Pork belly is a versatile cut of meat that can be prepared in many delicious ways.

This fatty and flavorful portion of pork lends itself well to various cooking methods and flavor profiles. From crispy roasted slices to tender braised chunks, pork belly offers a range of textures and tastes to suit different preferences.

These 15 pork belly recipes will give you plenty of options to try in your kitchen.

You’ll find ideas for main dishes, appetizers, and even sandwiches featuring this rich cut of pork. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive dish for guests, these recipes will help you make the most of pork belly’s unique qualities.

1. Sweet and Spicy Korean Pork Belly

Korean pork belly combines sweet and spicy flavors for a mouthwatering dish. You’ll love the mix of chili paste, honey, and soy sauce that coats the tender meat.

To make this dish, marinate sliced pork belly in a flavorful sauce for 30 minutes.

Then sauté it in a hot skillet with scallions until cooked through.

For extra flavor, add kimchi and onions to the pan. Cook until the pork is crispy and slightly caramelized. The result is a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that will satisfy your taste buds.

Serve your Korean pork belly over rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a delicious meal.

2. Crispy Pork Belly Bites

Crispy pork belly bites are a delicious treat you can easily make at home. Cut pork belly into small cubes for the perfect bite-sized snacks.

Season the pork with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This simple spice blend adds great flavor without overpowering the meat.

For extra crispy results, use your air fryer. Set it to 400°F and cook the pork bites in a single layer.

They’ll get nice and crispy in about 15-20 minutes.

Flip the pieces halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness on all sides. The high heat will render the fat and crisp up the outside while keeping the inside tender.

3. Pork Belly Ramen

Pork belly ramen is a hearty and flavorful dish you can make at home. Start by roasting the pork belly in the oven until it’s cooked through. Let it cool and slice it into pieces.

To make the broth, sauté garlic, ginger, and shallots in a pot. Add chicken stock and simmer.

Cook your ramen noodles in the broth, then add bok choy for extra crunch.

Crisp up the pork belly slices in a skillet before adding them to your bowl. Pour the hot broth and noodles over the pork. Top with your favorite ramen garnishes like a soft-boiled egg or green onions.

4. Maple-Glazed Pork Belly

Maple-glazed pork belly is a tasty dish that combines sweet and savory flavors. You’ll love the contrast between the tender meat and crispy crackling.

To make it, start by salting the pork belly and letting it sit overnight. Then, roast it in a low oven for several hours until tender.

For the glaze, mix maple syrup with balsamic vinegar and brush it onto the pork.

Finish by broiling or grilling to caramelize the glaze and crisp up the skin.

The result is juicy pork with a sticky-sweet exterior and crunchy crackling. Serve it sliced with sides like sweet potato puree or apple slaw for a delicious meal.

5. Pork Belly Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

Pork belly tacos with pineapple salsa offer a tasty blend of savory and sweet flavors. Start by cooking the pork belly in the oven at 450°F for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 225°F and cook for another hour.

While the pork cooks, make the pineapple salsa. Mix chopped pineapple, tomato, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, garlic, and red onion. Add some pineapple juice for extra sweetness.

Once the pork is done, let it rest before slicing it into small pieces.

Warm up some corn tortillas and fill them with the crispy pork belly. Top with the fresh pineapple salsa.

For extra flavor, you can dip the tortillas in leftover cooking juices before adding the filling. These tacos are perfect for a fun and flavorful meal.

6. Pork Belly Sliders with Kimchi

Pork belly sliders with kimchi offer a tasty mix of flavors and textures. You can make these mini sandwiches easily at home.

Start by thinly slicing cooked pork belly. Pan-fry the slices until they’re warm with crispy edges. This gives you a nice contrast of tender meat and crunchy bits.

For the filling, combine the pork with store-bought or homemade kimchi. The tangy, spicy kimchi pairs well with the rich pork.

You can add a quick sauce made from mayo, sriracha, and sesame oil for extra flavor.

