Do you remember the lovely ladies that I introduced you to, Sonia and Krista, from Gunpowder Ranch and Roasting (They’re the urban California girls who now run a ranch here in Bend, Oregon.)? In our last order from them, we asked for fresh pork belly – 10 pounds of it! The only problem was that we’d never actually cooked pork belly.
If you’ve had poorly cooked pork belly – chewy or otherwise unpleasant, you know that technique is important. We looked at several recipes and settled on the master recipe from Momofuku, which Dave Chang was kind enough to share at Lucky Peach. We expected that, when it came to pork belly, he probably knew what he was talking about. What we didn’t expect was how ridiculously simple the recipe would be!
How to Cook Pork Belly
We started with a one-pound slab of fresh pork belly.
Seasoned it with a dry rub of sugar, salt and a little bit of pepper. (side note: I love my husband’s hands. Aren’t they nice? Just sayin’.)
We covered the seasoned pork belly and refrigerated it overnight.
And the next day roasted it – in a hot oven for the first 30 minutes and then for an hour at a lower heat.
And that’s it.
You can eat it just like this or wrap it tightly and refrigerate, then slice and reheat as needed for spicy lettuce wraps, pork buns, ramen, noodle stir-fry or… Hungry yet?
- 1 pound skinless pork belly
- 2 teaspoons fine salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- a few grinds of black pepper
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Season pork belly with salt sugar and a few grinds of black pepper. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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Preheat oven to 450°F.
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Roast pork belly for 30 minutes, fat side up. Reduce heat to 275°F and roast for an hour or more, until tender but not mushy. (Larger pieces of pork belly will take longer. Our one-pound belly was done after an hour at 275°F.)
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Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate until chilled through - at least a few hours and up to 2 days.
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Once chilled, slice into thick pieces and brown in a small amount of oil or warm in stock or water if you're making ramen or ?? Enjoy!
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Welcome and thanks for being here! I'm Marissa, here with approachable and delicious real food recipes inspired by the seasons. 
Great technique! I was looking for ways to tweak my cooking method and yours was perfection.
Thought I’d add: If you’re looking for more of an asian twist, I like to incorporate a salpicao-esque marinade. I recommend using a combo of soy sauce (1/4 cup), Worcestershire sauce (However much you’d like to match the soy sauce but I like a good bit), two or three bay leaves, and red pepper flakes).
And if you like vinegar, I like to make a mixture of white and rice wine vinegar in a bottle, throw in slices of jalapeno and a couple garlic cloves for a spicy dipping sauce. Goes great with rice.
Can’t wait to try this, it will be my first time making pork belly! My pork is 1.5 lbs, but is rather thin compared to what I see in other recipe examples. Do you think I still need to add additional time for the extra 1/2 lb?
Hi Amanda! I’d keep an eye on it during the high temperature phase at the beginning so that it doesn’t scorch. You may want to cook it longer at the lower temperature because of the extra weight. My best guess is 75 to 90 minutes. I’d love to hear how it goes.:)
Hi Marissa, This is my first try at a pork belly! Trying it for Fathers Day. I am following your instructions as it seemed the easiest and best. My only question is if the meat is almost 2 pounds does that change the time for the beginning low temp? I know ultimately the end time will be more. Thanks looks great!
My previous question should have said “the beginning High temp! and P.S. Yes your husbands hands are nice 🙂
😉
Marissa, it was such a success! I increased the salt and sugar for the overnight process. The beginning high temp was fine at 30 minutes but I cooked it for 90 minutes at the 275. Turned out perfect! we sliced it and put it on the grill to crisp it up even more. Thanks for a great recipe, its a keeper.
That is fantastic, Marilyn! So sweet of you to come back and let me know.
That’s wonderful, Marilyn! I haven’t cooked that large a piece, but my guess is that the beginning high temp will be enough to get that crispness you want. Then you’ll likely need to add on a little time at the lower temperature. I’d love to hear how it goes!! Have a great time today. 🙂
I’m going to try your recipe this morning. What is it that you skin??? Thanks in advance.
