Ah, pork belly—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. There are a few ways to prepare it, but here’s a classic crispy roasted pork belly recipe that’s straightforward and delicious:
Crispy Roasted Pork Belly Recipe
(Serves 4–6)
Ingredients
- 2 lb (900 g) pork belly, skin on
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika (optional, for color)
- 1–2 tsp oil
Instructions
- Prepare the pork belly
- Score the skin with a sharp knife in a crosshatch pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat.
- Pat the skin very dry with paper towels—dry skin = crispy skin!
- Rub salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika all over the meat (not just the skin).
- Roast low and slow
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place pork belly on a rack in a roasting pan, skin side up.
- Roast for 2–2.5 hours until the meat is tender.
- Crisp the skin
- Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) for 20–30 minutes.
- Keep an eye on it—skin should puff and crisp.
- Rest and slice
- Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes.
- Slice into pieces and serve.
Tips for perfection
- Dry skin: Some people leave the scored pork belly uncovered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight—this dries the skin even more.
- Extra flavor: Rub a little five-spice powder or soy sauce on the meat side before roasting.
- Serving ideas: Serve with steamed buns, rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple dipping sauce like soy + honey + garlic.
If you want, I can also give a braised pork belly recipe—super tender, melt-in-your-mouth, and perfect for Asian-style dishes.
Do you want me to do that?
