Pork belly is a tasty cut of meat that’s popular in many cuisines. It’s known for its rich flavor and tender texture when cooked right.

You can find many ways to prepare pork belly, from simple roasts to complex dishes.

These 15+ pork belly recipes will give you lots of ideas for cooking this delicious meat. You’ll learn about different cooking methods and flavor combinations.

Whether you like Asian-inspired dishes or classic Western meals, there’s a pork belly recipe for you to try.

1. Sweet and Sour Pork Belly

Sweet and sour pork belly is a tasty dish that combines crispy pork with a tangy sauce. You can make it easily at home with just a few ingredients.

Start by cooking pork belly until it’s crispy on the outside and tender inside. This can be done in an oven or air fryer.

For the sauce, mix pineapple juice, vinegar, sugar, and ketchup. Add chunks of pineapple, onion, and bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.

Coat the cooked pork belly in the sauce and let it simmer briefly. This allows the flavors to blend together.

Serve your sweet and sour pork belly over rice for a filling meal. It’s a great way to enjoy this rich cut of meat with a balance of sweet and tangy flavors.

2. Maple-Glazed Pork Belly

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

To make this recipe, start by cooking the pork belly in the oven at a low temperature. This helps make the meat soft and juicy.

Once cooked, brush the pork with a mix of maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Put it back in the oven to let the glaze caramelize and turn a beautiful brown color.

For extra flavor, you can add spices like ginger, thyme, or star anise to the pork before cooking.

Serve your maple-glazed pork belly with sides like sweet potato puree or apple slaw for a complete meal.

3. Soy Braised Pork Belly

Soy braised pork belly is a tasty dish you can make at home. To start, parboil the pork belly for 10 minutes and remove any scum that forms.

Next, heat a pot and add the pork belly with Shaoxing wine and water. Pour in soy sauce, five spice powder, ginger, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3-4 hours. This long cooking time helps make the pork tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft. Add water as needed to keep the pork covered.

The end result is a flavorful pork dish with meat that falls apart easily. Serve it hot with steamed rice for a satisfying meal.

4. Pork Belly Ramen

Pork belly ramen is a rich and flavorful dish that combines tender pork with savory broth and noodles. You’ll love the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the pork belly paired with chewy ramen noodles.

To make this dish, start by braising the pork belly until it’s fork-tender. While it cooks, prepare a broth with ingredients like chicken stock, ginger, garlic, and lemongrass.

When the pork is almost done, cook your ramen noodles separately.

Assemble your bowl by adding the hot broth, noodles, and sliced pork belly. Top with soft-boiled eggs, green onions, and your favorite ramen toppings.

For extra flavor, try crisping up the pork belly edges before adding it to your bowl. This adds a delicious textural contrast to your ramen.

5. Pork Belly Tacos

Pork belly tacos are a mouthwatering twist on traditional tacos. You’ll love the combination of crispy, juicy pork belly with fresh toppings.

To make them, roast seasoned pork belly until crispy. Slice it thinly and serve in warm corn tortillas. Top with shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, and cilantro.

For extra flavor, add a spicy sour cream sauce or chimichurri. Cotija cheese and jalapeños make great optional toppings too.

You can customize the seasonings to your taste. Try a gochujang rub for Korean-inspired tacos, or add citrus zest for brightness.

For a lower-carb option, use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas. Pork belly tacos are perfect for a fun and tasty meal any night of the week.

6. Pork Belly Bites with Bourbon Sauce

Pork belly bites with bourbon sauce are a tasty treat. To make them, cut pork belly into small cubes. Season the cubes with salt and a pork rub.

Sear the pork belly pieces until golden and crispy. This takes about 8 minutes. Then transfer them to a baking sheet.

For the sauce, mix BBQ sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a pan. Simmer it for 5-7 minutes until it thickens a bit.

Coat the pork belly bites with the bourbon sauce. Bake them in the oven for 1.5-2 hours. The meat will become tender and the sauce will caramelize.

Let the bites rest for a few minutes before serving. You’ll love the rich flavor of the bourbon-glazed pork.

