¼ pound fresh pork belly cut ½ to 1-inch pieces
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper or chili powder
- 2 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 2 – 3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or sour orange juice
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoon olive oil
All ingredients are also mixed and stored in a glass container or mason jar.
Both recipes are good and choosing one will depend on taste and preference.
Seasoning salts recommendation used.
I use the following to seasoning salt brands.
- Noubess Cajun Seasoning Salt
- A combination of Noubess Steak Seasoning and Noubess BBQ Seasoning
- McCormick Seasoning Salt
- Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
Jerk Seasoning Jerk Seasoning Cajun Seasoning Cajun Seasoning Steak Seasoning Steak Seasoning Garlic and Herb Seasoning Garlic and Herb Seasoning
And again, whatever your preference, make sure you pick a brand you are comfortable with using. I would not suggest using MSG because of its bad health reputation. But again, it is your choice.
I do not use Adobo seasoning because I wouldn’t say I like the flavor it gives the pork belly. And if you want to use regular salt instead of seasoning salt, you can do so as well.
The equipment/tools you need to make the recipe.
- A sharp knife or sharp kitchen shears is needed. Do not bother to try to cut the strips with a dull knife, and you will not have perfect cuts.
- A cutting board will help to stabilize the meat for cutting
- Large kitchen utility bowl, perfect for mixing
- Glass jars or mason jars for proper storage. Plastic bowls are containers that are the normal way to store endui. Although that may work for some people, the efficient and proper way to food storage and food preserves is with glass containers.
How long will it last and how much to use?
Either recipe usually lasts for about a month or so, depending on how often I use it and how I cook. I usually add a few cubes to my bean puree recipe or rice and beans.
As long as you store the jar is properly refrigerated it should last you for about 2 – 3 months.
Final notes
Lastly, the recipes are by choice only; you don’t necessarily have to make recipes to cook like a Haitian or Caribbean person. It is just an idea to expand your cooking skills. Have fun cooking in your kitchen.
Important Notes and Disclaimer: I am not a chemist, biologist, or nutritionist; these recipes have not been tested in a lab. These are my personal recipes to make my own version of endui or spiced cured pork.
Pork Belly Pork Belly Spiced Cured Pork | Endui Spiced Cured Pork | Endui Spiced Cured Pork | Endui
Recipe For the Cured Pork with Fresh Herbs or Fresh Herbs Endui
Cured Spicy Pork or Endui with Dried Herbs
Ingredients
For the Cured Pork or Endui with Dried Herbs
- 1 to 1 ¼ pound fresh pork belly cut ½ to 1-inch pieces
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper or chili powder
- 2 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice or sour orange juice
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- For the Cured Pork or Endui with Dried Herbs
- In a bowl, mix all ingredients and transfer to a prepared and sanitized jar with a tight lid. Store in refrigerator. Before using let the mixture marinate about 2 to 3 days before use.
Notes
- This is a type of condiment that can be used to flavor, bean puree, rice and beans, cornmeal and beans, and many more dishes.
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.
Corn Allergy:
Always choose ingredients without corn or corn derivatives.
Originally published on January 3, 2015. Updated to add more relevant content.
Thank you for sharing your recipe. I’m excited to make and share with my pork loving friends. Can you please tell me cooking directions to share with friends? Does one fry it like bacon or chicharrones?
Thank you for your comment. You fry it like bacon – not chicharrones or deep-fried. It is considered a homemade condiment for rice, bean soup, stews. You can sauté a few pork endui with herbs and spices before adding your rice or beans, for example. I hope that helps. 🙂