BBQ Pork Belly Nirvana: Elevate Your Summer Grilling with This Must-Try Recipe

Yes, you can absolutely BBQ pork belly! This succulent and flavorful cut of meat is a popular choice for grilling due to its rich marbling and crispy skin. With the right technique, you can create a mouthwatering pork belly that will impress even the most discerning palate.

Choosing the Perfect Pork Belly

When selecting pork belly for BBQ, look for a piece that is at least 1-inch thick with a good layer of fat. The fat will render down during cooking, basting the meat and creating a crispy skin. Avoid pork belly that is too lean, as it will dry out quickly.

Preparing the Pork Belly

Before grilling, remove the skin from the pork belly. Score the fat in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat. This will help the fat render evenly and create a crispy skin. Season the pork belly generously with salt and pepper.

Grilling the Pork Belly

Set up your grill for indirect heat. This means placing the coals or burners on one side of the grill and the pork belly on the other side. This will prevent the pork belly from burning while it cooks slowly.

Place the pork belly on the grill, skin side up. Grill for 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Crisping the Skin

Once the pork belly is cooked through, it’s time to crisp up the skin. Move the pork belly to the direct heat side of the grill and grill for 5-10 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

Resting the Pork Belly

Once the pork belly is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and juicy pork belly.

Slicing and Serving

Slice the pork belly thinly against the grain. Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce and sides.

Tips for Perfect Pork Belly BBQ

• Use a good quality pork belly. The quality of the pork belly will greatly affect the final product.
• Score the fat. This will help the fat render evenly and create a crispy skin.
• Season generously. Don’t be afraid to use plenty of salt and pepper.
• Grill over indirect heat. This will prevent the pork belly from burning.
• Crisp the skin over direct heat. This will give the pork belly a delicious, crispy skin.
• Rest the pork belly. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and juicy pork belly.

Different Ways to Grill Pork Belly

In addition to grilling pork belly over indirect heat, there are a few other methods you can try:

• Reverse sear: Grill the pork belly over indirect heat until it is almost cooked through, then sear it over direct heat to crisp up the skin.
• Sous vide: Cook the pork belly in a vacuum-sealed bag in a water bath until it is cooked through, then sear it over direct heat to crisp up the skin.
• Roasting: Roast the pork belly in the oven until it is cooked through, then crisp up the skin under the broiler.

Takeaways: Embark on a Pork Belly BBQ Adventure

Grilling pork belly is a culinary adventure that is well worth the effort. With the right technique and a little patience, you can create a mouthwatering pork belly that will delight your taste buds. So fire up your grill and get ready to experience the joys of pork belly BBQ!

What People Want to Know

• Can I grill pork belly without scoring the fat?

Yes, but scoring the fat will help the fat render evenly and create a crispier skin.

• What is the best way to season pork belly?

Salt and pepper are the essential seasonings for pork belly, but you can also add other spices and herbs to taste.

• How long should I grill pork belly?

The grilling time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork belly. As a general rule, grill for 2-3 hours over indirect heat, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

• How do I know when the pork belly is cooked?

The pork belly is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also check the tenderness by inserting a toothpick into the meat. If the toothpick slides in easily, the pork belly is cooked.

• What is the best way to crisp up the skin on pork belly?

Move the pork belly to the direct heat side of the grill and grill for 5-10 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

• How do I store leftover pork belly?

Store leftover pork belly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.