Maple-Glazed Roasted Pork Belly with Pickled Red Cabbage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender roasted pork belly glazed with a sweet maple syrup reduction paired with tangy quick-pickled red cabbage for contrast and crunch. This american-inspired pork ready in about 235 minutes pairs skin scored pork belly slab, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 220 min Serves 6 American cuisine 540 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Pat dry 2 lbs pork belly with a paper towel and season all over with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: Roast pork belly for 3 hours until very tender. Increase oven temperature to 425°F.
  3. Step 3: Brush pork belly evenly with 1/4 cup maple syrup and roast an additional 20 minutes until caramelized and crispy on top.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup water, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp mustard seeds, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes. Bring to a simmer for 2 minutes until sugar dissolves.
  5. Step 5: Place 3 cups thinly sliced red cabbage in a heatproof bowl and pour the hot pickling liquid over it. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Slice the roasted pork belly into 1/2-inch pieces and serve topped with a generous spoonful of pickled red cabbage.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Roasted Pork Belly with Pickled Red Cabbage take to make?

Total time is about 235 minutes (15 min prep + 220 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 Maple-Glazed Roasted Pork Belly with Pickled Red Cabbage?

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 skin scored pork belly slab from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Roasted Pork Belly with Pickled Red Cabbage?

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 Maple-Glazed Roasted Pork Belly with Pickled Red Cabbage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Maple-Glazed Roasted Pork Belly with Pickled Red Cabbage?

American 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.

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