How to Cook the Most Irresistible Scrapple You’ll Ever Taste

From my grandma’s secret family recipe, this scrapple is an absolute showstopper. The perfectly crispy exterior gives way to a creamy, savory interior that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. Just one bite will transport you straight to scrapple heaven!

This tried-and-true recipe has been a cherished part of our family gatherings for generations. I can vividly recall the mouthwatering aroma wafting through the kitchen as my grandma lovingly prepared her famous scrapple. Those memories fill me with warmth and nostalgia every time I make this dish myself.

Preparation Time

• Active Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Preparing this scrapple is a labor of love, but the incredible flavor makes every minute worth it. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that serves 6-8 people. While it takes some effort, I would rate the difficulty level as medium.

Imagine biting into a slice of pure pork perfection. The crispy outer layer gives way to reveal a velvety, almost custard-like interior bursting with incredible depth of flavor. Each bite dances across your tongue with the perfect balance of savory, peppery notes complemented by hints of sage and thyme. This scrapple is comfort food at its finest – hearty, satisfying, and downright addictive.

The Necessary Ingredients (and Possible Variations)

For my family’s traditional scrapple, you’ll need:

• 1 lb pork shoulder, finely diced
• 1⁄4 cup bacon drippings or butter
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 cups chicken or pork broth

To make it vegan, use vegan butter or oil instead of bacon drippings. For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

The beauty of scrapple is that you can get creative with herbs, spices and add-ins. Try incorporating shredded cheddar, diced peppers or even crumbled chorizo for an extra flavor punch.

The Steps of Preparation (and Possible Variations)

This scrapple is a true labor of love, but well worth the effort. Here’s how you make this family treasure:

1. In a large skillet, cook the diced pork shoulder over medium-high heat until browned and crispy. Drain off all but 1⁄4 cup of the rendered fat.
2. Add the bacon drippings or butter to the skillet with the pork and heat until melted.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, sage and thyme.
4. Gradually whisk the broth into the dry ingredients until a thick, smooth batter forms.
5. Pour the batter into the skillet with the pork and fat. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened to a very stiff, dense porridge-like texture, about 20 minutes.
6. Transfer the scrapple mixture to a loaf pan and press down to compress it. Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
7. To serve, slice the chilled scrapple into 1/2-inch thick slabs. Cook the slices in a skillet with butter or oil over medium heat until crispy and browned on both sides.

For an extra decadent version, fry the scrapple slices in bacon drippings. You can also bake the slices at 400°F for 20 minutes per side for a lighter preparation.

Preparing an amazing Scrapple

Nutritional Benefits

• High in protein from the pork and cornmeal
• A good source of fiber thanks to the cornmeal
• Loaded with iron to support healthy blood
• Rich in B vitamins like niacin and thiamine
• Provides anti-inflammatory compounds from the herbs and spices

Potential Additions or Upgrades

This versatile recipe is just begging for creative additions:

• Stir shredded cheese like cheddar or pepper jack into the batter
• Add diced jalapeños, bell peppers or other vegetables
• Try using cornbread mix instead of plain cornmeal for extra flavor
• Substitute turkey or chicken for the pork
• Top the fried scrapple slices with eggs, salsa, sausage gravy or hollandaise

The possibilities are endless to make this scrapple your own!

Q&A About This Legendary Scrapple

Where did this scrapple recipe originate? This is my grandmother’s treasured family recipe that has been passed down for generations. She grew up in rural Pennsylvania where scrapple is a beloved tradition.

What makes this scrapple so special? The perfect ratio of cornmeal to flour gives it an irresistibly crispy outer crust yet creamy interior. The blend of herbs and pork shoulder packs it with incredible flavor.

How do I get the scrapple to hold together in slices? Letting the warm scrapple mixture chill completely in the loaf pan is crucial for it to firm up and hold its shape when sliced. At least 4 hours in the fridge is best.

How should leftover scrapple be stored? Keep any leftover scrapple tightly wrapped in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also freeze slices for longer storage.

Is scrapple eaten for breakfast or other meals? While scrapple made for a hearty breakfast, it’s delicious any time of day! We love it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacking.

What dishes go well with scrapple? Eggs, grits, home fries, biscuits, sausage gravy, pancakes, waffles…the list goes on! Scrapple is the perfect savory sidekick.

Can scrapple be made ahead? Absolutely! You can make the scrapple mixture up to 3 days in advance, then simply slice and fry it when ready to serve.

How do you get it so crispy on the outside? The secret is cooking the scrapple slices over medium heat until deeply browned on both sides. Be patient – it takes a little time to get that perfect crispy crust.

Is this an authentic Pennsylvania Dutch scrapple? You better believe it! This recipe stays true to the classic PA Dutch scrapple with its simple ingredients and incredible flavor.

Can I freeze the baked scrapple loaf? For sure! Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before slicing and frying.

This incredible scrapple is a true taste of my family’s heritage. Make it for your loved ones and I guarantee you’ll be passing down this recipe for generations to come! Be sure to share it with your friends and family – a dish this amazing deserves to be enjoyed by all.