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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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