Serve your pork and kimchi mixture on small slider buns. Top with chopped green onions for a fresh touch. These sliders make great appetizers or party snacks.

7. Honey Garlic Pork Belly

Honey garlic pork belly offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. To make this dish, start by scoring the fat on pork belly slices.

Mix honey, tamari sauce, and minced garlic to create a flavorful glaze.

Pan-fry the pork belly until golden brown, then baste with the honey garlic sauce.

For a crispy version, roast the glazed pork belly in the oven at 385°F for about 20 minutes.

Baste every 5 minutes to build up a sticky, caramelized coating.

Serve your honey garlic pork belly slices hot as an appetizer or main dish. The crispy exterior and tender meat inside will delight your taste buds.

8. Braised Pork Belly with Soy Sauce

Braised pork belly with soy sauce is a flavorful dish you can easily make at home. Start by blanching the pork belly in boiling water to remove impurities.

Next, heat oil in a pot and add sugar. Once melted, add the pork and brown it lightly.

Pour in soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine.

Add water to barely cover the meat. Toss in some ginger, star anise, and bay leaves for extra flavor.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about an hour.

For a thicker sauce, uncover and cook on high heat until the liquid reduces. The result is tender, succulent pork in a rich, savory sauce.

9. Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Pork belly burnt ends are a tasty treat that combines smoky flavor with sweet and savory notes. To make them, you’ll cut pork belly into cubes and coat them with a dry rub.

Smoke the cubes at 225-250°F for 2-3 hours until they develop a nice bark. Then transfer them to a pan and add BBQ sauce, butter, and honey.

Cover the pan and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 190-200°F. This process creates tender, flavorful bites that melt in your mouth.

Let the burnt ends rest briefly before serving. You’ll love how these rich, caramelized morsels burst with smoky-sweet goodness.

10. BBQ Pork Belly Skewers

BBQ pork belly skewers are a tasty treat for your next cookout. Cut pork belly into 2-inch wide, 1/2-inch thick squares and thread them onto skewers.

Season the skewers with your favorite BBQ rub. Preheat your grill or smoker to 250°F.

Cook the skewers for about 2 hours, rotating every 30 minutes.

Watch for flare-ups, as pork belly is fatty. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165-170°F.

For extra flavor, brush with honey BBQ sauce near the end of cooking.

Serve your pork belly skewers hot off the grill. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for a pop of color and crunch.

11. Pork Belly with Apple Cider Glaze

Pork belly with apple cider glaze is a tasty dish that combines savory and sweet flavors. To make it, you’ll need to score the pork belly skin and rub it with oil and salt.

Next, inject apple cider into the meat using a syringe. This adds moisture and flavor.

Apply your favorite BBQ rub to the underside of the pork belly.

Roast the pork belly at a low temperature for several hours until tender. Brush the meat with an apple cider glaze during cooking. This creates a delicious caramelized exterior.

Serve your pork belly with roasted apples and fennel for a complete meal. The combination of flavors will impress your dinner guests.

12. Sichuan-Style Twice-Cooked Pork Belly

Twice-cooked pork belly is a famous Sichuan dish known for its rich flavors. To make it, you first boil pork belly for about 20-30 minutes until cooked through.

After cooling and firming up the meat in the fridge, slice it thinly. Next, stir-fry the sliced pork belly with Sichuan doubanjiang (broad bean paste), garlic, and ginger.

Add vegetables like leeks or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture. Finish the dish with a quick sauce made from soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and a touch of sugar.

This cooking method results in tender, flavorful pork with a slightly crispy exterior. Serve your twice-cooked pork belly hot with steamed rice for a tasty Sichuan meal.

13. Pork Belly Hash with Potatoes and Peppers

Pork belly hash is a hearty and flavorful dish you can easily make at home. Start by cubing cooked pork belly and potatoes.

Heat oil in a skillet and add the pork belly to crisp it up. Then toss in diced bell peppers and onions.

