Find new favorite ways to eat pork belly with these 37 delicious pork belly recipes, from starters and snacks to sides and mains.
I am such a fan of meat.
There, I said it.
I’m grateful every day for fine cuts of pork, beef, and chicken.
For sustainably fished salmon.
For cruelty-free farming.
It may not be the diet or lifestyle for everyone, and I am totally on board with whatever for whomever, but I, personally, love meat in my diet.
We try to limit our meat portions, and we eat plant-based meals often, but a fine cut, or even a perfectly seasoned cheap cut that is cooked until tender, is just fine by me.
But if you are not a fan, I totally understand.
The name “pork belly,” in this case, is a little bit off-putting because “belly”—sounds so personal and round, and like when I rub my dog’s belly, I don’t want to eat it; I just want to get that belleee.
And yet, here we are, eating pork belly and loving every moment of it.
That said, pork belly is a rich, flavorful cut of the hog that’s used in a lot of chef-inspired dishes, on the grill, braised, seared, or smoked.
Pork belly is what is left of the underside of a hog’s belly after the loin and spare ribs are removed.
The cut appears in strata of fat and flesh and is most fall-apart tender when slow-cooked.
It is often served in small cubes because of its richness.
Is bacon the same as pork belly?
No, bacon isn’t exactly the same as pork belly, but the typical bacon we find packaged in grocery stores is cut from pork belly.
Bacon is often cured, but pork belly isn’t.
So, streaky pork bacon is pork belly, but pork belly isn’t bacon.
Instead, pork belly is the whole slab cut from the fleshy underside of a pig.
Streaky pork bacon is cut from this slab.
There are so many delicious ways to cook pork belly, including making homemade bacon.
Common methods include roasting, smoking, and searing, and pork belly adds luscious fat and flavor to so many dishes that we had to list them here.
If you need pork belly and you need it fast, this is the recipe for you.
From start to finish, this shouldn’t take you more than 45 minutes.
The pork belly slices will come out bubbling and a bit charred on the edges, which is just pure perfection if you ask me.
You can use any BBQ sauce that you like but do check out our BBQ sauce recipes.
There are some incredible taco recipes out there in the world, and this is one of them.
Let’s start with the slaw that is made out of cabbage, carrots, and pineapple.
It has cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings.
The pork belly is roasted in the oven and coated with a few simple spices.
This is the perfect combination of flavors for your next Taco Tuesday.
A snack made out of nothing but seasoned pork belly is my kind of snack.
These pork belly bites are seasoned simply with oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Then they are cooked up in the air fryer in just 20 minutes.
Make enough for me because I’ll be right over.
Instead of pork roast in the slow cooker, cook up some pork belly.
It is a delicious change of pace.
This tangy and sweet sticky glaze will delight the senses.
The aroma of the balsamic cooking up in that slow cooker will be enough to make your stomach growl in anticipation.
You can prep this pork belly recipe and get it in the oven in just five minutes.
This is such a simple recipe with only a few very basic seasonings.
The point is to cook the pork belly until it is crispy and let the natural flavors shine.
Don’t be intimidated by the recipe ingredients.
There are quite a few, but most of them are staple pantry ingredients.
You may wanna pick up some ginger and lemon grass paste from the store when you are buying that pork belly, but you likely have the rest.
This is a unique twist on ramen.
Cook up some crispy pork belly, and then make some fabulous ramen.
With this recipe is hard to know if pork belly is the star or if it is the ramen.
In the end, your taste buds will have to be in charge of figuring it out.
What a lovely challenge to have, though!
Pork belly burnt ends are meat candy!
These pork belly bites are tender and juicy and loaded with smoke flavor.
If this is your first introduction to pork belly, be warned that you will become obsessed.
You’ll love this recipe!
The marinade consists of brown sugar, grapeseed oil, honey, soy, sesame oil, and scallions.
Then we have the jalapeño slaw made with jalapeño, coleslaw mix, and other incredible ingredients.
First, the pork belly is soaked in bourbon.
Then it is cooked in the air fryer.
While that beautiful pork belly is getting crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, you can make the spicy coleslaw.