Hi Ed – some butchers sell pork belly with the skin on, others with it already removed. If you’re asking what to skin, I bet that you have pork belly that already has the skin removed. 🙂
Aloha ! I made this and then I used the sliced pork belly in tacos like your other recipe and it was FABULOUS !!
or as we say here in Hawaii, it was ONO !
Aloha!! That’s wonderful, Dawn! We just got back from Hawaii – attending our niece’s college graduation – and, I must say that Hawaii is also ONO! 🙂
HI, I have a half pound piece of pork belly and no clue how to cook it. Found you! Shall I cut the roasting time to roast my little piece?
Hi Julie,
I haven’t cooked a piece smaller than a pound, but think it would take a similar amount of time. You might shave 5 minutes off the initial 30 minutes of high heat roasting time and start checking it for doneness / crispiness after 45 or 50 minutes at the lower temp. Let me know how it goes!
Thank you for the reply! I roasted it this morning for actually a bit less time and it was delicious! I did 425 for 20 minutes and 275 for about 40 min. Thank you again.
That’s fantastic, Julie! So sweet of you to come back to let me know.
Marissa I was fortunate to find your site just as I was getting ready to do a 2 pound pork belly. I used my usual pork rub that I use for my pork shoulders when I smoke them, brown sugar, coriander, black pepper, salt, onion and garlic. Roasted per your description with the exception of doing it on a rack over a sheet pan, turned out spectacular. Thank you for the ideas!
Hi, Dave! So glad the pork belly turned out so well – sounds delicious!
Hello Marissa,
Did you use all the sugar and salt mixture on pork belly??
Hi, Chelsea. Yes – rub it on all sides of the pork belly. 🙂
I cannot eat sugar or sugar substitute. Do you think honey would work here? Wonder how much.?
Hi there. I haven’t tried this with honey. My only concern is that the honey might burn at the high initial temperature. If I was going to try it, I’d brush the pork belly with a tablespoon of honey and cook at 350°F (instead of 450°F) and then stick to the rest of the recipe. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it goes.
Marissa, it worked out great. Just a hint of sweetness using 1tbsp. May go with a little tiny bit more next time.
I did 400 degrees for 30 min and 1 hour at 275 degrees like you suggested. Perfect. Thanks for the info and great recipe.
That’s fantastic! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Hi,
After just the 30 minutes at 450°, the pork had reached an internal temp of over 160°. Is it necessary to keep roasting it?
Hi Adam – Honestly, I’ve never taken the internal temperature after the first part of the cooking time. But after the full cooking time, the pork is certainly not overcooked. The second part of the cook time at the much lower temperature is what gives the pork belly that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
What about on a grill? Need any adjustment s to cook it on the grill?
Hi Chris…Great question. I haven’t tried this on the grill, so I can’t give you a great answer. The main concern I have about using the grill is a consistent temperature. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes.
Hi, I lived in Korea for many years and know that inditect heat bbqing will yield fantastic results. Slam it first with high heat like the post indicates, and then hope hope u have enough alcohol and/or patience to see the beautiful, blistered skin you have been in need of.
Hi Marissa, I just visited the Gunpowder Ranch website and see that they are no longer in Bend. Do you have another local source for pork?
Hi Cindy – I know, I’m bummed! They’re in Ashland now…it’s almost worth a road trip. 🙂 There is another resource near Bend though – DD Ranch. Here’s the link.
Thanks Marissa. I will give them a try.
HI, I am going to try this, one question what about the skin? On or off?
Thanks
Hi Murray. We’re making it again this week too. 🙂 Skin off… Enjoy!
I’m so interested in making this, but my husband and I are trying to eliminate sugar. Would it ruin the recipe to leave it out?
Hi Elizabeth…honestly I recommend leaving the sugar – it’s a tiny amount for a full pound of meat and is what gives the pork those wonderful caramelized edges. The pork belly is enough for at least 8 servings, so it’s about 1/4 teaspoon per serving.
Thank you! Now I’m wondering how much sugar we’ve unknowingly ingested when ordering this at our local restaurant! 🙂
I have a 5 lb. piece from costco and am not quite sure how to prepare such a large piece and also how to eat it. With noodles? Rice? Can I freeze it after I cook it?