Cook the vegetables until they start to soften. Add the potatoes and cook until everything is crispy and golden brown.

Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme.

For extra richness, top your hash with a fried egg before serving.

This versatile recipe works well for breakfast or dinner. You can customize it by adding other veggies you enjoy.

14. Cantonese-Style Roasted Pork Belly

Cantonese-style roasted pork belly, also known as siu yuk, is a classic Chinese dish. You’ll love the crispy skin and tender meat.

To make it, you’ll need pork belly, salt, and spices like five-spice powder. First, poke holes in the skin to help it crisp up.

Next, rub the meat with seasonings and let it marinate. Then, roast the pork belly in the oven for about 90 minutes.

For extra crispiness, broil the skin at the end. This creates that signature crunchy texture.

Serve your roasted pork belly sliced into bite-sized pieces. It’s great with rice or in bao buns.

15. Caramelized Pork Belly Banh Mi

Caramelized pork belly banh mi is a tasty Vietnamese sandwich. You start by marinating pork belly in a mix of fish sauce, soy sauce, and spices.

Cook the pork belly until crispy on the outside and tender inside. For extra flavor, caramelize it in a sweet and savory sauce.

Slice a baguette and fill it with the caramelized pork. Add pickled veggies, cilantro, and mayo for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

This sandwich is great for lunch or dinner. The rich pork pairs well with the crunchy bread and tangy vegetables.

Techniques for Perfect Pork Belly

Mastering pork belly preparation involves key techniques for rendering fat and achieving crispy skin. These methods will help you create delicious, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly dishes.

Understanding Fat Rendering

Fat rendering is crucial for tender, flavorful pork belly.

Start by scoring the fat layer in a crosshatch pattern. This helps the fat melt evenly during cooking.

Cook pork belly at a low temperature first, around 325°F (163°C). This slow cooking allows the fat to render gradually without burning the meat.

Use a roasting pan with a rack to let excess fat drip away. This prevents the pork from sitting in its own grease.

For extra flavor, try confit cooking. Submerge the pork in fat and cook it slowly. This method produces very succulent meat that you can use in many dishes.

Crispy Skin Tips

For crispy skin, start with dry pork belly.

Pat the skin with paper towels to remove moisture. Let it air dry in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Rub salt into the skin before cooking. This draws out more moisture and helps create a crispy texture.

After slow-cooking, finish with high heat. Raise the oven temperature to 400-450°F (204-232°C) for the last 20-30 minutes.

Try the salt crust method. Mix salt with egg whites and vinegar. Spread this paste on the skin before roasting. It forms a crust that you’ll remove after cooking, revealing crispy skin underneath.

Flavor Pairing Suggestions

Pork belly pairs well with many flavors. The right herbs, spices, and sauces can enhance its rich taste. Here are some ideas to try with your next pork belly dish.

Herbs and Spices

Fresh herbs add brightness to pork belly. Try rosemary, thyme, or sage. These herbs complement the meat’s fatty flavor.

Dried spices work too. Cumin, paprika, and garlic powder are good choices. They add depth and warmth.

For a kick, use chili flakes or cayenne pepper. These spices cut through the richness.

Black pepper and sea salt are must-haves. They bring out the pork’s natural flavors.

Asian-inspired spices also work well. Try Chinese five-spice powder or star anise. These add a complex, aromatic taste to your pork belly.

Sauce Recommendations

The right sauce can take your pork belly to the next level. Sweet and tangy sauces balance the meat’s richness.

Try apple sauce or a maple glaze. These add sweetness without overpowering the pork.

For a savory option, make a soy-based sauce. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger.

This creates a tasty glaze for your pork belly. Hoisin sauce is another good choice. It adds a sweet and salty flavor.

Mustard-based sauces work well too. They cut through the fat and add tang.

Try a honey mustard sauce for a sweet and sharp taste. For a creamy option, make a garlic aioli. It’s rich and flavorful, perfect for dipping.