Finally, you put it all together on the slider bun and go to town.
This is an Asian-style pork belly in a brioche bun that has quick pickled veggies.
The quick pickled veggies on this sandwich are cucumber, purple onion, and carrots.
This is a must-try recipe.
This sandwich is made with yellow coconut curry saw and Thai-inspired slaw.
While these flavors are an acquired taste, if you love them, you are gonna love this.
Find yourself a nice crusty bread to contain all of this joy.
This is quite a unique recipe. It includes caramelized sugar, soy sauce, star anise, and many other interesting flavors.
This would be fantastic served over rice.
I think that it would be interesting to try it with cilantro lime rice.
This is a Chinese-inspired pork belly recipe that is sweet, sticky, and braised with beer.
This recipe merges cultures and flavors to create perfection.
Serve this with mashed potatoes, and you will have a fantastic meal that is unique and packed with flavor.
15. Pork Belly Bao
Bao to me is a mixture between a bun and fluffy bread.
It is soft and slightly sweet.
So, of course, some cooked-up tender pork belly and serving it on bao just makes sense.
This may be my favorite way to eat pork belly.
If you haven’t tried a Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich yet, you should do so right away!
The crispy yet delicate pork belly with its sweet and savory sauce, mixed with the zing of pickled carrots and red onion, makes for a tasty bite.
Juicy, meaty, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly sandwiched between zesty banh mi pickles is a culinary marvel.
To lock in all those flavors and textures, throw on a crusty, airy French roll, and you’re all set.
The majority of my dinners, like those of many other home cooks, consist of meals that can be prepared quickly and inexpensively without sacrificing flavor.
Moreover, this Butadon dish is a brilliant addition to such dinners.
Boiled until tender, the thin slices of pork belly are doused or smeared with the braising liquid until well coated before they are placed atop fluffy steamed rice.
Succulent meat, delicious sauce, and steamed rice will leave you wanting more.
This recipe is extremely tasty, rich, meaty, and juicy!
There’s pork belly in thin strips cooked in a sauce made from Korean chili paste, soy sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil.
Along with their nutty flavor and crunch, toasted sesame seeds give a wonderful textural element.
Thanks to the kimchi, it’s tangy and spicy, while the pork belly lends a meaty, savory element, and the aromatics are just right.
There’s nothing like a meal with a bit of heat to make you feel all cozy inside and out!
19. Pork Belly Sisig
Sisig holds a special place in the hearts of (nearly) every Filipino.
It’s typically consumed alongside mountainous rice helpings or bottles of icy-cold beers.
The sisig’s trademark tanginess comes from calamansi, often known as Philippine lime, which balances the meat’s fattiness.
Its aroma alone will get your mouth water and your stomach growl with a hunger for that porky, fiery, perfectly crisp delight.
Grilled Pork Belly Skewers marinated in a lemongrass-infused marinade are a delicious way to add some zip to your next barbecue.
Unsurprisingly, the lemongrass flavor stands out most in this dish, and with the inclusion of fish sauce and soy sauce, this dish takes on a decidedly Asian flavor.
Both the aroma and taste are reminiscent of lemons, but there is also a pleasant sweetness.
At this point, the crisp, new flavors meet the sharper, warmer ones, and the resulting fusion is really stunning.
The marinade goes so great with the pork belly that you can use it as a dipping sauce too.
A quick evening meal—that’s what you get with this Pork Belly With Honey Garlic Sauce.
These marvelous pork bellies have a golden, sticky exterior and a delicate, juicy interior after being seared in a skillet and glazed in a pleasant, garlicky-sweet sauce made with only six ingredients.
An earthy, deep, and not overpowering umami flavor is given by the tamari sauce in this dish.
And those brown, charred, and caramelized edges are THE BEST part!
This Kimchi Stew with pork and tofu is a simple way to bring the flavorful trend of Korean dramas into your kitchen!
You’ll love the deep, robust flavor of kimchi jjigae in this traditional Korean stew.
The kimchi here is not just fiery and briny but also delightfully fresh and crunchy.
Tofu’s firmness adds a new dimension to the dish’s texture and flavor.
