Pickled Pigs’ Feet

Tender, tangy, and nutritious, pickled pigs' feet are a true Southern delicacy. And they add flavor to Mexican dishes as well. They make for a beautiful burst of flavor in various other dishes, including tostadas, salads, grit cakes, and more.

Course Appetizer, Entree

Cuisine soul, Southern

Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1 30

Pickling Time 3

Total Time 3 1 50

Servings

Calories 228kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

6 pigs feet (1½–2 pounds)
1 cup water
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups white vinegar
1 onion, sliced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
4 chili peppers

Instructions

Wash pigs' feet thoroughly, then place them in a large pot and pour water over them until covered. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours until the pigs' feet are tender. While they are cooking, skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
Remove the feet from the cooking liquid, rinse with water, remove as many bones as possible, and set them aside. Discard the cooking liquid.
In a large bowl, combine water, vinegar, and salt, stir until the salt dissolves, and set aside.
Place half of the sliced onion, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and peppers into a jar, transfer the pig feet to the jar, and layer with the remaining ingredients.
Pour the pickling liquid (vinegar mixture) to cover the pigs' feet. Cover the jar tightly with a lid and place in the refrigerator for 3-7 days before serving.

Notes

Trotters have a lot of thick skin and connective tissue, so it takes a while for them to become tender. A low-and-slow approach to cooking them also renders the collagen, so don't take any shortcuts when it comes to boiling the feet. A long low boil will give you the tenderest, tastiest pickled pigs' feet possible.
Pigs' feet have a lot of bones that can be difficult to cut at home. If you need (or want) your pigs' feet cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces, ask the butcher to do it.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition