Authentic Crispy Pork Belly with Maple Glaze
A Korean-inspired dish featuring tender, crackling pork belly glazed with a sweet and savory maple reduction. This korean-inspired quick meals ready in about 55 minutes pairs pork belly, maple syrup, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork belly
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat pork belly dry and score fat layer in a crosshatch pattern.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Brush mixture over pork belly, covering evenly.
- Step 3: Roast for 25 minutes, then increase oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake for 10 minutes until glaze caramelizes and skin is golden-brown. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Crispy Pork Belly with Maple Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Crispy Pork Belly with Maple Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork belly from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Crispy Pork Belly with Maple Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Crispy Pork Belly with Maple Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Crispy Pork Belly with Maple Glaze?
Korean quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
