Crispy and Tender Pork Belly Recipe

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Have you ever eaten something at a restaurant and thought to yourself, “There’s no way I can make this at home and have it taste like this”? I used to be that person. Simple things like steak, ribs, or one of my favorites—pork belly—seemed impossible to make at restaurant quality. Then, things changed for the better. With this tender pork belly recipe, you’ll discover just how easy it is to recreate that crispy, charred, and melt-in-your-mouth goodness right in your own kitchen. By pressure cooking to lock in the juiciness and grilling to perfection, you’ll get restaurant-quality pork belly every time.

See Also: Juicy Savory Kofta Kabobs with a Toasted Twist

No Pressure Cooker, No Problem!

Don’t have a pressure cooker? No worries! You can still achieve tender and crispy pork belly using either an oven or a quicker boil-and-grill method. Here’s how:

Oven-Baked and Grilled Pork Belly:

1. Prepare the Pork Belly:
   • Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
   • Season the pork belly with your favorite spices (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper). Place the pork belly in a baking dish, skin side up.
2. Bake the Pork Belly:
   • Pour 1-2 cups of chicken broth or water into the dish, just enough to cover the bottom but not submerge the pork. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
   • Bake for 2 to 2.5 hours, until the pork belly is tender.
3. Grill for Crispiness:
   • Remove the pork belly from the oven and let it cool slightly. Pat the skin dry to remove excess moisture.
   • Brush the pork belly with BBQ sauce and sprinkle additional seasoning.
   • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the pork belly for 5-7 minutes per side, until the skin is crispy and the BBQ sauce is caramelized.

NOTE: Changes to Cook Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 2 to 2.5 hours
• Grill Time: 10-15 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes

Boil and Grill Pork Belly (Faster Method):

1. Boil the Pork Belly:
   • Bring a large pot of salted and seasoned water to a boil. Add the pork belly and boil for 45 minutes, or until tender but not falling apart.
2. Pat Dry and Season:
   • Remove the pork belly from the water and pat dry. Brush with BBQ sauce and add additional seasoning.
3. Grill for Crispiness:
   • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, until the skin is crispy and the BBQ sauce is caramelized.

NOTE: Changes to Cook Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Boil Time: 45 minutes
• Grill Time: 10-15 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes

With these alternative methods, you can enjoy perfectly tender and crispy pork belly even without a pressure cooker!

How pork belly should look after pressure cooking or baking or boiling. Meat should be tender yet still intact!

Carnivore Pork Belly Recipe Version (Crispy and Tender)

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork belly, skin on
• 4 cups beef broth (or water)
• 4 tbsp beef tallow (or butter, ghee)
• 2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp black pepper (optional)

Note: Instead of basting with BBQ sauce you’ll baste with melted butter and salt!

BBQ Grilled Pork Belly Recipe with a Tender Twist

Savor this mouthwatering crispy on the outside yet tender pork belly recipe, where perfectly crispy skin meets tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. Pressure cooking locks in the juiciness, while a quick trip to the grill adds charred, caramelized bits for that smoky, BBQ perfection. It’s a flavor-packed experience with a crispy, tender twist that will leave your taste buds craving more!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Pressure cooker
• Grill or grill pan
• Tongs
• Measuring cups and spoons
• mixing bowl
• Basting brush
• Paper towels (for drying the pork belly)
• cutting board
• Sharp knife

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs pork belly skin on
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce plus more for basting
• Additional seasoning for grilling salt, pepper, smoked paprika

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

Pressure Cook the Pork Belly:

• Place the pork belly in the pressure cooker. Add water or chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
• Secure the lid and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.

Prepare for Grilling:

• Remove the pork belly from the pressure cooker and pat it dry with paper towels to help achieve a good sear on the grill.
• Brush the pork belly with BBQ sauce and sprinkle with additional seasoning (salt, pepper, smoked paprika) to boost the flavor.

Grill the Pork Belly:

• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
• Place the pork belly on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until you get a nice char and the BBQ sauce has caramelized. Baste with more BBQ sauce as needed.

Rest and Serve:

• Remove the pork belly from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces or strips.
• Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side.

Notes

Cook and Prep Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time:
  • Pressure cooking: 20 minutes (+10 minutes for natural release)
  • Grilling: 10-15 minutes
• Total Time: ~45-50 minutes

Calories per Serving: ~450 calories (depends on the amount and type of BBQ sauce used)

Keyword American-BBQ-recipe, BBQ-pork-belly, charred-pork-belly, crispy-pork-belly-recipe, grilled-pork-belly, pork-belly-with-crispy-skin, pressure-cooked-pork-belly, quick-BBQ-pork, tender-pork-belly

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