Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Herb Crust
A rich, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly dish with a crispy herb crust, perfectly suited for keto dieters seeking high-protein, low-carb satisfaction without sacrificing flavor. This american-inspired slow cooker (keto, high protein) ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork belly, avocado oil, bone broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 720 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 12 oz pork belly
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 cup bone broth
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the 12 oz pork belly dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the pork belly for 3 minutes per side until golden brown edges form, then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 3: Pour 1 cup bone broth over the pork belly, then mix in 1 tbsp chopped rosemary and 1 tsp chopped thyme.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours until fork-tender, then remove pork and strain the cooking liquid into a small saucepan.
- Step 5: Simmer the strained broth over medium heat for 15 minutes until reduced by half and slightly thickened, then spoon over the sliced pork belly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Herb Crust take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 min prep + 480 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 Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Herb Crust?
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 Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Herb Crust?
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 Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Herb Crust 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 Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Herb Crust keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
