my comfort recipes
♥ Log in Sign up
  • en
  • fr
  • es
  • pt
  • de
  • it
  • nl
    • 🌍 World Kitchen
    🌍 World Kitchen
    Log in Sign up
    Home / Costa Rican Kitchen / Chicharrones Costarricenses

    Chicharrones Costarricenses

    A traditional Costa Rican dish — Chicharrones Costarricenses are chunks of pork belly and shoulder simmered in salted water, then fried in their own rendered fat until the skin crackles and the meat turns deep golden.

    ⏱ 10 minPrep time
    🔥 60 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 Costa Rican KitchenCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet

    A traditional Costa Rican dish — Chicharrones Costarricenses are chunks of pork belly and shoulder simmered in salted water, then fried in their own rendered fat until the skin crackles and the meat turns deep golden. Unlike thin fried strips, these are hefty, chewy-crisp morsels served with lime wedges and tortillas. On weekends, roadside stands in the countryside sell them hot by the bagful.

    Costa Rican recipes →

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Cut the pork into two-inch chunks, keeping the skin on.
    2. Place the pork in a heavy pot with the water and salt, and simmer uncovered over medium heat, stirring now and then, until the water evaporates and the pork begins to fry in its own fat, about forty-five minutes.
    3. Lower the heat and continue frying the chunks, turning frequently, for ten to fifteen minutes, until they are deep golden and crisp all over.
    4. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with lime wedges and warm tortillas.
    5. Squeeze lime over each piece at the table and add hot sauce if you like.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    The water-then-fat method guarantees tender meat with crackling skin — do not rush it. Keep the heat medium so the skin crisps without burning the meat.

    Rate this recipe

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Sign in to rate this recipe.

    Recipe details

    Prep10 min
    Cook60 min
    Servings6
    CategoryCosta Rican Kitchen
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

    Keep browsingYou might also like

    View all recipes →