35 Best Pork Belly Recipes

Dish & Tell Team

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Pork belly recipes are some of the most beloved dishes in Filipino cooking. If you have ever bitten into a piece of perfectly crispy lechon kawali or enjoyed tender pork adobo with rice, you know exactly what I mean. Pork belly, or liempo as we call it in the Philippines, is the star of countless family gatherings and everyday meals.

 

I have been cooking pork belly recipes for over three decades now, and I still get excited every time I hear that crackling sound when the skin turns golden and crispy. There is something special about this cut of meat. The layers of fat keep it juicy, the skin turns into amazing crackling, and it takes on flavor beautifully whether you fry it, roast it, grill it, or braise it.

This collection brings together 35 of my favorite pork belly recipes. I organized them by cooking method so you can easily find what you are looking for, whether you want something crispy for a celebration or something tender and saucy for a cozy weeknight dinner. Each recipe has been tested many times in my own kitchen, and I am sharing the tips I learned along the way to help you get great results every single time.

What is Pork Belly (Liempo)?

Pork belly is a boneless cut of meat from the underside of the pig. It has beautiful layers of meat and fat running through it, which is why it becomes so tender and flavorful when cooked. In the Philippines, we call it liempo, and it holds a special place in our food culture.

Pork Belly

Pork Belly vs Bacon

You might be wondering how pork belly is different from bacon. They actually come from the same part of the pig. The difference is that bacon is cured and smoked, while pork belly is fresh and uncured. Pork belly also comes with the skin attached, and that skin is what gives us the amazing crackling we all love in dishes like lechon kawali and bagnet.

bacon wrapped sea scallop in herbed butter sauce recipe

Why Filipinos Love Pork Belly

Filipino families have been cooking liempo for generations. It shows up at birthday parties, fiestas, Christmas celebrations, and New Year gatherings. But it is also something we enjoy on regular days when we want a satisfying meal.

The versatility of pork belly is what makes it so special. You can:

Deep fry it for crispy lechon kawali

Roast it in the oven for lechon liempo

Grill it for smoky inihaw na liempo

Braise it for tender adobo or humba

Air fry it for a healthier crispy option

No matter how you cook it, pork belly always delivers on flavor and satisfaction.

How to Choose the Best Pork Belly

Getting good results starts with picking the right piece of pork belly at the store. After years of selecting pork belly for my recipes, here are the things I always look for:

Pork Belly

Thickness

Look for a piece that is at least 1.5 inches thick and has even thickness throughout. If one end is much thinner than the other, it will cook unevenly. The thin parts might dry out before the thick parts are done. For lechon kawali, I prefer pieces that are about 2 inches thick.

Fat to Meat Ratio

A good piece of pork belly has nice alternating layers of meat and fat. This marbling is what keeps the meat juicy and gives it flavor. Avoid pieces that are mostly fat with very little meat, or pieces that are too lean. The fat renders during cooking and bastes the meat from the inside.

Fresh vs Vacuum Packed

When possible, buy pork belly fresh from the butcher counter instead of the pre-packaged ones. Vacuum packed pork belly sits in its own juices, which makes the skin wet and wrinkled. This can affect how crispy the skin gets when you cook it.

If you can only find vacuum packed, make sure to:

Pat the skin completely dry with paper towels

Leave it uncovered in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight

The dry fridge air will help dry out the skin

Skin Condition

The skin should be dry and relatively flat. Wrinkled or wet skin is harder to get crispy. If the skin has been scored (those shallow cuts you sometimes see), check that the cuts do not go too deep into the meat. Deep cuts can cause juices to bubble up during cooking, which prevents the skin from getting crispy.

Where to Buy Pork Belly

I usually buy my pork belly from:

Costco – They have large slabs at good prices, great for feeding a crowd

Asian markets – Often have fresh pork belly at the butcher counter

Local butcher shops – Can cut it to your preferred thickness

Grocery stores – Check the meat counter, not just the pre-packaged section

Essential Pork Belly Cooking Methods

Before we get to the recipes, let me give you a quick overview of the main ways to cook pork belly. Each method gives you a different result, so you can choose based on what you are in the mood for.

Deep Frying

how to cook lechon kawali

This is the classic Filipino way. The pork is boiled first until tender, then deep fried until the skin becomes incredibly crispy. The meat stays juicy inside while the outside turns golden and crunchy. This method gives you the crispiest crackling but uses the most oil.

Oven Roasting

Lechon Belly

Great when you want crispy pork belly without all the oil. The pork roasts slowly in the oven, then gets blasted with high heat at the end to crisp up the skin. This is how I make Roasted Pork Belly for holiday dinners.

Grilling (Inihaw na Liempo)

Grilled Liempo Panlasang Pinoy

Gives pork belly a smoky, charred flavor that is hard to beat. We call this inihaw na liempo, and it is a staple at Filipino barbecues. The marinade caramelizes on the grill and creates those beautiful grill marks.

Braising

liempo estofado recipe

Turns pork belly into fall apart tender meat in a flavorful sauce. This is the method for pork adobo, estofado, and humba. The long, slow cooking breaks down the fat and connective tissue until the meat is incredibly soft.

Air Frying

turbo crispy liempo recipe

A newer method that gives you crispy results with less oil. I have been experimenting with this more lately, and the results are surprisingly good.

Crispy Fried Pork Belly Recipes

Nothing beats the satisfying crunch of perfectly fried pork belly. These recipes show you different ways to achieve that crispy skin and tender meat that Filipinos love so much. The key is always the same: boil until tender, dry completely, then fry until golden.

