Cured Meats📍 TransylvaniaMedium🌾 Gluten-free🥛 Dairy-free💪 High-protein🥦 Clean eating🫒 Mediterranean

Homemade Kaizer (Spiced Pork Belly Roll)

Name: Homemade Kaizer (Spiced Pork Belly Roll)
Prep time: 48 h 45 min
Cook time: 120 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Romanian
Ingredients: 1.5–2 kg boneless pork belly (with or without rind, in one piece); 6–8 garlic cloves; 2 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp hot paprika; 1 tsp ground black pepper; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp ground allspice; 3–4 tbsp coarse non-iodized salt; 1 tsp brown sugar (optional, helps with color and curing); enough water to cover the roll; 1 large onion; 2 bay leaves; 1 tsp whole peppercorns; salt to taste; beech, cherry, or plum wood

Homemade kaizer is a traditional preparation made from rolled pork belly, seasoned with garlic, paprika, thyme, and pepper, then boiled and smoked to achieve a fine texture and rich aroma. It is one of the most beloved homemade cold cuts in Transylvania and Banat, a staple at festive tables.

🍽️

Servings

⏱️

Prep

45 min (+ 24–48h curing)

🔥

Cook

120 min

⏰

Total

3–5 days total

🥘Ingredients

servings

Main ingredients

For boiling

For smoking (optional)

📝Preparation steps 🗓️Add to Meal Planner🎨Serving & Presentation

✅Dietary Compatibility

🌾Gluten-free🥛Dairy-free💪High-protein🥦Clean eating🫒Mediterranean

🍽️

Yield

approx. 1.2–1.5 kg

📦Storage

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 5–7 days in the refrigerator, wrapped in cling film or baking paper

🧊

Freezer

Up to 2 months in the freezer, sliced and portioned

🥗Nutrition Facts

Values per serving (approx. 80g)

🔥

Calories

280 kcal

🥩

Protein

18 g

🧈

Fat

23 g

🍞

Carbohydrates

1 g

🌾

Fiber

0 g

🍷Pairs Well With

🥂Homemade or rye bread

🥂Classic or Dijon mustard

🥂Gherkins and assorted pickles

🥂Freshly grated horseradish

🥂Dry white wine or cold beer

💡Variations

Add 1 tsp of mustard seeds to the spice paste for a more complex flavor and a slightly crunchy texture.

Use a Provençal herb blend (rosemary, oregano, basil) instead of thyme for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.

Place a few bay leaves and allspice berries inside the roll before rolling for a more intense aroma.