Uncover the secrets to creating a delicious and tender pork belly dish. Learn how to cook sliced pork belly with expert tips.
Pork belly, which is one of the fattest cuts of meat with a rich buttery taste and a crispy texture, is among the most well-known meat cuts. No matter whether you are a professional chef or not, if you know how to cook pork belly slices recipe at home. Whether you are an experienced cook or a novice, it enhances your cooking vocabulary. It will also be a joy not only for you but for your friends and relatives too.
First, choose a perfect slice of pork belly. Pick a good-cut thick slice with its own fat and fresh meat. It is up to you if you prefer having it boneless or with a bone-in pork belly. Once you have bought yourself the pork belly, season it with salt and black pepper.
Alternatively, you may use your preferred herbs. It can also be dipped into your preferred sauce/rub, like soy sauce or BBQ sauce, for enhanced flavor.
Later on, you will need to cut the pork belly into pieces with a sharp knife and then cook it. You can cook them by charcoal or in a frying pan. Nevertheless, selecting the suitable method with regard to its advantages and disadvantages is needed.
If you are still confused about the steps, do not worry! Here’s a simple yet brief explanation of everything, from marinating the pork to seasoning and storing the meat. Please read through this article for a more in-depth understanding.
1. Seasoning the Pork Belly

Seasoning the pork before cooking is very important. This will enhance the taste of the meat, and it also softens it. Here’s what you’ll need:
1.1 Ingredients
- Pork belly – (Even though everyone adores the skin of crispy crackling, they prefer skinless pork belly slices. But fear not -removing the skin is not too difficult. Just take a sharp knife and carefully cut away the skin, being careful not to cut away any of the delicious fat beneath it.)
- Fine Salt or double the amount of kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Brown sugar
Mix all of the dry ingredients for seasonings in a bowl. Pour it over the sliced pork belly. Stir all ingredients together. Then, mix on both sides with the pork belly. The pork belly should be allowed to rest for at least a 1/2 hour before cooking it.
2. Preparing the Vegetables

When preparing the pork belly, marinate it as it cooks; meanwhile, do early pre-cooked preparations of veggies for it also. Here’s what you’ll need:
- One sliced onion
- Carrots, two sliced
- Celery stalks, two sliced
- Garlic cloves, four minced
- Olive oil, one tablespoon
- Cayenne pepper, four minced (Optional)
 In a large pan heated with olive oil, heat the vegetables on medium-high heat. Cook them over moderate heat from 5 to 7 minutes, being tender. Take the vegetables out of the pan and keep them aside.
And with that, we are ready with the ingredients. Once you are done with these basics, you just need to set the grill ablaze in readiness to cook the pork stripes.
3. Cooking Procedures
3.1 Marinating the Pork Belly
Marinate the pork belly before cooking and allow it to rest to make the meat more flavorful and tender. To do this, mix the following ingredients in a bowl:
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Onion powder
- Minced garlic
- Minced ginger
- Sesame oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Place the pork belly into a large storage bag and pour in the marinade. The bag must be well-sealed and kept in a refrigerator, preferably for about an hour. Overnight will give better results.
3.2 Cooking on the Stove
If you use the stove, use a frying pan or a large skillet. Proceed with caution so you can maintain your flame medium-heated.
Dry the marinated pork belly using a towel. You should use a sharp knife to cut it up into smaller bits that measure almost half an inch in thickness.
Cook in a pan by frying each side of every sliced pork belly for about three to four minutes until it turns golden brown and crisp. Remove the pork belly from the pan. Allow it to stand on a side for some minutes.
3.3 Baking in the Oven
For oven roasting, reheat your oven to 375 °C and place the pork belly into it. After that, dry up the marinated pork by using paper towels and cut them into pieces that are one-half inch thick in size.

Put the pork slices on a parchment paper over a baking tray. Put it in the oven and cook it for about a quarter of an hour or until the fat on the pork belly gets light brown. Take them out of the oven and let them cool a little bit before they are served.
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4. Serving Suggestions
Having cooked your sliced pork belly well, you need to plan on how you would like it served. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
4.1 Prepare a Rice Bowl

Pan-fried pork belly slices, steamed rice, vegetables, sausage, and one fried egg – it doesn’t get any better than this.
4.2 Pork Belly Tacos

You can include different types of tacos, such as warm tortillas that are stuffed with pork belly slices, chopped onions, cilantro in place of lettuces, and a final splash of lime juice on top.
4.3 Sandwiches

For a nice sandwich, place your pork bellies into a soft bun containing some chili powder, mayonnaise, crispy pickles, and fresh herbs.
4.4 Salads

