Pork belly has become a popular choice for home cooks looking to create rich, flavorful meals. This versatile cut offers a perfect balance of meat and fat that becomes irresistibly tender when cooked properly.
From slow-roasted bites to crispy golden slabs, you can prepare this decadent ingredient in countless ways.
You’ll find pork belly recipes spanning various cuisines, including Asian-inspired dishes like bao buns and Korean preparations, as well as glazed versions with honey or hoisin sauce. Whether you use your instant pot, smoker, or traditional oven, these recipes help you achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
The versatility of this cut makes it suitable for everything from everyday dinners to special occasions.
1. Slow-Roasted Crispy Pork Belly
Slow-roasted pork belly delivers an incredible combination of tender, juicy meat with perfectly crispy crackling on top. This cooking method breaks down the fat slowly, creating melt-in-your-mouth meat.
For best results, pat the skin completely dry and score it before cooking. Season the meat side with your favorite spices and add salt to the skin to help achieve that signature crunch.
Start low and slow (around 300°F) to render the fat and tenderize the meat. Finish with high heat to crisp the skin.
2. Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Crackling
Roasting pork belly creates a perfect combination of juicy meat and crispy crackling. The key to success is preparing the skin properly.
Poke many holes in the skin to help the fat render and create crispier crackling. Season the meat side with spices like five-spice powder, while keeping the skin side simple.
Slow-roast at a lower temperature first to make the meat tender, then finish with high heat to crisp the crackling. Some recipes recommend creating a foil “boat” and covering the skin with salt during cooking.
3. Sticky Chinese Pork Belly
Sticky Chinese Pork Belly features tender pork with a flavorful glaze. Slow-cook the pork belly until it becomes meltingly tender.
This dish balances sweet and savory flavors, often using ginger, garlic, sugar, and rice wine vinegar for the sticky glaze. Prepare the dish using a three-step process to ensure the pork is tender inside and crispy in places.
Add a sticky chili glaze as the final step for its signature appeal.
4. Belly Bites – Smoked and Fried Pork Belly Pieces
Belly Bites offer a balance of smoky flavor and crispy texture. Cut pork belly into small, bite-sized cubes and apply your favorite dry rub.
Smoke the seasoned pork belly pieces at 250°F for about 2.5 hours until they become tender and absorb smoky flavor. This slow cooking process helps render the fat.
After smoking, quickly fry the morsels to create a crispy exterior. Serve the juicy, crispy bites as appetizers or toppings for salads and tacos.
Toss them in buffalo sauce for a spicy kick on game day.
5. Pork Belly Bao Buns
Pork Belly Bao Buns, or Gua Bao, are soft, fluffy steamed buns filled with tender, sticky pork belly. These buns combine salty and sweet flavors with interesting textures.
Glaze the pork belly filling with a mix of soy sauce, sugar, and spices. Some recipes add ginger barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
Make both the bao dough and filling from scratch. Steam the buns until soft and pillowy, then stuff them with the glazed pork belly.
These handheld treats are popular worldwide and perfect for sharing at gatherings.
6. Glazed Pork Belly with Ginger Barbecue Sauce
Combine rich pork belly with a sweet and tangy ginger barbecue sauce. Rub the pork belly with salt and brown sugar, then refrigerate it for at least 4 hours.
The ginger barbecue sauce balances the fatty richness of the pork belly. Boil the pork belly with seasonings before frying it.
Cook it in a reduction of brown sugar, soy sauce, and rice wine to create a beautiful glaze. The result is tender meat with a sweet, tangy exterior.
7. Rice Cooker Pork Belly with Mui Choy
This simple dish combines tender pork belly with mui choy (preserved mustard greens) and rice, all cooked in one appliance. Layer the ingredients properly for best results.
Place rice in your rice cooker, then add pork belly on top, followed by mui choy and napa cabbage. Close the lid and select the white rice or sushi rice mode.
The pork belly becomes tender while the mui choy adds a savory, slightly tangy flavor to the rice. This hands-off method gives you a complete meal with minimal effort.
8. 30-Minute Thai Style Fried Pork Belly
This Thai-inspired pork belly dish delivers amazing flavor in just half an hour. Double-frying gives you a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Use pork belly, fish sauce, white pepper, oyster sauce, and sugar for the base flavors. Some recipes call for tempura flour to enhance the crispiness.
After seasoning the pork belly, fry it twice to achieve signature crunch. This quick recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners.
9. Cantonese Crispy Pork Belly (Siu Yuk)
Siu Yuk is a classic Cantonese dish featuring crispy pork belly with a crunchy skin. Use simple ingredients like pork belly, salt, sugar, five-spice powder, and white pepper.
Prick the skin thoroughly and dry it properly before roasting to achieve signature crackling. Many Cantonese families prepare this dish for special occasions and celebrations like New Year.
You can recreate this chef-approved dish at home for your next gathering.
10. Oven Roasted Crispy Pork Belly with Four Ingredients
You only need four common ingredients for this delicious crispy pork belly. Enjoy a contrast of textures—crackling crispy skin outside and juicy, tender meat inside.
