German Pork Lard With Cracklings (Schmaltz / Griebenschmalz)

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Jan's recipe for making Schmaltz, just like they have in Germany. Actually, quite easy to make at home.

If you've been looking for a schmaltz recipe, you're not alone! Thankfully, Jan Neumann, one of our Facebook fans, sent in this one, along with photos. He made these to use as gifts for Christmas. (What an awesome idea!)

The recipe's in German and I've copied it below just the way he sent it. Perfect to practice your German, but I'll translate it below. Normally, it's something that's easy to buy in Germany and used as both a sandwich spread as well as a 'fat' for cooking. 

Jan's is a bit different than what my Mutti made. His is a flavored one, lightly spiced. This surely would be wonderful on some of my freshly baked sourdough bread. 

Tips on making this

• Jan said that this will keep about 3 months in the fridge, so, unless you are making this as a gift, you may want to divide the recipe into half or less. Just adjust the amounts accordingly.
  
• Using a "hand full" as a measure is very popular in Germany. However, one needs to be careful, since hands are different sizes :) I'd probably start with a 'small' handful  and then add more if needed.
  
• You can always remove some of the hot schmaltz onto a little plate to let it cool to check if it has enough seasoning. If not, then re-season the hot batch, if necessary.

On the collage below in the lower right, you'll see what Jan uses for Schweinespeck and Schwieneschmalz. At the top, the hot schmaltz and at the bottom, ready to eat.

Making griebenschmaltz with Jan! He does this recipe just wonderfully, deliciously, and best of all, German!

I recall my Mutti making this when we were little. My Papa would spread it liberally on his rye bread sandwich and sprinkle it liberally with celery salt. Heavenly!!!!

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Jan's Schmaltz Recipe — just the way he wrote it ...

• Für diese Ladung habe ich 1,5 kg Schweinespeck gewürfelt, im großen Topf ausgelassen, bis die Speckwürfel klein und braun werden, dann 15 gewürfelte Zwiebeln dran getan und 1,5 kg Schweineschmalz.
• Dazu eine Handvoll Salz, zwei Handvoll Majoran, 15 Pimentkörner, 3 kleine Lorbeerblätter und zehn gewürfelte Äpfel.
• Das wird alles gekocht, bis die Zwiebeln braun werden, ca eine reichliche halbe Stunde.
• Wenn das dann in den kleinen Töpfchen ausgekühlt ist, kann man das als Brotaufstrich essen, mit Röstzwiebeln und saurer Gurke drauf, das heißt in Sachsen "Fettbemme" :-D Oder man nimmt es zum kochen, z. B. an Rotkraut :-)

Here's the English for Jan's Schmaltz

Print Recipe

Jan's Schmaltz Recipe (Griebenschmalz): German Pork Lard With Cracklings

If you've been looking for a Schmaltz recipe, you're not alone! Thankfully, Jan Neumann, one of our Facebook fans, sent in this one. Normally, it's something that's easy to buy in Germany and used as both a sandwich spread as well as a 'fat' for cooking. 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3⅓ pounds slab bacon (not too lean), diced
• 15 onions (cooking size), diced
• 3⅓ pounds lard
• handful salt
• 2 handfuls marjoram
• 15 allspice berries
• 3 small bay leaves
• 10 apples, diced

Instructions:

1. In a large cooking pot, cook the cubed slab bacon until the pieces are small and lightly browned.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and continue cooking until the onions have browned, about half an hour.
3. Ladle into jars (see photo for quantity) and let cool.
4. Use as a sandwich spread with caramelized onions and sour pickles on the side or use it when making red cabbage, etc.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

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Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.