What are pig ears?
Pig ears are one of the most distinctive offals, used for years in traditional and street food cuisines worldwide. Thanks to their high collagen content, they are not only tasty but also beneficial for the condition of skin, joints, and hair.
✅ Natural source of collagen and protein
✅ Perfect for cooking, baking, and grilling
✅ Crispy texture when prepared properly
✅ Great addition to broths and soups
With proper preparation, pig ears become a crispy and aromatic snack or a base for hearty broths. You just need to cook them in aromatic spices or bake them for a delicious taste!
How many calories do pig ears have?
In 100g of pig ears there are:
- Calories: approx. 230 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Collagen: high content
- Iron: supports red blood cell production
- Zinc: strengthens immunity
Health benefits of pig ears
Pig ears are not just a tasty treat, but also a rich source of collagen, impacting:
🥩 Healthy joints – supports cartilage regeneration and reduces injury risk.
💪 Strong bones – high protein and mineral content supports bone building.
✨ Healthy skin and hair – collagen impacts skin firmness and hair strength.
🍲 Hearty broths – imparts deep flavor and smooth texture to broths.
Fun facts about pig ears
1️⃣ In Asia, they are a real delicacy! Pig ears in Chinese cuisine are often marinated and served as an appetizer with soy sauce and ginger.
2️⃣ Many athletes value them for collagen! Thanks to this protein, pig ears help in muscle and joint recovery after intense training.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🔹 How to prepare pig ears to make them crispy?
The best way is to bake or fry them after precooking. You can also marinate them in spicy seasonings and grill them.
🔹 Are pig ears healthy?
Yes! They are rich in collagen, protein, and minerals, which benefit skin, joints, and bones.
🔹 Can you eat pig ears raw?
It is not recommended to eat them raw. It's best to cook, bake, or fry them.
🔹 How long to cook pig ears?
To achieve a tender texture, cook them for about 1.5 hours in water with spices.
Recipe for crispy Asian-style pig ears 🥢🔥
Want to try something unique? Pig ears in soy sauce and ginger are a brilliant snack with a deep flavor!
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty level: medium
Ingredients:
- 2 pork ears
- 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of ginger (grated)
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 garlic clove (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon of hot paprika
Method of preparation:
- Wash and clean the pork ears. Cook them in salted water for 1.5 hours until tender.
- After cooking, cut them into thin strips and transfer to a bowl.
- In a separate dish, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, honey, garlic, sesame oil, and hot paprika.
- Add the sliced ears to the marinade and mix thoroughly.
- Fry in a pan over high heat for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
Serving suggestion: Sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds and serve with rice or as a snack with beer! 🍻
Recipe for traditional pork ear broth 🍲
A classic broth based on pork ears is rich and full of deep flavor.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 3 hours
Difficulty level: easy
Ingredients:
- 3 pork ears
- 1 carrot
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Method of preparation:
- Clean the pork ears and place in a large pot with water.
- Add carrot, onion, garlic, bay leaves, and pepper.
- Simmer for 3 hours, skimming off any foam.
- Strain the broth through a sieve and season with salt to taste.
Serving suggestion: Serve with noodles or as a base for aromatic soups!
Summary
Pork ears are a unique product with versatile uses. You can boil, bake, and fry them, obtaining a crispy snack or collagen-rich broth. Ideal for lovers of traditional cuisine and those who care about healthy joints and skin. Try them and discover the unique taste of pork ears! 🐷🔥