Pork belly is a versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in many tasty ways. It’s rich, flavorful, and often has a crispy skin when prepared right. You can use pork belly in sandwiches, rice dishes, salads, and more.

Trying new pork belly recipes can add variety to your meals. From slow-roasted to quick-cooked options, there are many choices. These recipes can help you make the most of this delicious meat.

1. Sticky Chinese Pork Belly

Sticky Chinese pork belly is a mouthwatering dish that combines tender meat with a sweet and savory glaze. This recipe features pork belly that’s cooked until it’s melt-in-your-mouth soft.

The meat is then coated in a sticky sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and spices. This creates a glossy, caramelized exterior that’s packed with flavor.

You can serve this dish as a main course with rice and vegetables. It’s perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress your guests with a tasty Chinese-inspired meal.

2. Pork Belly Tacos with Pickled Vegetables

Pork belly tacos are a delicious twist on traditional tacos. You’ll love the rich, tender meat paired with tangy pickled veggies.

To make the pork, rub it with taco seasoning and brown sugar. Bake it in the oven at 425°F for 30 minutes, then reduce heat to 325°F for another 30 minutes.

While the pork cooks, prepare quick-pickled red onions or other veggies. Slice the pork belly thinly after letting it rest for 10-15 minutes.

Assemble your tacos with the sliced pork belly, pickled veggies, and toppings like avocado or roasted pineapple. These tacos offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

3. Crispy Pork Belly with Garlic and Rosemary

This recipe adds aromatic flair to crispy pork belly. Start by patting the pork skin dry with paper towels.

Rub the skin with oil and salt. Mix minced garlic and chopped rosemary, then spread on the meat side.

Place the pork on a wire rack in a roasting pan. Cook at 500°F for about 40 minutes to crisp the skin.

Lower the temperature to 300°F and continue roasting for 1-2 hours until tender. Let it rest before slicing.

The result is juicy pork with a golden, crunchy top layer. The garlic and rosemary infuse the meat with rich flavor.

4. Slow-Cooked Maple Bourbon Pork Belly

This recipe combines sweet maple syrup with smoky bourbon for a rich, flavorful pork belly dish. You’ll need to plan ahead, as the cooking process takes time.

Start by cutting the pork belly into cubes and seasoning them with salt and spices. Mix maple syrup and bourbon in a bowl.

Place the pork belly in a smoker at 275°F. Let it cook for about 3 hours. Then, transfer the cubes to a skillet and pour the maple-bourbon mixture over them.

Cover the skillet and return it to the smoker. Cook for another 1.5 to 2 hours until the pork reaches 195-205°F. The meat should be tender and easily pierced.

Let the pork belly rest for 15-20 minutes before serving. You can add extra sauce if you like.

5. Spicy Korean Pork Belly Stir-fry

This tasty dish combines tender pork belly with a spicy Korean marinade. You’ll need gochujang (Korean red chile paste) and gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) for authentic flavor.

Cut pork belly into bite-sized pieces. Mix the marinade using gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, honey or sugar, garlic, and ginger. Coat the pork in the marinade.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork and cook until it starts to brown. Toss in sliced onions and green onions.

Stir-fry everything together until the pork is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy your spicy Korean pork belly stir-fry with rice or lettuce wraps.

6. Caramelized Pork Belly with Ginger and Star Anise

This dish combines sweet and savory flavors for a mouthwatering meal. You’ll need pork belly, ginger, star anise, soy sauce, and sugar.

Cut the pork belly into bite-sized cubes. In a pan, melt sugar until it caramelizes. Add the pork, ginger slices, and star anise.

Pour in soy sauce and a bit of water or broth. Let it simmer on low heat until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens.

The result is glossy, caramelized pork with a rich aroma from the ginger and star anise. Serve it over steamed rice for a satisfying meal.

7. BBQ Pork Belly Sliders with Pickled Onions

BBQ pork belly sliders are a tasty treat for your next gathering. Start by marinating the pork belly in your favorite BBQ sauce for at least an hour.

