Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Maple and Apple

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly braised with sweet maple syrup and tart apples until fall-apart tender, creating a rich, balanced dish perfect for cozy dinners. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 140 minutes pairs pork belly, maple syrup, medium apples for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.4 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add pork belly cubes and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, cooking for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in diced apples, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 cup chicken stock, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then return pork belly to the pot.
  4. Step 4: Cover and simmer on low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and apples are soft.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Maple and Apple take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Maple and Apple?

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 Maple and Apple?

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 Maple and Apple for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Maple and Apple?

American one pot 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.

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