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Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Chili-Lime Glaze

4 servings · 1.9 g net carbs

1.9g Net carbs 69.2g Fat 54.8g Protein 863.7 kcal
Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Chili-Lime Glaze

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This recipe was generated with AI assistance; nutrition is computed from USDA FoodData Central.

4 servings  ·  prep 20 min  ·  cook 1 hr 50 min  ·  total 2 hr 10 min  ·  difficulty hard

Roasted then pan-seared pork belly uses low-temperature roasting and high-heat searing with pork belly, salt, black pepper, tamari, and lime juice. After a 90-minute roast the cubes are seared in avocado oil so the chili powder, cumin, and crushed red pepper in the glaze caramelize and cling. Scoring the fat cap before roasting encourages the fat to render and the surface to crisp when seared. Spoon off most of the rendered fat before adding the tamari-lime glaze so the liquid bubbles and quickly coats the cubes without pooling or burning.

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Ingredients

  • pork bellyPork, Belly
    800 g
  • saltSalt, Table
    6 g
  • black pepperSpices, Pepper, black
    2 g
  • avocado oilOil, Avocado
    15 ml
  • tamariSoy sauce made from soy (tamari)
    30 g
  • lime juiceLime juice, Raw
    25 g
  • chili powderSpices, Chili powder
    4 g
  • cuminSpices, Cumin seed
    3 g
  • garlic powderSpices, Garlic powder
    2 g
  • crushed red pepperSpices, Pepper, red or cayenne
    1 g
  • sesame seeds
    6 g
  • cilantroCilantro, Raw
    6 g

Equipment

  • sheet pan
  • wire rack
  • 12-inch skillet
  • tongs

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Line a sheet pan with foil and set a wire rack on top.
  2. Pat the pork belly dry. Score the fat cap in a shallow crosshatch. Season all over with the salt and black pepper, then place fat-side up on the rack.
  3. Roast for 90 minutes, until the fat is rendering and the meat is tender. Let rest for 10 minutes, then cut into cubes.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil, then add the pork belly cubes in a single layer. Sear, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until deeply crisp on several sides, about 6 to 8 minutes. Spoon off most of the rendered fat from the pan.
  5. While the pork crisps, combine the tamari, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl to make the glaze.
  6. Increase the heat to high. Pour the glaze into the skillet and toss the pork for 30 to 60 seconds until the liquid bubbles and lightly coats the cubes. Remove from heat immediately to avoid burning the spices.
  7. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with the sesame seeds and chopped cilantro. Serve hot.
Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Line a sheet pan with foil and set a wire rack on top.

Tips

Pro tip

  • Soy sauce can be used in place of tamari in the same amount.
  • An air fryer can crisp the roasted cubes at 400°F for about 8 to 10 minutes, shaking once.
  • Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 3 days; re-crisp in a hot skillet before glazing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use crushed red pepper instead of chili powder?
Yes, you can substitute crushed red pepper for the chili powder, but the result will be noticeably spicier and more single-note. Chili powder is usually milder and can include other ground chiles or spices, so using crushed red pepper increases heat while the cumin and garlic powder already in the glaze provide the savory backing that chili powder would otherwise contribute.
Can I replace the tamari with extra salt?
You can replace the tamari with only salt, but the glaze will lose the savory liquid body that tamari provides. Tamari contributes both umami and moisture for the glaze to bubble and coat the pork; using just salt will season the meat but leave the glaze drier and flatter in flavor.
Why isn’t the pork belly getting crispy when I sear it?
If the pork isn’t crisping, it’s usually because the cubes are overcrowded, wet, or sitting in too much rendered fat. Pat the pieces dry after resting, sear them in a single layer over medium-high heat, turn every two to three minutes, and spoon off excess fat so each side can brown evenly.
Why does the glaze burn or taste bitter when I add it to the pan?
The glaze will burn if left over high heat too long because the tamari and ground spices can char quickly. Spoon off most of the rendered fat first, then add the tamari-lime mixture and toss for only thirty to sixty seconds on high before removing from the heat to avoid burning the spices.
Why is the pork still tough after the 90-minute roast?
If the meat remains tough, the fat may not have rendered enough or the roast temperature may be uneven. Confirm the fat cap was scored and the pork roasted fat-side up so the fat renders toward the meat; additional low-temperature roasting will continue breaking down connective tissue until the meat becomes tender.
How should I store leftovers, and how do I reheat them?
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking — within 1 hour if the room is above 90°F (32°C). USDA general guidance for cooked leftovers is 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, or the freezer for longer. Reheat until steaming hot throughout, to 165°F (74°C). These are USDA FoodKeeper general guidelines, not a measurement of this specific recipe.

Per serving

Primary macros

1.9g Net carbs 1% 55% 44%
Net carbs Fat Protein
1.9 gNet carbs
54.8 gProtein
69.2 gFat
1 gFiber
863.7Calories

Electrolytes

Na1928 mgSodium
K655 mgPotassium
Mg55 mgMagnesium

Minerals

Calcium
128 mg
Iron
3.24 mg
Magnesium
55 mg
Phosphorus
428 mg
Potassium
655 mg
Zinc
7.29 mg
Copper
0.324 mg
Selenium
75.8 µg

Vitamins

Vitamin A
46 µg
Vitamin C
2.5 mg
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Thiamin (B1)
1.109 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
0.832 mg
Niacin (B3)
18.43 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
Vitamin B6
1.046 mg
Folate
6 µg
Vitamin B12
1.78 µg

Other nutrients

Choline

Based on USDA source data. A dash means that nutrient wasn’t reported for this food — it doesn’t mean the food contains none. Nothing was estimated in its place.

224.7 g per serving

5 figures are unavailable. Nothing was estimated in its place.

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Published 9 August 2026 · updated 20 August 2026

Nutrition computed from USDA FoodData Central, from the matched food records — never estimated by a model. How we compute these numbers.