How Long to Cook Pork Belly on the Stovetop?Here's What the Experts Say

BY Jiao jiao

Posted: 08/11/2024

Pork Belly

Cooking on the stovetop is not just a pleasure; it’s an art form. When it comes to ingredients like pork belly, which has such rich layers of flavor, mastering the cooking time is crucial. It directly affects the tenderness and juiciness of the meat, as well as the depth and deliciousness of the flavor. So, how long does it actually take to cook pork belly on the stovetop? Let’s uncover the secrets of this culinary delight together.

the answer

Pork belly, also known as "three-layer meat," comes from the pig's abdomen and is named for its alternating layers of fat and meat. This cut has a balanced fat-to-meat ratio, offering the tenderness of lean meat combined with the richness of fatty meat, making it suitable for various cooking methods such as braising, stewing, and grilling. The cooking time for pork belly on the stovetop varies depending on its thickness and the chosen cooking method:

Cooking Methods

Common methods for cooking pork belly include:

Boiling: Bring the pork belly to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam, then reduce to a simmer.

Braising: Sear the pork belly until golden brown on both sides, then add soy sauce, sugar, cooking wine, and water, and simmer gently.

Stewing: Similar to braising, but with more water and a longer cooking time, ideal for making stewed pork belly.

Cooking Times

Boiling:

Thin slices (about 2 cm thick): approximately 30-40 minutes

Thick slices (about 3-4 cm thick): approximately 45-60 minutes

Braising:

Thin slices (about 2 cm thick): approximately 40-50 minutes

Thick slices (about 3-4 cm thick): approximately 60-70 minutes

Stewing:

Thin slices (about 2 cm thick): approximately 1.5-2 hours

Thick slices (about 3-4 cm thick): approximately 2-3 hours

Key Tips

Control the Heat: Start by boiling the pork belly over high heat to remove impurities, then reduce the heat to a simmer to ensure the meat remains tender.

Seasoning: Add seasonings such as salt, soy sauce, and cooking wine at appropriate intervals during cooking to enhance the flavor.

Check for Doneness: Insert a chopstick or knife into the meat; if it goes in easily and no blood or pink liquid comes out, the pork belly is cooked through.

How long does it take for pork belly to cook?

The cooking time for pork belly generally is as follows:

Boiling: About 30-40 minutes. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the meat becomes tender.

Braising: Typically takes 1-1.5 hours. Place the pork belly and seasonings in a pot, and simmer gently until the meat is soft and flavorful.

Other Cooking Methods: In a pressure cooker, cook for 20-30 minutes; in an oven, roast for 30-40 minutes.

Important Points to Note:

Control the Heat: Start by bringing the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. This method helps ensure that the pork belly cooks thoroughly while remaining tender. Avoid using too high heat, as this can toughen the meat or overcook the surface while leaving the inside undercooked.

Check for Doneness: Use chopsticks to easily pierce the meat; if it goes in smoothly, the pork belly is cooked through.

How long does it take to cook pork belly in a frying pan?

Sliced Cooking Method

Cut the pork belly into thin slices, about 2-3 millimeters thick. Cook over medium-low heat. Start by searing one side for about 3-5 minutes until it turns golden and releases some fat, then flip and sear the other side for another 3-5 minutes. Next, add a small amount of water to the skillet, cover with a lid, and let it simmer on low heat for 5-8 minutes to ensure the pork belly is fully cooked and absorbs moisture for a tender texture.

Chunk Cooking Method

Cut the pork belly into small cubes, about 2-3 centimeters. Heat the skillet and add the pork chunks, cooking over medium-low heat. Sear each side for 3-4 minutes until all six sides are golden brown. Then, add enough water to cover about half of the meat. Cover with a lid and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes until the pork belly is tender and the sauce thickens.

Important Notes

Heat Control: Keep the heat at medium-low to avoid burning the pork belly.

Flipping: Continuously turn the pork slices to ensure even cooking.

How Long to Cook Pork Belly Strips in the Oven?

When cooking pork belly strips in the oven, the time typically ranges from 30 to 45 minutes. Here are the detailed steps:

Pork Belly

Steps

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Prepare the Pork Belly Strips: Cut the pork belly into strips of appropriate size. For enhanced flavor, you can marinate them beforehand with salt, pepper, soy sauce, honey, and other seasonings for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Place in Baking Tray: Arrange the marinated pork belly strips on a baking tray, ensuring they are not overlapping for even cooking.

Bake: Put the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-45 minutes. Flip the strips halfway through to ensure both sides become golden and crispy.

Check for Doneness: About 5 minutes before the cooking time ends, check the doneness. You can do this by inserting a bamboo skewer or toothpick into the thickest part of the pork belly strip. If it inserts easily and no blood or pink juices flow out, the pork is fully cooked. The surface should be golden to deep brown, and the meat should have shrunk slightly, which are also signs of doneness.

How to Cook Pork Belly Slices in an Air Fryer?

Here are the detailed steps for cooking pork belly slices in an air fryer:

Ingredients

Pork belly slices

Salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Soy sauce

Honey (optional)

Steps

Marinate: Combine the pork belly slices with the seasonings and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 3-5 minutes.

Place the Meat: Arrange the marinated pork belly slices in the air fryer basket, trying not to overlap them.

Cook: Set the air fryer to cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through (at around 8-10 minutes).

Serve: Once cooked, remove the pork belly slices and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.

How do I know when my pork belly is ready?

Methods to Check if Pork Belly is Cooked

Chopstick Test: Insert a chopstick into the pork belly. If it goes in easily with no noticeable resistance, the meat is cooked. If you feel significant resistance or see blood when pulling it out, it needs more cooking.

Visual Inspection: Cooked pork belly will be tender, and its color will change from pink or light red to a grayish-white.

Press Test: Gently press the pork belly with your finger. If it springs back quickly, it’s cooked. If there’s a noticeable indentation and it rebounds slowly, it needs more time.

Appearance: Cooked pork belly will have a slightly white appearance, and the edges of the meat may show slight expansion.