How to Cook Crispy Ulo ng Baboy

Crispy ulo ng baboy is a rich and savory Filipino dish made from a pig’s head, boiled until tender then deep-fried or roasted until the skin turns golden and crackling.

Prep Time8

Cook Time1

Total Time1 8

Course: Pork Recipe

Cuisine: Filipino

Keyword: crispy ulo, fried pork head

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 304kcal

Author: Manny

Ingredients

1/2 pork head ulo ng baboy
few stalks of lemongrass ties into knots
1 piece onion sliced
4 cloves garlic crushed
1 tsp. cracked peppercorns
3 tsp. salt
3 pcs bay leaves
3 liters water
cooking oil for frying
vinegar for brushing the skin
fine salt for rubbing the skin

Instructions

How to cook Crispy Ulo ng Baboy:

In a big pot, put the pig head and enough water to cover the it. Add onions, garlic, lemongrass, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cook for at 1 hour to 1 and 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender.
Remove the pig's head from the pot and drain. Let it cool and put in the refrigerator overnight.
Brush vinegar and rub salt on the pig's skin before frying to make it crispy when cooked.
Heat generous amount of cooking oil in a big wok or pot and fry the pig's head until golden brown and crispy.
You can also roast it on a an oven or turbo broiler and set at a temperature of 350 °F for 30 minutes to one hour or until the skin turns golden brown and crispy.
Serve with your favorite lechon sauce.

Video

Notes

Cooking Tips:

Boil Low and Slow for Tender Meat

Simmering the pork head gently ensures the meat becomes fall-off-the-bone tender without drying out. Rushing this step with high heat can toughen the meat and prevent the flavors from fully infusing. Add aromatics like lemongrass, garlic, and bay leaves to build flavor from the inside out.

Chill Overnight for Crispier Skin

After boiling, refrigerate the pork head uncovered to dry out the skin completely. This step reduces surface moisture, which is key to achieving that crackling, blistered texture when fried or roasted. The drier the skin, the louder the crunch.

Use Vinegar and Salt for Perfect Blistering

Brushing vinegar and rubbing salt into the skin helps it blister beautifully during cooking. The vinegar tightens the skin while salt draws out any remaining moisture and enhances flavor. Together, they create that irresistible golden-brown crunch everyone loves.