Mama's pigs feet recipe is a classic soul food dish with deep cultural roots. Slow cooking pigs 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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Pigs trotter has long been a part of soul food traditions, with roots and cooking practices developed during slavery, when enslaved Africans made use of every part of the animal.
In the South, pigs feet are tied to New Year’s celebrations, where they’re believed to bring good luck. With a little time and patience, this dish becomes more than just a meal, but a connection between past and present.
If you enjoy pigs feet, you may also like our slow cooker neck bones recipe!
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The History of Pigs Feet in Soul Food
Pigs 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 pigs 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, cooks turned them into something flavorful and nourishing.
Pigs feet and chitterlings or chitlins (pig intestines), as well as our popular oxtail recipe, and these 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.
We’re sharing this pigs 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: 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, then scrub the pigs feet with salt and a scrub brush, making sure to clean between the toes. Use a butter knife to scrape off any excess hair, if desired. 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.
Recipe Tips
- Soak for Extra Cleanliness – After the vinegar and salt 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 red wine 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 Goes Good with Pigs Feet
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
Pigs 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. They should be tender, but not falling off the bone or knuckle when done. If the skin breaks away and you can cut it with a fork, they're done.
Pigs 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 that you can cut the skin with a fork.
📖 Recipe
Pigs Feet Recipe (Southern Soul Food)
Equipment
- Crockpot (slow cooker)
- Scrub brush (for cleaning)
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds pigs feet
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- kosher salt
- 1 packet of Sazon
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes or 2 teaspoons of chicken bouillion
- 2 tablespoons soul food seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes (crushed red pepper)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 medium red onion sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 jalapeno sliced (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 4-6 cups water
- red wine vinegar optional
- hot sauce for serving
Instructions
- Place the trotters in a large mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Add vinegar, then scrub the pigs feet with salt and a scrub brush, making sure to clean between the toes. Use a butter knife to scrape off any excess hair, if desired. Then, discard the water, rinse, and place pigs feet 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, garlic, and jalapeno (if using). 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, but not falling off the bone. They should be tender, but not falling off the bone or knuckle when done. If the skin breaks away and you can cut it with a fork, they're done.
- Add a splash of red wine vinegar and a couple dashes of hot sauce to finish, if desired.
- Remove the pigs feet from the slow cooker and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Soak for Extra Cleanliness – After the vinegar and salt 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 red wine vinegar and 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.
ronald georgia says
Can you pickle them after cooking?
Krysten Wilkes & Marrekus Wilkes says
Hey Ronald! Yes, you can pickle the pig’s feet after cooking them from our recipe. Once they’re fully cooked and fork tender, place them in a vinegar-based pickling brine with salt and spices, then let them sit in the fridge for a few days before eating.
Lynn Collins says
The cornbread is delicious
Krysten Wilkes & Marrekus Wilkes says
I love the cornbread too! Did you try it with the pigs feet?
Lynn Collins says
Awesome Recipes
Krysten Wilkes & Marrekus Wilkes says
Thank you!
Betty says
A classic heritage recipe! It’s so important that we keep these recipes (even if we don’t eat it)!