Low Sodium Traditional Pork Rillettes

Indulge in the savory elegance of Low Sodium Traditional Pork Rillettes, a melt-in-your-mouth French delicacy reimagined for a heart-healthy twist. Made with tender pork shoulder, aromatic fresh thyme, garlic, and a hint of warming spices like nutmeg and allspice, this slow-cooked spread delivers rich, robust flavor without the excess sodium. The natural juices and unsalted lard create a silky, pâté-like texture that pairs perfectly with crusty bread, tangy cornichons, and dijon mustard. With just 20 minutes of prep and a low, slow oven bake, this make-ahead appetizer is an effortless showstopper for gatherings or quiet evenings at home. Let the flavors meld overnight for a deeply satisfying experience in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Pork shoulder
• 1 cup Pork fat (or unsalted lard)
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 2 medium Shallots
• 4 sprigs Fresh thyme
• 2 whole Bay leaves
• 10 whole Black peppercorns
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground allspice
• 1 cup White wine (unsalted)
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt substitute (optional, sodium-free)
• 0.25 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C).

Step 2

2. Trim the pork shoulder of excess fat and cut it into 2-inch cubes. Place the pork cubes in a Dutch oven or an oven-safe heavy-bottomed pot.

Step 3

3. Add the pork fat (or unsalted lard), peeled whole garlic cloves, sliced shallots, thyme sprigs, bay leaves, whole peppercorns, and ground allspice to the pot.

Step 4

4. Pour the white wine over the ingredients in the pot. The liquid should come about halfway up the pork. If needed, add a bit of water.

Step 5

5. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and place it in the preheated oven. Cook for 3.5 to 4 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily shredded with a fork.

Step 6

6. Remove the pot from the oven. Discard the thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and any whole peppercorns you can find.

Step 7

7. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork and remaining ingredients to a large mixing bowl, leaving the cooking fat in the pot.

Step 8

8. Shred the pork using two forks until it has a coarse, pâté-like texture. Slowly mix in a few spoonfuls of the cooking fat until the rillettes reach your desired consistency. You should aim for a spreadable paste that is moist but not overly greasy.

Step 9

9. Stir in ground nutmeg, freshly ground black pepper, and the optional salt substitute, adjusting seasonings to taste.

Step 10

10. Transfer the rillettes to a clean jar or ramekin, pressing down to remove any air pockets. Pour a thin layer of the reserved cooking fat on top to seal (this helps preserve the rillettes).

Step 11

11. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature with crusty bread, cornichons, and mustard.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1485.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4343.1

Total Fat 343.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 130.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 1025.0mg	0%
Sodium 666.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 28.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.0g	0%
Total Sugars 8.7g
Protein 217.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 327.8mg	0%
Iron 11.5mg	0%
Potassium 3775.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 75.9%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 2.8%