These Slow Roasted Pork Belly Bites over Jalapeno Slaw are a perfect game day or dinner party appetizer. Pork Belly Appetizers start the party off deliciously right! So flavorful and pretty atop jalapeno slaw.
My introduction to pork belly was years ago via the TV show Top Chef. For years I would see the amazing chefs on the show each season make pork belly recipes in various ways. I knew that I needed to have a pork belly recipe in my life as soon as possible!
My first taste of a recipe with pork belly was at a place called Marsha Browns, which was a popular restaurant in the trendy town of New Hope, Pennsylvania. Along the bank of the Delaware River. (If you are ever near Bucks County Pennsylvania, New Hope is a fantastic place to spend a half-day or an evening!!). I still think of that smoked pork belly bite . It was perfect!
Since I couldn't find pork belly anywhere, I decided to take matters in my own hands and ask my farmers market for a big hunk of double-smoked bacon. It was about 5 inches wide, 9 inches long and 2 inches deep. It had to be similar right??
Maybe that is what pork belly was I thought to myself, and around here they just don't call it that. I grilled it and waited for the magic to happen. I figured it was the same thing. NOPE!! It was not what I wanted it to be at all, lol!
Table of Contents
What is pork belly?
- Pork belly is a cut of meat that comes from the belly of a pig, hence its name. Pork belly is known its rich flavor and tender texture, which is achieved through a high fat content.
- It can be slow-cooked, roasted, grilled or braised. Due to its flavor and versatility many Chinese and Korean recipes feature it and these days its popular in American BBQ. Pork Belly when prepared correctly absorbs flavors beautifully.
Working with pork belly
- The key to cooking pork belly comes down to rendering some of the fat to achieve a tender meat texture.
- Slow cooking is key. That allows the some of the fat to melt away, leaving the meat very flavorful and moist.
- Crisping up the outer layer after its cooked to your liking gives it the perfect texture bite after bite.
- Some sort of sauce is also key in my opinion. One of favorite dished period is Pork Belly Burnt Ends
How do you make Slow Roasted Pork Belly Bites?
- I made these Slow Roasted Pork Belly Bites over Jalapeno Slaw for a Saturday night nibble with my husband while we enjoyed cocktails out back and watched the kids swim.
- I seasoned the heck out of them, marinated them, pan-seared the cubes. After I allowed the pork belly to slow roast in the oven for hours with just a bit of stock. Next, I took them out, blotted them dry, added the reserved marinade to a pan and cooked them until bubbly, glazed and delicious.
I used bagged slaw, threw in some thinly sliced jalapenos, tossed it with a quick homemade dressing. I grabbed a couple of small plates plopped onto each some of the slaw and each one with a pork belly bite. Then we feasted!
I have also served these bites over these Spicy Spiralized Pickled Cucumbers (ready in just a few hours).
Tips
- Make this pork belly recipe for the first time for you in a smaller batch (unless you are already familiar with cooking with pork belly.
- I have found that depending on the cut and fat content of your belly, it will cook up very differently (sometimes you need to score it, sometimes you don't).
- I think that if you use the pressure cooker method (like many did on top chef due to the time requirement), it yields the finished product much quicker and almost guarantees success. However you can make it without one as I do.
- Now that pork belly is mainstream my go to is Costco for it. They sell it both in large pieces like pictured above or even better already cut into cubes.
Ingredients for Slow Roasted Pork Belly
- pork belly
- salt & pepper
- brown sugar
- Grapeseed oil
- honey
- soy sauce
- sesame oil
- chili with garlic sauce
- scallions
- vegetable or chicken stock
Almost every recipe I have on Souffle Bombay, I stand 100% behind and know you will make it with success. This one takes a little bit of practice in my opinion. I want you to know my feelings on this, nothing worse than being excited for a dish you are making and then it goes astray! Believe me, I have been there a few times. Let's not discuss my Short Rib fail....
However a few people have emailed me or messaged me that they won various cooking competitions with this recipe for pork belly . Super cool!
If you have a proven technique for Pork Belly, I would LOVE to hear about it!!
Since this post was originally published, I have also made Asian flavored Sous Vide Pork Belly recipe, which you can find here.
You may also enjoy these super quick and super flavorful Lemon Pepper Pork Chops. They have a lot of great reviews on my TikTok (watch video here)
Storage
- Once cool, store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat and enjoy.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and fall in love with pork belly! Stay tuned for my Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe! xo - Colleen
Recipes you may enjoy
Originally posted 2016, recipe updated, October 2023.
Slow Roasted Pork Belly Bites over Jalapeno Slaw
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds of fresh pork belly cut into 2-inch cubes
- Salt & pepper
- Brown sugar
- Grapeseed oil
- 3 TBS honey
- 3 TBS soy sauce
- 1 ½ TBS sesame oil
- 1 ½ TBS chili with garlic sauce
- 2 TBS scallions
- ¾ cup vegetable or chicken stock
- For Jalapeno Cole Slaw
- 1 large jalapeno sliced thin
- ½ pound or more pound bagged coleslaw mix
- 2 TBS soy sauce
- 1 TBS rice wine vinegar
- 2 TBS sesame oil
- 1 TBS brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili with garlic sauce
Instructions
- Pat your pork belly dry. (if your belly has really thick skin, you may want to score the top first) Season with salt, pepper and just a sprinkle of brown sugar on all sides. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Add to marinade and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
- remove from marinade, reserve excess marinade (place in refrigerator) and preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
- Heat a pan, add in just a bit of oil and sear until a nice crust forms on each side. Yes it will smoke a bit, just keep going, the taste is worth the smoke.