Lucky you, Elisa! 🙂 I like to cook 1 pound at a time as it’s very rich and you won’t need much per person – about 8 servings per pound. Once it’s chilled and you cut it into slices and then crisp it up in a pan, it’s very versatile. Yes, with noodles and rice. It’s great on ramen, in lettuce wraps – use it anywhere you would use bacon.
I buy several pounds of pork belly at a time and freeze it in 1-pound pieces. Honestly, I haven’t had to freeze any that I’ve cooked, but would be comfortable doing so as I’ve frozen cooked bacon many times.
I hope your pork belly turns out beautifully. Let me know how it goes.
Can you leave the skin on in slices?
Hi Eddie. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it – better to skin the pork belly.
Would a dry rub work with this?
Hi Ginger – that’s a great question. I haven’t tried that – my only concern is that the herbs in the rub may scorch in the first 30 minutes at high temp.
Do I need to cover the pork belly in the oven? Or do I just leave it in a pan?
Hi Jackie – just leave it in the pan. 🙂
Hi no rack in the roasting pan? I see some recipes call for a rack others do not. I’m going to go with however you did it 🙂
Hi, Christoper. No rack required! 🙂
Hi Marissa, I made your pork belly recipe last night and it was AMAZING!! I’ve been terrified to make my own pork belly for some time but it was easy and totally worth it! Thanks!
That’s awesome, Shauna!! Thanks for coming back to let me know…
No…just cook as is! 🙂
What pan did you use to bake it?
Hi Lawrence…I used an enameled cast iron pan. A plain cast iron pan would also work well.
This recipe is so simple but so delicious. I made it ahead of time and sliced it and heated it up and served it with white rice and cucumber and tomato salad. Delicious!!!
That’s awesome, Kim! That salad sounds like the perfect complement…
This looks delish! Question: Do you cook the pork belly fat-side down? I’ve always thought fat-side up creates the cracklins? Can’t wait to make this today!!
That’s a great question! Yes, I do cook it fat side up and I’ll make a note of it in the recipe. Thank you!
Awesome! Thanks for the response, and the amazing recipe!
Is the refrigerating/reheating necessary? I’m planning on having this straight out the oven(with time to cool of course)
Hi Deni – it’s delicious right out of the oven! No need to wait if you don’t want to. Enjoy!
Made this yesterday and it was Awesome! Easy prep and super yummy. I cooked it in the morning for use later in the day, and it took all we had not to nosh on it when it came out of the oven a glorious caramelized, tender piece of porky goodness. This recipe is a keeper!
That’s fantastic, Jen! Thanks for coming back to let me know…and I know what you mean about not eating it straight out of the oven. Though I’d be lying if I told you that we don’t ALWAYS have a bite or two. 🙂
Hi Marissa! Do I turn the pork while it’s baking?
Hi Michelle – nope, no need. 🙂 Enjoy!
This looks amazing! Two questions: do you season both sides or just the meat side?
Also, do I have to refrigerate over night? Can I do it for 6-8 hours? Thanks!
Hi Karen, and thanks! I season the meat on all sides and 6-8 hours should be enough. I haven’t tried this yet, but I’ve been thinking about trying this like a Hasselback potato so that the seasoning touches the interior meat as well. (Like this – http://bit.ly/1fMOdg8) – If you try it, will you let me know how it goes?
Is there a difference between using white, raw, or brown sugar?
Hi Nadja – White or raw will work. I don’t recommend brown sugar as the molasses in it might scorch.
This looks amazing! I have some pork belly left in the freezer, so excited to test this out tonight!
I would like to invite you to come a Chicory App recipe partner. Are you interested?
Thank you!
I’ve always wanted to cook my own pork belly but the task seemed to daunting. Need to try this recipe! It looks awesome!
I’ve always thought of pork belly as being super complicated to make…but apparently not! I guess with all that fat, you really can’t go wrong.
This looks just mouthwatering! Love the added crisp!
I love pork belly! I have never prepared it this way, simply roasted. Looks fantastically tender and mouthwatering delicious! I can’t wait to try this method! Thanks for sharing & Cheers!
Pork is one of my favourite meats to enjoy! Love the crispiness! So good!
I’ve only had pork belly one time, and that was at a food conference – but I have to admit, it was tasty!
