I just cooked this killer grilled pork jowl on a lazy weekend and let me tell you, the combo of garlic, lemon, and that touch of red pepper flakes totally blew my mind, it was like a flavor explosion that i wasn’t expecting.
I think this grilled pork jowl recipe is simple and high in protein. I loves using olive oil, garlic, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper with dried thyme and red pepper flakes to season my sliced pork jowl.
My lemon juice and zest boosts flavor and adds a nutritional kick.
Ingredients
- Pork jowl gives rich protein and natural fat; adds juicy, savory flavor.
- Olive oil give healthy fats and a smooth richness to balance the meat.
- Kosher salt enhance taste and helps intensify natural flavors of the pork.
- Garlic deliver bold aroma, slight sweetness and boosts flavor complexity.
- Dried thyme infuses earthy flavors and subtle herbal notes.
- Lemon juice adds refreshing tang, bright acidity, and vitamin C punch.
- Red pepper flakes offer a spicy kick if you like extra heat.
- Fresh black pepper adds aromatic warmth and subtle zest without overwhelming the
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 1/2 lbs pork jowl, trimmed and sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
How to Make this
1. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat so it’s ready to sizzle.
2. Pat the pork jowl slices dry with a paper towel.
3. In a bowl mix the olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic, dried thyme, red pepper flakes if you want some heat, lemon juice and lemon zest.
4. Rub this marinade all over the pork jowl slices making sure each piece is well coated.
5. Let the meat rest for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
6. Once your grill is hot, place the pork jowl slices on the grill.
7. Grill them for about 4 to 5 minutes per side until they develop a nice char and crisped edges.
8. Avoid moving the meat too much while grilling; this helps to seal in the flavors.
9. Once done, remove the pork jowl from the grill and let them rest for a couple minutes.
10. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious grilled pork jowl!Equipment Needed
1. A grill with medium-high heat settings – you need it to get that nice char.
2. A bunch of paper towels to pat the pork jowl slices dry.
3. A bowl to mix all the marinade ingredients.
4. Measuring spoons to get the olive oil, salt, spices, lemon juice and zest right.
5. Tongs to flip the pork jowl pieces on the grill without messing them up.
6. A plate to let the meat rest after it’s grilled.FAQ
- Q: How do i know when the pork jowl is done grilling?
A: The pork jowl should have a nice char on the outside and be cooked through but still juicy, usually about 4-5 minutes per side depending on the thickness. - Q: Can i marinate the pork jowl before grilling?
A: Sure, you can marinate it with the olive oil, garlic, thyme and lemon for an hour or so for extra flavor but it’s not required. - Q: Can i use other types of salt instead of kosher?
A: Yeah, you can use sea salt but be careful as the flavor might be a bit different and you might need to adjust the amount. - Q: What should i serve with grilled pork jowl?
A: It goes great with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad and even some crusty bread to soak up the juices. - Q: Do i need to cover the grill during cooking?
A: You can leave it uncovered so you get that smoky charred flavor, but if you are cooking in cooler weather, covering might help keep the heat consistent.
Grilled Pork Jowl Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have olive oil, you could use avocado oil instead
- If kosher salt is missing, try using sea salt but go a bit easy on the amount
- If you’re out of freshly ground black pepper, you can use pre-ground black pepper in a pinch
- If you need to substitute garlic cloves, a small pinch of garlic powder might do the trick
- For dried thyme, dried oregano works pretty well as a similar substitute
Pro Tips
Here’s the revamped recipe with some extra tips sprinkled in:
Start by preheating your grill to a medium-high heat so that it’s nice and ready to sear your pork jowl slices. Make sure you pat each slice dry using a paper towel; this helps the marinade stick better.
Now, mix together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you’re feeling a bit spicy, plus 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest. Give the mix a good stir until it looks combined.
Now, rub this marinade all over your pork jowl slices – make sure every piece gets its fair share. Let the meat sit for at least 15 minutes so it can absorb all those yummy flavors.
When your grill is ready, lay the pork jowl slices down and cook them for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Try not to move them too much while cooking; this helps create a nice charred and crispy finish. Once cooked, take the pork jowl off the grill and let it rest a couple of minutes before serving.
Pro Tip 1: If you want a deeper flavor, letting the pork marinate for a bit longer (up to an hour) can make a big difference.
Pro Tip 2: For an extra char and crisped edges, only flip the meat once. Over-moving it can stop that perfect sear.
Pro Tip 3: Before you start, make sure your grill grates are clean. This removes any leftover bits from before and keeps your pork jowl tasting fresh.
Pro Tip 4: Let the meat sit at room temperature for a few minutes before marinating. That way, it cooks more evenly on the grill.Enjoy your delicious grilled pork jowl and happy grilling!
Grilled Pork Jowl Recipe
My favorite Grilled Pork Jowl Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. A grill with medium-high heat settings – you need it to get that nice char.
2. A bunch of paper towels to pat the pork jowl slices dry.
3. A bowl to mix all the marinade ingredients.
4. Measuring spoons to get the olive oil, salt, spices, lemon juice and zest right.
5. Tongs to flip the pork jowl pieces on the grill without messing them up.
6. A plate to let the meat rest after it’s grilled.Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs pork jowl, trimmed and sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions:
1. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat so it’s ready to sizzle.
2. Pat the pork jowl slices dry with a paper towel.
3. In a bowl mix the olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic, dried thyme, red pepper flakes if you want some heat, lemon juice and lemon zest.
4. Rub this marinade all over the pork jowl slices making sure each piece is well coated.
5. Let the meat rest for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
6. Once your grill is hot, place the pork jowl slices on the grill.
7. Grill them for about 4 to 5 minutes per side until they develop a nice char and crisped edges.
8. Avoid moving the meat too much while grilling; this helps to seal in the flavors.
9. Once done, remove the pork jowl from the grill and let them rest for a couple minutes.
10. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious grilled pork jowl!
