With winter just around the corner, there is nothing as tasteful as the Chinese Pork Belly recipes which are so tender and juicy in every bite! However, it is alright if this is your first time making pork belly because with us there is nothing that can go wrong! Wondering which is the best way to cook it? Well, here are some useful cooking tips that you will surely find fascinating! Let us begin, shall we?
Overview- if you wish to savor the heavenly combination of crispy coat and tender meat then the ultimate option is pork belly curry.
Is there a special way to buy pork belly?
There are techniques that you must look for when you are buying meat so that you can determine the quality of meat after they are cooked! You have to apply this trick for purchasing pork belly as well.
You can either buy a whole slab that you wish to cut and chop by yourself or you may buy slices in the form of bacon and pancetta.
Certain factors help you to determine that the pork belly you are buying is fresh!
- Texture- the meat should be tough and smooth with a pink texture! Sliminess on the surface indicates poor quality.
- The ratio of fat to the flesh- always go for a meat slab where the meat and fat content is similar! If you observe a 50:50 ratio of flesh and fat then the pork belly is sure to taste well.
- Color- always go for the meat with the fat which resembles a pale creamy white hue! If it turns grey or white then you should avoid the meat.
- Smell- the general meaty smell is fine however if you observe a stale odor, do not buy the meat.
What is the ideal way to prepare pork belly -
The ideal way to prepare pork belly is by asking for boning, trimming, slicing, scoring, rolling, and tying. In some recipes, you are required to cut the skin and peel off the fat properly. If you are confused about which way to cut the meat then you should ask the butcher to help you out to skip the hassle.
A quick technique to roast the pork belly-
- Place the pork belly in the roasting tin. Then brush oil and seasoning.
- Then preheat the oven and transfer the tin into the oven.
- The pork belly needs a combination of gentle and slow heat for ideally roasting the meat. Then a blast of higher heat ends the cooking.
- Cooked at 180°C or 160°C and then at 200°C for the complete roast.
- If you observe that the meat is tender then assume that the meat is ready! Allow it to cool down for ten to fifteen minutes and then dig in!
1. What is the ideal time duration for cooking pork belly?
It is to be noted that pork belly is cooked at a low temperature for two hours and then at medium temperature for thirty minutes and then burst on the high flame at the end.
Read also: 40 Delicious Butternut Squash Recipes
2. Should you cook pork belly, fast or slow?
Slow cooking is preferred for pork meat as it is surmounted with fat everywhere! To allow the flavors of fat to get processed and pass it on to the meat takes time and cooking at a low flame is thus considered the best. The outer layer turns crisp and the center remains juicy as slow heat evenly spreads the warmth all over the meat surface.
Check out this collection of savory Chinese pork belly recipes. Simple, easy, and delicious ideas for cooking pork belly for any occasion. Try them out and find your favorite! Give this traditional Chinese dish a modern twist.
Chinese pork belly recipes
1. Pork belly in Vermouth Jus
The delectable flavor of grounded black pepper and cream gives the Vermouth Jus a fantastic taste! The juicy and smooth sauce is dropped on the tender meat which slowly soaks the juice and gives a flavourful delight to the taste buds. We have made use of dry vermouth and eschallots.
2. The tender and special pork belly
Here is a tender pork belly meat recipe that is cooked with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic to render the meat with a spicy and ravenous essence. You shall be delighted to know that the dish is completely gluten-free and tossed in honey, brown sugar, orange juice, and a hint of wine.
3. Slow-roasted Italian Porchetta with crackling
Are you craving pork belly for a while? Well, then there is nothing better than giving the Porchetta with crackling a try! The combined essence of lemon zest and rosemary renders the recipe with a distinguished taste.
4. Roasted pork belly
The flavor of paprika and oregano to create the best contrast of spicy and flavourful is simply outstanding. And later it is garnished with drops of lemon juice.
5. Honduran Chicharones ( pork crackling)
Are you looking for something heavenly this season? Well, we have got the best and most exotic dish of all kinds. The crispy pieces of pork are mind-blowing and you should give them a try! Marinate it with some drops of lemon juice and enjoy it with dips.
6. Colombian-style pork belly
If you are interested to cook a gluten-free recipe for the guests this season then you have to give a try to this all-time classic! Colombian-style pork belly is so tempting with the juicy flavor of peppercorn and garlic, that you are assured to crave more and more of this authentic recipe on the plates.
7. Keto salt and pepper pork belly
The combination of keto salt and pepper pork belly is something that everyone will certainly love to savor! Completely healthy and gluten-free, this is a magnificent dish for you to relish.
8. Chinese crispy pork belly
The perfect crackling meat to enjoy for the day! Cook this restaurant-style crispy pork belly with Chinese five-spice powder, white vinegar, and signature wine to enhance the taste of the same.
9. Crispy pork belly
All you will need are five ingredients to prepare the crispy pork belly which gets done super fast! Celery sticks cooked with boneless pork belly stripes render the dish with the juicy and wonderful flavor of all time. Add some fennel seeds and onions too.
10. Keto chicharron fried pork belly
Here is a low-carb recipe that you will be smitten with! A keto-friendly diet with cayenne pepper and paprika renders this dish with an extraordinary flavor. Lard and baking soda are added to give a crispy texture.
11. Chinese steamed spareribs with black bean sauce
The combination of ginger and garlic with the black bean sauce gives a refreshing taste to the dish. Cooked with cornstarch and sesame oil, the recipe is simply outstanding every time. And then add some Chinese red wine to taste!
12. Braised pork belly
Sprinkled with spring onion, the braised pork belly cooked with Chinese rice wine and soy sauce creates a heavenly flavor in your mouth. Delicious and juicy, this is one of the best ways to enjoy braised pork belly.
