National Pork Belly Day
November 10, 2025
Celebrate pork belly: rich, layered meat (fat + rind + meat) prized for crisp crackling, silky rendered fat, and deep flavor in many cuisines.
Quick background
- Pork belly is the cut used for bacon, pancetta, samgyeopsal, porchetta, and Chinese siu yuk. It benefits from long, slow cooking to render fat plus a high‑heat finish for crisp skin or edges.
How to celebrate
- Roast a slab for crackling, braise for fork‑tender slices, grill thin slabs Korean style, or try cured/smoked preparations.
- Host a sharing platter with small bites (crispy cubes, bao, tacos).
- Experiment with sweet–savory glazes, spicy rubs, or fermented accompaniments.
Basic techniques
- Roast/crisp: dry skin well, score rind, salt generously (season under skin too), start hot to puff/crisp then lower heat to render fat; rest before slicing.
- Slow‑braise: brown pieces, braise in aromatics + stock/soy/wine for 1.5–3 hours until tender, finish under high heat or broil for color.
- Grill/pan: slice into 1/4–1/2" slabs, cook hot to render fat and crisp edges; watch for flareups.
- Deep‑fry: double‑cook method (simmer then fry or long low roast then flash‑fry) yields ultra‑crispy bite‑sized pieces.
- Cure/smoke: salt cure for bacon/pancetta or smoke after brining.
Flavor ideas & pairings
- Asian: soy/sugar braise, chili, pickled vegetables, steamed rice, buns.
- European: porchetta-style herb rub, roast potatoes, braised greens.
- Latin: crispy cubes in tacos with salsa verde, pickled onion.
- Finish with acid (vinegar, citrus, pickles), bitter greens, or bright herbs to cut richness. Serve with plain starch (rice, potatoes, bread) to soak up sauce.
Safety & sourcing
- Buy from reputable butcher; look for even fat layers and fresh smell. Store refrigerated and cook within a couple days or freeze.
- Cook pork to safe internal temperature (145°F / 63°C, then rest) for whole cuts; longer for braised textures. Render fat safely—watch for splatter and flareups when cooking hot.
Enjoy National Pork Belly Day by making one preparation that highlights crisp texture and rich flavor, and balance it with acidic or fresh sides....
