Crispy Pork Belly: The Ultimate Crispy and Juicy Recipe
Crispy Pork Belly: The Ultimate Crispy and Juicy Recipe
Elevate your weekend dinner or home party with this ‘Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside’ pork belly recipe. Perfect for a special occasion with your loved one, it’s designed to be easy for anyone to follow, resulting in a stunning and delicious meal. Experience the rich texture and flavor of perfectly cooked pork belly!
Main Ingredients- Pork belly (o-gyeopsal or samgyeopsal) 600g (preferably a thick cut)
- King oyster mushrooms 4
- Whole garlic cloves
Seasoning- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Herb salt (optional, for added flavor)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Herb salt (optional, for added flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Score the fatty side of the whole pork belly in 1cm intervals. This scoring technique helps the fat render and crisp up beautifully, while also allowing seasonings to penetrate for deeper flavor.
Step 2
Season the scored pork belly generously with salt and black pepper. For an extra layer of aroma and taste, use herb salt as well. Let the seasoned pork belly rest for a moment.
Step 3
Preheat your air fryer to 120°C (250°F). Place the seasoned pork belly inside and cook for 2.5 hours. Cooking at a low temperature for an extended period is key to rendering the fat slowly, ensuring the inside remains tender and juicy while preparing the exterior for crisping.
Step 4
Carefully pour the rendered pork fat from the air fryer into a pan. Add about 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil. Place the pork belly, fatty side down, in the pan over low heat and cook for an additional 10 minutes. This final step is crucial for achieving that perfect ‘crispy’ texture on the fatty parts. Keep a close eye on the heat to prevent burning.
Step 5
While the pork belly is finishing, use the remaining rendered fat in the pan to cook the king oyster mushrooms and whole garlic cloves. The mushrooms will become tender and golden, and the garlic will sweeten, making them delicious companions to the crispy pork belly.
Step 6
Once perfectly cooked, slice the crispy pork belly into bite-sized pieces and arrange them artfully on a serving platter. For an even more delightful meal, serve with fresh kimchi and a zesty scallion salad. Enjoy this spectacular dish for a memorable occasion!