Oven Roasted Pork Belly Recipes

Oven roasting is my go to method when I want crispy pork belly without the mess of deep frying. The slow roasting makes the meat incredibly tender, and the high heat at the end crisps up the skin beautifully. These recipes are perfect for special occasions when you want something impressive.

Grilled Pork Belly Recipes

Grilled pork belly has a smoky, charred flavor that you cannot get from any other cooking method. The marinade caramelizes on the grill and creates those irresistible grill marks. These recipes are perfect for backyard barbecues, outdoor gatherings, or anytime you want that grilled flavor.

Braised Pork Belly Recipes

Braised pork belly is comfort food at its finest. The long, slow cooking turns the meat incredibly tender and allows it to soak up all the flavors of the sauce. These are the dishes I make when I want something hearty and satisfying, especially on cold or rainy days.

Other Delicious Pork Belly Dishes

These recipes do not fit neatly into one category, but they are all wonderful ways to enjoy pork belly. Some combine different cooking methods, while others pair pork belly with vegetables and other ingredients for complete meals.

What to Serve with Pork Belly

Pork belly is rich and flavorful, so I like to serve it with things that balance out that richness. Here are my favorite pairings:

Rice

Bacon Garlic Fried Rice-

Rice is essential with pork belly. Here are some options:

Plain steamed rice – The classic choice

Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice) – Crispy garlic adds another layer of flavor

Java Rice – The turmeric and aromatics complement pork belly well

Dipping Sauces

lechon sauce recipe

The right dipping sauce can elevate your pork belly:

Lechon Sauce – Sweet and savory, perfect for crispy pork belly

Spiced Vinegar – Tangy and spicy, cuts through the richness

Toyomansi – Simple soy sauce with calamansi, great for grilled pork

Pickled Sides

Ensaladang Talong

Pickled dishes cut through the richness of pork belly:

Soups

Classic Chicken Tinola

A bowl of soup on the side helps balance a rich pork belly meal:

Fridge

Let the pork belly cool to room temperature (but not more than 2 hours), then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3 to 4 days. For braised dishes like adobo, store the pork in its sauce to keep it moist.

Freezer

Pork belly freezes well for up to 3 months. Here is how I do it:

Let it cool completely

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap

Put it in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible

Label with the date

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating

Reheating Crispy Pork Belly

The air fryer is the best way to reheat crispy pork belly and restore its crunch:

Set your air fryer to 375F

Heat for 5 to 8 minutes until the skin is crispy again

No need to add oil

You can also use the oven:

Preheat to 400F

Place pork on a wire rack over a baking sheet

Heat for 10 to 15 minutes until crispy

Reheating Braised Pork Belly

Reheat in a pan over low heat with the sauce

Add a few tablespoons of water.

Cover and heat until warmed through

You can also microwave covered, stirring halfway through

What is the difference between lechon kawali and bagnet?

Both are crispy fried pork belly, but there are some differences. Lechon kawali is usually seasoned before frying with salt, pepper, and aromatics in the boiling liquid. Traditional bagnet from Ilocos uses no seasoning at all. The pork is simply boiled and fried, letting the natural pork flavor shine through. Bagnet is also typically fried longer for extra crispiness and is traditionally served with bagoong.

Can I make crispy pork belly without deep frying?

Yes, you can use the oven or air fryer. For oven roasting, cook the pork belly at low temperature (325F to 350F) until tender, then blast it with high heat (450F or higher) to crisp up the skin. Air frying also works well for smaller pieces. Check out my Crispy Pork Belly Chips recipe for an air fryer method. The results are not exactly the same as deep frying, but still delicious.

How do I prevent the skin from being rubbery?

Rubbery skin usually means one of these issues:

The skin did not get dry enough before cooking. Make sure to pat it completely dry.

The heat was not high enough at the end. You need high heat to crisp the skin.

The pork was not boiled long enough. The skin needs to be tender before frying.

For best results, dry the skin in the fridge overnight and make sure your oil is at the right temperature (around 350F) before frying.

What cut of pork can I use instead of pork belly?

For braised recipes like adobo and humba, pork shoulder or pork butt can work. They are leaner but still have enough fat to stay moist during long cooking. For crispy recipes like lechon kawali, pork belly is really the best choice because of the skin and fat content that makes the crackling possible.

How long should I marinate pork belly?

It depends on the recipe:

For grilled pork belly (inihaw na liempo): At least 1 hour, but overnight is even better

For braised dishes: You can skip marinating since the pork cooks in the sauce and absorbs flavor that way

For oven roasted pork belly: Overnight marinating gives the best flavor

Why is my fried pork belly tough?

The pork was probably not boiled long enough before frying. The meat needs to be tender before it goes into the oil. If it is tough after frying, there is no way to fix it. Next time, boil longer until a fork slides in easily with no resistance. For a 2 pound piece of pork belly, this usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Can I use pork belly without skin?

Yes, skinless pork belly works fine for braised dishes. For crispy recipes, you will not get the crackling, but the meat will still be delicious. The fat in pork belly keeps it moist and flavorful even without the skin.

I hope this collection helps you find your new favorite pork belly recipe. Each one has been tested and enjoyed by my family over the years, and I know you will love them too. If you have questions about any of these recipes or want to share how yours turned out, leave a comment below and I will do my best to help.

Happy cooking!

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