Hairy Bikers Pork Belly Recipe
If you love crispy, juicy pork with rich flavors, this Hairy Bikers Pork Belly Recipe is perfect.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg pork belly skin on
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 sticks celery chopped
- 200 ml chicken stock
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
Prepare the Pork Belly
- Score the pork skin with a sharp knife. Make 1 cm wide lines. Do not cut the meat.
Season the Meat
- Mix salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme. Rub the mix all over the pork, especially the skin.
Preheat the Oven
- Set oven to 180°C (350°F). Make sure it is fully heated before cooking the pork belly.
Arrange Vegetables
- Place onion, carrots, and celery in the roasting tray. This will lift the pork and add flavor.
Add Pork to Tray
- Place pork on top of the vegetables, skin-side up. Brush skin lightly with olive oil.
Roast Slowly
- Cook in oven for 2 hours. This allows the fat to render and meat to become tender.
Add Stock and Soy Sauce
- After 2 hours, pour chicken stock and soy sauce into tray. This keeps the pork moist.
Increase Heat for Crackling
- Turn oven to 220°C (430°F). Roast for another 20–30 minutes. Crackling will puff and become crispy.
Check Crackling
- If skin is not crispy, continue roasting in 5-minute intervals. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Rest the Meat
- Remove pork from oven. Cover loosely with foil. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Serve
- Slice pork belly into thick pieces. Serve with roasted vegetables or your favorite side dish.
Notes
- Dry the Skin Well: Pat pork skin completely dry before scoring. Moisture prevents crisp crackling.
- Use Sea Salt: Large-grain salt works best for a crunchy surface.
- Optional Glaze: Brush honey or mustard during last 10 minutes for a caramelized finish.
- Vegetable Base: Swap onions and carrots for leeks or parsnips for different flavors.
- Slow Roast Alternative: Cook at 160°C (320°F) for 3 hours for extra tender meat.