Preheat your oven to 355°F. Place the pork belly on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Cook for 30 minutes, then brush with more BBQ sauce and continue cooking until it reaches the right temperature.

While the pork cooks, make quick pickled onions. Mix sliced red onions with vinegar, sugar, and salt. Let them sit in the fridge for a zingy topping.

Slice the cooked pork belly and pile it onto small buns. Top with the pickled onions and extra BBQ sauce for a perfect bite-sized snack.

8. Pork Belly Ramen

Pork belly ramen is a comforting dish that combines rich broth with tender meat. You start by roasting pork belly until it’s cooked through. Let it cool and slice it.

To make the broth, sauté garlic, ginger, and shallots in a pot. Add chicken stock and let it simmer. Cook ramen noodles in the broth.

Just before serving, crisp up the pork belly slices in a skillet. Add them to your bowl of ramen. You can also include toppings like boiled eggs, bok choy, or mushrooms.

This dish is perfect for colder days when you want something warm and filling. The fatty pork belly adds depth to the flavorful broth.

9. Soy-Glazed Pork Belly Bites

Soy-glazed pork belly bites are a tasty treat you can make at home. These small pieces of pork are coated in a sticky, sweet glaze with a hint of soy sauce.

You can cook these bites in an air fryer or oven. The air fryer method takes about 20 minutes and gives crispy results. For best results, use pork belly with the skin removed.

The glaze often includes honey, soy sauce, and sometimes a touch of spice. This mix creates a perfect balance of flavors on the rich pork. Serve these bites as an appetizer or main dish with rice and veggies.

10. Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly

Vietnamese braised pork belly, known as Thit Kho, is a beloved dish across Vietnam. This savory, sweet-and-salty recipe features tender pork belly and hard-boiled eggs in a rich sauce.

To make Thit Kho, you’ll need pork belly, eggs, coconut water, and pantry staples. Start by soaking the pork belly in water with salt and vinegar to remove impurities.

Next, caramelize coconut sugar to create a flavorful base for the sauce. Braise the pork belly and eggs in this mixture along with coconut water until the meat is fall-apart tender.

The dish varies slightly between regions. Northern versions tend to be saltier, while southern recipes are often sweeter. Serve your Thit Kho with steamed rice for a comforting meal.

11. Pork Belly Bao Buns

Pork belly bao buns are a tasty Chinese dish. You start by marinating pork belly in a mix of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and spices.

Next, cook the pork until it’s crispy on the outside and tender inside. While it cooks, make soft, fluffy steamed buns.

To serve, slice the pork and stuff it into the buns. Add toppings like pickled veggies or hoisin sauce. The combo of soft bun and crispy pork is amazing.

These buns make a great snack or meal. You can find them at many Asian restaurants or try making them at home.

12. Honey Mustard Glazed Pork Belly

This tasty dish combines sweet honey with tangy mustard for a delicious glaze on juicy pork belly. You’ll love how the flavors complement the rich meat.

To make it, rub the pork belly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast it in the oven until crispy on the outside and tender inside.

Mix honey, Dijon mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for the glaze. Brush this mixture onto the pork belly during the last few minutes of cooking.

The result is a sticky, flavorful crust that perfectly balances the fattiness of the pork. Slice and serve it as an appetizer or main course.

13. Pork Belly with Apple Cider Reduction

This dish combines juicy pork belly with a tangy apple cider reduction. You’ll roast the pork belly until the skin crackles and becomes crispy.

While it cooks, prepare the apple cider reduction. Simmer apple cider with shallots, apples, and sage in the roasting pan juices.

After the pork rests, slice it and serve with the flavorful cider reduction. The sweet-tart sauce pairs perfectly with the rich, fatty pork.

This recipe works well for a special dinner or weekend meal. The long cooking time results in tender meat and crispy skin.

14. Sweet and Sour Pork Belly

Sweet and sour pork belly is a tasty twist on the classic Chinese dish. It combines crispy pork with a tangy sauce for a delicious meal.

To make it, you’ll need pork belly, pineapple, and a mix of sweet and sour ingredients. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces and fry until crispy.