7. Pork Belly Bao Buns

Pork belly bao buns are a tasty Asian-inspired dish. You start by marinating pork belly in a mix of sauces and spices.

Next, you cook the pork until it’s tender. This can be done by simmering in broth or roasting in the oven.

After cooking, slice the pork belly and fry it to get crispy edges.

To serve, stuff the crispy pork into soft, steamed bao buns. Add toppings like cucumber, pickled onions, and hoisin sauce.

These buns are easier to make than you might think. With some prep work, you can create this delicious meal at home.

8. Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Pork belly burnt ends are a tasty twist on traditional barbecue. You can make them using a three-step process of smoking, rendering, and saucing.

Start by cutting pork belly into cubes and seasoning them. Smoke the cubes until they’re tender and have a nice bark.

Next, add butter and barbecue sauce to the pork. This step helps create a sticky, caramelized coating. Return the cubes to the smoker to finish cooking.

The result is bite-sized pieces of pork that are rich, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. They make a great appetizer or main dish for your next cookout.

You can also try making pork belly burnt ends in the oven if you don’t have a smoker. The process is similar, and you’ll still get delicious results.

9. Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps

Pork belly lettuce wraps offer a delicious and interactive dining experience. You can prepare this dish with thinly sliced pork belly, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Season the pork with a mix of spices like five-spice powder, paprika, garlic powder, and cumin. Add salt, pepper, and soy sauce for extra flavor.

Grill or pan-fry the seasoned pork belly until crispy. Serve with soft lettuce leaves like red leaf, green leaf, or butter lettuce.

For a Korean twist, include ssamjang, a savory and slightly spicy sauce. Add kimchi for a tangy kick. Let everyone build their own wraps for a fun, customizable meal.

10. Honey-Garlic Pork Belly

Honey-garlic pork belly is a tasty dish that combines sweet and savory flavors. You can make it easily in about 30 minutes.

Start by slicing uncooked pork belly into thick pieces. Pan-fry these slices until they’re crispy on the outside.

For the sauce, mix honey, soy sauce, and garlic. You can add orange juice for a citrusy twist. Pour this sauce over the cooked pork belly slices.

Let the pork simmer in the sauce for a few minutes. This allows the flavors to soak in. The result is juicy pork with a sticky, flavorful coating.

Serve your honey-garlic pork belly with rice or vegetables for a filling meal.

11. Crispy Pork Belly Stir-Fry

Crispy pork belly stir-fry is a tasty way to use leftover roast pork. The crispy texture and rich flavor of the pork belly pair well with fresh vegetables.

To make this dish, start by slicing your pork belly thinly.

Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the pork and fry until crispy and browned.

Next, add minced garlic and sliced chili peppers to the pan. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Mix in your choice of vegetables like bell peppers or Asian greens. Season the stir-fry with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a pinch of sugar.

Cook everything together for a few more minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp and the pork is well-coated in sauce.

12. Pork Belly with Garlic and Herb

This recipe combines the rich flavor of pork belly with aromatic garlic and herbs.

To prepare, score the skin of the pork belly and rub it with a mixture of minced garlic, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.

Let the pork marinate overnight to absorb the flavors.

When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roast the pork belly for about 15 minutes until the skin turns golden.

Reduce the heat and continue cooking until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy. The result is a mouthwatering dish with a perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior.

13. Spicy Grilled Pork Belly

Spicy grilled pork belly is a tasty dish that combines rich meat with bold flavors. To make it, you’ll need to marinate pork belly slices in a spicy sauce for at least 6 hours.

Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. Cook the marinated pork belly for about 3 minutes per side until grill marks appear.

For extra flavor, try a Korean-inspired glaze with ingredients like brown sugar, soy sauce, and chili.

Cut the grilled pork into bite-sized pieces before serving.

Pair your spicy grilled pork belly with cool lettuce leaves for wrapping. This creates a nice contrast to the heat of the dish.

14. Pork Belly with Apple Slaw

Pork belly with apple slaw is a tasty dish that combines rich, tender meat with a crisp, tangy topping.

To make it, you’ll need to score the pork skin and let it dry overnight in the fridge.

Cook the pork belly until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender. While it cooks, prepare a fresh apple slaw with julienned apples, cabbage, and a light dressing.

