This page requires that scripting be enabled in your browser to function properly. If you need help enabling scripting, please vist our
technical FAQ page.

READY IN 14 hr

Gorton (French-Canadian Pork Spread)

Read Reviews (9)

"French-Canadian pork spread for toast and crackers....This was my memere's recipe and so far I have never had any better. Very simple to make :) I guess from what I read, Croton and Gorton are almost the same, Gorton being the New Englander translation :) Enjoy" — Lil1

Ingredients Edit and Save

Watch video tips and tricks

Chinese Pork Dumplings

Artichoke Dip

How to Make Clams Casino Dip

PHILLY Buffalo Chicken Dip

Chef John's Buffalo Chicken Dip

Crab Dip

Barbeque-Bacon Party Spread

How to Make Pulled Pork

Fiesta Dip

How to Cut Onions

Freshly Ground vs. Pre-Ground Pepper

Types of Salt

Original recipe makes 5 cups Change Servings

2 pounds finely ground pork fat
2 pounds finely ground pork
2 onions, finely chopped
4 cups water

1 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
salt and black pepper to taste

Check All Add to Shopping List

Directions

Stir the pork fat, ground pork, onions, water, cloves, and nutmeg together in a large pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the pork is tender, at least 1 1/2 hours. Use a potato masher to mash the pork mixture every 15 minutes as it cooks.
The longer you simmer the gorton, the better the flavor will be. Add water as needed to keep the mixture from boiling dry. When you're ready to stop cooking, let the liquid reduce as much as possible without letting it burn. Refrigerate the gorton overnight. Remove and discard the fat layer, or stir it into the meat for a creamier spread.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 15 mins
COOK 1 hr 45 mins
READY IN 14 hrs

ADVERTISE WITH US

Reviews More Reviews

Nov 30, 2010

It may be "creton" in some areas, but our 83 year old french canadian grandmother has always called it "gorton" ( cahh-ton... and she adds an s at the end)

—cantcook

See full review »

Dec 23, 2011

Yes in New England we call it gorton. My pepere was French Canadian and my memere made this every Christmas in large batches, put them into tupperware containers and gave them away as gifts. Everyone loved her gorton. In my mind it is not Christmas without it! This is almost exactly like her recipe except she used allspice instead of the cloves and nutmeg.

—Aloha-Beth

See full review »

11 Ratings

Feb 16, 2010

Just so you are aware, its "Creton" but the recipe looks good. :)

—BigJon1206

See full review »

Dec 13, 2011

My mom always made this for us growing up as kids, over the years she stopped doing it. I made it this evening and my husband can't wait to try it tommorrow. She always called it cretons(pronounced kahh tuhh).

—pam

See full review »

Sep 03, 2012

My mom made this when I was growing up in Maine. She died when I was 22 (I'm 65 now) and had never written her recipes down. I just discovered this recipe yesterday watching an episode of Drive Ins, Diners and Dives and am making it right this minute. I hope it's just like hers - it sure smells like it. Wow - this is really something... I could just cry. We just ate in on toast and it was wonderful. Over the years, I thought it was "head cheese" and was put off by it so I never bothered to look it up on the internet. I am so grateful to have found it. Can't wait to try it.

—Margo

See full review »

Jan 28, 2013

My French-Canadian grandmother use to make this and give it away in plastic containers for Christmas. As kids, we always looked forward to that morning toast with "cahton" on it. She gave the guarded "secret" recipe to my sister (I think she also used allspice) who later passed it to my niece who has also guarded the recipe. SO I was very pleased to find it on-line. Can't wait to share it with my family and grandkids this Christmas. Thanks!

—geishagirl

See full review »

May 19, 2013

This is amazing. My oldest son's grandpa used to make this from whole pork shoulder and at least one other cut of pork. He cooked them forever. When it came to the rest of the preparation no one was allowed to be there. It truly was a secret family recipe. He promised to write it down one day. :( Unfortunately,neither he or his wife ever did. My son, now 45 years old and I are going to try this for sure. Thank you Lil1

—fungrammy

See full review »

Mar 23, 2013

A very dear friend and "second Mom" introduced this wonderful spread to me 45 years ago. She has long since passed and she was heavy on my mind a couple weeks ago and the "cahhton" came to mind. I asked some French co-workers if they knew what it was ( I wasn't even sure if that was what I was remembering!) no one knew. Trusty ol' computer; typed in French meat spread and there it was!! Couldn't believe it!! Went out an bought the ingredients and the smell of it cooking brought me back to the little kitchen and that wonderful little lady so many, many years ago. Thank you Lil1, I will be making this every week and never forget it again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

—kgcook

See full review »

Rate This Recipe

Edit

Glad you liked it! Your friends will, too:

Did you tweak the recipe? Edit and save your own version of it!

Edit this recipe

More Recipes Like This See all

French-Canadian Gorton Pork Spread

Tourtiers (French Pork Pie)

Pork and Wild Rice Casserole

Tofu and Ground Pork with Peas

Goan Pork Vindaloo

Cretons de Chez-Nous!

Chinese Pork Dumplings

Simple Pork and Cabbage Skillet

Empanada Pork Filling

The Best Frikin' Party Dip Ever!

ADVERTISE WITH US

Nutrition

Calories
236 kcal
12%

Carbohydrates
1.1 g
< 1%

Cholesterol
28 mg
9%

Fat
23.4 g
36%

Fiber
0.2 g
< 1%

Protein
4.8 g
10%

Sodium
25 mg
< 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Gorton (French-Canadian Pork Spread)

Serving Size: 1/40 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 40
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 236
Calories from Fat: 211

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 23.4g 36 %
Saturated Fat 8.5g 43 %
Cholesterol 28mg 9 %
Sodium 25mg < 1 %
Potassium 89mg 2 %
Total Carbohydrates 1.1g < 1 %
Dietary Fiber 0.2g < 1 %
Protein 4.8g 10 %
Sugars 0.5g
Vitamin A < 1 %
Vitamin C 2 %
Calcium < 1 %
Iron 3 %
Thiamin 13 %
Niacin 15 %
Vitamin B6 5 %
Magnesium 2 %
Folate 2 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.