This oven roasted pork belly recipe brings you the ultimate combination of tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork with irresistibly crispy skin. And, what's even better is that you only need four simple ingredients to prepare this restaurant-quality meal from the comfort of your own home.
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My Take On Oven Roasted Pork Belly
I'm here to tell you you don't have to be a world class chef to make the perfect oven roasted pork belly. As a matter of fact, you only need to follow three easy steps to make this delectable dish.
All you have to do is prepare the pork belly, season and roast the pork, then give it all a final sear. Some of the steps take longer than others, but trust me, the final product is worth the wait.
I mean, each bite of this oven roasted pork belly bursts with juicy flavor, crisp golden brown edges, and perfect crackling throughout.
Better yet, each serving has 17 grams of protein, and you know I'm a fan of that!
By the way, since this pork belly recipe is so rich and versatile, I like to pair it with some of my favorite savory sides - like this high protein mac and cheese, these air fryer baked sweet potatoes, or this roasted kohlrabi.
My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Joe Tip (like "pro tip" but better): I love preparing this recipe in advance of when I need it/want it. So, once the pork is seasoned and roasted, I like to let it cool in the fridge overnight. Then, the next day, I'll pull it out for a final sear, and it's good to go.
Ingredients
This recipe is made with only 4 simple ingredients that pack a ton of flavor. I recommend buying pork belly from your local butcher for optimal quality, but pork belly from your local supermarket will work well too.
- 2lb pork belly, skin on
- 4 teaspoon fine salt
- 4 teaspoon brown sugar (or brown sugar substitute if trying to keep the carbs low)
- Black pepper, as desired
How to Make the Best Oven Roasted Pork Belly
The secret to cooking pork belly is to slow roast the pork so the fat renders, leaving you with perfect crackling and juicy pork meat every time.
But, as I said, even if this is your first time making pork belly, I promise you'll have a restaurant-quality meal in only 3 easy steps.
Anyway, let's not waste any more time, let's get right to it!
STEP ONE: PREPARE THE PORK BELLY
You'll first want to pat the pork belly dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Then, with a sharp knife, score through the skin side of the pork without cutting through the meat. Repeat this process in the opposite direction to create a diagonal pattern.
STEP TWO: SEASON AND ROAST
First rub your pork belly with brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Next, place the pork belly in a roasting pan and bake for 30 minutes at 450F. Then, reduce the oven to 275F and continue cooking the pork for two hours.
When the pork belly is done cooking, remove it from the oven and allow the pork to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, wrap the pork belly in aluminum foil and refrigerate until it has completely chilled.
STEP THREE: SEAR THE PORK
Slice the pork belly into smaller pieces, and cook everything in a skillet over medium heat. You'll know the pork is ready when its edges are a crispy golden brown.
How to Store This Oven Roasted Pork Belly
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh from the stove, but it actually stores incredibly well. You can transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate everything for up to 4 days.
If you are hoping to keep your pork belly even longer, I recommend placing your leftovers into a freezer-safe container and freezing them for up to 3 months. Then, when you are ready to enjoy this recipe again, place everything in the fridge to defrost overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat This Recipe
There are a few ways you can reheat this recipe.
I personally like to cook my leftover pork belly in a skillet over medium-high heat until the pork has warmed throughout. You can even add a splash of olive oil to the pan to really make those edges crispy again.
Another great way to reheat this recipe is with an air fryer. Simply set your air fryer to 350 degrees and reheat your pork belly for roughly 5-10 minutes or until the edges are crispy.
FAQs About This Oven Roasted Pork Belly
What can you serve this pork belly with?
As I said before, this oven-roasted pork belly recipe can be served with a variety of sides. I usually like to have some sides to go with it. This cauliflower mash or these grilled green beans are top-notch with it.
However, if you are feeling extra inventive - and watching your carb intake - you can always wrap your pork belly in one of these low carb tortillas with some scrambled eggs for an epic breakfast burrito.
Can you meal prep this recipe?
Yes, definitely. The pork belly stores really well and it can be used in so many different ways so don't be afraid to meal prep it.
To store, simply place your leftover pork belly in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can reheat everything using the stove, air fryer, or microwave.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give this oven-roasted pork belly recipe a shot. Everyone who tries it will be convinced you ordered it from a fancy restaurant - but don't worry, your secret is safe with me.
What's even better is that it's so easy to make, and the ingredients could not be simpler. I'm sure you have most of the ingredients at your house already.
If you do end up giving this recipe a try, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
More Recipes
If you are looking for more savory dishes the whole family will enjoy, I have a bunch on the blog I think you'll like.
Give one of these a go next:
- Low calorie chicken alfredo
- Air fryer pork chops
- Crock pot cube steak and gravy
- How to cook turkey bacon in the oven (extra crispy)
- Healthy smash burgers
Oh, and if you're looking for even more tasty recipes, be sure to check out my Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube channel! I post new ones on them all of the time.
Oven Roasted Pork Belly Recipe (Perfect Every Time)
This oven roasted pork belly recipe brings you the ultimate combination of tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork with irresistibly crispy skin. And, what's even better is that you only need four simple ingredients to prepare this restaurant-quality meal from the comfort of your own home.
Ingredients
- 2lb. pork belly, skin on
- 4 teaspoon fine salt
- 4 teaspoon brown sugar
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Pat dry skin with paper towels.
- With a sharp knife, score through the skin every ½-inch at a diagonal, cutting through the skin and fat, but not meat. Repeat in the opposite direction to create a diamond pattern.
- Season the pork with salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Preheat oven to 450F. bake the pork for 30 minutes.
- Reduce the oven heat to 275F and bake the pork for 2 hours (1 hour per pound of meat).
- Cool the pork to room temperature.
- Wrap it into a foil and refrigerate until completely chilled.
- Cut the pork into slices.
- Sear the pork on the stove in a skillet, until crispy.
- Serve pork as desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 226Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 847mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 17g
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