Properly prepare the skin by poking many holes and seasoning it generously with kosher salt. Season the meat side with salt, black pepper, and your choice of complementary spices.
Slow roasting ensures the fat renders properly while the meat becomes incredibly tender. Pair this dish with rice, steamed buns, or use it in sandwiches.
11. Pulled Pork Belly Sliders
Pork belly sliders are a perfect bite-sized treat for any gathering. They combine sweet and savory flavors that impress guests.
Roast pork belly with a glaze like sweet and spicy Korean BBQ sauce. Cut the roasted pork into neat slices for an elegant presentation.
Sear the slices in a hot skillet for about 30 seconds per side until browned. This creates a caramelized exterior while maintaining the tender interior.
Serve sliders with pickled vegetables like daikon, carrots, or cucumbers to balance the richness. Add green onion mayonnaise as a finishing touch.
12. Korean Spicy Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal)
Korean pork belly BBQ, or Samgyeopsal-gui, is easy to prepare at home. Grill thin slices of pork belly on a BBQ grill pan until both sides are cooked through.
For a spicy version, mix soy sauce, sugar, sesame seeds, toasted sesame oil, and hot pepper flakes for a flavorful sauce. Serve grilled pork belly with lettuce and perilla leaves for wrapping.
Add raw garlic slices and ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce) for extra flavor. The dish is typically accompanied by various vegetables, making it a balanced meal.
13. Pork Belly Ramen Topping
Pork belly makes an incredible ramen topping, known as chashu in Japanese cuisine. Braise the pork belly in sake, mirin, sugar, soy sauce, and water until tender.
For the best texture, boil the pork belly before braising it. Once cooked, slice the pork belly thinly and reheat it in your ramen broth.
Crisp up the slices just before serving for added texture. Pair your pork belly ramen topping with poached eggs, braised bok choy, and black sesame seeds.
14. Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise
Braised pork belly with soy and star anise offers a balance of sweet and savory flavors. This Chinese dish features tender pork in a rich, aromatic sauce.
Rub the pork belly with a dry brine mix 24 hours before cooking. Sear the meat, then braise it in soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice wine, ginger, sugar, and star anise.
The slow cooking transforms the pork belly into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Serve this braised pork belly with steamed rice to soak up the sauce.
15. Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Pork belly burnt ends are a BBQ delicacy perfect for your next cookout. Cut pork belly into 1-inch cubes and coat them with a sweet and savory rub.
Smoke the seasoned cubes for about 2 hours at 275°F with the fat side up until they develop a beautiful crust. Many recipes use a mix of brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder for the rub.
Prepare these delicious morsels in a smoker or oven. Some recipes include a maple and bourbon glaze for extra flavor.
Enjoy crispy, tender bites that are smoky, sweet, and savory all at once.
16. Asian Five-Spice Roasted Pork Belly
Five-spice powder gives this pork belly dish its distinct Chinese flavor. The blend typically contains star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds.
Marinate the meat portion with five-spice powder, garlic, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Keep the skin dry and unseasoned for crispy crackling.
Slow roasting creates juicy meat and allows the fat to render properly. The final dish features a contrast between the spiced tender meat and the crispy, crackled skin.
This roasted pork belly pairs well with rice and steamed vegetables for a complete Asian-inspired meal. You can also braise it in a pot or slow cooker for a different texture.
17. Maple-Glazed Pork Belly
Maple-glazed pork belly combines sweet and savory flavors for a mouthwatering dish. The natural sweetness of maple syrup creates a caramelized exterior on the rich pork.
Slow cook the pork belly first to ensure tenderness. Finish with a glaze made from real maple syrup, which you can enhance with bourbon for deeper flavor.
Some recipes suggest cutting the pork belly into cubes before glazing, creating bite-sized treats similar to burnt ends. Add apple cider to your glaze for a fruity complement to the maple.
Try serving these maple-glazed pieces over rice or in steamed buns for a complete meal.
18. Grilled Pork Belly Skewers
Grilled pork belly skewers are a mouthwatering treat that combines tender meat with crispy edges. These Asian-inspired skewers feature marinated pork belly cut into manageable pieces and threaded onto skewers.
The marinade adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat while drawing out some of the fat. Use sweet-and-spicy marinades featuring ingredients like gochujang for a Korean flair.
Cut your pork belly into 1/4 to 1/3 inch slices, then into 1-inch pieces before threading onto skewers. Some cooks braise the pork belly first, cool it overnight, then finish it on the grill for perfect texture.
19. Crispy Pork Belly Tacos
Crispy pork belly tacos transform ordinary taco night into a gourmet experience. The combination of crunchy exterior and melt-in-your-mouth interior makes pork belly perfect for tacos.
Roast pork belly at high heat (around 500°F) first, then reduce to 300°F for about 3 hours until tender. This cooking method ensures a crispy-yet-tender texture.
