Top 21 Pork Belly Recipes - Chef's Pencil (2024)

Pork belly, that underrated cut of meat, defies expectations by delivering some of the most delicious and memorable meals. From Asian-inspired creations with sweet and savory twists to timeless European classics, there are so many outstanding choices. Here we have a selection of must-try recipes that show just how versatile pork belly can be.

1. Honey Glazed Fried Pork Belly with Carrots

Glazing is a culinary technique that adds a glossy, flavorful coating to cooked meat, typically during the final stages of cooking. Our Honey Glazed version is a simple yet remarkable recipe that combines sweet, salty, and savory flavors for a delicious dining experience.

Perfect for a special dinner or a comforting weekday meal, this dish will become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.

2. Roast Pork Belly with Apple Sauce

This classic Sunday roast features a beautifully seasoned, soft and juicy pork belly with crispy skin accompanied by a velvety apple sauce. The twist is in the homemade sauce, which strikes the ideal balance – not too sweet, not too citrusy, but incredibly aromatic and with hints of vanilla.

While the recipe was designed with Kurobuta pork in mind, which has a slight added richness, you can be sure that any type of pork belly will create an equally delectable dish.

3. Swedish Pan-fried Pork Belly with Onion Sauce/ Fläsk med löksås

Embrace this cozy, heartwarming, traditional Swedish recipe that’s great for the cold seasons. The pork is crisped up in butter, becoming almost as crunchy as bacon, and it is served with steamy potatoes and an amazing creamy onion sauce.

A generous spoonful of lingonberry jam makes it even more authentic.

4. Pork Belly With Baked Radish, Carrot Puree and Caramelized Apples

“A bit of effort and a dash of patience makes flavors truly shine.” And that’s certainly true in this case. There are several components to work on in this recipe, but each one serves a purpose and contributes to making this a culinary delight.

While the roast is undeniably the star, it comes to life when paired with the creamy carrot purée, the earthy radishes, the zesty apple cider, and the crispy onion sheets. They bring depth and texture to the dish, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

5. Braised Pork Belly with Chilies

For those who enjoy a bit of a kick (but not too much), we’ve got an awesome recipe. After searing the meat, it is lovingly braised in a mildly spicy yet extremely flavorful sauce, resulting in a succulent, rich, melt-in-your-mouth bite of pork. Presented alongside fragrant steamed jasmine rice, this dish offers an enjoyable balance of heat and flavor that’s sure to please your palate.

6. Swedish Pork Pancake/ Fläskpankaka

What do you get when you combine pancakes and fried pork? That’s right, another Scandinavian classic, a Fläskpankaka. This oven baked pancake has a crispy exterior that gives way to tender, flavorful pork, delivering a gratifying and comforting morsel.

Spread some lingonberry jam or sugar on top and the kids will absolutely love it.

7. Masas de Cerdo Frita (Cuban Fried Pork Chunks)

Cuban cuisine is full of delicious pork recipes, but no other as popular as this one. Juicy fried pork chunks are covered with mojo, a mix of onions, garlic, and sour oranges that provide a taste of true Cuban aromas. It is fresh, zesty, and just so tasty. Plated with sautéed onions and moros y Cristianos (black beans and rice), it is true, customary Caribbean style.

8. Pork Adobo

Creating this beloved Filipino dish is a breeze, and you don’t need to be a professional chef to do it. Our pork adobo recipe delivers the genuine flavors of the Philippines straight to your kitchen. Plus, most of the cooking is handled by the spices (and your oven), making it very, very easy. The hardest part? The anticipation while it broils to perfection.

9. Pomana Porcului: Romanian Pork Stew

Christmas is a special time of year, cherished by many for its festive spirit and heartwarming traditions. It’s also a culinary celebration, where families come together to prepare and share time-honored dishes that have been passed down through generations.

Among these, pomana porcului, or pig’s alms, holds a special place as a traditional Romanian feast, symbolizing abundance, unity, and the joy of sharing good food with loved ones.

10. Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Some say burnt ends are the best way to enjoy pork. Why? Because fat = flavor.

For this recipe, you only need a sweet rub – something with brown sugar, smoked paprika, and chili powder – combined with Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce for a tangy-smoky-spicy aroma. Small tip: baste with a light coating of sauce before smoking, otherwise the meat might char.

