Meltingly Tender Pork Belly: A Secret Recipe from a Spanish Butcher

Discover the secret to making pork belly so tender it melts in your mouth, thanks to a trick shared by a Spanish butcher. This recipe combines the rich flavors of pork belly with the aromatic touch of light wheat beer and herbs, resulting in a dish that’s both succulent and full of depth. Paired with perfectly seasoned potatoes and a refreshing side salad, this meal is sure to impress. Let’s dive into this mouth-watering recipe.

Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Pork Belly:

  • 2 pounds (700g) pork belly
  • 1 bottle (500 ml) light wheat beer
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 3 onions, cut into half rings
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Herbs from France (Herbes de Provence)
  • Sweet peppers
  • 1 bottle (500 ml) light wheat beer (for simmering)

For the Potatoes:

  • 2 pounds boiled potatoes, cut as shown in the video
  • 3-4 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Vegetable fat
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Red onion, chopped
  • Pickle, chopped
  • Dill and parsley, chopped
  • Cucumber, chopped
  • Parsley, chopped
  • Sour cream (additional for serving)
  • Salt (for seasoning)

Directions

Preparing the Pork Belly:

  1. Marinate the Pork Belly: Place the pork belly in a jar and pour in 1 bottle (500 ml) of light wheat beer. Cover with a lid and let it marinate for 30 minutes.
  2. Remove Excess Moisture: After 30 minutes, remove the pork belly from the marinade and pat it dry to remove excess moisture.
  3. Fry the Pork Belly: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the pork belly for 5 minutes on each side until it is golden brown.
  4. Prepare the Onions: In the same pan, add the sliced onions. Sauté for 5 minutes until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
  5. Season and Simmer: Season the onions with salt, black pepper, herbs from France, and sweet peppers. Add the pork belly back into the pan and pour in another bottle (500 ml) of light wheat beer. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.

Preparing the Potatoes:

  1. Season the Potatoes: In a bowl, mix the boiled and cut potatoes with sour cream, lemon juice, mustard, honey, vegetable fat, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Add the Vegetables: Stir in the chopped red onion, pickle, dill, parsley, and cucumber.
  3. Mix Well: Combine all the ingredients until the potatoes are well-coated with the dressing and vegetables.
  4. Serve: Garnish with additional parsley and a dollop of sour cream. Season with salt to taste.

Additional Information

This recipe not only highlights the incredible tenderness of pork belly but also complements it with the rich, savory flavors from the beer and herbs. The potato salad adds a refreshing and tangy contrast, making it a well-rounded meal. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this dish is bound to become a favorite.

Tips for the Perfect Pork Belly:

  • Marination Time: For an even deeper flavor, consider marinating the pork belly overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Beer Choice: While light wheat beer is recommended for its subtle flavor, you can experiment with other types of beer to find your preferred taste.
  • Cooking Temperature: Maintaining a low simmering temperature is crucial for achieving the melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Enhancing the Potato Salad:

  • Add-ins: Feel free to add other ingredients such as chopped boiled eggs or crispy bacon bits for additional texture and flavor.
  • Dressings: If you prefer a lighter salad, substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt or a light mayonnaise.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoy making and savoring this Pork Belly recipe that melts in your mouth like butter. Inspired by a traditional Spanish method, it’s a delightful way to prepare pork belly. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel, like this recipe video, and leave a comment with your thoughts. Bon appétit!