Serve pork strips with mandarin orange segments, toasted almonds, and a citrus vinaigrette for a healthier salad selection.
Whatever way you decide to serve that slice of pork belly, finish it off with some fresh herbs, chopped scallions, or toasted sesame seeds to add that final touch of flavor and crunch. Enjoy!
5. Reheating and Storage Tips
Once you have cooked your sliced pork belly to perfection, you may have leftovers that you want to store for later. Proper storage and reheating techniques can help ensure that your pork belly stays fresh and delicious.
5.1 Reheating Tips
Reheating cooked pork belly should be done carefully to prevent a foodborne illness. Here are some tips to follow on reheating cooked pork belly:
Cooked pork belly can be reheated in an oven, on a stovetop, or even using a microwave oven.
5.1.1. For Oven Users
When reheating in the oven, set the oven to 350°F, and place the pork belly slices in a baking tray. Cover loosely with aluminum foil for 10 to 15 minutes heat through.
5.1.2 Heat on Stovetop
Slices of pork belly must be warmed up in a large pan with occasional stirring over low heat.
5.1.3 Use of Microwave
To do this, one should put the pork belly into a microwave-safe dish. After that, wrap it in a wet paper towel and reheat it in the microwave. Don’t forget to stir occasionally. Heat it in 30-second portions until warm or hot.
It is not advisable to consume pork belly until it has been properly cooked and has reached the proper internal temperature.
5.2 Storage Tips
To store your sliced pork belly, follow these tips:
- Let it cool down to room temperature before storing it in the fridge or freezer.
- Wrap the sliced pork belly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent air from getting in.
- Place the wrapped pork belly in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
- Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
6. Additional Tips
Pork belly is deliciously satisfying when cooked properly. When you start your culinary journey, you will realize how important it is to pick the right kind of meat. Please select a cut that has fat distributed evenly throughout. Otherwise, it will dry, making the meat tough while cooking.
There are lots of varieties of spices and herbs you can play around as well to make the pork belly unforgettable. Do not hesitate to add spices such as ginger powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, onion powder, and brown sugar to boost the flavors.
There are numerous ways through which you can cook. You can choose any cooking method you like; grilling, roasting, or braising, and that can be done with thinly sliced pork. Remember, however, that thinner cuts of meat cook more rapidly; thus, if you don’t change the cooking mode, your meat may be burned while still dry -Maintaining the perfect meat ratio is vital.
Give the pork belly time to sit after cooking, then cut and serve. This rest heÂlps the juices spread through the meat. This makes the meÂat tender and juicy.
It will be an important stage to remember, and that is to drain the rendered fat from a large skillet carefully. It also keeps the flavor in the right proportions, thereby ensuring that the dishes are not greasier than they should be. This is especially important when you use dark ingredients in your pork recipes.
Conclusion
Thus sliced pork requires some waiting and testing until the right taste and method is arrived at. With time and many experiences with different mistakes and successes, one can have the best recipe for a certain dish.
Keep in mind the fact that in the end, we have to get a delicious taste that makes you full and impresses your guests. Happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some easy pork belly recipes?
Several simple but tasty pork belly recipes exist. As far as I am concerned, I have a way of preparing pork belly tacos, which are also great for vegetable stir fry. It’s a quick and super tasty meal. You can also choose to cook a slow-roasted pork.
2. Is sliced pork belly and bacon the same?
Although sliced pork belly and bacon emanate from the same piece of meat, they differ in a number of ways. Typically, bacon is smoked and cured,, while the pork belly is sold as fresh meat.
3. What are some ways to cook pork belly besides frying?
So, if you are looking after your health and need to cook something delicious yet without oil, I strongly advise you to try Wahan Mosdeng. It’s very delicious, nutritious, and one of the most famous dishes from the northeastern part of India.
The other easy-to-make alternative is to cook crispy pork belly in an air fryer. Additionally, you can prepare a slow-cooking pork belly with spices and vegetables, which tenders deliciously in a crockpot.
4. Why do my pork belly slices turn out tough?
If you cook slices of pork for long or at temperatures, they can become tough. To ensure that the pork belly is tender, it’s best to cook it on heat, heat so that it becomes very tender and reaches the required internal temperature.
5. How long do I cook pork belly strips in the oven?
The pork-baked slice’s cooking duration will depend on its thickness. It typically involves roasting pork belly slices using an internal temperature of around 145°F, and a time period of between 25 to 30 minutes at an oven temperature set at 375°F.
6. Does pork belly need boiling before cooking?
Some might say boiling pork first is optional. However, I believe it can assist in removing extra fat and tenderizing the meat. If you decide to boil, let it lightly bubble for roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Then, partially cooked, you can go on to your prefeÂrred way of cooking.
7. What are some Korean thin sliced pork belly recipes?
The world recognizes the great taste of Korean pork dishes. Try out the famous Korean BBQ delicacy, Samgyeopsal-gui if you are out to explore some traditional Korean pork belly dishes. Other delicious Korean dishes include Kimchi, Bibimbap, Tteokbokki, and Bulgogi. If you are a true lover of pork belly, do not miss out on Korean pork belly dishes- believe me, they are very delicious.
Last Updated on by Sanjana