Seriously delicious! I can’t wait to try this as a topping for some of our ramen noodles and veggies. .
My husband adores pork belly, but I have a hard time with it. Probably because I’ve had the chewy or otherwise unpleasant kind! I will have to give your recipe a try- it sounds simple and looks delish!
Yes, I certainly am hungry yet! For some reason I thought pork belly had to be cooked for much much longer. Now this not-very-good-at-cooking-meat person feels a bit more confident about givin g this a go!! 🙂
Helen, yours will turn out perfectly! Promise that you’ll try it… 🙂
I’m in trouble now — up until I read your post I’ve only had pork belly at restaurants for special occassions. Make it at home??? Too much deliciousness 🙂
Sorry about that. 😉 Now you’ll have to try it at home too…
Wow, your oven roasted crispy pork belly is perfect to make a cassoulet (French dish)!!
We love cassoulet! What a wonderful idea…
WHAT?! It’s THAT easy?? OK. You know this is going to make an appearance on my blog someday very soon….
PS I have a crush on David Chang. We arrived 1 hour before the restaurant opened to make sure we got a seat. And the military precision and planning we invested into ensuring we succeeded in getting a reservation through his online only booking system for his Sydney Momofuku restaurant was impressive. There were four of us online at the same time, on a conference call, waiting to hit “Submit” the minute the clock ticked over to 9am. We got a reservation!! (Actually, we accidentally made a triple reservation. Oops!)
I love that story, Nagi! And I’m so jealous that you’ve actually eaten there.
I still can’t believe how simple it is to make super flavorful, melt-in-your mouth pork belly. I’d have made it much sooner had I known! Can’t wait to see what you’ll do with it…
yes, Chef David Chang is the master!!!! and I LOVE crispy pork belly!!!! one of my fave indulgences!!! love this, Marissa!!!
Hi is, isn’t he!? I love the way he writes his recipes too – it feels like he’s right, a friend guiding you through his recipes.
Love pork belly, but never cooked it myself! Love this recipe, need to try it! looks awesome!
Thank you, Mira! Yes, definitely try it – it’s easy as can be and so good!
That’s a beautiful piece of pork belly. In fact just reading through your post made my mouth water! 😀
It really was, Lorraine! I’m always relieved when a cut of meat is beautiful under that butcher paper when I haven’t seen it in advance!
That looks like it could melt in my mouth. Eat some now, eat some in a pork bun later. Yum times a thousand.
Exactly! We ate it just as it was pictured the first day, then in a bean thread noodle stir fry and then in ramen. How’s that for a versatile cut of meat! 😉
I can never resist pork belly and I love when it is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside!
That’s exactly how I like it too, Ashley! 🙂
You just whispered my two favourite words: pork & belly. I’m feeling faint. And hungry. 🙂
We’ll come on over and I’ll whip up a batch just for you! 🙂
Holy smokes, simple and ridiculously delicious – sign me up. Looks fantastic, I have several I purchased recently in the freezer from a nearby Asian market (crazy inexpensive). Can’t wait to try this one.
That’s wonderful, Kevin! Yes!! Definitely try it – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Hi Marissa! I just happen to have some pork belly in my freezer and it’s going into the oven very soon! This looks fantastic! I’m thinking this would be good along side of a nice fresh salad!
That’s exactly what we paired this with, Dorothy! Great minds think alike, right? 😉 It’s so rich that it doesn’t take much to make it a meal.
Wow, I never knew it was so easy! And it looks incredible – definitely hungry now! P.S. Your hubby does have nice hands!!
XO
Awww, thank you so much! And, I know what you mean! I read Dave’s recipe twice before I decided to make it thinking, “How can it be that simple!?”
Marissa that is gorgeous! There is a very special technique in making pork belly but it’s not that hard is it!!! I love that you introduced me to gun powder ranch!!! I am going over to look at them now! This looks really fantastic! Well done!
Thank you so much! And yes, not hard at all, but so very good. 🙂
Wow! That IS easy! It just goes to show that when you have a really awesome ingredient, you don’t need much to make it magical. And oh that crispy wonderfulness on the outside… Marissa, you’re making me drool!
You’re exactly right, Kathleen! In fact, Keith and I had 3 little slices each and it was plenty – so rich!