Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Garlic and Rosemary

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

Crispy oven-roasted pork belly infused with garlic and fresh rosemary, delivering savory flavor and crackling skin perfect for keto meals. This mediterranean-inspired pork (keto, low carb) ready in about 120 minutes pairs skin on pork belly slab, sea salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 105 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Score the skin of the 2 lb pork belly slab in a crisscross pattern using a sharp knife, cutting through the skin but not into the meat.
  2. Step 2: Rub 2 tsp sea salt and 1 tsp black pepper evenly over the pork belly skin and meat. Massage 2 tbsp olive oil into the skin to help crisping.
  3. Step 3: Insert 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary into the scored cuts and under the pork belly.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp ground fennel seeds over the meat side for extra aroma.
  5. Step 5: Place pork belly on a wire rack over a baking tray, skin side up, and roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and continue roasting for an additional 1 hour 15 minutes until the skin is crisp and meat is tender.
  7. Step 7: Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into bite-size pieces and serving with steamed low-carb vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Garlic and Rosemary take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (15 min prep + 105 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 Garlic and Rosemary?

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 on pork belly slab from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Garlic and Rosemary?

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 Garlic and Rosemary 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.

Is Oven-Roasted Pork Belly with Garlic and Rosemary keto?

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

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