Few dishes are as satisfying as crispy pork belly. With its golden, crackling skin and rich, juicy meat, it brings together indulgence and simplicity in one irresistible bite. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or preparing a weekend feast, pork belly is a showstopper that always delivers.
The key to perfect pork belly lies in the contrast between textures. The skin must be crackly and shatter with every bite, while the meat underneath should remain tender and succulent. To achieve this, the pork needs to be scored, well-seasoned, and slow-roasted before a final blast of high heat crisps up the top. A dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Chinese five-spice adds a deep, savory aroma that enhances the natural richness of the pork.
Serving crispy pork belly is all about balance. The dish pairs beautifully with a fresh slaw, pickled vegetables, or even a zingy apple chutney to cut through the fat. For a heartier plate, serve it with jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, or a sweet soy dipping sauce.
What makes pork belly so appealing is its versatility. You can go classic with simple seasonings or take it in a fusion direction—Korean-style with gochujang glaze, Filipino lechon kawali, or even slider-style in bao buns with hoisin sauce and fresh cucumber.
While it may seem intimidating, cooking pork belly at home is quite straightforward if you follow the steps carefully. It’s also more economical than you might think, offering gourmet results with a relatively low-cost cut of meat.
Crispy pork belly isn’t just a dish—it’s an experience. One that delivers a perfect crunch, unforgettable flavor, and leaves everyone wanting more.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork belly
- salt to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Score the skin of the pork belly with a sharp knife.
- Season the pork belly with salt, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and black pepper.
- Rub the olive oil all over the pork belly.
- Place the pork belly on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
- Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and roast for another 30 minutes, or until the skin is crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let the pork belly rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice and serve crispy pork belly.
Easy to follow instructions! I felt like a chef. Can I use other spices?
Absolutely, you can experiment with different spices! Just keep the balance right, and you’ll be fine. Maybe add some chili powder for a kick!
Followed this exactly, but it came out burnt. Oops.
I can’t eat pork. But can I use a chicken instead? Will it work tho?
Pork belly is too fatty for me. I prefer leaner meats. Not my kind of recipe, but I guess some folks like it.
Crispy is the key! Also, I added some soy sauce and honey to the rub, came out incredible!! Give it a try!
That sounds amazing! Soy sauce and honey? I’m definitely trying that next time! Thanks for sharing!
I dunno about soy sauce, wouldn’t that make it too salty? Pork belly is already fatty as it is.
I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY GOOD.i LIKED IT ALOT
Seems easy enough! I might add some honey next time for a sweet twist.
This recipe is the best! My family loved it! Crispy and juicy! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Honestly, I don’t get all the hype. I tried a different recipe that was better. 🤷♂️
I’m so glad to hear that! It really is delicious. Did you try adding anything special to it?
What about marinades? I think it needs more flavor!
YUMMY! Best thing I ever made. 10/10 recommend!
Easy to follow! My family loved it. Thanks for sharing! 🙌
Honestly, I was skeptical about the cooking times. My oven doesn’t heat evenly. Next time I’ll adjust it. Still turned out pretty good tho.
This recipe was spot on! My family loved it and it turned out so crispy. Will definitely make again!
I followed the instructions but my skin didn’t get crispy! What did I do wrong? I really wanted it to turn out great.
Sounds like you might not have scored the skin deep enough. Scoring helps the fat render out, which is key for that crispy texture!
Maybe your oven doesn’t heat evenly? It could also be that you didn’t use enough salt on the skin. Just a thought…
Pork belly? More like pork belly flop. It turned out chewy and not crispy at all! 🙁
This is the best pork belly recipe I’ve tried! So crispy and flavorful! Will make again!
I tried this too, and it turned out really good! Best I’ve made in ages!
Crispy skin is everything! 😍 I did it and turned out perfect. U should try!
So fatty! Yuck! I thought it would be leaner. Not my taste.
I get it, pork belly isn’t for everyone. But it’s meant to be a bit fatty! It’s all about that crispy skin! 😊
Would have been better with a glaze or sauce. Just kinda dry.
This recipe is amazing! The pork belly came out so crispy and full of flavor. My family loved it!
I don’t think 1 hour is enough at 375°F. Mine turned out a bit tough. Maybe cook longer?
I think you might be right about the time! My first try was tough too, but adding extra time made it perfect! Maybe try 15-20 mins more at the end.
Okay, but can I use a different oil? Olive oil isn’t my fave.
Too much salt! I couldn’t even finish it because it was so salty. Be careful with that!
meh. It was alright. Nothing special, I guess. Just pork belly.
This is a terrible idea. Pork belly is bad for you! Just eat salad.
I made this for my friends and they couldn’t stop eating it! So glad I tried this recipe.
Easy peasy! Just make sure your knife is sharp for scoring the skin. I’m not a pro, but this was delicious! 😋
I can’t believe how easy this was! I made it for my family and they couldn’t get enough! 🔥
I thought pork belly is hard to make. This changed my mind!
MEH. Just looks like a big piece of fat. Not worth it.
I don’t know about this. My pork belly turned out kinda chewy. Did I do it wrong?
What’s the point of using spices? Pork belly is already tasty on its own 😒.
This was a hit at my BBQ! Everyone wanted the recipe! So good! 💖
Crispy skin is a must!! Do not skip the resting step, trust me!