11. Homemade Pancetta (Italian Pork Belly)

Homemade authentic pancetta can be a delightful culinary project. You’ll need a bit of patience because the process of curing, seasoning, and drying the pork belly takes a while, but it’s definitely worth it. Plus, you’ll be learning a method that can be applied to other cuts as well.

Whether you’re enriching pasta or soups, or savoring it as an appetizer, homemade pancetta brings the heart and soul of Italian cuisine to your table.

12. Smoked Pork Belly

Who doesn’t love barbecues? Smoked pork belly isn’t just a delicious recipe, it’s also a wonderful reason to host a gathering and an opportunity to bond with friends and family. Fresh air, a cold drink, tasty meat on the grill…sounds like a great afternoon.

13. Instant Pot Braised Pork Belly

When you don’t have hours to invest in slow-cooking, the Instant Pot becomes your trusty assistant, shouldering all the hard work so you can relish a quick and appetizing meal.

Even more, this recipe is Asian inspired, using ingredients such as sake, tamari, and ginger.

14. Bulgogi Pork Belly Bao

Sometimes, you try a new dish and it captivates so much, you are left craving more, determined to master it yourself. This is exactly how this recipe came to be.

Try these fluffy dough balls filled with the most tantalizing marinated pork and find out for yourself. A little warning, though: they’re thoroughly addictive.

15. BÁNH XÈO (Savory Vietnamese Crepes)

These Vietnamese savory crepes have got it all: they’re crispy, tender, and burst with flavors. Turmeric in the batter gives a distinct yellow tone and earthy flavor, and the coconut milk provides a lovely creamy consistency. The filling includes shrimp, mung beans, and beansprouts along with the savory pork belly, all staples in Asian cuisine.

Pair them with the iconic nước mắm dipping sauce, and bánh xèo will become a delectable slice of Vietnamese culture right on your plate.

16. THỊT KHO (Vietnamese Braised Pork and Eggs)

Speaking of Vietnamese classics, here’s another fantastic recipe that embraces the country’s rich culinary heritage. So good is it, it is served for weeknight meals and at special celebrations such as weddings and birthdays.

Thịt kho brings together succulent braised pork, soft eggs, and a unique caramelized sauce, created from a blend of fish sauce and aromatic spices.

17. Glazed Teriyaki Pork Belly Recipe with Jasmine Rice

While this well-known Chinese dish is often a favorite takeout option, making it right at home is surprisingly easy. Once you’ve rendered the fat, cook for a few more minutes to get the pieces crispy, then pour over the sweet and spicy glaze. Plate over steamed jasmine rice, and you’re done!

Enjoy some Chinese food without leaving your home.

18. Pork Belly Ramen

This popular Japanese dish takes on a wonderful twist when homemade. While making your own ramen noodles is an option, the real magic lies in the crispy oven-baked pork belly. Add a delicate, fragrant broth with hints of ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, and you’ve got an amazing fusion of flavors.

19. Vietnamese Pork Belly Simply Braised and Caramelised

This recipe proves that authentic Vietnamese cuisine can be both easy to prepare and incredibly tasty. Just brown the pork in a wok and then toss in the rest of the ingredients. While some of the ingredients can be left out or replaced with alternatives, the fish sauce and MSG are a must for they the umami profile.

20. Pasta Carbonara

For Chef Ele Troise, who runs the best Italian restaurant in the Melbourne area, this is a signature dish.

The choice of fettuccine pasta ensures maximum infusion of flavors, as the wide noodles have more surface to embrace the creamy sauce made of fresh eggs, genuine parmesan, and salty pancetta (i.e. Italian pork belly).

21. Spaghetti Amatriciana

Amatriciana pasta, made in the traditional fashion, is a true Italian classic that pays homage to the flavors of Rome. This iconic Italian pasta recipe uses spaghetti, a vibrant tomato sauce, pecorino cheese, pancetta (i.e. Italian pork belly) or the savory touch of guanciale, cured pork cheek.

It originated in the small town of Amatrice and continues to charm pasta lovers worldwide.

When pork belly takes the lead in your recipe, disappointment simply isn’t on the menu. Try any or all of these dishes and you will be convinced.