Crispy Pork Belly Recipe | How To Make Lechon Kawali

I love meat that is crispy on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside, and this Crispy Pork Belly Lechon Kawali is just that. It will literally melt in your mouth. It's crunchy, delicious, and full of flavor from the garlic and soy sauce.

What Makes Crispy Pork Belly Recipes Amazing?

• Fast. Are you looking for a quick pork belly recipe? I have you covered. I used my Instant Pot and my Air Fryer to make this, but if you don't have an Instant Pot, you can use your stove top, and I include instructions for that too.
• Oven. Similarly, no air fryer? No problem! You can always just broil the finished meat and get a reasonably crispy finish. Of course, if you're in the market for an air fryer, you should check out my unbiased reviews of air fryers and pick one you like.

Do You Have To Use An Instant Pot AND An Air Fryer?

This sounds like a recipe that would take a long time or would be really difficult. If you've ever cooked my recipes before, you know that's just not my style. If it's difficult, or something you have to babysit while it cooks, I look for ways to make it simple and hands-off. This truly is an easy pork belly recipe.

The Instant Pot cooks this quickly while infusing crazy-good flavor. Then the Air Fryer crisps it to perfection in no time. If you're a kitchen gadget geek like me, you already have both of these devices so it's simple. If not, use your oven.

What Spices Do You Use For This Crispy Pork Belly?

I use bay leaves, garlic, and soy sauce to be the main spice and flavor components for this Crispy Pork Belly Recipe. It pulls out the flavor of the pork wonderfully without being overwhelming. The spices also keep the meat juicy while allowing the outside to stay crispy and crunchy.

What Exactly Is Pork Belly?

Pork belly is uncured, un-smoked, and un-sliced bacon. It is very popular in Chinese, Korean, and Filipino cooking (lechon kawali.)

Ask your local butcher to get you a fresh, skin-on, center-cut pork belly. I’ve noticed that my Costco carries the meat as well, but it is still cheaper to buy in Asian grocery stores.

I tend to buy the larger packet and cut some in cubes, and leave some in slices before freezing.

What Is The Difference Between Bacon And Pork Belly?

Pork belly is the fatty cut of meat from the pig's belly. It's a large, unsliced cut of meat. Bacon is from the same part the pig, but it is cured and sliced.

How Do You Cook Pork Belly?

I included instructions below on how to cook pork belly. There are instructions to do the main cooking portion on a stovetop, as opposed to using your Instant Pot if you don't have one.

The Instant Pot does make it simpler so you can focus on other things in the kitchen (like side dishes, clean-up, etc), but it's not going to ruin the dish if you don't have one. Then, you can broil it in the oven if you don't have an Air Fryer. 

Can You Eat Pork Belly On Keto?

Pork belly is naturally low in carbohydrates. Keto pork belly recipes are great to help meet your daily macros on a low carb diet. The higher fat content will also help you stay full and satisfied longer.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 pound Pork Belly- This is the star of the dish. Pork belly provides a rich balance of meat and fat, which turns incredibly crispy on the outside and tender inside once boiled and fried.
• 3 cups Water- Used for simmering the pork belly. This helps soften the meat, render some fat, and infuse flavors before the final frying step.
• 1 teaspoon Salt- Seasons the pork belly while boiling and enhances its overall flavor. Also helps tighten the skin for better crispiness when fried.
• 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper- Adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor to the simmering liquid, ensuring the pork is well seasoned throughout.
• 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce- Provides savory umami and a touch of color to the pork as it simmers, building flavor into the meat before crisping it up.
• 2 Bay Leaves- Imparts a mild herbal aroma to the pork during boiling, enhancing overall flavor complexity.
• 6 cloves Garlic- Adds fragrant, savory notes while simmering the pork belly. This helps season the meat from the inside out.

How To Cook This Lechon Kawali Recipe

1. Cook. Cut the pork belly into 3 thick chunks and cook at high pressure for 15 minutes.
2. Pressure Release. Let the unit sit for 10 minutes, then release all the pressure.
3. Drain. Allow the meat to drain and dry for 10 minutes. 
4. Crisp. Next to get that crispy skin! Place the meat in the Air Fryer. Cook at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, or until the fat has become crispy.

