Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Skin and Cauliflower Mash

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

Tender pork belly slow-roasted until the skin crisps up, served alongside creamy cauliflower mash for a rich, comforting keto entree. This pork (keto, low carb) ready in about 190 minutes pairs pork belly slab with skin, divided salt, divided black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 600 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Score the skin of 2 lbs pork belly in a crosshatch pattern with a sharp knife. Rub with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder, then flip and season the meat side with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place pork belly on a wire rack set inside a roasting pan skin-side up. Roast uncovered for 2 hours until tender.
  3. Step 3: Increase oven temperature to 450°F and roast pork belly for an additional 30 minutes until the skin puffs and crisps.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, steam 1 large head cauliflower florets until very tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor with 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Step 5: Slice the roasted pork belly into portions and serve atop or alongside the cauliflower mash. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Skin and Cauliflower Mash take to make?

Total time is about 190 minutes (40 min prep + 150 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 Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Skin and Cauliflower Mash?

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 slab with skin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Skin and Cauliflower Mash?

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 Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Skin and Cauliflower Mash 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.

Is Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Skin and Cauliflower Mash keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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