Season your pork belly with a smoky-sweet ancho rub or try a wet rub using garlic, achiote, lime juice, and cilantro for authentic flavor.
Serve in warm tortillas with fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and cotija cheese. Add a drizzle of chimichurri sauce for a perfect finishing touch.
20. Pork Belly and Cabbage Stir Fry
This simple yet delicious dish combines tender pork belly with crisp cabbage for a quick meal. You can prepare it in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Marinate thin slices of pork belly in your favorite seasonings. Shred half a cabbage—Taiwanese flat cabbage works well, but savoy cabbage is also a good option.
Stir-fry the pork belly until it begins to crisp, then add the cabbage and mushrooms if desired. Finish with a savory sauce that coats everything in a glossy sheen.
Serve it with steamed rice for a complete meal.
21. Pork Belly Confit
Pork belly confit is a luxurious dish where the meat cooks slowly in its own fat. This method creates incredibly tender meat with rich flavor.
Brine the pork belly for about 6-10 hours. Be careful not to over-brine as it can become too salty.
After brining, rinse the meat and cook it slowly at a low temperature. Some recipes suggest 3-4 hours of baking time for the most tender results.
For an extra touch, some chefs finish it with a crispy top layer, similar to crème brûlée.
Essential Tips for Cooking Pork Belly
Cooking perfect pork belly requires attention to key techniques that affect texture, flavor, and overall results. Mastering a few fundamental methods will transform your pork belly dishes from good to exceptional.
How to Achieve Crispy Skin
The secret to perfectly crispy pork belly skin lies in preparation and cooking technique. Start by thoroughly drying the skin with paper towels, then refrigerate it uncovered for at least 4 hours or overnight to remove moisture.
Don’t score the skin before cooking—this is contrary to popular advice but helps create an evenly crisp surface. Instead, prick tiny holes in the skin with a needle to allow fat to escape during cooking.
Use the “low and slow, then hot” method: cook at 225°F for 3-4 hours, then finish at high heat (450°F) for 20-30 minutes to crisp the skin.
Keep the pork level during cooking by using foil balls around the edges of your roasting pan. This ensures even cooking and prevents skin from becoming soggy in its own juices.
Recommended Marinades and Spices
For flavorful pork belly, focus on simple but impactful seasonings. A basic mix of salt and pepper works wonderfully, letting the natural richness shine.
Classic Asian-Inspired Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon five spice powder
- 2 cloves minced garlic
Apply marinades to the meat side only, never the skin. The skin needs to stay dry for crispiness.
Sweet glazes work particularly well with pork belly. Try a honey glaze with ginger or apple sauce for a complementary flavor that balances the rich meat.
For a Swedish-style preparation, combine caramelized onions with a savory sauce to cut through the fattiness of the pork.
Selecting the Best Pork Belly Cuts
Look for pork belly with an even fat-to-meat ratio—ideally about 50/50. The fat layers should be white and firm, not yellowish or soft.
Choose pieces with uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. The skin should be intact, smooth, and without blemishes.
Fresh pork belly is preferable to frozen, as freezing can affect the texture of both meat and skin. If buying from a butcher, ask for center-cut pieces as they tend to be more uniform.
For smaller dishes or stir-fries, pre-sliced pork belly works well. For roasts or large preparations, a whole slab gives you more control over the final result.
Buy from reputable sources that can tell you about the pork’s origin. Ethically raised pork often has better flavor and texture than mass-produced options.
Serving and Pairing Ideas
Elevating your pork belly dish depends greatly on what you serve alongside it and what you drink with it. The right combinations can balance the richness and enhance the overall dining experience.
Side Dishes That Complement Pork Belly
Acidic side dishes create perfect balance with fatty pork belly. Consider serving pickled vegetables like kimchi, sauerkraut, or quick-pickled cucumbers to cut through the richness.
Fresh, crisp salads work wonderfully too. Try an apple slaw with vinaigrette or a simple green salad with a citrus dressing.
Starchy sides help absorb the flavorful juices. Creamy mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or soft polenta make excellent companions to pork belly.
For Asian-inspired pork belly dishes, serve with:
- Steamed buns (bao)
- Jasmine or sticky rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Cold sesame noodles
Roasted vegetables like brussels sprouts, carrots, or sweet potatoes complement traditional Western preparations.
Wine and Beverage Pairings
Wine Options:
- Riesling (off-dry): Its slight sweetness and acidity cut through fat.
- Pinot Noir: This wine is light enough not to overwhelm and complex enough to complement.
- Grenache blends: Fruity notes work well with caramelized pork.
- Lambrusco: The slight fizz refreshes the palate between bites.
Beer Pairings:
- Belgian-style ales balance sweetness with savory pork.
- IPAs with citrus notes provide refreshing contrast.
- Brown ales complement caramelized flavors.
Non-alcoholic options include sparkling apple cider, kombucha, or a simple lemonade. These beverages provide acidity that helps balance the rich pork belly.
For Asian-flavored preparations, try cold sake or jasmine tea to cleanse the palate.
