Paleo Braised Pork Belly

Indulge in the rich, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of this Paleo Braised Pork Belly, a flavorful masterpiece that’s both comforting and nutritious. This dish combines the indulgence of golden-seared pork belly with the aromatic warmth of ginger, garlic, and star anise, all simmered to perfection in a savory broth of coconut aminos and bone broth. Enhanced with vibrant carrots and topped with fresh garnishes of green onions and cilantro, this slow-cooked recipe effortlessly balances caramelized umami notes with a subtle tang from apple cider vinegar. Perfect served over cauliflower rice for a low-carb, Paleo-friendly meal, this braised pork belly is a delicious reminder that simplicity and bold flavor go hand in hand.

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork belly
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 2 large, chopped carrots
• 1 inch piece, sliced ginger
• 0.5 cup coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups bone broth
• 2 pieces bay leaves
• 2 pieces star anise
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 for garnish, chopped green onions
• 0.25 cup, for garnish, chopped cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Start by rinsing the pork belly under cold water, then pat it dry with paper towels. Cut the pork belly into equal squares, about 2 inches on each side.

Step 2

Heat the coconut oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork belly pieces skin-side down. Sear each side until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step is crucial for developing depth of flavor.

Step 3

Remove the pork belly from the pot and set aside. Lower the heat to medium and add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the onions become translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the chopped carrots and sliced ginger, sautéing them together for another 3 minutes until the ginger becomes fragrant.

Step 5

Return the seared pork belly to the pot, arranging the pieces over the vegetables.

Step 6

Pour in the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, and bone broth. The liquid should immerse the pork belly by at least half. If necessary, add a little more bone broth.

Step 7

Add in bay leaves, star anise, black pepper, and sea salt. Stir gently to incorporate.

Step 8

Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low and braise the pork belly for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Check occasionally to ensure the liquid is not reducing too quickly; add more bone broth if necessary.

Step 10

Once the pork belly is tender and easily pierced with a fork, remove it from the heat.

Step 11

Serve the braised pork belly with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and cilantro for a fresh burst of flavor. Enjoy this savory Paleo delight over a bed of cauliflower rice or alongside your favorite vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1912.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5342.7

Total Fat 511.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 198.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 653.2mg	0%
Sodium 5418.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 65.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.6g	0%
Total Sugars 37.5g
Protein 107.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 264.8mg	0%
Iron 9.3mg	0%
Potassium 2721.9mg	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: 86.9%

Protein: 8.1%

Carbs: 5.0%