For the sauce, blend pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, and sugar. Cook this mixture until it thickens. Then toss the crispy pork in the sauce.

You can add veggies like bell peppers and onions for extra flavor and crunch. Serve your sweet and sour pork belly over rice for a filling dinner.

15. Crispy Pork Belly with Salsa Verde

This recipe combines juicy pork belly with a zesty salsa verde. Start by rubbing salt, coriander, and fennel seeds on the meat.

Place the pork on a rack in a roasting tin. Cook at a high temperature for 30 minutes, then lower the heat and roast for 6-7 hours until tender.

For the salsa verde, blend herbs, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Once the pork is done, crank up the heat for the last hour to crisp the skin. Serve the crispy pork belly slices with a dollop of fresh salsa verde on top.

Understanding Pork Belly

Pork belly is a flavorful cut of meat that offers versatility in cooking. It’s rich in fat and protein, making it popular in many cuisines worldwide. Let’s explore what pork belly is, its nutritional profile, and how it’s used in cooking.

What Is Pork Belly?

Pork belly comes from the underside of a pig. It’s a boneless cut that includes layers of fat and meat. The skin is often left on, which can be crisped up when cooked.

This cut is about 50% fat, giving it a rich, indulgent flavor. When cooked slowly, the fat melts and the meat becomes tender. Pork belly is the same cut used to make bacon, but it’s not cured or smoked.

You can buy pork belly as a whole slab or in smaller pieces. It’s available with or without skin, depending on your cooking needs.

Nutritional Information

Pork belly is high in calories and fat. A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving contains:

• Calories: 518
• Protein: 9 grams
• Fat: 53 grams
• Carbs: 0 grams

It’s not the leanest cut of pork, but it does provide some nutrients. Pork belly contains:

• B vitamins
• Selenium
• Zinc
• Iron

Eat pork belly in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Its high fat content means it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat.

Culinary Uses

Pork belly is prized for its rich flavor and tender texture. You can cook it in many ways:

• Roasting: Creates crispy skin and tender meat
• Braising: Makes the meat fall-apart tender
• Grilling: Adds smoky flavor
• Slow-cooking: Perfect for pulled pork

It’s used in dishes around the world. In China, you’ll find it in red-braised pork belly. Korean cuisine features it in bossam. In the US, it’s popular in sandwiches and as a standalone dish.

Pork belly takes well to many flavors. Try it with:

• Sweet glazes
• Spicy rubs
• Savory marinades

Its versatility makes it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.

Techniques for Cooking Pork Belly

Pork belly is a versatile cut that can be prepared using different cooking methods. Each technique brings out unique flavors and textures in this rich, fatty meat.

Slow Roasting

Slow roasting pork belly creates tender meat with crispy skin. Set your oven to 325°F. Place the pork belly skin-side up in a roasting pan. Season the skin with salt to help it crisp up.

Cook for about 2.5 hours. Check after 1.5 hours and tighten any foil if used, as the meat will shrink. The long cooking time allows fat to render out, leaving the meat juicy and the skin crackling.

For extra crispy skin, finish with 20-30 minutes at 450°F. Let the pork belly rest before slicing to keep the juices in.

Braising

Braising pork belly makes it melt-in-your-mouth tender. Cut the pork into smaller pieces. Brown them in a pan to add flavor.

Add liquid like broth or wine until it covers about half the meat. Toss in aromatics like garlic, ginger, and herbs. Cover and simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours.

The pork will absorb flavors from the braising liquid as it cooks. It’s perfect served over rice or in ramen. You can also chill the braised pork and slice it for sandwiches.

Grilling

Grilling pork belly gives it a smoky flavor and crispy exterior. Start by marinating the meat for a few hours or overnight. Use a mix of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and spices.

Set up your grill for indirect heat. Place the pork belly on the cooler side of the grill. Cook slowly for about 1-2 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

For crispy skin, finish by searing over direct heat for a few minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning. Let the grilled pork belly rest before slicing and serving.