Crispy Deep-Fried Pork Knuckle with Lemon and Thyme
Golden-brown pork knuckles marinated in zesty lemon-thyme, then deep-fried until crackling-crisp for a satisfying textural contrast. This filipino-inspired asian ready in about 145 minutes pairs (907g) Pork knuckles, Lemon juice, chopped Fresh thyme leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (907g) Pork knuckles
- 3 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped Fresh thyme leaves
- 4, minced Garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp Soy sauce
- 4 cups (950ml) Cooking oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse pork knuckles, pat dry, then toss with 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 3 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp chopped thyme. Marinate 2 hours at room temperature.
- Step 2: Heat 4 cups cooking oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add pork knuckles and fry 25 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp.
- Step 3: Transfer to a wire rack over paper towels, drain 5 minutes, and serve immediately to maintain crunch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crispy Deep-Fried Pork Knuckle with Lemon and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (120 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Crispy Deep-Fried Pork Knuckle with Lemon and Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (907g) pork knuckles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Deep-Fried Pork Knuckle with Lemon and Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Crispy Deep-Fried Pork Knuckle with Lemon and Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Crispy Deep-Fried Pork Knuckle with Lemon and Thyme?
Filipino asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
