Chicharrón en Salsa Roja (Pork Crackling in Red Salsa)
Chewy pieces of pork crackling simmered in red salsa until soft and saucy, piled into warm tortillas.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.96 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft.
4 min - 2
Pour in your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) and the water. Bring to a simmer.
- 3
Add the pork crackling and stir to coat. Simmer gently for 8 to 12 minutes, until the crackling has softened and become chewy, adding a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick.
10 min - 4
Warm the corn tortillas in a dry pan for 30 seconds a side and keep wrapped in a tea towel.
1 min - 5
Taste the sauce and add salt a pinch at a time, as the crackling is already salty.
- 6
Spoon the chicharron and sauce into the tortillas and add avocado, coriander and a squeeze of lime.
Tips
- Use plain, unflavoured pork scratchings or Mexican style chicharron prensado. Flavoured scratchings clash with the salsa.
- Add the crackling late so it keeps a little bite. Cooked too long it turns to jelly.
- Serve at once. Chicharron in sauce goes soft the longer it sits.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep 2 days in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot all the way through, though the texture is softer.
Questions
What is chicharron en salsa roja?
It is a classic home dish of fried pork rind simmered in a chilli sauce until it becomes tender and chewy. It is often eaten in tacos or with beans.
Where can I buy chicharron in the UK?
Some Mexican shops and online stores sell chicharron prensado. Plain pork scratchings or pork crackling from a butcher are the easy substitute.
Is it very salty?
It can be, because crackling is already salted. Taste the sauce first, and add no more salt until the end.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.