How To Cook Crispy Pork Belly On the Stove/Oven

1. Cook. Place the spices and meat in a large sauce pot, cover and cook for 60 minutes (or until a knife can be inserted into the skin side of the pork belly).
2. Crisp. Place the pork belly skin side up on a baking sheet and turn oven to Broil. Allow the meat to broil in the oven until the skin is crispy, 3-5 minutes on the rack closest to the broiler. Make sure to watch the oven so the skin doesn't burn.
3. Drain. Remove the pork from the water and allow to drain and dry for 10 minutes.

What to Serve With This Sliced Pork Belly Recipe?

• Appetizer. Fresh pork belly is fatty and flavorful and is often served in small portions as an appetizer. You can make this quick pork belly recipe, and leave it in your fridge for snacking. Or, serve to your guests for a get-together or dinner party.
• Time Saver. If you do have both an Instant Pot and an Air Fryer, you could be making this dish right on the counter as you are preparing your main dish! 
• Salads. You can make this and mix it into a salad for a little savory fat and protein in a salad.
• Main Dish. If you are looking to serve pork belly in a main dish, try my delicious Vietnamese Thit Nuong recipe. If you are keto, skip the noodles, or use shirataki noodles instead. 
• Side Dish. A delicious side dish to make would by my Air Fryer Green Beans and Bacon, just substitute the pork belly. The fatty pork belly would add such a depth of flavor. I suggest you cook the pork belly cubes first and when they’re almost but not quite done, add in the green beans and cook as directed. Keep it simple and use frozen green beans for a quick side dish.
• Soup. There is also a pork belly and cabbage soup recipe in my new book, Easy Keto in 30 Minutes you should check out!

Tips and Tricks for Crispy Pork Recipes

Creating the perfect Lechon Kawali is all about achieving ultra-crispy skin while keeping the pork tender and flavorful. These easy tips will help you master it every time.

• Rest. Make sure to let the meat rest to get out the excess moisture for that perfect crispy skin.
• Affordable. Pork belly is readily available at most grocery stores and is inexpensive. A perfect appetizer item for serving a crowd. 
• Crisping. If you crisp the skin in the oven, make sure to keep on eye on the broiler. It will go from charred to burned very quickly. 

Variations

Crispy pork belly can be made in more than one delicious way. These variations let you enjoy the same crackling texture while switching up cooking methods and flavors:

• Siu Yuk- Rub the meat with five-spice and salt, then roast under a thick salt crust that traps moisture while blistering the skin beautifully.
• Spiced Pork Belly Chicharrón- After boiling, cube the pork belly and deep fry into bite-sized pieces for a crispier, snackable version.
• Adobo-Style- Simmer the meat in a vinegar-soy-garlic adobo broth first, then fry until crunchy. This adds a tangy Filipino flavor twist.
• Korean-Inspired- Brush with gochujang glaze before the final crisp to add a spicy-sweet kick.

How Long Does It Last?

To stay within food safety guidelines, I would recommend eating this within 3-4 days after cooking it.

To reheat any leftovers, simply toss it in the air fryer at 375 for 3-4 minutes or until the bites of air fryer pork belly are warmed through and extra crispy on the outside.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze crispy pork belly, but it’s best to do so before the final air frying step for the best texture.

After pressure cooking and drying the pork, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and fry until golden and crispy.

Freezing already-fried pork belly can make the skin lose its crunch, though reheating in an air fryer can help restore some crispiness.

Want More Delicious Pork Recipes?

• Instant Pot Pork Chops and Vegetables - easy one-pot meal!
• Indian Pulled Pork Tacos - incredible fusion food!
• Instant Pot Carnitas - crazy good flavor and so easy!
• How To Make Juice Pork Chops- perfect every time.
• Pork Tenderloin with Orange Sauce- packed with flavor.
• Delicious Pork Belly Recipes - try one of these recipes tonight!

If you love this Lechon Kawali recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it the next time you're craving some Crispy Pork Belly.

Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.