Roasted Cebu-Style Lechon with Lemongrass and Basil
A festive pork roast inspired by Cebu’s famous lechon, seasoned with lemongrass and basil, then roasted until the skin is crisp and the meat juicy. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 215 minutes pairs pounds whole pork belly (skin on), stalks lemongrass stalks, fresh basil leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds whole pork belly (skin on)
- 3 stalks lemongrass stalks
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 8 cloves garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Finely chop 3 lemongrass stalks, 8 garlic cloves, and 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves. In a bowl, combine with 2 tbsp salt and 1 tbsp black pepper to make a herb paste.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 pounds whole pork belly with skin on. Carefully lift the skin and rub the herb paste evenly under the skin and all over the meat side.
- Step 3: Place the pork belly skin-side up on a roasting rack inside a deep roasting pan. Drizzle 2 tbsp vegetable oil over the skin and pour 1 cup water into the pan for moisture.
- Step 4: Roast uncovered for 3 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices, until the skin is crisp and the meat is tender.
- Step 5: For extra crispiness, increase oven temperature to 450°F during the last 15 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Step 6: Let the lechon rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Cebu-Style Lechon with Lemongrass and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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 Roasted Cebu-Style Lechon with Lemongrass and Basil?
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 stalks lemongrass stalks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Cebu-Style Lechon with Lemongrass and Basil?
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 Roasted Cebu-Style Lechon with Lemongrass and Basil 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 Roasted Cebu-Style Lechon with Lemongrass and Basil?
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.