The apple slaw adds a refreshing crunch that balances the fatty pork. It also helps cut through the richness of the meat.

Serve the crispy pork belly slices topped with the cool, crunchy slaw for a delicious contrast of flavors and textures.

15. Pork Belly Sandwich

Pork belly sandwiches are a delicious way to enjoy this rich, flavorful cut of meat. To make one, start with crispy slices of roasted pork belly.

Layer the pork on your favorite bread or roll. Add toppings like lettuce, tomato, and a flavorful sauce. Chipotle mayo or sriracha mayo work well.

For extra crunch and flavor, include a slaw. A sesame ginger slaw pairs nicely with the pork.

You can also add marinated tomatoes for a burst of acidity.

The key is balancing textures and flavors. Crispy pork, creamy sauce, and crunchy vegetables create a satisfying sandwich. Enjoy it as a special lunch or dinner option.

Cooking Techniques for Pork Belly

Pork belly can be cooked in different ways to achieve tasty results. Each method brings out unique flavors and textures in this rich cut of meat.

Slow Roasting

Slow roasting pork belly makes it tender and juicy. Set your oven to 300°F (150°C).

Season the meat with salt, pepper, and spices you like.

Place the pork belly on a rack in a roasting pan. Cook it for 2-3 hours until the meat is soft.

For crispy skin, turn up the heat to 425°F (220°C) for the last 20-30 minutes. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn. Let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Slow roasting allows the fat to render, basting the meat as it cooks. This creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to beat.

Grilling and Barbecuing

Grilling adds smoky flavor to pork belly. Start by scoring the skin in a crosshatch pattern. This helps the fat render and the skin get crispy.

Rub the meat with your favorite dry spice mix.

Set up your grill for indirect heat. Place the pork belly on the cooler side of the grill.

Cook at 250-300°F (120-150°C) for about 2 hours. Brush with BBQ sauce in the last 30 minutes if you want.

For extra crispiness, finish over direct heat for a few minutes. Watch it closely to avoid burning. Let it rest before slicing and serving.

Sous Vide Preparation

Sous vide cooking gives you precise control over temperature and texture.

Season the pork belly and seal it in a vacuum bag.

Cook in a water bath at 170°F (77°C) for 8-10 hours. This low, slow method makes the meat very tender.

After cooking, chill the pork belly in an ice bath.

Then, slice and sear the pieces in a hot pan for crispy edges.

Sous vide pork belly has a uniform texture throughout. It’s great for dishes where you want consistent slices or cubes of meat.

Flavor Pairings and Ingredients

Pork belly pairs well with many flavors and ingredients. You can use spices, rubs, marinades, and vegetables to create tasty dishes.

Spices and Rubs

Spices and rubs add depth to pork belly.

Try salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for a basic rub. For Asian flavors, use five-spice powder or star anise.

Cumin and chili powder work great for Mexican-inspired dishes.

Brown sugar in rubs helps create a sweet crust. Dried herbs like thyme and rosemary add an earthy touch. Mix your spices with some oil to help them stick to the meat.

For a smoky flavor, add smoked paprika or chipotle powder. Experiment with different spice blends to find your favorite.

Marinades

Marinades infuse pork belly with flavor and help keep it moist.

A simple soy sauce marinade works well. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.

For a tangy flavor, try a mix of apple cider vinegar, honey, and mustard. Citrus juices like lemon or orange add brightness.

Beer marinades give a rich taste.

Let the pork belly sit in the marinade for at least 2 hours. For deeper flavor, marinate overnight.

Always pat the meat dry before cooking to help it brown.

Complementary Vegetables

Vegetables balance the richness of pork belly.

Roasted root vegetables like carrots and potatoes are classic sides. They soak up the pork’s juices for extra flavor.

Leafy greens like kale or chard cut through the fat.

Sautéed mushrooms add an earthy note.

For crunch, try a slaw made with cabbage and apple.

Grilled corn or bell peppers add sweetness.

Pickled vegetables like onions or cucumbers give a tangy contrast.

Serve your pork belly with a mix of veggies for a well-rounded meal.