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Lechon liempo
Lay the belly skin side down. Score the meat side in a criss-cross about 1 cm deep, then rub it with the salt, pepper and crushed garlic. Lay the lemongrass, spring onions and bay leaves along the middle.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Lechon liempo take?
15 hr 45 min all in — 30 min prep, 3 hr cook, 12 hr 15 min rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 6 people. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Nut-free.
What does it cost to cook?
A bit special — about $16–28 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
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What equipment do I need?
Chef's knife, Cutting board, Oven, Baking tray, Tongs.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 tbsp.
How much vinegar?
2 tbsp (cane or white vinegar) of Vinegar.
How much vinegar?
120 ml (cane vinegar (sukang iloko) or rice vinegar) of Vinegar.
How much sugar?
1 tsp of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Cane vinegar → Rice vinegar or cider vinegar. Rice vinegar is closest. Malt vinegar is too harsh for the dip.
What should I watch for?
The fat spits hard at this heat. Use oven gloves and long tongs, open the door away from your face, and keep water away from the hot fat. Let the fat in the jug cool before you throw it out, and never pour it down the sink.
Any tips from this recipe?
Buy a slab of even thickness, 4 to 5 cm, so it rolls neatly and cooks evenly. If patches of skin will not puff, move the roll to the top of the oven for 5 minutes and watch it closely. Leftovers become lechon paksiw the next day: simmered with vinegar, garlic, sugar and liver sauce.
Can I prepare this ahead?
Leftovers become lechon paksiw the next day: simmered with vinegar, garlic, sugar and liver sauce.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.