Crispy Oven-Roasted Pork Belly
The Ultimate Crispy Oven-Roasted Pork Belly: A Must-Try Recipe!
Inspired by a mouth-watering video from Yukshikman’s YouTube channel, I decided to try making this incredibly delicious oven-roasted pork belly. It’s truly a showstopper!
Ingredients- Whole pork belly (approx. 2kg)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Montreal steak seasoning (or your preferred herb blend)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Once your whole pork belly arrives, let it thaw completely in the refrigerator for a full day. This ensures the meat remains tender and minimizes moisture loss during cooking.
Step 2
Carefully remove any remaining stray hairs from the pork belly skin by holding a knife parallel to the surface and gently scraping.
Step 3
Pat the entire surface of the pork belly thoroughly dry with paper towels. Ensuring there is no moisture is crucial for achieving a crispy skin.
Step 4
Season the bottom side of the pork belly (the side without skin) generously with Montreal steak seasoning. Feel free to use your favorite herb blend or simply salt and pepper for a classic flavor.
Step 5
Next, score the skin in a diamond pattern at approximately 1cm intervals, being careful not to cut into the meat too deeply. You want to just see the fat layer slightly.
Step 6
Sprinkle salt evenly over the scored skin. This step helps to draw out moisture through osmosis, which is key for crisping up the skin.
Step 7
Let the pork belly rest for about 10 minutes. You’ll notice small beads of moisture forming on the skin. Gently blot this moisture away with paper towels.
Step 8
Place the pork belly on a rack set inside a baking tray. Roast in a preheated oven or air fryer at 140°C (285°F) for 120 minutes (2 hours). Slow roasting at a low temperature helps to cook the meat through and keep it juicy.
Step 9
After 2 hours, carefully remove the pork belly from the oven. It might look like it needs more cooking, but this is the stage where we’ll focus on crisping the skin.
Step 10
In a frying pan, heat a small amount of the rendered pork fat from the roasting pan. Place the pork belly skin-side down into the hot pan. Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and irresistibly crispy. Be cautious of splattering oil!
Step 11
And here it is – the perfectly finished crispy oven-roasted pork belly! The skin is incredibly crackly, much like fried chicken coating. Slice it into your desired pieces and enjoy immediately while it’s warm.
Step 12
This dish is an absolute triumph and perfect for impressing guests or celebrating a special occasion. It’s a recipe that guarantees a ‘wow’ factor!