- Once you have a beautiful crust on all sides, place belly in a dish with just a covering of stock and roast, tented in foil for 2-3 hours or until done to your liking. Check on it every 30 minutes and add just a bit more stock if necessary to keep pork from burning the dish.
- Remove from oven, place pork belly bites in a pan, cover with reserved marinade and simmer until the mixture is bubbly and the belly is coated with the sauce.
- For Jalapeno Cole Slaw
- Combine dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake vigorously until emulsified. Taste and adjust for sweetness and heat) Just before serving, toss coleslaw & jalapenos with the dressing. let sit for 5 minutes. Plate, top with pork belly & serve.
Colleen says
Thanks so much Nicole, you made my day!
Lisa says
How much pork belly for appetizer to serve 30 adults
Colleen says
Hi Lisa, I'd say 5 ounces per person. So think 1 pound for every 3 people so 9-10 pounds.
Lora @savoringitaly says
I have got to try out this recipe, my kids would be so excited! This looks fantastic and love the quick slaw you make with it!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I have a package of pork belly in my freezer. I think this recipe is what I'll make with it. Thanks for sharing. It looks amazing!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I don't know why but I've always been intimidated by pork belly! I think I can do it now after seeing this recipe!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I bet that my future sister in law would LOVE this pork belly!! Gotta make it!
Karyn @ Pint Sized Baker says
We just got a pressure gookie (darn Amazon Prime day) and I'd love to try pork belly in it. This dish sounds amazing and so full of great flavor!
Colleen says
Nice! Good luck with it, I will have to see what you make to get over my fear/stink eye of pressure cookers, lol!
Angela | Mind Over Batter says
I've always been afraid of pressure cookers. The old school ones made a noise that felt like the lid would explode ANY MINUTE and decapitate me. I don't own one as an adult. Still scared. Anyway, pork belly is life. Pork is life. Now I need to find pork belly in my hood.
Colleen says
YES!!!! That is the same with me! The little think ob the top would dance all over the place hissing and such! Unless I watch someone as the do it then get to taste something out of it I actually like, I will never lol! I wonder if Tom Colicchio would give us a lesson...and a meal??!!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
What a beautiful dish! And so easy!!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh my goodness! I need this in my life ASAP!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
Loving that slaw and spiralized cucumber dish!!!
Erin @ The Wooden Skillet says
Pork Belly is one of my most favorite! I am always looking for new ways to serve it - thanks for the awesome recipe! Can't wait to try it!
Barbara Miller says
found this on Christy Jordan's Southern Plate Meal Plan Monday #43 post. fantastic! TY
Linda says
It was delicious!
Kevin Barnes says
I made a revised version of this recently in a Big Green Egg competition. I did everything on the smoker including searing the pork belly. Out of over 40 entries I came in 3rd. Not bad for my first BBQ comp and the dish was off the hook.
Colleen says
Congratulations Kevin! Yay!!!! That's really cool, thanks so much for sharing! I'd love to see a pic if you're on Instagram...tag me!
Kristen says
How many cubes did this make? So I can figure out servings
Barbara says
What does “ just a covering of stock” mean? (When you roast the pork belly)
Colleen says
Hi Barbara, Pour enough stock (vegetable or chicken) in to just cover the pork belly while it roasts. Checking back to make sure some liquid remains so that the meat does not burn on the bottom.
Tina says
This sounds so good. I bought a pork belly slab during a Christmas sale - along with other meats - because the price was too good, and it's hard to find it here in my hometown. It's in my freezer right now. I'm thinking about making it for my birthday as a special treat. Question - other than the slaw, what other sides might you suggest if you want to "upscale" the meal for a celebration? Thanks!
Colleen says
We like serving this with Sesame Noodle - shttps://soufflebombay.com/easy-spicy-sesame-noodles/ or some sort or potato. Steamed green beans go well too https://soufflebombay.com/the-best-quick-easy-skillet-green-beans/
LovinNatralness says
Made for family as an appetizer. We loved it. Will be making again
Colleen says
Fantastic!
Glenda says
Love this recipe. You said marinate pork. Is there a recipe for tge marinade, I didn’t see one. I’ll look again. Can’t wait to try. I bought some pork belly with rib attached in a small town my husband is from. Where the most divine cuts of meat can be gotten. Mamou, Louisiana at T-Boys. Any who I’ve been looking at recipes, but hadn’t found one I like. Thanks!
David says
Looking to try this recipe tomorrow night. Question I have however is do you marinate and roast the pork belly whole and then dice into cubes or do you cube it initially and then marinate/roast?
Colleen says
Marinate cubed. Enjoy!
Eileen Kelly says
Wow, this pork belly was amazing. The brown sugar marinade is a great addition to flavor. Slow roasting the pork belly allows all that flavor to come out. We just loved this one. Then adding the jalapeno cole slaw, what a great recipe.
Kristin says
So many great flavors going on here! We are huge fans of everything jalapeno. Love the combo of sweet and heat and tangy and crunchy! I haven't done a lot with pork belly in the past but this recipe is going to change that for me! 🙂
Lisa Grant says
Everything about these bites are so delicious!
Brent says
Just finished this dish, was a big hit. The jalapeño slaw certainly tones down the sweetness, otherwise it may be too sweet.
Jasmine says
About how long would it take to cook in a pressure cooker?
Colleen says
For 2 inch or so cubes, I would first sear (after seasoning) and then once at pressure (covered with broth or water) I would for 30 minutes and then put sauce on and caramalize the outside in a pan. Good luck!