Savory Pork Belly with Cabbage and Bacon

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

Tender pork belly braised with smoky bacon and crisp cabbage in a rich herb-infused sauce. This American-inspired keto recipe (low carb), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs pork belly, smoked bacon, savoy cabbage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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: 25 min Serves 2 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim excess fat from pork belly and cut into 1-inch cubes. Place in a cold skillet over medium-low heat, then cook for 10 minutes until golden brown on all sides, turning occasionally.
  2. Step 2: Add chopped bacon to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes until crisp, then remove bacon and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add cabbage to the skillet, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt, and sauté for 5 minutes until slightly wilted and edges are golden.
  4. Step 4: Stir in butter, minced garlic, thyme, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Return bacon to skillet, add heavy cream, and simmer for 8 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Savory Pork Belly with Cabbage and Bacon take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Savory Pork Belly with Cabbage and Bacon?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Savory Pork Belly with Cabbage and Bacon?

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 Savory Pork Belly with Cabbage and Bacon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Savory Pork Belly with Cabbage and Bacon low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged 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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