Take the pork neck out of the fridge and dry it with a paper towel. Place the meat on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, cut it into slices about 18-22 mm thick (thick chops will brown more evenly). If there is a thick layer of external fat, make a few diagonal cuts in the fat (do not cut too deep) so that the fat melts evenly while grilling.
Description
Juicy grilled pork neck in an aromatic honey-marjoram glaze is a perfect summer dish for the garden, a long weekend, or a barbecue gathering. The pork neck (a cut from the shoulder of the pig) remains tender while grilling due to its marbling, and the glaze made of honey, mustard, garlic, and dried marjoram creates a sweet-herb, slightly sticky coating with a golden sheen. Serve with grilled peppers, lemon wedges for squeezing, and fresh thyme as a garnish. The dish combines traditional Polish flavors (marjoram, honey) with grilling techniques, looks impressive on the plate, and has a well-balanced sweetness and herbal note.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (12)
- Pork neck 1200 g
- Honey 60 ml
- Rapeseed oil 30 g
- Garlic 3 clove (~15 g)
- Mustard 30 g
- Lemon 0.8 pcs (~60 g)
- Red bell pepper 2.2 pcs (~400 g)
- 🌿 Spices
- Salt 10 g
- Black pepper 4 pinch (~2 g)
- Dried marjoram 3 tsp (~6 g)
- ✨ Optional
- Fresh thyme 30 g
- Butter 20 g
💡 Click an ingredient to mark it as used
Preparation steps
Preparing the meat and portioning
Marinade
Prepare the marinade: in a bowl, combine canola oil, honey, mustard, dried marjoram, finely chopped garlic (3 cloves), and the juice squeezed from half a lemon (about 30 g of juice). Add 6 g of marjoram and 2 g of freshly ground pepper. Mix well with a fork or whisk until you achieve a uniform emulsion. Before adding the meat, pour about 40 g (2–3 tablespoons) of the marinade into a separate cup - this will be the base for the glaze (important: this reserved portion has not come into contact with raw meat).
Rub the pork neck slices with salt (spread evenly on both sides, total amount of salt about 10 g) and a bit of pepper. Place the slices in a large bowl or marinating dish and pour the remaining marinade (the one that came into contact with the meat - not the reserved one) over them. Massage the meat with your hands in rubber gloves or use a spoon until the marinade evenly coats each slice.
Close the container or cover it with foil and place it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally 4–8 hours, but best overnight (8–12 hours). If you marinate for less than 2 hours, the meat will lose some of its flavor. Before grilling, take the meat out of the refrigerator for 30–40 minutes to reach a temperature close to room temperature.
Preparing the grill and vegetables
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 200–220°C at the grill surface). Clean the grill grate with a grill brush and lightly brush with reserved oil (use a brush and a piece of paper or a towel soaked in oil). Cut the bell pepper into quarters, remove the seeds, drizzle lightly with oil, and sprinkle with a minimal amount of salt (evenly). If you have a charcoal grill — wait until the coals are evenly glowing and there are no high flames.
Grilling
Place the pork neck slices on a preheated grill directly over the heat source. If the slices are about 2 cm thick: start by searing them strongly for 3–4 minutes on each side, until clear grill marks and a light crust appear. Then move the meat to a cooler part of the grill (indirect heat) and grill for another 4–6 minutes on each side, until the meat is firm and the juices run clear. Total time for 2 cm thickness: about 12–16 minutes. Check the internal temperature – it should reach about 70°C (no raw center).
Glaze
During the last 6–8 minutes of grilling, prepare the glaze: in a small saucepan, heat the reserved marinade (about 40 g) over low heat for 2–3 minutes until it thickens and starts to bubble slightly — this will eliminate the risk of bacteria. If you are using butter (optional), add it at the end, remove from heat, and stir to achieve a glossy finish. When the meat is close to being done, brush the glaze on in a thin layer every 2–3 minutes to create a shiny coating.
Grilling vegetables
Place the pepper quarters on the grill skin-side down. Grill for 3–4 minutes over high heat until the skin starts to blacken slightly and soften, then turn and grill for another 3–4 minutes until the pepper softens and browns. The pepper can be removed earlier or later depending on preference (softer versus crunchy).
Resting and Slicing
After removing the pork neck from the grill, transfer the meat to a cutting board and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute evenly. Only after this step, slice the meat against the grain (vertically to the slice), which will result in more tender pieces.
Serving
Serve the slices of pork neck drizzled with the remaining glaze, alongside grilled quarters of bell pepper and lemon wedges for squeezing. Sprinkle with fresh thyme (optional) for aroma and decoration. Serve the dish on warm plates with sides: bread or millet as a summery touch.
Fun Fact
Pork neck is one of the most popular meats for grilling in Poland due to its marbling — the internal fat melts during cooking, giving the meat an exceptional juiciness. The use of marjoram is a traditional Polish solution; this herb has often accompanied pork for centuries.
Best for
Tips
Serve the pork neck right after resting, while it is still warm. Add lemon wedges for drizzling — the acidity will balance the sweetness of the glaze. Fresh thyme or parsley will add freshness. As a side, I suggest simple boiled potatoes, cucumber salad, or herbed millet.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. To reheat, use an oven preheated to 160°C and heat for 8–10 minutes covered, to prevent the meat from drying out. Do not reheat multiple times. Serve the glaze separately if you want to maintain the shine of the meat.
📸 Cooked by the community
Log in to add a photoAdd a photo of the finished dish
After moderator approval, you will receive 10 experience points.
No one has added a photo yet. Be the first!
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment on this recipe!
Add a comment