It’s a bowl of soup with all the flavors you’ll surely love—sour, spicy, and sweet!
23. Pork Belly Gyros
The deliciousness is in every bite of this pita flatbread stuffed with delectable meat, tangy tzatziki, and plump tomatoes.
The bite-sized cucumbers add a burst of flavor and the crispness you need to round off the meal.
A sufficient quantity of tomato and cucumber is utilized to load pork belly Gyros, making them suitable as a main course.
On the other hand, if you wanted to add some more flavor to your fresh veggies, Greek Salad Skewers would be a fantastic accompaniment.
Amazing Sweet & Sour Pork Bellies—better than any takeout you could possibly imagine!
The contrast between the sugar’s sweetness and the peppery aroma of the ginger creates a divine flavor, and using two kinds of soy sauce instead of one amplifies this effect.
It’s beautifully balanced because of the pleasant taste brought by the Shaoxing wine.
And the magic happens when you toss the sauce with succulent pork and crisp scallions— yum!
Pork Belly Porchetta results from a low-and-slow cooking method that renders the meat unbelievably supple.
Fennel adds an anise flavor, while ground ginger gives your tongue the slightest tickle.
The meat is moist and flavorful without being tough; it has a buttery, fatty layer and the crispiest skin you’ve ever had.
To achieve a crackling, crunchy exterior, skin-on (rind-on) pork belly is required.
In this dish, pork belly makes for the best spring roll filling.
The pork’s juiciness and fattiness complement the spring roll’s fresh vegetables and herbs beautifully.
Lettuce leaves make wrapping Vietnamese spring rolls easier.
The filling is less likely to fall out if the vegetables, herbs, and noodles are tucked inside the lettuce leaf.
Also, the lettuce provides a welcome visual contrast to the shrimp.
Mei Cai Kou Rou is the greatest out-of-this-world, melt-in-your-mouth sensation ever!
To get the dish’s distinctive texture, pork belly is first poached, then deep fried, and finally steamed to bring out its natural juices and suppleness.
The secret?
It would be best if you steamed it for a more extended time.
Moreover, pork belly fat adds moisture to the pickled veggies, which releases a potent aroma.
Gochujang paste, Gochugaru, and mirin in this pork bulgogi create an intensely savory dish with just the right amount of warmth, while the Asian pear and mirin add a welcome mellow taste.
The marinade of garlic, ginger, and onion imparts a strong taste that matches perfectly with the simplicity of plain white rice used to sop up the umami-rich sauce.
They are also great in lettuce wraps or tacos!
To balance the pork’s saltiness, the cabbage’s natural sweetness and earthiness make for a sumptuous flavor blend.
Incorporating miso paste, sesame paste, and vinegar tang into the chicken stock creates a broth with deep salty-sugary umami richness.
This Pork Belly Cabbage Soup is not just a low-carb comfort food but also an excellent and hearty meal.
When Brussels sprouts are roasted, they become delicate in the center while maintaining a slight crunch on the outside.
Roasting gives the Brussels sprouts a nutty flavor, and the salted pork belly creates a nice contrast to the luscious maple syrup.
Roasted brussels sprouts are pretty delectable, but when you add some maple syrup, they go to a whole other level.
The dish’s blend of flavors will win you over.
31. Pork Adobo
The term “adobo” is commonly used to refer to a style of cooking that originated in the Philippines.
Meat is braised in a sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, and peppercorns.
A low and slow simmer transforms pork belly into meltingly delicate pieces.
The glossy finish of the sauce comes from the rendered pork fat; it’s excellent for dousing your rice in, and the occasional bursts of spiciness come from the black peppercorns.
These potatoes have such a fascinating look, and I love them.
They give the impression of being complicated to make, but in reality, they’re pretty simple appetizers.
While baking in the oven, the potatoes develop a delectably crispy crust.
The meat adds an extra nuance of taste to the soft, herbaceous potato center.
One bite of the complete stack will give you a taste of both the crispiness and the creaminess!
Traditionally, carnitas is prepared with pork shoulder, but pig belly provides a more succulent and tasty alternative.
The pork can be tenderized and given that delectable and savory carnitas flavor by marinating it in pineapple or apple juice and various other seasonings.
