How to Cook Pork Belly | Blue Apron (2024)

How to Cook Pork Belly | Blue Apron (1)

If you like bacon, you like pork belly. Bacon and pork belly are the same cut of meat, prepared and sold in slightly different forms. This versatile protein is an easy way to add savory decadence to dinner. Here’s how to get the most out of this delicious ingredient.

What is pork belly?

Pork belly is a thick, fatty cut of meat from the belly of a pig. The fat is what makes this cut so special—it adds plenty of rich flavors. Unlike bacon, this product isn’t cured. While bacon comes pre-loaded with smoky and sweet flavors, this protein will have a pure and versatile pork flavor. It’s typically sold in a large slab and served in thick pieces. When compared to bacon, these thicker pieces are meatier and chewier.

How is Blue Apron’s pork belly made?

Blue Apron’s pork belly arrives fully cooked. Before it’s shipped to you, the meat is seasoned and cooked in a water bath. This method, also known as sous vide, creates tender evenly cooked meat.

All about fat

When you look at a slice, you can clearly see the striped layers of meat and white fat. You’ll also see an extra-thick stripe around the exterior, known as the fat cap. There’s no need to remove this. The extra fat is delicious, and much of it will render out during the cooking process.When the meat is cooked at a high temperature, the fat melts and renders out. The meat fries in the newly melted fat, creating a flavorful brown crust with a delightfully crispy texture.

How to Cook Pork Belly | Blue Apron (2)

How to cut it

The best way to cut pork belly depends on your dish. We recommend using a sturdy chef’s knife to create ½ inch slices. Pieces this size will sear quickly and offer a combination of crispy and chewy textures.

How to Cook Pork Belly | Blue Apron (3)

Searing pork belly

Even though it’s fully cooked, we recommend searing the meat before serving. You don’t need to cook it all the way through. The goal is to warm it through and create a crispy crust.

How to Cook Pork Belly | Blue Apron (4)

Keep the fat

Once it’s in the pan, you’ll notice that a lot of fat is melting out. This is normal! When the meat is removed, some melted fat will remain behind in the pan. This bonus fat is a blessing, so be sure to save it. Leftover pork fat can be used in place of butter or olive oil in most recipes. Strain any leftovers and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week, and dispose of them if they starts to smell off. Try using your leftovers to fry breakfast potatoes or to make a rich pie dough.

Hungry for more recipe ideas? Try our recipe for Maple & Pumpkin Spice breakfast sandwiches.

How to Cook Pork Belly | Blue Apron (2024)

FAQs

How to Cook Pork Belly | Blue Apron? ›

Heat the same pan on medium- high until hot. Add the pork belly pieces in an even layer. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until browned. Flip and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until browned and heated through.

How do you cook pork belly so it's not tough? ›

Slow roast 1 1/2 hours – Roast the pork in a 140°C/285°F oven (120°C fan) for a total of 2 1/2 hours. Keeping the temperature this low allows the meat to become tender, for the fat to render (melt) so we get the “confit” cooking effect, and also to dry out the pork skin yet keep it supple.

Do you have to cook with a blue apron? ›

Blue Apron offers three different types of meals: Standard meal kits that you prep and cook yourself, Ready to Cook meals that involve little prep and a single provided aluminum baking pan, and Prepared & Ready meals that, while not frozen, resemble the sorts of single serving options you'd find in the freezer section ...

How do restaurants cook pork belly? ›

We soak the pork in water for about 20 to 25 minutes to wash away excess fat. Then we steam it for about 15 to 20 minutes until it's about 70% done. After that, we take it out of the water and poke holes in the pork with a needle and then rub it all over with salt and spices. Then we air dry it with a fan for 12 hours.

Why do you pour boiling water on pork belly? ›

boiling water trick

This helps to prep the skin to crackle as its now "pre-cooked" so to speak. Make sure to pat dry with paper towel to further dry afterwards.

How to make pork super tender? ›

Then, if you want your pork to be extra tender, you can marinate it in a tenderizing marinade made with acids, like citrus juices, vinegar, or wine. For easier tenderizing, use a commercial meat tenderizer by wetting the surface of the meat, and then sprinkling the tenderizer over the meat.

Do you rinse pork belly before cooking? ›

Washing beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces. We call this cross-contamination. Some consumers think they are removing bacteria and making their meat or poultry safe.

How long does belly pork take to cook? ›

Pork belly needs a combination of slow, gentle heat to tenderise the meat, plus a shorter blast at a higher heat to crisp up the skin. Cook at 180C/160C fan/gas 4 for 2 hrs 15 mins, then turn up the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for a further 35 minutes to crisp the crackling.

How long does a Blue Apron take to cook? ›

Blue Apron meals are supposed to take around 40 minutes to prepare, but each took me at least an hour to create, and I am fairly at ease in my kitchen.

What is the purpose of the apron in cooking? ›

Yes, one should wear an apron while cooking. This is because aprons prevent your clothes from coming in content with the food, hence any germs, dust, hair, etc. stay within the apron and off your plate. Aprons also protect your clothes from excessive heat and sparks in the kitchen.

Are cooking aprons worth it? ›

The kitchen tends to get dirty with all the cooking, occasional spills, oil spatters, water from washing vessels; it can all get on your clothes and some stains can also get stubborn. Why risk your clothes? An apron can take in all these stains leaving your clothes intact.

Why won't my pork belly get crispy? ›

Insufficient heat will make it hard for the skin to get really crisp. Make sure to take the pork out of the fridge 30 minutes before you cook it so that the meat reaches room temperature. A high starting temperature (240C/220C fan/gas 9 in this recipe) is essential for crisping up the pork.

Does pork belly get softer the longer it cooks? ›

This is a tough muscle, so it needs a longer cooking time at low heat to breakdown the tough tissue." So, to serve up good roast pork, budget for at least 3-4 hours in the kitchen. If done correctly, a piece of roast pork should be so tender you can pierce its flesh with a fork.

How do you know when your pork belly is cooked? ›

One way to determine your porks' doneness is by the color of the juices that come out of it when you poke a hole in it with a knife or fork. If the juices run clear or are very faintly pink, the pork is done cooking. If they're mostly or entirely pink or red, it's best to continue cooking.

How to stop pork belly from being chewy? ›

Some people use meat tenderizer. Some people pound it with a hammer. Two popular ways is slow cooking by roasting in a oven, or simmering in a pot.

Why is my pork belly tough? ›

To cook pork belly properly, we have to give it the time and temperatures it needs to render both the fat and the collagen. This usually means low, slow cooking. Any meat will expel its available free water at temperatures above 180°F (82°C), becoming tough and dry.

How do you cook pork without making it tough? ›

Using a brine or a marinade will make your life so much easier. If you're not confident in your cooking skills, there is one foolproof way to guarantee your pork ends up on the tender side, even if you cook it too long: Soak it in a brine or a marinade.

How do you stop pork from being tough? ›

Try a Marinade or Brine. A marinade or brine can introduce more moisture or lots of flavor into your meat before you cook it. A marinade is a sauce that introduces extra flavor to your pork, depending on the aromatics or herbs you choose to include. A brine pulls more moisture into the meat, which keeps your pork juicy ...

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