Whole30 Traditional Pork Rillettes

Indulge in the timeless flavors of French charcuterie with this Whole30 Traditional Pork Rillettes recipe—a luxurious, spreadable dish that's fully compliant with your Whole30 journey. Tender pork shoulder is slow-cooked for hours with aromatic garlic, bay leaves, and sprigs of fresh thyme, ensuring a rich and savory depth. The addition of pork fat creates a silky texture, making this pâté-like spread irresistibly creamy. Perfectly seasoned and sealed under a thin layer of rendered fat, these rillettes are best served chilled or at room temperature with Whole30-compliant mustard and crisp fresh vegetables like cucumber slices or celery sticks. Ideal for elegant appetizers, meal prepping, or snacking, this recipe brings artisanal charm to your kitchen while remaining wholesome and nutritious.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Pork shoulder
• 0.5 pounds Pork fat (lard)
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
• 2 pieces Bay leaves
• 4 sprigs Fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tablespoons Whole30-compliant mustard (for serving, optional)
• 1 cup Fresh vegetables (e.g., cucumber slices, celery sticks) for serving

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork shoulder into 2-inch cubes, removing any large pieces of sinew or connective tissue. Leave the fat on as it adds flavor.

Step 2

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the pork cubes, pork fat, garlic cloves, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Step 3

Add the cup of water to the pot, ensuring that the liquid reaches about halfway up the pork. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

Step 4

Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot, and let the pork slowly cook for about 3 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking. The pork is ready when it is extremely tender and easily shredded with a fork.

Step 5

Remove the pot from heat and let it cool slightly. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Using two forks, shred the pork until it becomes a coarse paste. Mix the meat with the rendered fat in the pot to create a smooth, spreadable texture.

Step 6

Taste the rillettes and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7

Spoon the rillettes into small jars or ramekins, pressing down to remove any air pockets. Pour a thin layer of rendered fat over the top to seal them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. The rillettes will firm up in the fridge.

Step 8

Serve chilled or at room temperature with Whole30-compliant mustard and fresh vegetables for dipping or spreading.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1670.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4049.8

Total Fat 334.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 126.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 1015.9mg	0%
Sodium 5724.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 15.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.0g	0%
Total Sugars 4.9g
Protein 217.9g	0%

Vitamin D 2268.0IU	0%
Calcium 328.5mg	0%
Iron 11.2mg	0%
Potassium 3732.2mg	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: 76.3%

Protein: 22.1%

Carbs: 1.6%