How to reheat pork belly?
Pork belly is a delicious and indulgent meat that comes from the belly of the pig. It has a salty and rich flavor that can complement several different dishes.
The tricky part when it comes to pork belly is the cooking and reheating process.
Because it is a cut of meat that has a highly uneven fat content if you want the targeted texture you have to take a little extra care.
Once you’ve cooked your pork belly, don’t worry, you can reheat it and get close enough to the same quality that you almost can’t tell the difference.
How to Reheat Pork Belly?
The best way to reheat pork belly if you are heating it uncut is to first use a paper towel to pat off any moisture that may have accumulated while storing the pork belly. You then want to heat a skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot enough, you want to be sure to heat each side. If you prefer not to use the skillet method, you can also reheat pork belly in the oven, an air fryer, or a fryer.
What Is Pork Belly?
Pork belly is cut from the same area that bacon is. The difference is that meat is not cured in the same way.
It is boneless meat that is recognizable from the layer of fat that tops it.
Appearances can be deceiving though, the fat not only runs across the top layer of the pork belly but is also marbled throughout the whole cut.
You typically see bork belly in a slab or almost square-like form.
With the different fat content, cooking and reheating pork belly to get it to its ideal crispy on the outside, soft on the inside texture, can be difficult.
1. Reheating Pork Belly in a Skillet
One of the easiest methods to reheat pork belly, and what I find to be the most effective for the texture, is in a skillet.
You can do this method with both uncut or sliced pork belly and still get results where your reheated pork belly is crispy, but not tough.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add just a small amount of olive oil.
Using kitchen tongs, you want to let the pork belly cook on each side, rotating it to prevent it from burning or undercooking.
If you cook the fatty top part first to let it heat up, you can sear it a second time before you take the pork belly off the stovetop, to ensure that it is crispy.
2. Reheating Pork Belly In the Oven
If you are using the oven to reheat your pork belly, first set your oven to 400°F (205°C).
Because you want the fat on the top of your pork belly to crisp, you need to cook it with the fat facing upwards.
The pork belly is so dense and you want to fully heat the inside, without overcooking it, I find that using aluminum foil is best.
You can add a little white or apple cider vinegar at the base of your pork belly as well.
Vinegar can be used as a way to tenderize meats.
It won’t affect the flavor if you don’t use too much, but it reacts with your meat to make sure that you don’t end up with tough pork.
Once you’ve covered it, leave your pork belly in the oven for around 15 minutes. Check to make sure that the top of the pork belly has become crispy.
3. Reheating Pork Belly In an Air Fryer
If you are using an air fryer, you want to set it to 400°F (205°C).
When cooking your pork belly you want to place it into the air fryer basket with the fatty skin side facing up.
This ensures that the skin will get crispy while the rest cooks.
If you cook it in the air fryer with the fatty skin down, not only will it not be crisp, but it will also become chewy.
To fully reheat your pork belly in an air fryer, leave it for eight to ten minutes before removing it.
4. Reheating Pork Belly In a Deep Fryer
If you want extra crispy pork belly, you can reheat it in a deep fryer, or use a deep frying method on your stovetop.
Just be careful to not leave it in for more than three minutes, as it will cook quickly.
Wait until your oil is at 300°F (149°C) and then cook and reheat your pork belly by slices.
If you do not cook it in slices, you will likely end up with a pork belly that is very crispy on the outside, but still cold on the inside.
I find that this method is great if you are reheating pork belly for ramen.
The frying process does remove the majority of the moisture, having it in a broth can bring back that moist flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Reheat Pork Belly
Is it safe to eat reheated pork belly?
You can safely eat reheated pork belly as long as it has not spoiled. Do not attempt to rehear pork belly that has not been properly stored. The reheating process will not cook off harmful bacteria that will have formed on the pork belly. If you have properly stored it, you may still notice a difference in taste. This isn’t a sign that it’s spoiled, but that it has been reheated improperly.
Can you reheat pork belly in the microwave?
While you can reheat pork belly in the microwave, I don’t recommend it. Reheating it this way will dramatically affect the texture and often end up with a layer of chewy, enabling fat, rather than the ideal crispy skin. The only benefit of using the microwave is that it cuts down on the cooking time.
Should I slice my pork belly before reheating it?
You can reheat either uncut or sliced pork belly. I find that if you do not slice it first, your end result will have more of a tender texture. However, if you are looking for an extra crispy pork belly, slicing it can make it easier to get the right texture.
Conclusion About How to Reheat Pork Belly
If you have leftover or pre-cooked pork belly, don’t worry.
You can reheat your pork belly, and depending on the method, the end result will be as close to fresh pork belly as possible.
You can reheat pork belly in a skillet, the oven, an air fryer, or a fryer and get a good end result.