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This Caramelized Honey Glazed Pork Belly is a show-stopping dish with rich, tender pork complemented by a sticky, sweet glaze. The pork belly’s skin crisps up beautifully during roasting, while the inside stays moist and tender. The glaze, made with honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a hint of sesame oil, creates a balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors. Perfect for a special occasion or a decadent weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

2 lbs pork belly, skin-on
4 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons water
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Directions

Preheat the Oven:
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
Prepare the Pork Belly:
Score the skin of the pork belly in a crisscross pattern, making sure not to cut into the meat. Season the pork belly with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
Sear the Pork Belly:
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the pork belly skin-side down and sear until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Turn and sear the other sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Glaze:
In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Roast the Pork Belly:
Return the pork belly to the skillet and pour the glaze over it. Coat the pork belly evenly, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast for 1.5 to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the glaze.
Rest and Slice:
Once the pork belly is tender, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice the pork belly and drizzle with any remaining glaze from the skillet.
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Nutrients (Estimated per serving)

Calories: 600 kcal
Fat: 42g
Protein: 38g
Carbohydrates: 19g

Why Choose Caramelized Honey Glazed Pork Belly?

What makes Caramelized Honey Glazed Pork Belly stand out is the combination of tender, juicy meat with the rich, caramelized glaze that coats it perfectly. Pork belly is known for its balance of fat and meat, making it incredibly flavorful and tender when cooked slowly. The slow roasting ensures the meat stays moist, while the high-heat searing of the skin results in a delightful crispy texture. The sweet and savory glaze enhances the natural flavors of the pork, creating a dish that’s full of depth and complexity. The garnish of green onions and sesame seeds adds a fresh, vibrant touch, making this dish not only flavorful but visually striking as well.

The versatility of this recipe makes it a crowd favorite. Whether served as the centerpiece of a special meal or as part of a festive gathering, Caramelized Honey Glazed Pork Belly is guaranteed to impress. It’s an easy-to-follow recipe that yields a rich, gourmet meal with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your gathering or celebration.

The Key Ingredients for Caramelized Honey Glazed Pork Belly

The ingredients used in this dish are simple yet powerful, each playing a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavors. Here’s a closer look at the key components:

Pork Belly: The star ingredient, pork belly is prized for its rich marbling of fat, which melts during cooking, creating tender, juicy meat. The skin crisps up beautifully when roasted, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite. Make sure to use skin-on pork belly for the best texture and flavor.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce contributes a deep, umami-rich flavor to the glaze. It’s an essential ingredient in achieving the savory-sweet balance, complementing the sweetness from honey and brown sugar.
Honey: Honey brings natural sweetness to the glaze and contributes to the caramelization process. It adds a rich, floral sweetness that balances the salty soy sauce and the slight acidity of rice vinegar.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar enhances the sweetness of the glaze while also providing a hint of molasses flavor. It helps create a beautiful caramelized exterior on the pork belly.
Rice Vinegar: The rice vinegar adds a subtle acidity that cuts through the richness of the pork and the sweetness of the honey and sugar, creating a more balanced, well-rounded glaze.
Sesame Oil: Sesame oil imparts a nutty, aromatic flavor to the glaze, enriching the overall dish. It’s key to achieving the distinctive taste profile of this recipe.
Garlic and Ginger: Minced garlic and grated ginger bring fragrant, bold flavors that elevate the overall dish. The garlic adds a savory, aromatic base, while the ginger provides a warm, zesty kick.
Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil is used for searing the pork belly, helping to create a crispy, golden crust on the skin. It’s neutral in flavor, allowing the other ingredients to shine.
Green Onions and Sesame Seeds: The green onions add a fresh, slightly sharp flavor that contrasts with the richness of the pork, while the sesame seeds provide a subtle crunch and visual appeal, adding texture and garnish to the dish.

How to Prepare and Cook the Pork Belly

The process of preparing and cooking Caramelized Honey Glazed Pork Belly is straightforward, but the key is in the timing and attention to detail. Here’s how to achieve the perfect pork belly:

Prepare the Pork Belly: Start by scoring the skin of the pork belly in a crisscross pattern. Be careful not to cut into the meat, as you only want to score the skin to help it crisp up during cooking. Season the pork belly generously with salt and pepper, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Sear the Pork Belly: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the pork belly skin-side down and sear until the skin becomes crispy and golden brown. Turn the pork belly over and sear the other sides for a few minutes. This step helps lock in the moisture and create a beautiful, crisp exterior.
Make the Glaze: While the pork belly is searing, prepare the glaze. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves, creating a smooth, flavorful mixture. This glaze will add the sweet and savory depth to the pork belly during roasting.
Roast the Pork Belly: Once the pork belly is seared, return it to the skillet and pour the prepared glaze over it. Coat the pork belly evenly with the glaze, then transfer the skillet to a preheated oven. Roast the pork belly at 300°F (150°C) for 1.5 to 2 hours, basting the pork belly with the glaze every 30 minutes. This slow roasting ensures that the pork becomes tender while the glaze caramelizes and forms a sticky, sweet coating on the meat.
Rest and Slice: After roasting, remove the pork belly from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that each slice is tender and flavorful. Once rested, slice the pork belly into pieces and drizzle with any remaining glaze from the skillet.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish the pork belly with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving. These garnishes add a fresh crunch and vibrant color, enhancing the dish visually and flavor-wise.

Serving Suggestions and Pairing Ideas

Caramelized Honey Glazed Pork Belly is rich and flavorful, making it the perfect centerpiece for a special meal. Here are some ideas for serving this decadent dish:

Rice or Couscous: Serve the pork belly over a bed of steamed rice or couscous to absorb the delicious glaze. The grains provide a mild base that balances the richness of the pork.
Grilled Vegetables: Pair the pork belly with grilled vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or carrots. The slight char on the vegetables complements the caramelized pork, adding a smoky contrast.
Salad: A crisp, refreshing salad with greens like arugula, spinach, or mixed lettuce can provide a light contrast to the richness of the pork belly.
Wine Pairing: This dish pairs beautifully with a full-bodied red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec. The rich flavors of the wine complement the sweet and savory profile of the pork belly.
Buns for Sandwiches: For a more casual option, serve the sliced pork belly in soft buns to make a gourmet sandwich. Add pickled vegetables or a slaw for crunch and tang.

Conclusion

Caramelized Honey Glazed Pork Belly is a dish that combines rich, tender pork with a sticky, sweet glaze, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The slow-roasting process ensures the meat stays juicy and flavorful, while the glaze adds an irresistible caramelized finish. Whether served for a special occasion or as an indulgent weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress. With simple ingredients and a straightforward cooking method, you can create a gourmet meal that will have everyone at the table coming back for more.

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