Try it on nachos, with guacamole, or in enchiladas, burritos, or quesadillas.
This dish will definitely satisfy your Mexican dish cravings.
Now, to be clear, this recipe is not only veggies.
Because, let’s face it, pork belly improves the flavor of anything it touches.
Put it all together with a bit of salt and a smokey char, and you’ve got a winning skewer combo.
Almost everyone enjoys asparagus, but we all know that okra isn’t to everyone’s taste.
So, you can easily switch this out for some green onions or leave it out completely.
The Vietnamese cuisine known as Bun Cha is a staple of the country’s capital, Hanoi.
Rice noodles, vegetables, and herbs are served in a broth with pork patties and slices of pork belly that have been caramelized.
So, soak those noodles, slurp them up, bite into some supple pork, and try to stuff a few sprigs of herbs into your mouth, and you’ll finish up with a harmonious blend of crisp, citrusy, herbaceous mouthfeel— wow!
Everyone loves to snack on some chips every once in a while.
It’s a tasty and adaptable snack option.
But think about how much better that bag of chips would be if you added some meatiness and umami flavor.
Yup, that’s right: say hello to Pork Belly Chips!
It’s earth-shatteringly crunchy, savory, and oh-so-yummy!
And the honey mustard sauce, with its tang, creaminess, and just-right-sweetness, turns those tiny chips into something extraordinary.
Want some restaurant-quality pork belly?
Then you can count on this Thai Basil Pork Belly!
Amazingly, Thai basil is a magical herb ingredient.
Any meat or vegetable dish can benefit from its ability to boost the taste rapidly with its licorice-like taste quality.
With the help of some zesty lime juice, garlic, soy sauce, chiles, sugar, and fish sauce, it creates a true symphony of different flavorings and mouthfeel.
The bottom line
What I’ve learned from researching pork belly today is that while it is best when slow-cooked, it CAN be overcooked, and the meat seizes up and becomes tough.
That would be so sad, but it’s good to keep it in mind and to use a great recipe like one of these to help you make that perfect dish.
Especially if you’re a first-timer to pork belly recipes.
Let us know if you have a favorite way to eat and serve pork belly.
Have some pork belly bacon you want to use up?
Try our recipe for bacon jerky!
37 BEST Ways To Cook Pork Belly Recipe Collection
Find new favorite ways to eat pork belly with these 37 delicious pork belly recipes, from starters and snacks to sides and mains.
Ingredients
- BBQ Pork Belly Slices
- Pork Belly Tacos With Pineapple Slaw
- Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
- Pork Belly With Honey Balsamic Glaze
- Crispy Pork Belly
- Sticky Chinese Pork Belly
- Pork Belly Ramen
- Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
- Pork Belly Sandwich With Jalapeño Slaw
- Bourbon Soaked Pork Belly Sliders
- Sticky Pork Belly Burger
- Pork Belly Sandwich With Thai Slaw
- Chairman Mao's Red Braised Pork Belly
- Beer Braised Pork Belly
- Pork Belly Bao
- Pork Belly Banh Mi
- Japanese Butadon Pork Bowls
- Stir Fry Pork Belly & Kimchi
- Pork Belly Sisig
- Grilled Pork Belly Skewers
- Pork Belly With Honey Garlic Sauce
- Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
- Pork Belly Gyros
- Sweet & Sour Pork Bellies
- Pork Belly Porchetta
- Vietnamese Pork & Shrimp Rolls
- Mei Cai Kou Rou (Steamed Pork With Preserved Mustard)
- Spicy Pork Belly Bulgogi
- Pork Belly Cabbage Soup
- Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts With Pork Belly
- Pork Adobo
- Pork Belly Mini Potato Stacks
- Pork Belly Carnitas
- Pork Belly Wrapped Asparagus & Okra Yakitori
- Bun Cha (Vietnamese Meatball Vermicelli Bowl)
- Pork Belly Chips With Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- Thai Basil Pork Belly
Instructions
- Find your favorite recipe from our Pork Belly Recipes list.
- Gather all the ingredients needed.
- Start cooking and make us proud!