Milly Gaines
Crispy pork belly is a tasty keto-friendly treat, and there are many ways to prepare and serve it. One popular method is to cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces, season them, and cook them in an air fryer to achieve a crispy texture. These pork belly bites can be served as a snack, appetizer, or main dish with various dipping sauces and sides, such as low-carb vegetables or cauliflower rice. Another option is to prepare keto Shanghai-style or Vietnamese pork belly, which involves braising or caramelizing the meat with flavours like soy sauce, fish sauce, or sweetener.
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What You'll Learn
Keto Shanghai-style pork belly
Ingredients:
- 1 kg pork belly, cubed
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp golden monkfruit sweetener
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
- 1 star anise
- 1 bay leaf
Method:
Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a medium bowl, prepare the sauce by whisking together the water, soy sauce, monkfruit sweetener, ginger, vinegar, and chilli flakes. Set aside.
In a large oven-safe skillet or pan, heat the cubed pork belly over medium-high heat. Once the pork begins to release its oils, sauté for about 5 minutes, until browned on all sides.
Pour the sauce over the pork belly, then add the star anise and bay leaf. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5-8 minutes. Transfer the skillet or pan to the oven and bake for 60 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Remove the pork belly from the oven and serve with your choice of sides. It pairs well with cauliflower rice, konjac, or a cucumber salad.
Tips:
For crispy crackling, score the skin of the pork belly with a sharp knife, making cuts about 1/4 - 1/2 inch apart. Leave the fat and meat untouched. Brush the meat side with vinegar and season with spices and salt, leaving a generous amount of salt for the skin. Wrap the pork in foil and place it in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours before cooking.
This Keto Shanghai-style pork belly recipe delivers an explosion of flavour and is a definite go-to for those craving the taste of traditional bao buns, which are often not keto-friendly.
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Spicy maple keto pork belly bites
Ingredients
- Pork belly
- Spicy seasoning
- Sugar-free maple syrup
Optional Ingredients
- Salt
- Erythritol
- Mushrooms
- Fish sauce
- Soy sauce/coconut aminos
- Water
- Pepper
- Spring onion
- Crushed chilli
- Coriander leaves
- Lemongrass
- Sesame seeds
- Sesame oil
Method
- Dust the pork belly with a spicy seasoning.
- Fry the pork belly in an air fryer until it is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
- Toss the cooked pork belly bites in sugar-free maple syrup.
Serving Suggestions
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Vietnamese pork belly
To make this dish, start by cutting the pork belly into bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, bring water with a pinch of salt to a boil and add the pork belly pieces. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, then drain the meat and set it aside.
Next, melt 1 tablespoon of lard or coconut oil in a skillet and add the cooked pork belly. Season with a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of erythritol, a low-carb sweetener. Stir everything together and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Now it's time to add the vegetables and sauce. Cut an onion into strips and slice some mushrooms thickly. Add them to the skillet along with 3 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce or coconut aminos, and ½ cup of water. You can also add some freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir everything together and cook until the ingredients are caramelized and glazed, and the sauce has reduced.
Finally, add some spring onion to the dish and stir to combine. Garnish with crushed chilli, coriander leaves, lemongrass, sesame seeds, and a sprinkle of sesame oil.
This keto Vietnamese pork belly can be served with a variety of sides, such as cauliflower fried rice, steamed baby bok choy, cucumber salad, or konjac rice. It's a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a quick and tasty keto meal.
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Keto salt and pepper pork belly
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pork belly
- 1 tbsp flaked sea salt
- 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
- 1 onion
Optional ingredients:
- Celeriac mash
- Zoodles
- Cauliflower chowder
Method:
Preheat your oven to 400 F. Score the pork belly skin, being careful not to cut down to the meat. Dry the skin with a paper towel, then rub the salt and pepper generously into the skin, making sure to get it into the scores. Place the pork belly in a roasting pan with the quartered onion. Roast for 30 minutes, then turn the heat down to 320 F and roast for another 25 minutes per 1/2 lb. When the pork is cooked, turn on the grill and allow the skin to crisp, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips:
- The secret to crispy crackling is to ensure the skin is dry; scoring the skin and rubbing in salt will help with this.
- If you want to reduce the fat content, serve the pork belly with some celeriac mash.
- You can chop up any leftover pork and sprinkle it over zoodles or cauliflower chowder.
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Pork belly kebabs
Ingredients
- Pork belly
- Olive oil
- Lemon zest
- Coriander
- Paprika
- Cayenne
- Salt
- Pepper
- Vegetables of your choice (e.g. bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, mushrooms)
- Skewers
Instructions
- Cut the pork belly into bite-sized chunks.
- Add the pork belly chunks to a large mixing bowl along with olive oil, lemon zest, coriander, paprika, and cayenne.
- Massage the seasonings into the pork belly.
- Cover the bowl and transfer to the fridge to marinate for at least half an hour.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about an hour to prevent them from burning.
- Thread the pork belly onto the skewers, alternating with vegetables of your choice.
- Season the skewers with salt and pepper.
- Grill the kebabs on a barbecue or in the oven until the pork is cooked through, turning frequently.
Tips
- If grilling in the oven, preheat the oven to a high temperature and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- If using a barbecue, cook for about 10 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- For a low-carb option, serve with a side of cauliflower rice or a fresh salad.
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Frequently asked questions
Crispy pork belly can be served with a variety of keto-friendly side dishes such as cauliflower rice, konjac, cucumber salad, or zoodles.
Yes, you can serve crispy pork belly bites with keto-friendly dipping sauces such as Keto Bang Bang Sauce or Jalapeño Ranch Dip.
You can season crispy pork belly with a variety of spices such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or red chili flakes.
Yes, there are several keto-friendly recipes that include crispy pork belly, such as Keto Shanghai-Style Pork Belly, Vietnamese Pork Belly, or Spicy Maple Keto Pork Belly Bites.
The best way to cook crispy pork belly depends on your preferred cooking method and equipment. You can bake it in an oven, fry it in a pan, or cook it in an air fryer.
