Crispy Five-Spice Pork Belly

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour 30 min
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

If you're looking to impress with minimal effort, this Crispy Five-Spice Pork Belly is the way to go. With a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and aromatic spices, this dish will elevate any meal. It's a great way to enjoy a restaurant-quality dish right at home.

Ingredients for Crispy Five-Spice Pork Belly

The star of the show is the pork belly, with its perfect mix of fat and meat. You'll want to keep the skin on for that irresistible crispy texture. Chinese five-spice powder brings warmth and complexity, featuring notes of star anise, cloves, and cinnamon. A touch of salt and black pepper enhances the flavors. For the marinade, honey adds sweetness, soy sauce brings umami, and rice vinegar offers a hint of acidity. Garlic and ginger add depth, while vegetable oil helps with even browning.

Tips & Tricks

  • For even crispier skin, dry the pork belly uncovered in the fridge overnight before cooking.
  • If you find the skin is browning too quickly, cover it with foil and continue roasting.
  • Use a sharp knife or box cutter for scoring the skin; it makes the task much easier.

Serving Suggestions

This pork belly pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice and a side of stir-fried greens like bok choy or spinach. You could also serve it with a light cucumber salad dressed with a touch of soy sauce and sesame oil to refresh the palate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of pork?
While pork belly is ideal for this recipe, pork shoulder can be used. Just adjust the cooking times accordingly.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Is there a substitute for five-spice powder?
You can make a basic version by mixing equal parts of ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns.

Crispy Five-Spice Pork Belly Recipe Walkthrough

First, get your oven preheated to 375°F. While it's warming up, focus on the pork belly. Pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the skin crisp up nicely. Score the skin in a crisscross pattern, but be careful not to cut too deeply into the meat.

In a small bowl, mix the five-spice powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mix all over the pork belly, making sure to get into those scores you just made. This step is crucial for flavor infusion.

Next, let’s tackle the marinade. In another bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. This mixture should smell divine! Brush it generously over the pork belly, ensuring every part is coated well.

Now, set a wire rack over a baking sheet and place your pork belly on it, skin side up. This setup allows the heat to circulate and helps achieve that coveted crispy skin. Roast it in the oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it towards the end to prevent any burning.

For that extra crunch, switch to broil on high for an additional 5-10 minutes. Stay close by to avoid over-browning. Once done, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the juices redistribute, ensuring tender meat.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfectly crispy skin that crackles with each bite.
  • Deep, rich flavors thanks to the five-spice and ginger.
  • Impresses guests without demanding complex techniques.
  • Works well for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients

2 lbs pork belly, skin on
1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch ginger, grated
1 tbsp vegetable oil

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels and score the skin in a crisscross pattern.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the five-spice powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork belly, ensuring to get into the scored skin.
5. In another bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger to form a marinade.
6. Brush the marinade over the pork, ensuring it is well coated.
7. Place the pork belly on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, skin side up.
8. Roast in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the pork is cooked through.
9. For extra crispiness, broil the pork belly on high for an additional 5-10 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
10. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!