Beyond Bacon: 8 Ways to Transform Pork Belly

Pork belly is the closest you can get to eating a big slab of bacon for dinner. The unsmoked, uncured cut of meat can be rendered until crisp, braised low and slow, and flavored in many different ways. Check out eight of our favorites.

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Pork Belly Tacos

Latin-Asian fusion will be your new favorite way to flavor pork belly. Coat meat with Chinese five-spice powder, ginger and soy sauce, then serve it on a warm tortilla bed topped with pico de gallo.

Get the Recipe: Pork Belly Tacos

Braised Pork Belly Bao

Oh, bao! Skip the sliders for Chinese buns stuffed with braised pork belly.

Get the Recipe: Braised Pork Belly Bao

Pork Belly with Lentils

Pork belly welcomes a French infusion. Made with Dijon mustard, fresh veggies and peppercorns, this is a balanced — and tres delicieux — dish.

Get the Recipe: Pork Belly with Lentils

Korean Roasted Pork Belly Bossam

Meaning "wrapped," bossam is a Korean dish in which thinly sliced pork is seasoned, cooked quickly, and wrapped in lettuce and pickled radish. This method is perfect for pork belly, as the crispy lettuce and tangy pickles contrast the taste and texture.

Get the Recipe: Korean Roasted Pork Belly Bossam

Spicy Pork Belly Cheesesteak

Pork belly is seasoned with gochujang (chile paste), soy sauce, pickled jalapenos and gochugaru (chile flakes) for a sandwich that is as tender as it is fiery.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Pork Belly Cheesesteak

Braised Pork Belly With Kabocha Squash

Braised and sauteed pork belly is tender and crisp, and sweet roasted kabocha squash is the perfect match.

Get the Recipe: Braised Pork Belly With Kabocha Squash

Spicy Pork Belly Barbecue (Maewoon Samgyupsal)

Play up the natural sweetness of pork belly with pineapple and honey, then lace it with gochujang (Korean red chile paste) for a complex barbecue dish.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Pork Belly BBQ

Jerk Pork Belly and Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Eggs

This will be your new favorite brinner. Caribbean-inspired pork belly (seasoned with coriander, habanero powder, ginger and more) is served with sweet potatoes and fried eggs for a spicy-sweet dish.

Get the Recipe: Jerk Pork Belly and Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Eggs