Removing pork belly skin

[bbq_esq]

Picked up a full pork belly from Costco (Swift brand) for pork belly burnt ends for a big party.

I honestly didn't even look when I bought it, but I am now realizing the package says "skin on" which is not what I want.

I know I can return it to Costco (unopened), but I am quite sure they just toss it even if I assure them it was in a cooler and then my fridge, and I really hate food waste, especially meat.

So, how much of a hassle am I in for if I just try to skin it myself? I have a thin Rapala knife I use for trimming, but am I better off just stashing this guy in the freeze (I have space) and grabbing some skin-off ones from Wild Fork?

[PGH_RAM]

It's not that difficult to remove the skin if your knife is sharp. Just remember to use the whole length of the blade for max efficiency, and maybe use a dishtowel to get a good grip on the skin as you slice it off.

[STEbbq]

It takes like 5 minutes with that knife (I have the same one). I was able to take it off in one slice.

[BFlynn]

I'd like to see a video of that!

[bbqLuv]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqqdHi9WLAs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLM0S_wqSjA

[shify]

I had no idea Costco even sold skin on pork belly. Once you get started it is not too hard to remove it if you have a sharp knife.

Being you are doing PBBEs, if you are going to cube the belly before smoking, might even be easier to slice the pork belly into strips and then remove the skin from each long strip before cubing it. Thinking it might be easier to slice the skin off a long strip than peeling/navigating a whole pork belly

[bbq_esq]

That is what everything I read, but it definitely looks like skin. And yes, I was going to break it down a bit before removing skin vs fighting with the whole thing. Good call.

[Finster]

thanks for the heads up.
I will be purchasing a pork belly from Costco within the next week.
I was under the impression that they only sold skin removed bellies.
Now I know to look.
You might have saved me the same fate..

[bbq_esq]

From everything I found online, everyone seems to say they only have skin off, but the one here is definitely skin on - whether you buy the whole cryovac'd belly or the strips.

[Finster]

bbq_esq
I've bought the strips before and those did not have skin. I just feel like they were not cut large enough for burnt ends, which is why i want to try a whole belly

[captainlee]

Informative info here. Heading to Costco next week intending to buy a belly. Now I won't think about issues if it has skin on. I would of been apprehensive before this post or I would of just purchased it and would have created the same post.

[bbq_esq]

Let me know if its different by you. Mine very clear says "Skin on" and although still cry-vac'd, feels like skin.

[captainlee]

Hopefully they have it on Tuesday.

[X Trial NCmountains]

Once I get it started, I just get a hand under it and pull it right off the fat layer. Leaves me with about a 1/4" of fat.

[bbq_esq]

So it was in fact skin on. Cut it in two and used a combination of the Rapala and my chefs knife that was recently sharpened. I probably lost enough meat that I’m getting fired at a restaurant but it wasn’t bad. Turned out to be the hit of the party too.

[PGH_RAM]

Excellent!

[HawkerXP]

Pictures didn't come through.............

[gcdmd]

Just one word: Cracklings'

[Henrik]

I just place it upside down, place my hand on it to press it down gently, and then slide the knife through to get the skin off. Note: much easier than cuttting off the skin when the skin side is up.