National Pork Rind Day means you get to enjoy promos and events dedicated to this well-known snack. But while it offers extra texture and flavor, what exactly is it?
Contrary to popular belief, pork rind offers several benefits and can be prepared in lots of ways. Even if it’s been around for decades, there are a few things you should know.
Keep reading as we delve into details for the question, what is a pork rind?

What are Pork Rinds Made Of?

Pork rinds are pig skins sliced into thin cuts, boiled or slow-cooked, then deep-fried. The pork gets its signature puffiness during the frying process when the remaining moisture evaporates as it comes into contact with the hot oil.
Moreover, pork rinds are similar to other variations of fried pork skin, including cracklings and fatbacks. The primary difference between these is their preparation and texture or shape. Usually with pork rinds, they come out puffy and lighter than the other options.

Nutritional Benefits of Pork Rinds

Pork rinds are a popular snack for several reasons, including being easy to eat and providing certain nutritional benefits. These also make it a common chip replacement.
Those benefits are as follows:
  • High Source of Fat and Protein: The snack is known as a good source of protein and fat, making it ideal for keto diets. Your body needs these to function properly, from growing and repairing tissues to providing energy and insulation.
  • Carb-Free: Naturally, pork rinds have zero carbohydrates. Because of this, it’s a great snack alternative for people who are working on weight management, blood sugar control, or following a low-carb diet.
  • Low Cholesterol: Since pork rinds are generally pork skin, most people think they are high in cholesterol. Instead, it has low levels of cholesterol compared to other options.

Potential Drawbacks of Pork Rinds

Despite the benefits pork rinds provide, some drawbacks come with too much consumption of the snack. It includes the following:
  • Processed Food: Although you can prepare pork rinds from scratch, they are usually highly processed. Because of this, they tend to have higher levels of fat, sugar, and salt.
  • Sodium Content: One of the biggest downsides of eating pork rinds is that they have high sodium content. Keep in mind that too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, affecting the rest of your body.

Different Ways to Prepare Pork Rinds

As you celebrate National Pork Rind Day, you can consider different ways to prepare it. Usually, people eat it as a snack alone or on the side. But you can also try the following methods:
  • Salad Toppings: You can crumble pork rinds and top it over your salads instead of having croutons.
  • Soups or Stews: Pork rinds can give your soups or stews extra texture while enhancing the overall flavor. When you use it with vegetable soup, it also adds to the nutritional value.
  • Coating Protein: Depending on the dish you make, you can use crushed pork rinds as an alternative to bread crumbs when coating meat, like chicken or fish.

In Closing: What is a Pork Rind and Beyond?

You might know pork rinds as a fun snack and ingredient that goes great with dishes of different cuisines. Even more so, you can consider it a healthy alternative to chips with moderate consumption.
So, the next time you wonder, what is a pork rind? Remember to look into its nutritional content and see how you can make it fit your diet!