Add our Asian Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing for the ultimate pairing! Pork belly may not be found on the tables of many of my readers, but I hope to convince you to give it a try. Although I discovered it quite late, it has become a huge favourite of mine.
What is Pork Belly?
Pork belly may not be familiar to everyone, but is the same cut of meat used for bacon. Because it is taken from the belly of a pig, it has a high fat content. When cooked properly, the fat renders and creates succulent meat and adds incredible flavour. Along with bacon slices, pork belly can come in thicker slices or whole slabs. Ideally there should be approximately equal amounts of fat and meat, and the fat should be a creamy white colour. Even though pork belly is hugely popular in much of the world it is a very cheap cut of meat. Good for the budget, and a great choice to feed a crowd! This cut of meat is very commonly featured in many Asian recipes. The recipe we are sharing today is inspired by the Chinese flavours. There are several ways to cook a pork belly to yield amazing results. The most common ones for the whole pork belly are roasting and braising, and pork belly slices are most often grilled. This recipe for pork, braised in aromatic soy and honey sauce, is off the charts delicious. Because the pork belly is slowly cooked over low heat, the fat renders beautifully and leaves a tender, flavourful meat that melts in the mouth. Then turn the heat up to get that perfect crackling! Not to mention the braising liquid, which turns into a savoury sticky glaze. This simple recipe is a great example of very small effort that produces amazing results!
Serving Suggestions
Crispy honey soy pork belly can be served with rice and some steamed vegetables like broccoli, bok choy or cauliflower. I like adding this Carrot, Zucchini and Radish Slaw for extra crunch and flavour! For something even more special, give coconut rice a try!
Storage and leftovers
Any leftover pork belly can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in an oven set to 180C/350F for 10-15 minutes, checking to make sure it is good and hot. Or for even better results, try an air fryer set to the same temperature. It should take about 5 minutes, but again check to make sure it is properly hot. Leftover rice to use up as well? Try fried rice with pork belly for the perfect way to turn those leftovers into a fantastic new meal!
More Asian inspired recipes
Sweet and Sour Pork Chops Oven Baked Honey Soy Chicken Shoyu Chicken (Soy Sauce Chicken) Teriyaki Salmon with Bok Choy
