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Meat, Classics and bistro fare

Breaded pig’s trotters with sautéed potatoes

Breaded pig's trotters are a bistro dish for 4 people, ready in 50 minutes, rated easy, for €2.80 per serving. The key is pressing the breadcrumbs on firmly and starting with a hot oven so the coating stays crisp instead of soggy, served alongside golden sautéed potatoes.

Here's a classic bistro dish, crispy breaded pig's trotters with potatoes sautéed in a pan.

Breaded pig’s trotters with sautéed potatoes
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.80
Calories per person
570 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Under a golden, crackling crust, the pig's trotter turns tender, almost gelatinous, with the straightforward pork flavor you find in neighborhood bistros. The mustard hidden under the breadcrumbs sharpens the taste without covering it, and the contrast between the crisp coating and the soft meat is what makes this dish worth making.

This is a winter dish, the kind you cook on an evening when you want old fashioned comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen. It works well for a weeknight dinner between adults, less obvious for kids who rarely know this cut, but perfect for rediscovering a true bistro classic.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Cooked pig's trotters 4

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1 kg
  • Parsley 4 sprigs

Dairy

  • Eggs 2
  • Butter 30 g

Pantry

  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 120 g
  • Strong mustardoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Eggs, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes, cut them into large cubes and cook them for ten minutes in boiling salted water, then drain. 10 min

    Let them dry uncovered for a minute, they'll crisp up much better in the pan.

  2. Cut the cooked pig's trotters in half lengthwise, brush them with mustard, then dip them in beaten eggs and coat them in breadcrumbs.

    Press the breadcrumbs firmly with the palm of your hand, they won't come off during cooking.

  3. Heat the oven to 220°C, place the trotters on an oiled baking sheet and drizzle with a little oil.

    A hot oven from the start sears the breadcrumbs right away, otherwise they turn soft.

  4. Bake the trotters and let them brown, turning them halfway through. 20 min

    Turn them with a wide spatula, the coating stays intact.

  5. Sauté the potatoes in butter and oil over high heat until golden, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chopped parsley. 15 min

    Don't stir too often, they need to form a good crust before you flip them.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick trotters that are already cooked and partly boned, they're easier to split in half and coat evenly.
  • If the breadcrumbs don't stick well, dip the trotters a second time in egg then breadcrumbs, the double layer holds up better in the oven.
  • Spread the sautéed potatoes on the same hot pan while the trotters rest for a minute, they stay crisp until you serve.

The variations

  • Swap the plain breadcrumbs for garlic and parsley breadcrumbs to flavor the coating without adding a step.
  • For a faster version, bread thin pork cutlets instead of trotters, the oven time drops to about ten minutes.
  • For kids who aren't used to trotters, use the same breading and mustard on pork tenderloin cut into medallions.

What to serve it with

  • A sharply dressed green salad
  • A glass of dry cider
  • Homemade mayonnaise for dipping

Storage

Breaded pig's trotters keep for two days in the fridge in a closed container. Reheat them in the oven at 180°C for about ten minutes to bring back the crispness, since a pan or microwave will make the coating soggy.

Questions about this dish

Can you bread the pig's trotters ahead of time?

Yes, you can bread them in the morning for dinner and keep them on a plate in the fridge. The coating actually holds up better once it has had time to dry a little before baking.

Can you use mild mustard instead of strong mustard?

Yes, mild mustard works just as well to help the breadcrumbs stick. The flavor will just be milder than with the strong mustard called for in the recipe.

Why does the breading sometimes fall off during cooking?

This usually happens when the breadcrumbs weren't pressed on firmly enough or the oven wasn't hot enough when you put the trotters in. A 220°C oven from the start sears the coating so it stays put.

Can you freeze breaded pig's trotters?

It's not the best option, the coating loses most of its crispness once thawed. It's better to eat them within two days of cooking.

How long does it take to make breaded pig's trotters with sautéed potatoes?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in breaded pig's trotters with sautéed potatoes?

About 570 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does breaded pig's trotters with sautéed potatoes cost?

About €2.80 per serving, or €11.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, eggs, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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