Lechon Belly

Indulge in the ultimate Filipino roast experience with this mouthwatering Lechon Belly recipe, featuring tender, seasoned pork belly rolled with aromatic lemongrass, garlic, and herbs, then slow-roasted to perfection. This centerpiece-worthy dish is celebrated for its irresistible contrast of juicy, flavorful meat and perfectly crisp, golden skin. With a fragrant marinade of soy sauce, vinegar, and spices, and stuffed with traditional ingredients like bay leaves and green onions, every slice bursts with savory goodness. Perfect for special occasions or festive feasts, this lechon belly is best served with steamed rice and your favorite dipping sauce. Whether you're craving authentic Filipino cuisine or looking to impress your guests, this recipe will turn any meal into a celebration.

Nutriscore Rating: 41/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:220 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 kg pork belly
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 120 ml soy sauce
• 3 lemongrass stalks
• 1 large red onion
• 8 garlic cloves
• 6 green onions
• 5 bay leaves
• 50 ml olive oil
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns
• 60 ml vinegar

Directions

Step 1

1. Begin by laying the pork belly skin-side down on a clean surface. Score the meat lightly with a knife to allow better penetration of the marinade.

Step 2

2. In a bowl, combine salt, black pepper, soy sauce, and vinegar. Stir the mixture until the salt dissolves entirely.

Step 3

3. Thoroughly massage the marinade into the pork belly, ensuring even coverage. Allow it to sit for at least 1 hour or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 4

4. Trim and cut lemongrass stalks into thin strips to expose their aromatic centers, then slice the red onion and garlic.

Step 5

5. Lay the sliced onions, garlic, lemongrass, peppercorns, bay leaves, and green onions evenly on top of the meat.

Step 6

6. Roll the pork belly, ensuring that the stuffing stays inside. Use kitchen twine to secure the roll tightly at regular intervals.

Step 7

7. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Step 8

8. Place the pork belly roll on a wire rack over a baking tray lined with foil to catch drippings.

Step 9

9. Brush the pork skin lightly with olive oil to aid in crisping, then sprinkle a bit more salt on the skin.

Step 10

10. Roast the pork belly in the oven for about 3 hours. Halfway through, check for even browning and rotate if necessary.

Step 11

11. For a cracklier skin, increase the oven temperature to 220°C (430°F) in the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Step 12

12. Once golden and crispy, remove the lechon belly from the oven and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Step 13

13. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and freshly steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2755.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	11239.0

Total Fat 1109.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 393.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.7g
Cholesterol 1440mg	0%
Sodium 20338.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 97.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.3g	0%
Total Sugars 9.5g
Protein 208.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 510.6mg	0%
Iron 31.1mg	0%
Potassium 5255.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 89.1%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 3.5%