13. Pork belly and potato baked in milk
With the perfect crackling and tenderness, the pork belly and potato baked in milk give you the ultimate flavor of pork meat! The spicy presence of paprika and the sweet touch of tender potatoes with garlic and bay leaves together create a flavor that is a sheer treat to the taste buds.
14. Chashu
The sweet and spicy meat with a flavor of tenderness renders this dish with a delightful essence. We have added soy sauce and vegetable oil to cook this wonderful recipe in a jiffy! An authentic Chinese recipe to explore the magic of pork belly!
15. Roasted pork belly with chile vinegar
Here is a traditional dish that resembles lechon kawali, an authentic recipe with perfect crackling. We have made use of seasoned rice vinegar with green Thai chiles. And then serrano chiles are broken into pieces for garnishing.
16. Crispy golden pork belly
The golden and crispy pork belly is delicious and such an easy recipe to get done in a jiffy! You may serve the crispy golden pork belly as an appetizer to the meal dipped in soy sauce and cooked with Shaoxing rice wine.
17. Pork belly ramen
If you are fond of ramen bowls then you must give a try to this one with loads of veggies, meat, and egg! There is spring onion, garlic, carrots, and many more cooked in fish sauce, miso paste, and Ponzu.
18. Crispy pork belly slices with cider
Perfect to enjoy during a lazy Sunday, the dish of crispy pork belly slices with cider is simply mind-blowing! You may cook it with oyster sauce and chili for a great taste sweet and spicy.
19. Maple mustard pork belly
We have made use of cider vinegar, maple syrup, and rosemary to create this mustard pork belly dish which turned out to be one of the best indeed! Check out the recipe if you are a fan of the flavor of succulent meat with mustard.
20. Oven baked bbq pork
If there is a family gathering recently then you should try out this lip-smacking BBQ pork which is baked in an oven and hardly requires much effort. Cooked with English mustard, Workshire sauce, and soy, the recipe is simply out of the world.
21. Crispy pork belly recipe
Mouth-watering and juicy, there is nothing so comforting as the flavors of the crispy pork belly cooked with herb and pepper! The amount of crackling is perfect for this dish! So surprise your family with this wonderful treat for tonight's meal.
22. The finest pork belly
Prepared with only five ingredients, the recipe of crispy pork belly cooked with fennel seeds and apple cider is simply so yummy for one to resist. What a magnificent choice it is that you should make for an easy appetizer this season.
23. Braised pork belly with leek and ginger
The tender meat cooked in soy sauce is delectable and the perfect way to serve pork belly to the guests! We have also used leek and Dashi to escalate the taste of the recipe even more. Try out some Awamori Rice liquor.
24. Agave glazed pork belly with grilled pineapple
Succulent and juicy, the Agave glazed pork belly with the sweet essence of grilled pineapple is amazing and cooked with serrano chiles. Some apple cider vinegar and agave syrups are added this season.
25. Easy pork hamonado
Here is a completely gluten-free recipe for you to relish when you wish to engage in health and flavor at the same time. We have soy sauce, pineapple juice, and peppercorn. Sprinkle garlic as a taste enhancer to this spectacular recipe!
26. Cuban mojo pork
Packed with myriad flavors, the Cuban mojo pork is delicious and such an extraordinary recipe created with mint marination and oregano with a hint of orange! Cooked in olive oil, the recipe is highly tasty for you to savor this season! A combination of cilantro and garlic gives a distinguished flavor.
27. Crispy pork belly slices with cider
With the combination of red chili, vinegar, and oyster sauce, the recipe is wonderful and created with soy sauce and a dash of demerara sauce to make this the ultimate delight ever.
28. Crispy Patong baboy
The freshly ground black pepper and the crispy Patong Baboy is a wonderful and unique recipe that is simply mind-blowing! We have made use of cane vinegar and oil to render the dish with an exciting taste! So shall we try it out then?
29. Crispy pork belly
If you wish to stick to your diet then the crispy pork belly is the most suitable option for you to check out. The flavor of herb on the crackling meat renders the dish with exotic taste ever! Easy-peasy to cook and ready in a jiffy!
30. Crisp pork belly recipe with spiced apricot
The crisp pork belly with spiced apricot is delicious and you may flavor it with green springs and cinnamon sticks! The flavor of five Chinese spices is marvelous and renders the dish with a heavenly touch.
Ways to tenderize the meat during the cooking of work belly
1. Break the muscle fibers-
It is the muscle fibers that give strength to the meat! If you wish to make them soft and yummy, then the best way is to break the bonds with the fibers. You may usually make use of the meat mallet which resembles a hammer with a spiked surface to beat the meat! This in turn helps to tender the meat so that the fibers break apart. It is a sharp and pointed tool with the aid of which we soften the meat even more.
2. Use a marinade to tenderize the meat-
Marinating the meat for a long time with spices allows it to imbibe the flavor of the spices! These are also wonderful to make the meat slabs tender! Lemon is a great technique for making the meat even more tender and soft. These release tenderizing acids and enzymes that soak into the meat and break the fibrous bond in them. Protein bonds are broken at the molecular level so that the meat softens up even more. Buttermilk is a great tenderizing agent and juices like pineapple, papaya is a great source of help for softening the pork belly you bought.
3. Brining the pork
This step involves soaking the meat in salt water and allowing it to soften up over a while. Cider, vinegar, rosemary, and thyme are other ingredients added to the solution. And the meat at the end is bound to soften up!
Bottom line- now we are aware of the techniques of cooking pork belly and how to soften them to enjoy the juicy texture! If you are looking for recipes with pork belly then look no further as they are right here to your delight.
Lana says
Looks so good! Will try it out!