Crispy pork belly recipe with just 3 ingredients

If you love pork belly like me, you’re in for a treat! This recipe is so straightforward, you won’t believe how simple it is. Just three seasonings and a couple of steps, and you’ll have yourself a perfect balance of crunchy and juicy pork belly bites that are truly delightful. This has been a popular recipe in my family since my childhood, and I hope you love it too. You can enjoy these crispy pork belly bites as a snack, side dish, or part of a larger meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It uses minimal ingredients, letting the pork belly’s natural flavors stand out.
• A straightforward cooking process that requires no special equipment or ingredients.
• The meat comes out crispy and with a delicious, well-seasoned finish.
• It is versatile as it pairs well with various dips, sauces, or side dishes.

Ingredients for a crispy pork belly

• 5 strips of pork belly: These may be super fatty, but don’t worry because most of the fat will be rendered in the cooking process. Cut the strips into bite-sized pieces.
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided into two
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 5 small hot green peppers (optional – for garnishing)

Steps for a crispy pork belly

1. Prepare the Pork Belly

Start by cutting the pork belly strips into bite-sized pieces. This ensures that each piece will cook evenly and crisp up beautifully. Keep the pieces a little large because they will shrink significantly as the fat is rendered during cooking. Too small pieces would dry up too much and get tough.

2. Season and Boil the Pork Belly

Place the pork belly pieces in a pot. Lightly season the pork with salt and half of the black pepper, and add about a third of a cup of water. Cover and let the meat cook on medium-high heat until the pork is well done and most of the moisture has evaporated. This process renders some of the fat and helps tenderize the meat while keeping it flavorful.

3. Fry in Rendered Fat

Once the water has dried up and the pork belly is cooked, reduce the heat to medium. The pork will begin to fry in its own rendered fat. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. Let the pieces fry until they turn golden brown and crispy. This can take about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of your cuts. Do not over-fry the meat as it will get dry and tough.

4. Drain Excess Oil and Season

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crispy pork belly onto a plate and drain the excess oil off the pot. Return the pork to the pot and immediately season it with paprika and the remaining black pepper, tossing the pieces to ensure even coating.

5. Garnish and Serve

Finally, garnish the crispy pork belly with whole hot green peppers. If you don’t mind spicy, then slice the peppers for an extra kick of heat. Serve hot and enjoy with your favorite side dish or dipping sauce. In Kenya, these pork bites are typically served with ugali and some kachumbari or leafy greens like sauteed kale or cabbage.

Tips for the Perfect Crispy Pork Belly

• Use fresh pork belly: Fresh pork belly with a good balance of meat and fat will yield the best results.
• Patience is key: Letting the pork render its own fat before crisping up ensures a perfect texture. Also, do not fry the meat on high heat as its exterior will darken before much fat is rendered, and the results will not be crispy meat.
• Season immediately: Adding paprika and black pepper while the pork is still hot allows the flavors to stick better. So, do not let the meat cool down in the process of draining the excess fat.
• Customize the seasoning: Feel free to experiment with additional seasonings like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, or a touch of soy sauce for extra umami. My goal here, though, is to keep it really simple.

Additional Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy as a standalone snack or appetizer.
• Pair with a simple side of rice and/or sautéed vegetables.
• Serve with a spicy chili sauce for extra flavor.
• Add to salads or noodle dishes for a crispy, savory touch.

Conclusion

This crispy pork belly brings out the best in simple ingredients. Follow my easy steps and you will achieve a perfectly crispy, flavorful pork belly with minimal effort. It is a dish that is bound to impress any pork lover. I hope you give it a try!

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