Searching for a festive pork roast that is tender, juicy and finished with perfect crispness? This crispy pork leg roast with a sweet and tangy tomato jam glaze is one of the most reliable centrepieces for home cooks who love balanced flavour and impressive presentation. Slow cooked first for softness and then roasted for crunch, it is ideal for Christmas gatherings, special occasions and comforting weekend meals. If you are looking for the best pork leg roast recipe to impress your guests, you have just found it.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 large pork leg with fat
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 half tablespoon Szechuan pepper seeds
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• olive oil, enough to form a paste
• tomato jam, for brushing
• salt and pepper, to taste
• cooking liquid from the Instant Pot, for serving
METHOD
- In a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, crush the peppercorns, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and Szechuan pepper seeds to a coarse powder.
- Add the coarse salt, then mix the spice blend with enough olive oil to form a thick paste.
- Brush the pork leg generously with the spice paste, making sure the entire surface is covered. Allow it to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Place the marinated pork leg in the Instant Pot and cook on low pressure for 30 to 40 minutes. This gives you tender, juicy meat before roasting.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C.
- Transfer the cooked pork leg to an ovenproof dish and roast for 40 to 50 minutes until the surface becomes golden and crisp.
- Halfway through roasting, brush the pork with tomato jam to help create a caramelised glaze.
- Increase the oven temperature to its highest setting or switch to the grill for the final 5 to 10 minutes. Add another brush of tomato jam and roast until the top is deeply crisp and the glaze has caramelised.
- Let the roast rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with the reserved cooking liquid from the Instant Pot for added richness.
If you love comforting roasts with crisp crackling and bold flavour, this crispy pork leg roast with tomato jam glaze deserves a spot on your festive and family menus. It is an easy yet impressive pork leg dish that showcases the natural richness of pork, balanced with spice and gentle sweetness. Explore more pork recipes, seasonal roasts and South African inspired dishes on the Essential Flavours website and find your next delicious creation.