Ilocos-Inspired Bagnet with Garlic Fried Rice
Crisp-fried pork belly bagnet served with savory garlic fried rice, a beloved regional Filipino specialty. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 110 minutes pairs water, salt, vegetable oil, for deep frying for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 720 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
- 2 lbs pork belly, skin on, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 8 cups water
- 2 tsp salt
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying
- 4 cups cooked jasmine rice, day-old
- 6 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil for frying rice
- to taste salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 2 lbs pork belly cubes, 8 cups water, and 2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer uncovered for 1 hour until pork is very tender. Remove pork and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Step 2: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F. Carefully deep-fry the pork belly pieces in batches for 8-10 minutes until the skin is blistered, golden, and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and golden but not burnt.
- Step 4: Add 4 cups day-old cooked jasmine rice to the skillet. Stir-fry with garlic for 5 minutes until heated through and rice grains are separated. Season with salt to taste and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Serve the crispy bagnet alongside garlic fried rice, garnished with fresh tomatoes or dipping vinegar if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ilocos-Inspired Bagnet with Garlic Fried Rice take to make?
Total time is about 110 minutes (20 min prep + 90 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 Ilocos-Inspired Bagnet with Garlic Fried Rice?
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 water from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ilocos-Inspired Bagnet with Garlic Fried Rice?
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 Ilocos-Inspired Bagnet with Garlic Fried Rice 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 Ilocos-Inspired Bagnet with Garlic Fried Rice?
Filipino pork 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.
