This Southern style pigs feet recipe is a classic soul food dish with deep cultural roots. Slow cooking pig’s feet has been a tradition for generations, especially for New Year’s and other special occasions. If you’re looking for a pigs feet recipe that honors history and heritage, this one delivers.
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Pig’s trotter has long been a part of soul food traditions, with origins tracing back to resourceful cooking methods developed during slavery. Enslaved Africans made use of every part of the animal, creating dishes that were both practical and deeply significant. Slow cooking was key to transforming tough cuts like Southern style pigs feet into something nourishing, and the technique has been passed down through generations. This dish represents resilience, creativity, and the ability to turn humble ingredients into a meaningful meal.
In the South, cooking pig’s feet is a tradition, especially for New Year’s, when they’re believed to bring good luck. With a little time and patience, you’ll have a dish that connects the past to the present, continuing a legacy of resourceful and meaningful cooking.
If you enjoy pigs feet, you may also like our slow cooker neck bones recipe!
The History Behind Pig Feet in Cooking
Pig’s feet might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a delicious meal, but they’ve been an important part of Southern and soul food cooking for generations. Like many traditional soul food dishes, the history of cooking pig’s feet comes from a time when Black cooks had to make the most of what was available to them.
During slavery, enslaved Africans were often given the leftover or unwanted parts of animals, while their enslavers kept the prime cuts for themselves. But instead of letting these cuts go to waste, Black cooks turned them into something flavorful and nourishing. Pig’s feet, chitterlings (pig intestines), ox tails, and smoked neck bones all became part of a resourceful and deeply flavorful cuisine. These dishes are a testament to the creativity, resilience, and skill of soul food cooking.
Even outside of the Black community, pig’s feet have had their fans—including President Franklin D. Roosevelt. While spending time in Warm Springs, Georgia, for polio treatment, he was introduced to broiled pig’s feet by Daisy Bonner, an African American cook.
We’re sharing this pig’s feet recipe to honor its history. This dish is one of many that show how Black cooks turned humble ingredients into something truly special. Cooking and sharing these recipes keeps that history alive and celebrates the deep roots of soul food.
Ingredients
- Pigs Feet: Cooking them low and slow makes them super tender and full of flavor.
- White Vinegar and Lime: Essential for cleaning the pigs’ feet and cutting any gamey taste.
- Seasonings: Sazon, chicken bouillion, soul food seasoning, red chilli flakes, and smoked paprika bring a mix of sweetness, spice, and a little heat to balance things out.
- Onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño: Add layers of sweetness, spice, and a little kick to balance the richness.
- Garlic: Gives the dish a deep, savory flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a tasty mix of tangy, salty, and bold flavors.
How to Clean Pigs Feet
Place the trotters in a large mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Add vinegar and juice from the lime, then scrub the pigs feet with salt and the lime, making sure to clean between the toes. Use a butter knife to scrape off any excess hair or dirt. Then, discard the water, rinse, and place them in the slow cooker.
How to Cook Pigs Feet
Step 1: Place pigs feet in the slow cooker, then add the seasoning.
Step 2: Slice the onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic and place in the crockpot with the pigs feet.
Step 3: Pour in the 4 cups of water.
Step 4: Cook on High for 4-5 hours or until they are tender and falling off the bone.
Recipe Tips
- Soak for Extra Cleanliness – After the vinegar and lime scrub, soak the pigs feet in cold water for 30 minutes to remove any lingering impurities before rinsing and cooking.
- Add a Finishing Touch – A splash of apple cider vinegar or a few dashes of hot sauce at the end of cooking can balance the richness with a little tang and heat.
- Let Them Rest – After cooking, let the pigs feet sit in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting for 15-20 minutes. This helps the flavors settle before serving.
What to Serve
Pigs feet are best served hot straight from the Crockpot over rice and spoon the flavorful juices over the top. They also pair well with classic Southern sides like collard greens, black-eyed peas, cornbread, candied yams, mac and cheese, and potato salad.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover pigs feet in an airtight container with some of the cooking liquid to keep them moist. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Commonly Asked Questions
Pig’s feet typically take about 4-5 hours to become tender when cooked on high in a slow cooker. If you’re cooking them on low, it may take around 6-8 hours. The meat should be falling off the bone when done.
Pig’s feet taste similar to other cuts of pork, like the hocks or shoulder, but with a softer, more tender texture. The skin absorbs all the flavors from the seasoning and broth.
Yes, you can cook pigs feet on the stove or in the oven. On the stove, simmer them for 2-3 hours, and in the oven, cook at 300°F for 3-4 hours, making sure they’re tender and fall off the bone.
How to Cook Pigs Feet (Southern Soul Food Recipe)
Equipment
- Crockpot (slow cooker)
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds pigs feet
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- kosher salt
- 1 lime halved
- 1 packet of Sazon
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes or 2 teaspoons of chicken bouillion
- 2 tablespoons soul food seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 medium red onion sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 jalapeno sliced
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 4-6 cups water
Instructions
- Place the trotters in a large mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Add vinegar and juice from the lime, then scrub the pigs feet with salt and the lime, making sure to clean between the toes. Use a butter knife to scrape off any excess hair or dirt. Then, discard the water, rinse, and place them in the slow cooker.
- Add the Sazon, chicken bouillon, soul food seasoning, red chili flakes, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. Mix well to coat the pigs feet evenly.
- Slice the onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic, then add them to the slow cooker.
- Pour in 4 cups of water, cover, and cook on high for 4-5 hours (or low for 6-8 hours) until the pigs feet are tender and falling off the bone.
- Remove the pigs feet from the slow cooker and serve with your favorite sides.
A classic heritage recipe! It’s so important that we keep these recipes (even if we don’t eat it)!