Madeleine Hull
Pork belly is a popular keto-friendly food because it is both carb-free and high in fats. It is a good source of fat for those on a keto diet as it does not contain any non-keto ingredients. There are many recipes for cooking pork belly for those on a keto diet, including boiling and frying, roasting, and using a slow cooker or air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Protein | 15g |
| Fat | 86g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Calories | 773kcal |
| Suitable for keto diet | Yes |
| Keto recipe | Boil and fry, or use an air fryer or oven |
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What You'll Learn
Pork belly is keto-friendly
Pork belly is also a good source of fat because it does not contain any non-keto ingredients. It is also minimally processed and free of harmful ingredients like non-keto sweeteners, highly refined oils, and food additives.
When cooking pork belly, it is important to get the right tenderness without it becoming too dry and crunchy. One way to do this is to first boil it and then fry it in a pan. Another method is to use an air fryer, which can also be used to re-crisp leftover pork belly.
There are many keto-friendly recipes for pork belly, including sweet and spicy pork belly, keto sticky balsamic pork belly, and keto salt and pepper pork belly. These recipes often involve slow-roasting the pork belly to achieve the perfect crackling, or crispy skin.
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How to cook pork belly bites in an air fryer
Yes, you can eat pork belly on keto! Pork belly is keto-friendly because it is carb-free and high in fats.
Now, for the air fryer pork belly bites recipe.
Ingredients:
- Pork belly
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cumin
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Chilli powder
- Chipotle powder
Optional Ingredients:
- Brown sugar
- Teriyaki or sweet chilli sauce for dipping
Instructions:
- Cut the pork belly into 1-inch squares.
- In a small bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
- Place the pork belly pieces in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the olive oil, maple syrup, and the mixed spices to the pork belly. Blend well, ensuring the pork belly cubes are completely covered.
- Preheat the air fryer to 395°F and set the cooking time to 15 minutes.
- Place the pork belly pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket after every 5 minutes.
- Check if the pork belly bites are cooked to your preferred doneness. If you prefer them crispier, air fry for a further 5 minutes.
- Serve warm by themselves or with a side of teriyaki or sweet chilli sauce for dipping.
Tips:
- If you prefer your pork belly bites spicier, increase the amount of chilli powder and chipotle powder.
- If you don't want the skin on your pork belly, trim it off before cutting the meat into cubes.
- For optimal taste and texture, eat the pork belly bites right after cooking. They will lose some of their tenderness if you refrigerate and reheat them.
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Slow-roasting pork belly
Yes, you can eat pork belly on keto! Pork belly is keto-friendly because it is carb-free and high in fats.
Now, for the slow-roasting pork belly recipe.
Firstly, prepare a marinade. Toast 2 tablespoons of fennel seeds and 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns in a dry frying pan for a couple of minutes. Pound them together in a pestle and mortar with some flaked sea salt, the leaves from 1 small bunch of thyme, and 3 garlic cloves to make a paste. Mix with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Rub the paste all over a 1½ - 2kg piece of boneless pork belly. Cover and chill, leaving to marinate for a few hours or overnight. When ready to cook, rub the skin of the joint with plenty of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Preheat the oven to 150°C/130°C Fan/gas mark 2/300ºF. Get a shallow roasting tin and line it with foil. Transfer the pork to the roasting tin—you want some of the marinade to stay on the pork. Leave the pork uncovered and cook for 3½ hours.
Turn the oven up to 250°C/230°C Fan/gas mark 9/450ºF and cook for another 15-30 minutes to let the skin crisp to a crunchy, burnished perfection. Keep an eye on the crackling to make sure it doesn't burn.
Finally, get a shallow dish in which the scored pork will fit snugly. Whisk together some tahini, soy sauce, and lemon and lime juice. Place the pork on top, skin-side up. The marinade should cover the underside and most of the sides without touching the rind.
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Boiling pork belly before frying
Yes, you can eat pork belly on keto. Pork belly is keto-friendly because it is carb-free and high in fats.
Now, boiling pork belly before frying it makes the final product more tender and allows for easier rendering of the fat. This method is especially useful for achieving the right texture for keto pork belly, which can be difficult to get just right.
Step 1: Boiling the Pork Belly
Firstly, place the pork belly skin side down in a large pot and add enough water to completely submerge the meat. You can also add aromatics and spices to the water to infuse the pork belly with flavour. Common additions include garlic, ginger, bay leaves, peppercorns, and soy sauce. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the pork skin can be easily pierced with a knife, which should take around an hour.
Step 2: Air-Drying
Once boiled, transfer the pork belly to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Season the pork belly generously with salt, as the seasoned water may not be enough to thoroughly season the meat. Then, place the pork belly in the refrigerator for at least six hours or overnight to air-dry. This step helps ensure that the skin will become crispy when fried.
Step 3: Frying
Finally, remove the pork belly from the refrigerator and cut it into slices about two inches thick. Any thinner, and the pork may over-crisp, leaving little juicy and tender interior. Heat a wok or Dutch oven with at least four inches of oil to 375°F (190°C). Fry the pork belly in batches until deeply browned and crisped, which should take around 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the fried pork belly to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt to taste.
And there you have it! Boiling pork belly before frying helps achieve the perfect texture and flavour for this keto-friendly dish.
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Pork belly marinade
Pork belly is keto-friendly as it is carb-free and high in fats. It is a good source of fat because it does not contain any non-keto ingredients.
Keto Sticky Balsamic Pork Belly
This recipe involves slow cooking the pork belly in a sweet, tangy marinade, resulting in a sticky, delicious glaze.
Ingredients:
- Pork Belly
- Molasses
- Marinade (ingredients not listed)
Instructions:
- Pour the marinade over the pork belly, ensuring it seeps into any open cuts.
- Place a lid on the slow cooker or cover a roasting tray with foil.
- Cook for 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low in a slow cooker, or for 4 hours at 130° C in an oven.
- Spoon the marinade over the meat every hour, if possible.
- When cooked, remove the meat from the marinade and rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
- The marinade can be reduced in a saucepan and drizzled over the meat, but this is optional.
Other Marinade Ideas
Some other ways to flavour your pork belly marinade include:
- Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Coconut Aminos
- Chicken Stock
- Salt and Pepper
- Fresh Garlic, Ginger, and Chilli Pepper Flakes
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, pork belly is keto-friendly.
Pork belly is keto-friendly because it is carb-free and high in fats. It does not contain any non-keto ingredients and is minimally processed.
There are several ways to cook keto-friendly pork belly, including boiling and frying, using a pressure cooker and air fryer, or roasting in an oven.
Some keto-friendly pork belly recipes include Sticky Balsamic Pork Belly, Keto Salt and Pepper Pork Belly, and Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites.
Some side dishes that go well with keto pork belly include steamed leafy greens, lettuce leaves, roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or asparagus, and cauliflower chowder.
