Pork belly is one of those special kind of meats that turns perfectly tender and basically melts in your mouth. We’ve collected all of our top pork belly recipes to share with you, so you can see them all in one place and decide which one you’ll make tonight.
We make it in all kinds of ways, from roasting to air fryer. We use it in dishes like pork belly tacos and bao buns. It’s incredibly versatile.
» You might also like this Easy Smoked Prime Rib.
What is Pork Belly?
Pork belly is a cut of meat that comes from the fatty portion of a pig’s under belly, not to be confused with bacon. It’s a favorite among chefs and home cooks because of its rich flavor and versatility. You can get pork belly most often from the butcher counter. It’s usually sold with the skin-on and has a generous layer of fat on top and throughout the meat that melts as it cooks.
Pork belly can be used in a variety of dishes, as you’ll see from our list below. There are also many ways you can cook it (my favorite is crispy pork belly). The possibilities are endless! So why not give it a try and see which ways you like to eat it.
Our Favorite Pork Belly Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Possible to Overcook Pork Belly
As much as it looks like you’re just cooking the pork belly to the point of dryness, you’re not. The cooking process is long for pork belly because of the amount of fat in the layers. This fat needs to break down and render so it’s not thick and rubbery when you eat it.
However, there is a point at which you can overcook pork belly and it becomes dry and tough. That point is when the fat layer has completely rendered down into nothing. Cooking a 2 pound pork belly for 6 hours on low in the slow cooker is not enough time to overcook it.
Does Pork Belly Get Softer the Longer You Cook It?
Because of the amount of fat in a piece of pork belly, it takes quite a while to cook it to perfection, and it does become softer the longer you cook it, up to a point where you’ve properly rendered the fat. The meat should be moist and fall apart tender. If you over cook it, it will become dry and tough.
Are pork belly slices good to cook with?
Yes, pork belly is super cheap (usually about $3-$5) and really simple to cook while being packed full of flavor. They go well in bowls and salads, tacos, and just by themselves.
Do I Have to Use a Dry Rub?
No, not all recipes call for dry rub. The dry rub helps to add flavor along with the salt that is necessary to help dry out the skin of the pork. You can just add salt if you don’t want to make or purchase a dry rub, however it will take some of the flavor that can be added with the extra seasoning, so I don’t recommend leaving it out.
Other Pork Belly Recipes to Try
» See all our delicious pork belly recipes.
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Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes and currently has a cookbook in development.